There is a new addition to the staff at the NCSPA! Mary Kate Morgan is joining the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association as the Digital Communication Intern. In this role, she will assist with various initiatives including social media, consumer outreach, virtual grower events, and expanding educational resources for K-12 students and teachers.
Mary Kate grew up on a corn, wheat, and soybeans operation in Currituck County, NC. Her upbringing led her to take agricultural education classes in high school where she found her calling in agricultural education and the National FFA Organization, ultimately leading her to serve as North Carolina FFA State Vice President for the 2016-2017 school year. Her background led her to North Carolina State University, where she will graduate this weekend, with a degree in Agricultural Education. Mary Kate became very involved as a member of the student body during her time at NC State through various clubs and organizations. Her involvement as a student leader ultimately led her to receive the Mathews Medal, the highest non-academic honor awarded to up to four graduating seniors on the basis of student involvement. In the Fall, Mary Kate will begin working towards a Masters of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education at NC State, where she has accepted a graduate teaching assistantship.
Mary Kate has previously worked as a research assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at NC State and as a Sales and Marketing Summer Associate with BASF Agricultural Solutions. Most recently, Mary Kate completed her student teaching internship at Athens Drive Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC. During this experience, Mary Kate taught three courses and helped coach students competing in FFA Career Development Events. With the outbreak of COVID-19, Mary Kate had the unique experience of being forced to push instruction of her classes to a virtual format, using various online tools to aid in student learning. She believes that her experience teaching urban students about agricultural concepts coupled with her experience teaching virtually has prepared her for this role focusing on digital communication and education. She is most excited about the opportunity to be a resource to teachers and write soy based lesson plans that tie in with the North Carolina agricultural education curriculum.
While Mary Kate might be a new member of the staff, she might be a familiar face to some. In 2018, Mary Kate was a participant of the American Soybean Association’s Ag Voices of the Future Program. In 2019, Mary Kate attended Soybean Leadership College in St. Louis, MO.
Mary Kate has demonstrated a passion for agriculture and educating the public about its importance. She looks forward to sharing this passion in her new role with the NCSPA!
