In just a few short days, the 156th N.C. State Fair kicks off, and so does the N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day, sponsored by the Tractor Supply Company. One North Carolina farm family will be recognized every day of the fair, highlighting the contributions of family farms to our state’s $111 billion agricultural and agribusiness industry.
- In a few short days we will kick off the 156th N.C. State Fair. It’s been a very fast year, but it has also been a pretty difficult one for North Carolina farmers.
- You know that agriculture is at the heart of the State Fair, and even though it has been a challenging year, we will still be showcasing and celebrating North Carolina’s No. 1 industry and our farmers.
- Fairgoers will find displays and exhibits all around the fairgrounds that help tell agriculture’s stories.
- We have livestock shows,
- horticultural exhibits,
- the Field of Dreams
- horse shows,
- flower and garden competitions,
- forestry exhibits,
- soil and water displays,
- wildlife resources,
- North Carolina food products
- And one of my favorite things – our State Fair Farm Family of the Day.
- Each day of the fair we will highlight one family – there are 11 total. This special recognition is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.
- Our 11 Farm Families from the first Thursday to the final Sunday are:
- Shoaf Farms in Winston-Salem
- Red Barn Farm in Stanfield
- Flavor Full Farms in Hendersonville
- MariBees Boer Goats in Rockwell
- Walker Farms in Concord
- Pope Farms in KnightdaleR&B Rhyne Farm LLC in AngierLutterloh Farm in Pittsboro (Chatham)Overman Farms in GoldsboroJack Pait Strawberry Farm in Lumberton
- And, Sunset-Acres in King
- Farmers are the backbone of our state’s $111.1 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry and we should never forget that, because their hard work produces the food that we all enjoy.
- We couldn’t have deep fried bologna fries or a Mexican street corn stuffed potato or any of the other 72 new foods we have this year at the fair without a farmer.
- Each one of the 11 farms were nominated by a family member or community members and then the names of the 11 were randomly selected from the big pool.
- You can learn more about this year’s Farm Families of the Day on our blog and social media platforms. We will be recognizing these families at the Fair.
- I would encourage people to follow along on those outlets to learn about each farm and what made them stand-out candidates for this year’s program.
- Listeners still have a few days left to purchase their advance tickets online or at one of our three walk-ups locations before opening day.
- If you are buying online, there is a State Fair Cares link that will pop up when you go to pay for your tickets that will offer you an opportunity to make an online donation to help relief efforts in Western NC. All donations will go to the MANNA Food Bank in Western NC.
- MANNA lost its warehouse in the flooding, but continues to carry on its mission to get food out to people in need.
- I hope folks will consider donating.