Mission
At James Sprunt Community College, we believe that when we invest in our students, we invest in the heart of our community. Through the blessing of partnerships with Four County Electric Membership Corporation and the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, we are proud to introduce our new hydroponic smart farm at the WestPark Center — a place where learning, innovation, and community come together. Our mission is simple: to create hands-on opportunities that grow skills, nurture dreams, and support local farmers, businesses, and families. Together, we are planting seeds of hope and harvest for a brighter tomorrow.
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History
On July 29, 2024, James Sprunt Community College celebrated the launch of its new “Box to Bowl” smart farm container with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the WestPark Campus. In partnership with Four County Electric Membership Corporation, Duplin County, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, and the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund, this initiative marks a major step forward for sustainable agriculture and education in the region.
The “Box to Bowl” smart farm, which began operations in April 2024, is already producing fresh harvests and offering hands-on learning opportunities through JSCC’s Hydroponics – Growing Without Soil course, led by agricultural educator Katlyn Foy. Using three growing stages — Nursery, Growing, and Harvest — the farm produces crops up to seven times faster than traditional farming.
The project reflects the power of partnership, innovation, and community investment, paving the way for a stronger future for students, farmers, and families across Duplin County and beyond.
This is a fantastic opportunity to investigate hydroponic technology, including how we can grow food with fewer resources like land and water, while making more efficient use of labor hours.
