Source: The Carolina Messenger, Carolina Farm Credit, March 21

Carolina Farm Credit recently held its 11th annual Agricultural Leadership Institute in Asheville, NC at the Grove Park Inn. This educational conference brings together and celebrates young, beginning, small and minority farmers. It was created to equip these farmers to meet the challenges of modern agriculture and encourages the sharing of ideas and networking within the industry.

This year's 31 participants were couples or individuals from farms across Carolina Farm Credit's territory and were selected for their leadership and achievements.  

The dynamic and interactive three day seminar was led by Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech and professional speaker and Dr. Alex White, Virginia Tech Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics.

The participants voted to send five outstanding couples to the North Carolina Cooperative Leadership Conference in Pawley's Island, SC later this year. The five outstanding couples were Josh & Tori Hudgins, Michael & Renee McPherson, Paul & Patricia Talley, Marty & Michelle Waters, and Jason & Heather Wright.

Attendees of the 2011 Ag Leadership conference were:

John & Heather Blythe, Penrose, NC
Roy Carver, Roxboro, NC
Seth & Jenn Church, Hays, NC
Ben & Anna Eason, Waynesville, NC
Matt & Kaye Harris, Mooresboro, NC
Josh & Tori Hudgins, Statesville, NC
Patrick & Leslie Lancaster, Hendersonville, NC
Chad & Susan Matthews, East Bend, NC
Michael & Renee McPherson, Mebane, NC
Jared & Colleen Porter, Concord, NC
Rodney & Allison Purser, Charlotte, NC
Paul & Patricia Talley, Stanfield, NC
Marty & Michelle Waters, Lenoir, NC
Robert & Katie Wise, Vale, NC
Jason & Heather Wright, Franklinville, NC
Jim Xiong & Maykia Yang, Carthage, NC

For photos of the participants and to read the complete news release, click here .