Below is a summary of local interest stories that have recently been highlighted on the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ In the Field Blog. Please feel free to use any of this content in your publications or contact us if you have any additional questions.
Eastern:
(Bertie) Bertie County office of N.C. Forest Service recognized with team award
Commissioner Steve Troxler recently recognized employees in the Bertie County office of the North Carolina Forest Service. He honored them with the quarterly Accomplishment in Team Excellence Award during a presentation at the Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh. That team includes county ranger Dave Hoffer, assistant county ranger Trent Munford, assistant county ranger Travis Ashley and forest fire equipment operator Jack Keller. “During several months last year, the Bertie County Forest Service was understaffed and faced with a challenging season with higher-than-normal fire danger and a challenging tree planting season,” Troxler said during the presentation. “During that time, the staff went above and beyond the standard normally expected of Forest Service employees.” …
(Harnett) Blending music and agriculture as the very first Got to Be NC Ambassador
At the start of 2022, Paige King Johnson was signed as the first Musical Ambassador of our Got to Be N.C. Program. We caught up with Paige to learn about her experience this past year and what the opportunity has meant to her. Music, much like agriculture, has a way of being passed down through generations and instilling a passion that lasts a lifetime. Paige King Johnson, local singer-songwriter from Angier, grew up in a musical family and began to fall in love with it at the age of ten. “Both my mom and dad were musical, which is where I believe I got my performance skills and talents from,” Paige said. “My grandfather gave me my very first guitar for my tenth birthday and it lit a fire in my soul that has guided me to where I am today.” In addition to being a musical family, the Johnsons are also a farming family. Paige grew up helping her dad tend to the animals, including horses, donkeys and lambs, and was very involved in 4H and FFA at her local high school. “I was very much the nerdy horse girl in school,” she joked. “I would show every year at the N.C. State Fair and other horse shows in the area. I have a lot of fond memories of helping my dad around the farm, even if I didn’t consider them fond at the time.” Paige’s family continues to own and operate their family farm and her husband, Griffin, works with them full-time. ...
Piedmont:
(Cabarrus) Run With a Farmer at Porter Farms
A life of farming can be muddy and full of obstacles, especially at Porter Farms, Inc. Located in Mount Pleasant, the farm offers a variety of fun events throughout the year to help you enjoy life on the farm and get your adrenaline pumping, including the widely-popular Spartan Race. Ten years ago, Jared Porter and his family received a call from Spartan Race requesting to host an upcoming race on the farm. Home to over 500 acres of land, the farm offers the perfect spot for children and adults alike to experience a fun time on the farm through obstacle course racing. Each year, Porter Farms hosts three large races, Spartan, Bonefrog and Muddy Princess, which is a women’s only race. “I have always loved to run and my friends got me into the obstacle races a few years prior to the event being hosted on our farm,” Jared said. “I enjoy working with the companies and having an input in the way the course is set up. It’s an honor to have the farm showcased in this way each year.” Spartan typically takes place in the spring, whereas Bonefrog and Muddy Princess occur in the fall. ...
(Chatham, Forsyth) Hops research continues with on-farm trials testing viability in North Carolina
Two on-farm trials have helped agricultural researchers realize the real-world challenges of growing hops in North Carolina. The trials were essentially field experiments that took place during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. They were part of ongoing research into developing a variety of hops that will produce good yields and good quality hops for use in North Carolina’s craft brewing industry. On-farm plots in Mocksville (southwest of Winston-Salem) and Pittsboro (south of Chapel Hill) helped plant breeder Luping Qu, Ph.D see how his top-choice hops varieties fared outside of his watchful eye. He’d previously spent more than five years developing hops that would produce higher yields in North Carolina while still having good qualities for beer. Traditional varieties used in beer are productive in more northern areas, but they didn’t do well in North Carolina. That was his challenge. By the summer of 2021, his breeding efforts brought him to two promising selections that got tested on the farms. ...
(Guilford) Quiet your mind at Brookhaven Mill Farm
Greensboro is home to a place that provides peace and escape from the everyday anxieties of life. Each weekend, Brookhaven Mill Farm offers animal therapy for you and your family to breathe, relax and enjoy life on the farm. In 2019, Cheryl Preston, owner and operator of Brookhaven Mill Farm, moved from Lake Lure to Greensboro to pursue her dream of operating a farm that not only educated the public about agricultural life, but also gave them the opportunity to engage with the animals and even stay on the property. “I started out with a few cats, mini horses and goats, while I was at the Lake Lure property,” she said. “Over time, people started asking to come out to the farm, visit with the animals and learn about our process. That’s when I decided to move the farm to Greensboro, and it all honestly grew organically from that moment.” Today, Cheryl cares for many sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, geese, mini horses and cats, all of whom love when people come out to visit with them on the farm. “They not only love it for the food, but for the cuddles as well,” Cheryl says. ...
(Edgecombe) ‘It would not be what you see today;” landowners grateful for financial assistance offered by the N.C. Forest Service
From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina is brims with rich and diverse forest resources. Often referred to as “the birthplace of American Forestry,” North Carolina boasts more than 18 million acres of timberland across the state, most of which is owned by private landowners. By accounting for roughly 83% of the state’s acreage, private landowners are in the thick of a robust forest sector that supports communities across all 100 counties...
Vinson Bridgers and partner Scott Dunn, owners of 385 acres in Edgecombe County — 250 of which is timberland ranging from three to 40 years old — have utilized N.C. Forest Service cost share programs over the years to help them implement forest management practices that not only benefit them, but North Carolina as a whole. Bridgers received financial assistance through the Forest Development Program and Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program to conduct forestry practices such as reforestation, precommercial thinning and understory spraying. ...
