2015 NCACAA Youth Scholarship Winners

2015 North Carolina Association of County Agricultural

Agents Association (NCACAA) Youth Scholarship Award Winners

Submitted By: Tiffanee Conrad, NCACAA Youth Scholarship Committee Chair

The North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents Association proudly announces Caleb Johnson, Fortune Jones, Sierra Jones, and Jeremiah Vance as the 2015 youth scholarship award winners. The scholarship award is being presented to 4 most deserving students who have exhibited excellence in leadership and community service. North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents established this $1000 scholarship to four member or life members’ children or grandchildren to aid them with tuition at any University of their choice.

Caleb Johnson is the son of Mack and Beverly Johnson from Robeson County. Caleb will be studying Forestry Management at Southeastern Community College University in the fall and plans to transfer to North Carolina State University after two years. Caleb said that he has always loved the outdoors and knew from the very beginning that he wanted a career that would be out in the field. He will be interning with Lumber River Timber Company this summer. He is interested in land management to help people preserve our natural resources. He believes that forestry in North Carolina is a renewable resource that we should use wisely and plan sustainable practices for future generations. When asked how his Extension Agent father, Mack Johnson has impacted his life, he says, “I have been lucky enough to grow up on the farm my great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my dad worked. The farm is now rented out but is still being farmed in row crops. My dad has helped me see the importance of agriculture. He has also helped me develop a love for the great outdoors. He may no longer farm, but he has showed me you can still love what you do even if plans change. I think my family roots grow deep in agriculture and I plan to continue the tradition.”

Fortune Jones is the daughter of Jay and Rosiland Jones from Rockingham County. She is studying Nursing at UNC Chapel Hill. She has a concentration in Psychology and Hispanic Linguistics. She has noticed from volunteering in hospitals that not many staff are fluent in Spanish. This creates added stress for patients and she plans to be an asset for the hospital she will work in by reducing the need for translators. She also enjoys working in geriatrics. She has patience and understanding for the elderly and enjoys comforting them during the difficult stage in their lives. She is excited to have chosen a career that is both rewarding to her and beneficial to others. When asked how her Agent grandfather, Judge Pierce has impacted her life, she says, “My Papaw has impacted my life by bringing a source of wisdom and humor at the same time. He enjoys nothing more than taking his grandkids out to the cow pasture or to pick berries and vegetables that he has grown in his backyard. One of my favorite memories with my grandfather is when he was teaching me the proper way to plant a tree. First, we went to the cow pasture and he filled a cardboard box with manure. Then we proceeded to drive back to his house with the manure in the car, which smelled horrible. Then we mixed the manure and water and dirt and planted the tree. It was gross but extremely funny. It is small moments like these that have impacted my life in a significant way. He is also very caring and calls me several times each week just to ask how I am. I could not have a better Papaw.”

Sierra Jones is the daughter of Jay and Rosiland Jones from Rockingham County. She will be studying Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University in the fall. She will have a minor in Non-Profit Business, which she hopes to use to start her own non-profit business for abused or neglected children. While volunteering at an orphanage in Peru this past summer, she met a little girl who had been abandoned under a bridge and left to die as an infant. This has left a big impact on her life, because she knows that her future career will involve helping children. Her future plans range from opening an orphanage in a foreign country to working in social services right in her own hometown. When asked how her Agent grandfather, Judge Pierce has impacted her life, she says, “My Papaw has had a huge impact on my life, because the story of his life is interesting and inspiring. He has always been a hard worker and even now in retirement, he still seeks out opportunities to help or do work for others. His natural love for agriculture has added lots of variety and humor to my life. One time when I was in fourth grade, he brought me a vine of raw peanuts into the class to teach the other children how they grow. I hope when I am his age, my hard work and career success will be a source of inspiration to my grandchildren as he is to me.”

Jeremiah Vance is the son of Jeff and Sharon Vance from Avery County. He will be studying Horticulture at NC State University in the fall. This will allow him to be able to have a career growing plants and trees and still live and raise a family in Avery County. By getting a degree in horticulture, he will have a better knowledge of marketing and business management as well as know how to grow plants and trees which should help him to earn a living doing what he loves to do. His life has always revolved around growing nursery plants, vegetables, and Christmas trees. His favorite day of the year, other than Christmas, was the day they dug potatoes. When asked how his Agent father, Jeff Vance has impacted his life, he says, “My father has had a tremendous impact on every area of my life. He got my involved in 4-H which allowed me to grow and develop skills like public speaking and organizational abilities. I have learned from him that it is important to work hard and give my best effort. He has also taught me how important research information is to improving agriculture. My father’s work as a local Extension Agent has allowed me to participate in activities that have open my eyes to the career I want to pursue and has given me a love for agriculture.