Source:  NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 8/27/21


Growing up on a farm in central Tennessee, Lee Ivy has always been involved with agriculture. A senior lecturer in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Science, Ivy has now been tapped to lead NC State University’s Agricultural Institute (AGI).

Ivy, who earned his master’s degree at NC State, brings a wealth of experience to leading AGI. AGI students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in six academic programs, ranging from agribusiness management to landscape technology. 

Before coming to NC State, Ivy was a professor at Sandhills Community College.

“Having worked with associate degree students for 20 years, I feel like I understand what they’re looking for and what they need,” Ivy says. He says the two-year students seek out hands-on learning where they can get their hands dirty and prepare for a career in agriculture or related industries.

“It’s really exciting to be directing a program that is so focused on that. North Carolina is so diverse in its agriculture. There are so many different things that we grow and do with agriculture in this state and it’s an honor to be a part of that,” says Ivy.

“The college welcomes Lee to take on this important leadership role with AGI. AGI is the largest and most comprehensive two-year agricultural degree program in the nation. Lee has the perfect skill set and passion for the AGI program, and I expect he will take us to the next level of excellence,” says Richard Linton, dean of the college.

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