Applications for Golden LEAF Foundation scholarships available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf
Application deadline is March 1, 2012
Golden LEAF Scholars Program - Information and applications for the 2012-13 Golden LEAF scholarship program are now available online by clicking the following link: CFNC.org/goldenleaf. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients to assist with tuition for the 2012-13 academic year.The awards are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year for up to four years) for students attending a qualifying North Carolina college or university and are funded by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The Golden LEAF Scholars Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).To be considered, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
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be enrolled during the 2011-12 academic year at a North Carolina public or private high school or a North Carolina community college
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planning to enroll in fall 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman at one of the 57 qualifying public universities or private colleges and universities in N.C. or planning to enroll as a transfer student from a N.C. community college
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be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes with a permanent residence in one of 78 qualifying rural counties
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demonstrate financial need
Candidates must submit the following to NCSEAA:
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a Golden LEAF scholarship application, available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf
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a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), available at www.fafsa.gov
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a current high school or community college transcript no later than March 1
A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at CFNC.org/goldenleaf. The application deadline is March 1, 2012.For more information, contact College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 866-866-CFNC.
Golden LEAF Scholars Program for N.C. Community Colleges - Golden LEAF also offers scholarships for students to attend participating N.C. community colleges. Details are posted at CFNC.org/goldenleaf. Click the Golden LEAF Scholars Program for N.C. Community Colleges link. Contact the financial aid office at your local community college for more information about scholarship availability, application details and deadlines.
Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program - Update
Pictured are Golden LEAF Scholars attending a three-day leadership training program in February 2011 at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro.
Last year, Golden LEAF Scholars Program recipients were eligible to apply for the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program. The program was funded through a Golden LEAF grant to the Center for Creative Leadership.
The 2010-11 freshman class of Golden LEAF Scholars was invited to participate in the inaugural Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program. Ninety-nine freshmen participated in a three-day leadership conference, leadership coaching, a paid summer internship in a rural community, and a two-day leadership conference featuring reports on scholars' internship experiences.
The 2011-12 sophomore class of Golden LEAF Scholars has begun a second year of rural leadership training, while the freshman class of 2011-12 is currently being recruited for the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program.
The program is designed to provide job opportunities in the rural or economically distressed hometowns of our scholars and foster leadership skills so that they will be motivated to return to their hometowns or other rural N.C. communities as future community and business leaders once they have obtained a post-secondary education. |
Foothills Pilot Plant gets USDA, FDA certifications for processing poultry, rabbit starting January 9
Project supported by Golden LEAF grants
The Foothills Pilot Plant, a nonprofit in Marion, is now able to accept scheduling for the processing of chickens and turkeys under USDA inspection beginning January 9, 2012.
The Foothills Pilot Plant is a facility located in McDowell County that was created to serve independent growers seeking USDA inspection of their meat products on a fee for service basis.
"The facility will help us to produce products that will allow us to sell anywhere," said Mike Brown, a Buncombe County farmer. "USDA certification gives people a safer feeling about their food because they know it is processed in a clean, inspected and approved facility."
Mike Brown is holding a carton of Farside Farms eggs at his Buncombe County farm. Photo courtesy of ASAP.
Brown harvests and sells a variety of produce, meat and poultry through his farm operation, Farside Farms. He is an original member of the Independent Small Animal Meat Processors Association of Western NC, who helped form the nonprofit Foothills Pilot Plant and find the funding to back it.
Brown said he would be interested in using the facility so that he can market to a new clientele. Health food markets, grocery stores, and restaurants require the certification.
In 2005, Golden LEAF funded a statewide feasibility study through the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that revealed a demand for a small-scale shared-use poultry and rabbit processing facility in western North Carolina. The study was commissioned as a result of increased consumer demand for locally produced poultry and rabbits.
At least 30 small-scale independent poultry and rabbit producers in fifteen counties in the western part of the state indicated a demand for the facility, according to the study. Local farmers are interested in the USDA (poultry) and FDA (rabbits) certified facility so that they can increase production and reach additional markets such as grocers and restaurants, which are able to charge a premium for locally produced products.
