FarmingWell’s New Venue Showcases a Decade of Innovation with NC State Students

FarmingWell’s mission is to preserve Carolina farms, food and families through education and community support.

The nonprofit draws on the expertise of NC State students, especially those enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Clinic course, MIE 419: Entrepreneurship Practicum. Over the past decade, students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Poole College of Management and other disciplines have worked with FarmingWell on projects ranging from building its website to defining its audience and developing marketing strategies. “It’s always exciting to see our students dig in with an industry and partner in the community to create real value,” said Haley Huie, director of the Entrepreneurship Clinic.

The MIE 419 course, based in Raleigh Founded, pairs student teams with startups and nonprofits. Students consult with partners like FarmingWell to tackle real-world business challenges, such as expanding digital presence or planning customer engagement, while gaining hands-on experience in consulting, project management and entrepreneurship.

The collaboration between FarmingWell and NC State has been mutually beneficial. For students, the partnership offers a platform to apply classroom knowledge to real challenges, working under the mentorship of faculty, industry leaders and nonprofit founders. For FarmingWell, student teams have provided critical support—most notably in launching and maintaining the organization’s website, a vital tool for outreach, fundraising and event promotion.

Multiple classes and colleges have contributed to these efforts, showing the interdisciplinary approach that FarmingWell and NC State value. The partnership also allowed FarmingWell to access new ideas and hands-on help, while students see firsthand how their work can have a tangible impact in the community. “Our students have been able to work with Farmingwell to explore venue use cases, marketing strategies and website strategy projects. The team has helped our students explore agribusiness and how entrepreneurial skills make a difference in our communities,” said Huie.

FarmingWell’s commitment to sustainability and community continues with the recent opening of Gather Station. The restored farm store and post office, dating back to the 1840s, will serve as a gathering place for weddings, reunions and business meetings. The grand opening featured food from local farms, music and a debut performance of a newly commissioned community ballad. Guests toured the venue, met event partners and explored the building’s history, including documents from its first woman postmaster in the 1880s.

The venue’s proceeds will help fund FarmingWell’s ongoing programs, including educational initiatives, food deliveries to vulnerable families and support for refugee communities.

As FarmingWell opens the doors to Gather Station, the organization’s partnership with NC State stands as a model for how NC State students and nonprofits can work together for lasting impact. For students, it’s a chance to make a difference before graduation. For FarmingWell, it means access to the talent and innovation needed to sustain its mission in a changing world.

The grand opening was not just a celebration of a new space, but a reminder of what can happen when education and community come together.

This post was originally published in Entrepreneurship News.