Golden LEAF Critical Conversations

Economic development in rural communities rarely happens because of the work of one organization. Long before a company announces plans to locate or expand, local, regional, state, and federal partners are working together to strengthen communities, prepare infrastructure, develop sites, support businesses, and position rural areas to compete for new investment. The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations explores how local, regional, state, and federal partners work together to prepare rural communities for economic growth—from developing infrastructure and strengthening local assets to taking a regional approach to workforce, sites, and other resources that can help communities compete when new opportunities arise. In this episode: Robert Hosford, USDA Director of State Operations for Rural Development and State Director for North Carolina, discusses how investments in infrastructure, water and wastewater, broadband, housing, community facilities, and businesses help create the foundation rural communities need for economic growth. He also shares how USDA Rural Development works alongside state and local partners to help communities prepare for future opportunities and support existing businesses and entrepreneurs. Reginald Speight, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce, explains how Commerce works with rural communities to build local capacity, identify assets, and prepare for economic development opportunities. He also discusses how state, local, federal, and philanthropic partners coordinate resources when a project emerges and how a new industry can generate additional investment, housing, workforce development, and business growth throughout a community and region. Scott Millar, President of the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, shares the local perspective on what companies consider when choosing where to locate or expand, from available sites and infrastructure to workforce and supporting industries. He also discusses why regional collaboration is critical to economic development and how communities can build on existing industry clusters and assets to create long-term opportunities. Listeners will learn why successful rural economic development begins well before a company considers a community and continues long after an announcement. By building relationships, preparing infrastructure and sites, developing the workforce, and leveraging resources across organizations and county lines, rural communities can better position themselves to compete for investment and turn individual projects into broader economic opportunities. Listen now.

Agriculture is a major part of North Carolina's economy, but the skills needed to succeed in the industry are changing. Preparing the next generation of agricultural workers requires introducing students to career opportunities early, providing hands-on education and training, and creating clear connections from the classroom to the workforce. The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations explores how K–12 schools, community colleges, universities, and employers are working together to prepare students for careers across agriculture and agribusiness. In this episode: Meredith Wilkes, Director of Career and Technical Education at Greene County Schools, shares how agriculture programs are introducing students to careers through hands-on experiences in animal science, horticulture, agricultural mechanics, and agribusiness. She also discusses how work-based learning, industry credentials, and partnerships help students connect what they learn in high school to their next step in education or employment. Justin Pedley, Department Head of Veterinary Medical Technology at Alamance Community College, explains how community colleges build on students' early exposure to agriculture through hands-on training, employer-informed programs, and opportunities to explore a wide range of careers. He also discusses how transferable skills can help students move among careers in veterinary medicine, animal care, research, agriculture, and related fields. Dr. Steve Matthis, Dean of the House of Raeford Farms School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at the University of Mount Olive, discusses how technology is transforming agriculture and the skills employers need. He shares how precision agriculture, advanced equipment, data analysis, drones, and the new Shady Grove Educational Livestock Facility are helping students combine traditional agricultural knowledge with emerging technologies. Listeners will learn how hands-on education and stronger connections among K–12 schools, community colleges, universities, and employers can create multiple pathways into agricultural careers while helping North Carolina develop the skilled workforce needed to support the future of agriculture.

Apprenticeships are helping North Carolina employers build the skilled workforce they need while giving students an opportunity to earn a paycheck, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for high-demand careers. The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations explores how North Carolina's community college system, local colleges, school systems, and employers are working together to expand registered apprenticeships and strengthen workforce pipelines, particularly in rural communities. In this episode: Dr. Chris Harrington, Director of ApprenticeshipNC, explains what makes registered apprenticeships different from other work-based learning opportunities, why employers are investing in the model, and how ApprenticeshipNC is working to expand and streamline apprenticeship opportunities across the state. Candice Lowder, Associate Vice President of Career Connections at Stanly Community College, shares how Golden LEAF-supported engineering and IT pathways are connecting high school students with career opportunities and discusses the partnerships and employer relationships needed to build successful apprenticeship programs. Denise Young, Director of Apprenticeships at Southeastern Community College, discusses how the college has built a strong apprenticeship ecosystem with schools, employers, and workforce partners and shares how apprenticeships are helping students launch careers, employers develop talent, and communities retain skilled workers. Listeners will learn how registered apprenticeships create long-term workforce pipelines, why strong partnerships are essential to their success, and how these programs can provide students with a pathway to education, employment, and economic opportunity while helping employers meet future workforce needs.

Housing has become one of the most significant challenges facing communities across North Carolina. As employers expand their operations and the state's population continues to grow, many rural communities are struggling to provide housing for teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, manufacturing employees, and other essential workers. The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations features a discussion on how partnerships between local governments, nonprofits, financial institutions, philanthropy, and community leaders are creating workforce housing solutions tailored to local needs. In this episode: Scott Farmer, Executive Director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, explains why housing has become a critical economic development issue and discusses how communities can identify local housing needs, build partnerships, and develop solutions that reflect their unique circumstances. Matthew Whittle, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne, shares how the McNair Heights development in Goldsboro demonstrates the power of collaboration to create mixed-income neighborhoods that support workforce housing, strengthen local economies, and help families build long-term financial stability through homeownership. Jama Campbell, Executive Director of the State Employee Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, discusses the role philanthropy plays in supporting innovative housing models, from teacher housing and home repairs to workforce housing developments, while emphasizing the importance of local leadership and community-driven solutions. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of why housing is increasingly recognized as an economic development priority, how successful workforce housing projects depend on collaboration across sectors, and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing housing challenges in North Carolina's communities.

The latest episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations with President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton explores one of the most significant challenges facing North Carolina agriculture: the loss of farmland and what it means for the state's economy, food systems, and future growth. The conversation highlights Ground Truth NC, a new farmland research initiative launched by Golden LEAF and NC Ag Leads to better understand where farmland is being lost, what is driving those changes, and how those shifts impact agricultural production and economic opportunity across the state. In this episode: Ray Starling, General Counsel of the North Carolina Chamber and President of the North Carolina Chamber Legal Institute, discusses the origins of NC Ag Leads, the growing pressures facing agriculture, and why better data is needed to inform farmland preservation strategies and public policy decisions. Vicky Porter, owner of Porter Farms Inc. in Cabarrus County, shares firsthand perspectives on development pressures, the challenges of preserving working farmland, and the importance of educating communities about agriculture's role in food security, economic vitality, and quality of life. Dr. Raymond Thomas, Assistant Professor and Extension Agricultural Market Specialist at N.C. A&T State University and member of Ground Truth NC's advisory council, explains how research can help quantify the economic value of farmland, connect agricultural production to broader economic outcomes, and support informed decision-making for the future of North Carolina agriculture. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of why farmland preservation is more than an agricultural issue; it is a critical economic development issue that affects food production, business growth, community sustainability, and the long-term prosperity of North Carolina. Listen now to this episode of Golden LEAF Critical Conversations on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.