SALISBURY — The Rowan Chamber of Commerce and Rowan Extension Office will feature the annual “Salute to Agri-business” at the Power In Partnership (PIP) program at 7:30 a.m. on March 21 at West End Plaza, located at 1935 Jake Alexander Boulevard West.

The keynote speaker is MacKenna Clifton, a Rowan County native and previous national Future Farmers of America (FAA) officer. She is going to speak about empowering the next generation of farmers to thrive and how community leaders can support our local agri-business sector.

Clifton is currently a junior at North Carolina State University, studying agricultural education. Before joining the Wolfpack, she grew up in Rowan County and attended West Rowan High School. She served as a North Carolina FFA state officer from 2020-2021 and as a national FFA officer from 2022-2023. The purpose of the event is to honor our Rowan County farmers and those supporting this important sector of our business community. Rowan grown breakfast products will be served, including liver mush.

Other PIP speakers include top North Carolina elected officials and business leaders. The dates for the rest of the PIP season are: April 18; and, May 16. The series will take a break for the summer and resume the PIP season in September. The Chamber’s Power Card will once again be offered for those who would like to take advantage of the PIP frequent attender program. Power Card holders receive a discounted price for the series and do not have to make a reservation each month.

The chamber’s breakfast programs average more than 120 attendees each month. Sponsors will have the exclusive marketing rights to the banquet room and provide a five-minute sponsor profile on their company. Partner agencies will share updates with the local business leaders and address issues of concern for the entire region. The Leadership Rowan class will start its day at the breakfast and then venture out for each day’s session focused on a different aspect of the community.

If you are not a Power Card holder, individual reservations are welcome; however, the reservation deadline is March 19 by 5 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. The price includes the cost of breakfast and the program. Contact the chamber for information on reservations or sponsorship opportunities at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com

The March PIP sponsor is the town of Cleveland.