Golden LEAF funded two subsequent grants to support the Foothills Pilot Plant totaling $318,000 for construction of the facility, equipment and start-up operational costs.
"This project has been coming together for years," said Smithson Mills, Director, Center for Assessment and Research Alliances at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. "Golden LEAF has been one of the earliest supporters of the project."
Additional production by regional farms is expected once the facility is operational. By the third year of operations, the facility is expected to generate over $400,000 per year in revenues for farms.
Other funders for the Foothills Pilot Plant include the North Carolina Rural Center, USDA Rural Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
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SCC's Ammonia Refrigeration Program wins Governor's Award for Innovative Partnership
Golden LEAF contributes a $300,000 grant for lab equipment to the project
Sampson Community College's Ammonia Refrigeration program was presented the first-ever Governor's Award for an Innovative Partnership in Workforce Development in October. Mark Sorrells, Senior VP of Golden LEAF, joined partners from SCC, Butterball, Prestige, and the North Carolina Community College System at the reception in Greensboro to receive the award. SCC and its partners were one of nine projects nominated for the award.
There are only three other ammonia refrigeration programs in the nation. Local food processing companies are in need of skilled technicians to maintain their refrigeration systems. SCC worked with its partners to bring this innovative training program to fruition through a collaborative effort to fund costs of a new building, equipment and the development of the curriculum.
"Without these partners, this program would have never been possible," said SCC President, Dr. Bill Aiken. "Their commitment is much appreciated."
Golden LEAF awarded a $300,000 grant to SCC in March of 2007 to assist in establishing the ammonia refrigeration program. The grant supported the purchase of equipment for the refrigeration lab.
Ammonia refrigeration is used commonly by pork, poultry and food processing businesses and in the biotechnology industry. The program benefits North Carolina industries that use ammonia refrigeration, including Prestige Farms, Smithfield Foods, Carolina Turkeys, other food processing facilities, and biotech companies.
Pictured are workers in training through the Sampson Community College Ammonia Refrigeration Program.
The training program has become the primary ammonia training provider for all of Smithfield Foods, Prestige Farms and Butterball employees, and is providing a much needed service to many industries that use this technology. To date, 120 students have had their skills upgraded through the program. It is also bringing money into the county from out-of-state companies.
"The ammonia program is drawing people from across the country, impacting the local economy along the way," said Aiken. |
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Message from the
President
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Dan Gerlach
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I hope you all have a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
This fall, Golden LEAF Foundation representatives have joined local education and government officials across the state of North Carolina to celebrate progress in projects funded by the Foundation. This edition of LEAF Lines describes the wide range of project accomplishments and goals, such as workers trained for available jobs at Sampson Community College, new facilities to expand economic development in Cleveland County, increased options for farmers to process poultry and small animals in McDowell County, new technology in schools in Jones County, and providing the chance to help rural North Carolinians attend college and build their skills to bring back home.
Golden LEAF is happy to announce that scholarship applications are now available (see article to the left). Our Board sees the promise these scholars show to become leaders in their rural communities and has constructed this scholarship program to foster that promise. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $21 million to help 7,859 students from rural North Carolina attend the state's public and private colleges and universities and community colleges.
The Foundation also joined the N.C. Rural Center and other funders in announcing the availability of funding for the third year of Rural Hope, which will help our rural areas have better access to health care and create jobs. We expect that our Board will make several grant awards in February in this area.
While great work has been done, we have much left to do. It is your work that moves North Carolina forward. Please let us know how we can help you foster ideas for the economic advancement of tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural North Carolina communities.
Dan Gerlach can be contacted by
e-mail at dgerlach@goldenleaf.org. |
Golden LEAF celebrates Cleveland County Community Assistance Initiative Projects
City of Shelby completes shell building for economic development marketing
Golden LEAF officials visited Cleveland County on October 14, 2011 to help Cleveland County and state officials celebrate the constructon of a new building in Shelby to be used to recruit new businesses and jobs. Golden LEAF officials helped cut the ribbon on the "Foothills Commerce Center Job Ready Building" and presented two checks totaling just over $2 million for projects awarded grants through the Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative.
