Annual NC Tobacco Day Event Later this Week

It takes place the first Thursday of December every year, and that’s the annual tobacco day at the Johnston County Extension Center near Smithfield. Bryant Spivey is County Extension Director for Johnston County:

“It’s been 5-6 years that we have been hosting Tobacco Day here in Johnston County. It has worked well and the NC State Department of Plant Pathology takes the lead on it. It used to be held at the McKimmon Center but has come to our facility recently. I think attendance has improved with the move.”
 

Spivey outlines some of the topics to be covered during the half-day event:
 

“We have a full line up. All of the extension specialists from NCSU will be on the program to give an update on their research projects. We will also be talking about training that the cooperative extension services will be rolling out on GAP and that will replace some of the training that has been offered by the individual leaf purchases to certify their growers. There will also be a tobacco Great recognized during the lunch hour.”
 

Dr. Blake Brown, Extension and University Economist with NC State is always on the slate of speakers, and this year, in addition to his usual economic news, he had another topic to cover:
 

“One in particular will be looking at some of the aspects of increased demand for flue cured tobacco and how real and long term that is. We will look at the pros and cons and the arguments for increased demand for flue cured tobacco that perhaps lead to our higher prices this year. We will also look at where we are headed supply wise here in the US and some of the infrastructure questions that we have.”
 

Spivey says while the event is free to attend, they’d like to know that you plan to be there:
 

“We do ask that everyone pre-register. Our preference is that they go on line and register so they will be accounted for in meal preperations.”
 

For more information and that registration link, click here.
 

Johnston County Extension Director Bryant Spivey and NC State Economist Dr. Blake Brown on Today’s Topic