Wayne Community College held a topping out ceremony for its new agriculture building, marking a milestone in the construction process.
The final beam was put into place with assistance from WCC President Patty Pfeiffer and WCC Board Chair Ven Faulk.
The building will provide lab space and equipment storage space for programs in WCC’s Agriculture and Natural Resources department, including Agribusiness Technology, Applied Animal Science Technology, Forest Management Technology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Management Technology.
The new building will also include stalls for live animals, giving students the chance to gain practical skills with livestock brought on campus.
“The College’s Agriculture and Natural Resources students and faculty are passionate about what they do,” Pfeiffer said at the ceremony. “They work hard, they value community connections, and they manage their resources responsibly while honing essential skills in these programs. They are so incredibly deserving of having their own dedicated area that meets their needs and, in turn, meets all of ours.”
Craig West, local farmer and vice chair of WCC’s Board of Trustees, noted that the agriculture building would be a great asset for training those who are preparing to enter North Carolina’s top industry.
“As a lifelong farmer who has also seen the impact of agriculture on the generations before me, I know firsthand how deeply ingrained agriculture is in the livelihood of all of us, especially those of us who have made it our life’s work,” West said. “For that reason, and for many others, Wayne Community College must have a space dedicated to training students in this industry, growing the future workforce in this field.”
WCC Agriculture and Natural Resources Department Chair Gabe Mitchell shared how agriculture has shaped his life and how thankful he is that WCC can make the same positive impact on its students. “Thank you for believing in the future of agriculture here at Wayne Community College and for the opportunity to impact students for generations to come,” he said to the project’s supporters.
The building project was fully funded by donors.
Jackson Builders and C Design serve as the general contractor and architecture firm for the agriculture building. It is expected to be completed by the fall 2026 semester.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.