"May the work I've done speak for me." NC A&T farm superintendent retires after 42 years.

“There’s no escaping it – I was born to be a farmer,” is Leon Moses’ response when asked how he got his start in agriculture.

From Rich Square in Northampton County, NC, Moses was raised on his family farm, where he learned to drive tractors at the age of 6 and worked there his entire childhood. Like many farm kids, Moses was sure that when he made it to college at NC A&T, he would finally escape farm life. Lo and behold, one of the first places he ended up when he made it to Greensboro in the summer of 1976 was the university farm.

“My brother, who was 2 years ahead of me in school, introduced me to the university farm where he worked as well as the farm staff, and I have spent almost every day here on the farm since.”

Upon graduating in May of 1980, Moses stayed with A&T as a research technician working to improve no-till methods until he was promoted to Farm Superintendent in February of 2002. As farm superintendent, he oversaw each of the College of Agriculture’s teaching and research units and is responsible for the modernization and improvements of these facilities for staff and students. One of his great contributions to agriculture and the university farm is the new Research and Extension Farm Pavilion which Moses served on the building committee. This state-of-the-art pavilion serves as a facility for education programs, labs and connecting with the greater agriculture community.

“My entire career I have worked to create the model teaching-research farm for a premier agriculture university like A&T.” After spending just a short time there, it's evident that the farm facilities at this land grant HBCU are truly some of the best in the country.

“The greatest life lesson that I have learned from the farm is your work – what you’re doing and how well you are doing it – will last beyond your time if done correctly,” Moses said before sharing lyrics from one of his favorite Christian songs. “May the work I’ve done speak for me.”

The work that Moses has done during his 46 years (4 as a student, 42 as a full-time employee) at NC A&T are a reflection of sacrifice, hard work and always standing up for what is right. These themes are evident in these farm facilities that will allow future generations of Aggies to learn and grow on the farm, just like Moses did; where his legacy (and Leon Moses Lane) will endure forever.