Extraordinary Impact: The Golden LEAF Foundation and CALS
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Stories of Impact
This story is part of a retrospective series reflecting on the lasting impact of NC State’s five-year, transformative Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign. A decade after the campaign’s 2016 public launch, its results continue to power the university forward.
If you work in agriculture in North Carolina, you’ve likely heard of the Golden LEAF Foundation. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1999, promotes economic opportunity across the state, aligning perfectly with NC State’s mission as a land-grant university.
Throughout the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, Golden LEAF’s board awarded significant funding to NC State, particularly the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), for various projects. Notably, they provided a $48.5 million award for the NC State Plant Sciences Building.
The foundation’s funding has left a lasting impact on students and the state. We interviewed Scott Hamilton, the current president and CEO of Golden LEAF, about the foundation’s collaboration with NC State during the campaign. Although Hamilton will retire in December, the foundation’s commitment to uplifting North Carolinians and providing economic stability will endure.
How does Golden LEAF’s work intersect with NC State’s and CALS’s efforts?
There is a natural synergy between Golden LEAF’s mission and the work at NC State, especially within CALS. Golden LEAF focuses on boosting economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. Agriculture is a significant sector in these communities, making Golden LEAF’s work closely aligned with NC State’s agricultural research and extension capabilities.
NC State boasts substantial research expertise, but Golden LEAF values how this expertise translates into real-world applications. Through research, extension, workforce development, and partnerships with farmers and industry, NC State can take innovations and put them to work across the state.
Over the past decade, Golden LEAF has supported NC State projects in diverse areas, including plant sciences, food manufacturing, livestock production, food safety, agricultural workforce development, and specific commodity challenges. These projects share a common goal: applying the university’s expertise to address North Carolina’s pressing needs.
Why is Golden LEAF’s mission significant to you?
North Carolina’s rural communities possess valuable assets and opportunities, but they also face challenges hindering economic growth. Golden LEAF was established with a long-term commitment to supporting these communities.
What makes the mission meaningful is the opportunity to empower communities to create lasting economic opportunity. This might involve preparing industrial sites, developing skilled workforces, or strengthening agricultural sectors.