Golden LEAF awarded $1 million to the City of Shelby in June of 2010 for the "Foothills Commerce Center Job Ready Building" and just over $1.1 million to the Cleveland Community College Foundation for the "LeGrand Center Information and Audiovisual Technology" project.
Golden LEAF President Dan Gerlach joined local and state officials for the ribbon cutting for the new Foothills Commerce Center shell building in Cleveland County in October 2011.
The City of Shelby officials lauded the completion of the spec building. The plan is to use the building as an economic development tool to market and recruit new businesses to Cleveland County. The building is designed to attract light manufacturing industries.
"The construction of the job ready shell building in partnership with Cleveland County and the City of Shelby could not have been accomplished without the assistance of the Golden LEAF Foundation,"
said former City of Shelby Mayor Ted Alexander. "The shell building project puts our community in a position where we will be able to attract clients and compete for new jobs."
Cleveland Community College Foundation officials also received a ceremonial check for the LeGrand Center. The facility has a variety of audiovisual and technology capabilities for use in presentations as well as educational instruction. The LeGrand Center will meet a critical need for economic development and house the Cleveland Early College High School and corporate and continuing education programs for the college.
"The LeGrand Center will house three unique and distinct tenants," said Senior Dean of Development and Governmental Relations at CCC, Eddie Holbrook. "Having a combination of education, training, and flexible, special event space in one facility creates a special synergy. We are thankful for the support of the Golden LEAF Foundation to ensure the most advanced technology is available and the support from so many in our community to make LeGrand Center a reality." |
Golden LEAF President Dan Gerlach presents representatives from Jones County Public Schools a ceremonial check for a one-to-one laptop project at Jones Senior High School.
Jones County Public Schools get boost from $1.1 million in
Golden LEAF grants
Foundation supports technology at Jones Senior High, STEM education at Jones County Middle schools
Golden LEAF President Dan Gerlach visited Jones County Middle School in October to present Jones County Public Schools' with two ceremonial checks, totaling just over $1.1 million.
Golden LEAF awarded a $750,000 Community Assistance Initiative grant to Jones County Schools in October to support a one-to-one laptop program at Jones Senior High School. The project will provide each high school student and teacher with a laptop, teachers with professional development and curriculum support, and parents with access to technology.
"The community is committed to supporting and helping our students prepare for their future, and this opportunity through Golden LEAF is helping us make it happen," said Superintendent of Jones County Schools, Michael Bracy. "When we invest in our students and make great things happen for them, that's true economic development."
Jones County citizens put education as one of their top priorities through the Golden LEAF Community Assistance Initiative process. The program is focused on providing Jones County students with 21st century workforce-readiness skills and increasing public technology access to households in the county.
This project also is integrated into the school system's Race to the Top strategic plan.
In April, Golden LEAF awarded North Carolina's Eastern Region a $350,000 Golden LEAF STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Initiative grant to support STEM programs in four counties in the eastern region: Craven, Jones, Lenoir and Wayne county schools. As part of the grant, Jones Middle School is receiving a Pitsco STEM lab, which will consist of 10 work stations that teach students math and science skills using project-based learning through flight simulation, bridge-building, engine maintenance and forensic science.
The project will create modular labs in middle schools in each of the four counties to drive relevant STEM content linked to regional industry skill requirements. The labs will allow teachers to use project- and problem-based instruction to apply math and science concepts to real world problems. Each district is in the process of creating a plan to help students move from middle school to high school to post-secondary education and successfully into the workforce by targeting area industry employment skill requirements.
"This middle school collaborative grant will allow students the opportunity to explore careers through STEM education," Bracy said. "The lab is a state-of-the-art facility, and I am amazed at the pride the students show when they are in there. Because of Golden LEAF, we are providing a 21st century experience for students as they prepare for their futures." |
Questions about Golden LEAF?
Please contact Mark Sorrells at msorrells@goldenleaf.org.
Comments or feedback about our newsletter?
Please contact Jenny Tinklepaugh at jtinklepaugh@goldenleaf.org.
© 2011 Golden LEAF Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved
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