At their recent Annual Meeting, the Avery County Farm Bureau proudly honored Mrs. Whitney Phillips, Principal of Riverside Elementary School, as the 2025 North Carolina Farm Bureau Educator of the Year.
As shared by Olivia Haigler, Mrs. Phillips is an Avery County native whose love for agriculture began on her family’s Christmas tree farm. Through her leadership at Riverside Elementary, she has built an impressive hands-on agricultural program featuring raised garden beds, a greenhouse, and an in-progress barn for small animals. Students and teachers work together to grow and harvest crops, which are donated to families in need—helping students learn about agriculture, service, and community.
Avery County Schools extends heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Phillips on this well-deserved recognition. We are truly grateful for her leadership, passion, and dedication to our students and community!
