Duke Energy Foundation grants $15,000 to JCC Three in One Program
Published: February 17, 2022Duke Energy Foundation awards $15,000 to JCC to support program which includes agriculture, beekeeping, and culinary arts.
(Smithfield, NC) - Community College’s Three in One: Plant, Harvest and Dine program has received a $15,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The program consists of three courses in Agriculture, Beekeeping, and Culinary Techniques.
JCC will used the funds to establish a new greenhouse, construct raised beds, redesign existing gardens, purchase bees, and other culinary equipment for the program. The ‘Three in One’ classes are held at The Arboretum on Market Street in Smithfield, next to JCC’s main campus.
Coursework will also include an introduction to JCC’s Small Business Center to assist future farmers, beekeepers, and foodservice establishments in small business development and management.
Duke Energy District Manager Marty Clayton presented a check to the college this week. He says, “Duke Energy is proud to be a part of such an exciting project. We are honored to be a small part of something that is beneficial to both the community and the environment.”
Chef Robert Carver, who leads the college’s Culinary Arts program, partnered with local high school art classes to have the hives painted. He also asked JCC Welding Instructor Robert Long’s class to help him with his vision for the one-of-a-kind frame the hives are housed in.
Together, they built a nine-foot frame and used a waterjet to create honeycomb designs along the frame. Chef Carver says because the honeycombs can be hung on the frame itself, other schools want to copy its design.
The beekeeping portion of the program takes flight March 29, 2022. For more information on these classes or the ‘Three in One’ program, contact Robbie Carver at rfcarver@johnstoncc.edu or 919-209-2127.