Next Gen Ag is a year long series that will run on our In The Field blog, Facebook page, Instagram page and Twitter account. Each Wednesday, we will highlight a young person pursuing a career in the agriculture industry. Individuals can be in high school, college, or recent graduates who are working to establish a career in agriculture. Stay tuned each week to meet some of our industry’s future leaders!
Agriculture is an important industry around the world, and for Junior Torres Diaz, his passion for the industry didn’t just start with N.C. Agriculture, but also agriculture in Mexico. After his interest blossomed into a dream in high school, Junior started down a path to not only making a difference for our state’s number one industry but raising up the next generation to do the same.
Before Junior was born, both of his parents worked on a family farm in Mexico. Today, his uncle and grandparents continue to be involved with the farm, and his parents help whenever they visit. However, Junior remembers hearing countless stories from his parents throughout his childhood of what agriculture was like in Mexico and why a career in this industry is so meaningful. “I may not have grown up on a farm, but I grew up knowing what agriculture is and why it is important,” he said. “I even had the chance recently to travel to Mexico and see the family farm firsthand. It was incredible to see how the agriculture industry functions in Mexico and the number of people involved to make it successful. To see that vision my parents embedded in me at a young age come to life through that trip made me to want to spend my career in agriculture even more.” Junior’s parents continued to work in the agriculture industry after they moved to North Carolina by working for Smithfield Foods for several years. Although Junior developed a love of agriculture from his parents, it wasn’t until he reached high school and started taking agricultural classes that the flame was lit.
At the start of Junior’s sophomore year at St. Paul’s High School in Robeson County, he not only started taking ag classes but also got involved with the FFA. “I had never heard of FFA until I got to high school, but I fell in love with it immediately,” he said. “Not only did I expand my love for and knowledge of agriculture, but I built connections with people all across the industry and gained leadership skills that will continue to benefit me throughout my career.” Junior competed in a variety of competitions through the FFA, including public speaking, Farm Business Management, and ag education. In fact, he completed the ag education CDE (Career and Leadership Development Event) two years in a row. One year he was even awarded top three in the state for this competition! “I believe these experiences have only helped me grow as a future leader,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunities that FFA brought me in high school, and I hope to find even more activities to pursue in collegiate FFA.” This August, Junior started his freshman year at N.C. State University, and he couldn’t be more excited to embark on the next chapter of his ag journey!
Ever since he was a young boy, Junior has wanted to be a teacher and make an impact on the next generation. As an Ag Education major at N.C. State University, he is well on his way to doing just that! “My goal after college is to become a high school ag teacher, because I want to impact students the same way that my ag teachers impacted me. I discovered my passion for this industry in high school, and I believe I can help others do the same,” he said. “I’ve learned that agriculture is so much more than some animals and a tractor. Sadly, many people still believe it’s just that. I want to make a difference by teaching them why agriculture matters, how meaningful it is to be a part of, and how they too can make this industry a better place.” As one of Junior’s former ag teachers said, “did you brush your teeth today? Yes, that’s ag. Did you put on clothes today? Yes, that’s ag. Nearly everything we do touches agriculture in some way.” Junior wants to spend his life spreading that knowledge and influencing people to get involved. Although he would love to one day be back at St. Paul’s High School as an ag teacher, he is open to any opportunity that comes his way in the future.
Not only will Junior’s leadership skills and public speaking abilities help propel him forward in his future career, but also his love of people, willingness to listen, networking skills and heart to lead. “The thing that I love about this industry the most is the sense of community that everyone has,” he said. “I believe I fit into that community because I want the opportunity to get to know people. Not just my future students, but farmers, agri-business workers, and others across this industry that contribute to agriculture. I want to learn their stories, further their voice and help guide them in any way that I can.” Junior’s biggest goal is not only to leave his mark on the industry but build up the next generation of leaders to pass on the torch.
For those seeking a career in the agriculture industry, Junior encourages you to go for it and find what part of agriculture speaks to you! “The amazing thing about agriculture is that it has a space for you no matter where your interests lie,” he said. “If you like marketing, laboratory research, farming, social media, agronomy, horticulture, or just about anything else, then there is a spot for you here. Find where you want to be and chase after it with everything that you have.” We are so proud of Junior and all that he is doing to build the N.C. Agriculture industry. We can’t wait to see the impact that he will have on the next generation of leaders!