North Carolina’s future of farming is bright with NC A&T youth program – WXII12 Winston-Salem

The future of farming through NC A&T’s youth agriculture program

Introduction

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program is engaging 4H high school students across the state in the future of farming practices. The program is hosted at NC A&T, one of seven historically black colleges and universities preparing the next generation for careers in farming thanks to a federal grant.

Program Objectives

• Engage underserved populations in agriculture
• Promote STEM careers in agriculture
• Increase the number of black farmers in North Carolina

Program Activities

The program provides high school students from rural areas with hands-on experience and mentorship from current college students and professors. The students learn about various aspects of farming, including the use of technology and innovation.

• Students learn about robotic milkers and managing beef cattle
• They explore the integration of technology in farming practices
• Drones are used for agricultural purposes

Impact and Expected Growth

The program had 300 high school participants and over 100 mentors in 2024. It is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The aim is to reach upwards of 3,000 high school students over the next four years.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – by promoting agriculture as a viable career option, the program aims to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by empowering young people to engage in farming practices, the program contributes to food security
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – by providing hands-on experience and mentorship, the program enhances the quality of education for high school students
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality – by engaging underserved populations, including girls, the program promotes gender equality in the agricultural sector
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by preparing the next generation for careers in farming, the program contributes to economic growth
6. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – by showcasing the integration of technology in farming practices, the program promotes innovation in the agricultural sector
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – the program is a collaboration between NC A&T and other organizations, demonstrating the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs

Conclusion

The Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America program at NC A&T is playing a crucial role in engaging high school students in the future of farming practices. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and the use of technology, the program aims to increase the number of black farmers in North Carolina and promote sustainable agriculture. By aligning with the SDGs, the program contributes to the achievement of global development goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 4.4: Number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
• Indicator for SDG 8.6: Proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• Indicator for SDG 9.5: Research and development spending and number of research and development workers.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Measures of social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals.
• Indicator for SDG 17.6: Regional and international cooperation on science, technology, and innovation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wxii12.com