Greek Agriculture Study Abroad Program Enriches Global Education

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Science, Education, and Extension (SEE) Inside Greek Agriculture provided 21 NC State students hands-on opportunities in farms, food production and processing, agriculture, agricultural education, extension, and history. During this May 2025 study abroad program, students explored farms, agricultural education and advisory services, culture, and much more. While experiencing Greek agriculture, students engaged in Greek through food markets, monasteries, antiquities, museums, and more.
George Talas

George Tsalas of Dionisos Pistachio instructs the SEE Inside Greek Agriculture Scholars in pistachio production, rotating, and marketing.

“My goal was that this study abroad program would engage NC State students to expand their global knowledge and agricultural science expertise. I wanted them to appreciate agricultural and extension education as a global system,” said Dr. Joseph Donaldson, associate professor and director of undergraduate programs in Agricultural and Human Sciences, who designed and directed SEE Inside Greek Agriculture.
Honey

NC State students investigated honey production by looking into the hives and tasting 14 different honeys with Mouriki Greek Premium Honey.

In addition to Donaldson, Dr. Harriett Edwards, Professor and Extension Specialist, and Mr. Saifur Rahman, Graduate Teaching Assistant, from the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences assisted in conducting the program. Students visited Thessaloniki, Trikala, Ioannina, Athens, and Aegina Island, Greece. In Thessaloniki, students stayed in residence halls on the campus of American Farm School and Perrotis College. The school features a dairy, vineyards, olive groves, and greenhouses, all amplifying the institution’s hands-on learning. Greek faculty provided NC State students daily, hands-on lessons in Greek agriculture, including farming practices and food processing.

Group picture

The Parthenon provides a stunning backdrop for SEE Inside Greek Agriculture scholars.

Donaldson continued, “The American Farm School and Perrotis College faculty and staff made sure that SEE Inside Greek Agriculture provided interdisciplinary, research-based learning. NC State students were immersed in Greek culture thanks to this special partnership with our friends at American Farm School and Perrotis College.” American Farm School, located in Thessaloniki, Greece, is an independent, nonprofit school founded by Dr. John Henry House in 1904. American Farm School divisions include a primary school, middle school, vocational high school, general high school, and Perrotis College. NC State’s 2025 SEE Inside Greek Agriculture Scholars were:
  • Ashlin Austin, Senior, Communication (Extension Education, Nonprofit Studies)
  • Elise Bush, Junior, Animal Science (Genetics, Nutrition)
  • Macy Chapman, Sophomore, Agricultural Education (Extension Education)
  • Mikayla Daniels, Graduate, Agricultural and Extension Education
  • Sarah Delphias, Sophomore, Agribusiness Management
  • Taylor Jones, Sophomore, Animal Science
  • Lucia Long, Junior, Food Science
  • Sydney Markham, Freshman, Agricultural Science
  • Lynlee Martin, Junior, Animal Science (Extension Education, Agribusiness Management)
  • Audra May, Junior, Crop and Soil Sciences
  • Joy Othoo, Junior, Agroecology
  • Erin Pacifico, Sophomore, Food Science (Business Administration)
  • Riley Petersen, Sophomore, Agricultural Science
  • Ariana Phouangkeo, Senior, Agroecology (Plant Biology)
  • Caleigh Radogna, Junior, Nutrition
  • Halan Raynor, Senior, Agricultural Science
  • Leah Reinstein, Junior, Environmental Sciences (Horticultural Science, Dance Studies)
  • Erin Schuette, Senior, Animal Science (Nutrition)
  • Carmen Shaw, Sophomore, Biological Sciences (Nutrition)
  • Anna Shore, Junior, Nutrition (Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)
  • Heidi Schouten, Senior, Crop and Soil Sciences (Biomanufacturing, Agribusiness Management)
Mediterranean Diet

A tour of Epiros dairy products included learning about the milking parlor where sheep are milked to make feta cheese.

The program highlighted the major Greek agricultural science issues that have relevance for North Carolina and the United States, including food labelling and composition, animal welfare, olive oil tasting and sensory analysis, and aromatic herbs cultivation. Greek agricultural farms and firms who welcomed and educated NC State students included:

Feta Cheese

Dr. Tryfon Adamidis of Perrotis College taught NC State students about the science and culture of the Greek Mediterranean Diet.

Additionally, the program challenges students to compare and contrast the U.S. Cooperative Extension System to Greek extension and advisory services. Plans for the 2026 SEE Inside Greek Agriculture are already underway. Like 2025, the 2026 program will invite applications from both graduate and undergraduate students.
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