The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agricultural Review newspaper marks its 100th volume in 2025 – a great milestone for the humble paper that has been listing farm items for sale since its beginning.
- Many listeners may be familiar with the Agricultural Review newspaper that has been put out by the department since around 1926.
- It is a free, monthly publication where people can list their ag-related items for sale. You will find stuff like tractors, equipment, horses, seeds, livestock, land and trailers.
- It also includes stories and information about the state’s agriculture industry.
- This popular newspaper is marking its 100th volume in 2025, a big milestone for any publication.
- As a farmer, I always enjoy reading the Ag Review and seeing what people have for sale. And, the paper is something that people always talk to me about.
- Advertisements have always been a popular draw for the readers. I also like to think the Commissioner’s Column is another very popular feature in the newspaper!
- It is interesting to look back over time and how much has changed in terms of pricing and equipment and the types of stories included in the paper.
- For example, I could not imagine being able to purchase “41 & ½ acres, 2 miles from Guilford College, on hard surface highway leading to Jamestown, with 16 acres in cultivation and balance in rolling woodland and pasture.” It included a 6-room house with electric water system, septic tank, full bath; barn and poultry houses.
- The asking price: “$6,000 cash $2,000 balance on easy terms.”
- Or, the “20-acre dairy farm, truck and goat farm 4 miles from Charlotte” for $300 per acre cash.
- Those were two ads listed in 1938.
- It was also interesting to see that in 1938, there were ads from people who were looking for on-farm jobs.
- Jump ahead to 1969 and there were only ads seeking people to work on farms. No one was offering their services, much like today.
- Land prices had increased by 1969, but still a bargain compared to today. 57 acres of timberland near Lake Lure with a stocked fish pond could be purchased for $30,000.
- In the August 15, 1938 edition, it was announced that Fair Premiums were increasing to $15,000, up $3,000.
- In July 1969, the paper announced a trade mission to Australia and the Far East to promote North Carolina products.
- A follow-up story after their return, noted the potential to sell:
- “soybean meal and canned blueberries” to Australia.
- “soybeans, corn and cotton” to Taiwan
- “coarse, rock-ground cornmeal,” plus soybeans and corn to Japan.
- The Ag Review continues to serve farmers and residents of the state with agricultural news and listing ag-related products for sale and I intend for it to continue to do so for many more years. Hopefully, another 100 years!