On Tuesday, Paige King Johnson spoke to North Lenoir agricultural science and music students as part of her Got To Be NC tour. The North Carolina native grew up on a livestock farm and has a passion for agriculture and music.

Johnson says, “I knew I had a passion for both music and agriculture, but at 17, I decided to push agriculture aside and pursue my music career.” 

When she graduated from high school, she packed up her bags and move to Nashville at the age of 17. Paige graduated from Belmont University in December 2018 and started playing full-time shows in 2019. 

However, when the pandemic shut down the music industry, Johnson decided she needed to bring back her agriculture passionate roots and teamed up with Got to Be NC.

Paige became an ambassador with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as their Musical Ambassador for their Got to Be NC Campaign in 2022. 

Johnson says, “You think you know it all because you are surrounded by it all the time, but just learning about the ranchers and producers in our state - it has taught me so much. I would have never thought that I would be the getting more out of this than the students.”

She is the first ambassador for the Got to Be NC campaign. This campaign takes her on travels around the state to talk with high school students about their future in the agricultural industry and how important the agricultural field is for the state of North Carolina. 

She says, “I have a greater appreciation for how important [the agriculture industry] is for you and me. Then how important it is to continue to share that, educate people and grow that passion so it can be carried on with the future generations.”

During her presentation at North Lenoir, Paige tested the student’s knowledge of the agricultural industry. Also, she talked about the different types of careers that exist within the agriculture industry that are not only within reach for the students, but vital for the industry. 

This week, Paige returns to her hometown of Angier to play a show at Headquarters Beer House. Later in the week, she will be in Myrtle Beach to play at the Carolina Country Music Awards. 

You can find out more information, upcoming shows and new releases for Paige King Johnson at paigekingjohnson.com