August 2017 — Katelyn Bailey is from Trinity, NC and is currently studying Horticulture at NC State University.  Katelyn has brought her knowledge of the agriculture industry to her mentor organization, the Small Business and Technology Development Center at UNC-Pembroke, which focuses on business counseling services. As an apprentice, she has been helping to develop a business plan for Millard Locklear, a seventh generation farmer, and his wife Connie, who are looking to expand their produce operation.  Working with the Locklears has been inspirational for Katelyn, who says it’s “really beautiful to see their lifestyle and passion. It’s eye opening and makes you think, ‘what are the small steps I can make as a person to move toward that?'”

Katelyn had experience in agricultural research from working in the tobacco lab at NC State, and this apprenticeship has helped her build the skills needed to one day reach her goal of becoming a Cooperative Extension agent. “I’m learning a lot…through working with the Locklears to understand what situation they’re in, and to empathize with the farmer” says Katelyn. “I want to go into Extension to be able to connect people with the research… the people who really need it.  That’s what’s so great about the local food movement… It’s about getting people involved and letting them know its ok to try new things.”

The apprenticeship experience has confirmed Katelyn’s desire to work in agriculture and has encouraged her to continue doing what she loves.  She explains, “I think the passion I’ve started inside myself, that Mr. Locklear has empowered in me and that [my mentor Elizabeth Wilkerson, of the Small Business and Technology Development Center] has helped me with… That passion will carry me really far because when you’re doing something you love, working hard is never difficult for you. It’s amazing to feel that, when you’ve been struggling in college trying to figure out what you want to do.”

This article originally appeared in the August 2017 NC Growing Together Newsletter.