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20 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY MARCH 2026 Chamber's 3rd Annual Forward Summit By Todd Walker, Chamber President The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Forward Summit, an energizing half-day experience designed to inspire ideas, spark innovation, and strengthen the future of Wayne County. Building on the success of previous years, the Forward Summit continues to serve as a catalyst for forward-thinking conversations that drive economic growth and meaningful community development. On March 12, 2026, business and community leaders from across the region will gather with a shared focus on innovation and transforma- tion. This year's Summit features an exception- al lineup of keynote speakers whose leader- ship and vision have made a lasting impact across industries. Attendees will hear from Mrs. Carol Aebersold, co-creator of the global phenomenon Elf on the Shelf; Mr. Bobby Frye, President and CEO of Mount Olive Pick- les and a champion of hometown business growth; and Dr. Michael Langley, former Vice President of Business Transformation at Pepsi Bottling Ventures and current Assistant Dean for the Tillman School of Business at the Uni- versity of Mount Olive. The Forward Summit will be held at the Maxwell Center from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a full breakfast bar included. Tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members.To register, visit waynecounty- chamber.com, select Events, then Chamber Events, and scroll to Forward Summit. You may also register by calling the Chamber at 919-734-2241. The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce looks forward to welcoming at- tendees for a morning of connection, learning, and bold ideas that will help move Wayne County forward together. Ag Week Coming March 22-28 By Jennifer Johnson, Extension Agent Wayne County will celebrate Ag Week March 22-28, recognizing the strength of the county's agricultural community and the partnerships that support it. Sponsored by the Wayne Coun- ty Chamber of Commerce, the week brings to- gether local businesses, education institutions, and NC Cooperative Extension to highlight the impact of agriculture on the county's economy and quality of life. A key event is the Annual Ag Tour on March 26. Each year, the tour invites Chamber mem- bers, county and city officials, and community stakeholders to experience agriculture from the inside out.This year's tour will focus on agricultural education and workforce devel- opment, with visits to Wayne Community Col- lege's Agricultural programs and the Universi ty of Mount Olive's AgFest, offering a firsthand look at the students, technology, and innova- tion shaping the future of the industry. Throughout the week, the Chamber will also highlight Wayne County Women in Agricul- ture,aligning with the United Nations declaring 2026 as the"International Year of Woman Farmer."Local stories will showcase the leadership and contributions of women who strengthen farms, agribusinesses, and community programs. Ag Week concludes on March 28 with the opening of the Farm Credit Farmers Market, a cornerstone of local food access and producer support.The Chamber will host a ribbon cutting, followed by Farm Fest, presented by the Wayne County Farm Bu- reau Young Farmers & Ranchers.The celebra- tion marks the start of a new season of fresh, local food and communityconnection. Jennifer Johnson, Extension Agent Agriculture Development Phone:(919) 731-1519 CSS HAS MOVED DOWNTOWN By Selena Bennett, Executive Director CSS has moved into its new location at 111 South Center Street,just a few doors down from the Paramount Theatre. We love our new location in "Downtown Goldsboro" and are so excited to offer after school classes for our students in this new location. Summer programs will be announced soon! CSS "Youth for Arts"spring semester class- es have begun on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, taught by Cindy Kimble and Uli Shephard. Kindergarten through second grade students are meeting on Tuesdays and third through fifth grade students are meeting on Thursday afternoons. Parents may register students at www.waynecss.org. CSS is so excited to have welcomed Megan Hoyle to the team as our new Restorative Justice Program Assistant. She is working closely with Cassey Curran, our Program Director, who oversees the Restor- ative Justice programs. The annual "Have a Heart for Kids" fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 9 pm at the Goldsboro Event Center. This event will consist of a reverse raffle-and both a SILENT and a LIVE auction-all in the same night! Appetizers and beverages will be served. Tickets are $100 per couple and will go on sale soon. Sponsorship information will be posted on our website.We will begin collecting donations for both auctions soon and talking to potential sponsors!All proceeds from this event will provide for student programming. Email me at sbennett@waynecss.org if you are interested in being a sponsor or donating InJoy rift Ste Making a Difference in Goldsboro The InJoy Thrift Store on East Ash Street isn't just a great place to find affordable clothing, furniture, and household items—it's a commu- nity-focused ministry with a powerful mission. As a nonprofit project of InJoy Thrift Golds- boro Inc., the store operates on strong Christian principles to serve people both near and far. InJoy's mission is to reach the least, the last, and the lost by increasing missions funding and creating meaningful volunteer op- portunities within the Christian community. What sets this thrift store apart is that 100% of the income from sales, after normal store ex- penses, is used to support and fund Christian -based ministries in the local area and around the world. A board of directors reviews appli- cations and awards semi-annual grants to appr oved charities,with a special encouragement for local organizations to apply. In the Goldsboro area, InJoy regularly sup- ports community-focused ministries such as Laundry Love of Goldsboro, 4 Day Movement, Hope Center of Goldsboro, Hope Extended, Tommy's Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Goldsboro, Wayne Pregnancy Center, DOOR International and digging deeper ministries. Beyond funding, InJoy is powered by volun- teers and donors who help sort donations, staff the store, and engage with customers every day. Every purchase, donation, and hour of service contributes to a larger purpose —strengthening local families, supporting neighbors in need, and extending Christ- like compassion throughout the community