URSP Karla Branch Sees “Growth” in Self, Stakeholders, and Swine Science
Karla Branch, a master’s student in N.C. A&T’s Department of Animal Science, said she was encouraged to get out of her comfort zone by her professors
Animal science major Karla Branch has stacked an impressive resume since enrolling in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in 2021. Collegiate, state, and national awards, public speaking engagements across the country, and an amassed knowledge on swine science. But these achievements came together through a common goal since freshman year: growth.
“A&T encourages you to strongly get out of your comfort zone,” said Branch. “Because of the various exposures that I’ve had to being outside of my comfort zone throughout my collegiate career, I’ve had no choice but to improve in areas I previously wasn’t as strong in.”
Branch, a former Undergraduate Research Scholar and current master’s student in the college’s Department of Animal Science, said family initially drew her to enroll at N.C. A&T, with her mind set at veterinary school.
“My grandparents attended North Carolina A&T State University,” said Branch, “and I knew that because I wanted to go into veterinary medicine, I knew that the Department of Animal Sciences was the perfect place for me. I know what A&T produces and are capable of producing, and I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of.”
Since joining N.C. A&T in 2021, Branch has achieved a lot: CAES 1890 Scholar, leadership roles in the college’s Student Government Association, South Carolina Aggies, the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, and first prize national winner in the 2025 World Pork Expo’s Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet, all of which Branch credits to “tremendous personal development”.
“When I first came to A&T, I gave a speech in the Student Senate of SGA my freshman year, and I was super frazzled and spoke really, really fast when I was addressing people,” said Branch. “During my senior year, I noticed that my public speaking skills grew because of just the preparation that my advisors and mentors have given me.”
Branch parlayed her newly developed skills into the college’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. For her assignment, Branch worked alongside assistant professor and swine scientist Derrick Coble, Ph.D., in the “From Bright Leaf to Berkshires” program.
Funded through a grant by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the program, led by Coble, allowed tobacco farmers financially impacted by policy and social changes to improve their profitability by learning to produce Berkshire pigs.
“The Bright Leaf program speaks to the research and the Extension component that 1890 HBCUs play in the agricultural landscape, and that was something that I figured that I’d want to be a part of,” said Branch.
During two cohorts held Spring 2023 and 2024, 18 total farmers took part in lessons covering everything from swine nutrition and reproduction to waste management, welfare/behavior, diseases, and niche marketing opportunities.
Branch checks on a hog at the University Farm.
“For those farmers that have been economically displaced by the shifts in the federal landscape regarding tobacco and its availability, we wanted to make sure there was an opening for former tobacco farmers or farmers that are areas that are highly producing in tobacco to have another option for being a producer on some scale,” said Branch.
Branch volunteered during many of the program’s hands-on sessions as well as transcribed audio interviews with participants to gather feedback.
“I think that our participants have been really exciting about the possibility of being able to expand into these niche markets where they can make more money by selling a highly prized commodity to people that are looking for something that’s different from the typical industry pork that you’re buying from the store,” said Branch.
According to Coble, the program has accounted for over 25 jobs, $552,500 worth of pork products sold, and $22,459.50 in tax revenue for the State of North Carolina.
Derrick Coble, Ph.D., and Branch evaluate data from her research project.
“These experiences all showed me how much I’d grown,” said Branch, “and it just had me reflecting on my college journey and just how much I’d poured into.”
Under his watchful eye, Coble himself deemed Branch a “generational student” and a major asset to the program’s success.
“The participants really took with Karla, because of how genuinely interested she was, actively working alongside the stakeholders, and working alongside us to evaluate the downstream success of the program,” said Coble. “She’s an amazing student.”
Branch graduated with her B.S. in animal science in Spring 2025 and is currently continuing her CAES journey in the department’s master’s program.
