The ceremony was attended by elected officials, donors, industry partners, community members, and WCC personnel.
The building provides stalls for animals brought on campus, lab space, and equipment storage space for WCC’s Agriculture and Natural Resources programs, including Agribusiness Technology, Applied Animal Science Technology, Forest Management Technology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Management Technology.
The construction project was fully funded by donors. Executive Director of the Foundation of WCC Jacqueline Kannan thanked the donors at the ceremony, noting that the project would not have been possible without their support.
“Our donors have shown incredible generosity and have taken action to provide a wonderful new learning facility that will benefit our students, our faculty, and our community partners,” Kannan said.
During the ceremony, two representatives spoke on behalf of organizations that helped fund the building.
Marlowe Ivey, a member of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, said that the new facility will equip students with the practical skills needed for their careers. “Nothing is more important than preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals,” she said. “What we are supporting here today will have an impact that reaches far beyond these grounds.”
David Allen from the North Carolina State Grange said his organization was honored to be a part of the project. “There are three things that are very near and dear to us, and all of those are represented here: agriculture, education, and most importantly, those who will walk through the doors of this building,” Allen said.
The agriculture building was designed by C Design and constructed by Jackson Builders.
Kent Warren, president and CEO of Jackson Builders, spoke about the opportunities the facility will provide. “This building is more than brick, steel, and concrete. It’s an investment in students, workforce development, and the future of agriculture in Wayne County,” he said.
WCC Agriculture and Natural Resources Department Chair Gabe Mitchell said it has been his dream to have a dedicated space for agriculture since he began working at the College. “We’ve already begun using the building on a limited basis, and I’m looking forward to moving the rest of our equipment in here and to have this space,” he said.
WCC Board Chair Ven Faulk thanked the attendees for supporting the College in training the future agricultural workforce. “Investing in the future of agriculture, North Carolina’s top industry, sets our students and graduates up for success and produces skilled employees that our agricultural region will certainly benefit from,” he said.
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