Source: NCDA&CS, 4/6/22


We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Parker Whitt, Environmental Specialist II with our Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each Wednesday here on the blog or any of our social media accounts and join us in honoring those who continue to drive our state’s agriculture industry forward each day!

Did you know that agriculture is responsible for ensuring you and your family sleep happy and healthy at night? Parker Whitt, Environmental Specialist II with the Sleep Products Section of our Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division, has been monitoring and inspecting manufacturing facilities and retail stores across the state to make sure only the best products are being sold to you.

As a young man, Parker did not expect to end up in the agriculture industry. “When I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master’s degree in Biology, I had no idea where my career was going to take me but I didn’t think it would be agriculture,” he said. “However, a few years out of college, I ended up being with Forsyth county where my journey to N.C. agriculture began.” In 1987, Parker started working with the environmental health section of Forsyth county. He worked for many years as a mosquito and tick expert, helping a variety of individuals across the industry identify and manage them. In fact, he continues to educate people on these insects at schools and other events across the southeast and is the author of 13 scientific publications, including a mosquito and tick identification guide that he uses throughout his trainings. “Ticks and mosquitos not only fascinate me and have been a huge foundation of my adult career, but all of that work and research also helped prepare me for the role that I hold today with the NCDA,” he said.

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