(Franklin) Falling for animals and life on the farm
A world of adventure, cuddles and learning awaits you and your family in the heart of Franklinton. Whether you enjoy a fun and educational tour, read books alongside your kids or join in on a crafting class, Two Dachshund Farms is a great way to experience the farm in a unique and exciting way. Growing up on a small family farm, Anne Akers always had the spirit of a farm girl. “I grew up farming with my family and always loved being around the animals,” she said. “Even though my husband doesn’t have a farming background, he started developing a deep interest in fiber arts early in our dating relationship. That’s where the vision of Two Dachshund Farms started to become a reality.” In February of 2022, Two Dachshund Farms opened it’s doors to the public by offering educational tours and visits with the animals.
(Iredell) Dr. Bob Patterson receives Excellence in Agriculture Award
Statesville native Dr. Bob Patterson was honored earlier this month with the Excellence in Agriculture Award from the Tobacco Farm Life Museum. This award is given annually at the Breakfast with the Commissioner event held during the Southern Farm Show. Patterson’s educational journey began as a freshman in soil science at N.C. State University in 1957, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He then went to Cornell University for a Ph.d. in agronomy. He 1968 he joined N.C. State’s faculty as a professor of crop science. Since that time, thousands of students have gone through his courses at N.C. State and abroad. “I can guarantee that this fairgrounds could be filled with students, researchers, friends and community members that have been lucky enough to call Dr. Patterson professor, friend, coach, mentor or colleague,” said Commissioner Troxler. “He demonstrates what it means to be a lifelong learner, educator, mentor and role model. I am thankful for his leadership and continued service to agriculture.”
(Lee) ‘If we inspire one kid, I feel we’ve done a good job;” N.C. Forest Service builds awareness through education
Education and outreach are a critical part of what the N.C. Forest Service does to promote forestry across the state. From wildfire prevention programs and career day events to county fairs, Envirothon and Future Farmers of America (FFA) events, our forest rangers partner with local school systems to promote forestry in North Carolina. School groups and civic organizations can also experience a variety of programming in any of our educational state forests. Our educational forest rangers can conduct programs compatible with the Department of Public Instruction’s science curriculum. While attending programs and events, students will be able to observe, and even participate in, demonstrations that cover all aspects of the forest environment from soil, water and wildlife to timber and forest management. Recently, a local school group participated in a tour of our Aviation Central facility located at Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford. Comprised of 120 students, parents and chaperones, they braved the fickle North Carolina weather consisting of wind gusts, overcast skies, periods of rain and finally some sunshine to receive an up-close look at the equipment and strategies applied by N.C. Forest Service personnel during wildfire suppression operations. …
(Lee) An N.C. farm brought straight to you
If heading out to an N.C. farm seems too overwhelming, why not bring an N.C. farm to you?! Sixth generation family farm, The Pint Sized Pasture in Sanford, has taken agritourism to a new level by offering their mobile petting farm and other “farm off the farm” services. Growing up on a tobacco farm, Patrick Kelly swore he would never return to the family farm once he set off for college. However, life has a funny way of turning our nevers into forevers. “My partner Katelyn told me that she had always dreamed of having a little farm,” he said. “Living on our family farm it was hard to say no, so we started out with mini pigs and expanded.” Today, the Pint Sized Pasture is home to a variety of mini animals, including pigs, donkeys, horses, cows, goats and chickens. ...
(Orange) Rich History and Deep Roots at Lloyd’s Dairy
Knowing where we come from is just as important as knowing where we are headed. The Barn at Lloyd’s Dairy in Efland has deep roots in agriculture. For over 100 years, the Lloyd family has been farming on land that dates back through the Revolutionary War. “Our family started this farm in 1922 in Hillsborough and moved to Efland in 1929,” said current owner Ben Lloyd. “We started as a dairy farm, that at one time was one of the highest producing in the area, and then transferred to growing row crops and focusing on agritourism.” Today, the family continues to grow a few row crops, but is largely focused on agritourism and educating people about the importance of life on the farm. About five years ago, Ben’s children started opening it up to the public through their on-site wedding venue. “We have a beautiful barn that was, at one time, used to milk over 200 head of cattle,” said Craig Lloyd, Ben’s son. “Its got a rustic country chic feel to it, as my sister likes to say.” ...
(Stokes) Beautiful flowers and baby animals at Armstrong Artisan Farm
Walnut Cove is a great place to jump into fun on the farm at Armstrong Artisan Farm. Well-known for their annual farm festival, the farm is expanding its agritourism offerings this year to include lots of fun adventures for the family, like Spring Festival, Sheering Days, Herding Days and Farm Fun Days! In 2016, Austin and Jessica started their family farm in Stokes County with a few sheep and cows. “My husband grew up on the farm so he was always in love with this way of life,” Jessica said, “and growing up in a small town, I had been surrounded by it. So, we decided to both jump in head first to a life in agriculture, having no idea that it would lead us to where we are today.” In 2017, the farm expanded to include chickens, pigs and a variety of row crops, like corn, wheat and soybeans, and started offering their very first agritourism event on the farm, Fall Festival and a Corn Maze. …
(Wake) She Farms Tour 2023 celebrates women-owned farms in Apex
Last year, a few women farmers in Apex got together and held the first ever She Farms tour. The event exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of attendance and community involvement. This year, She Farms Apex returns on April 15 and promises to be even better with all farms open the entire day – which allows attendees to make their own agenda for the day. The She Farms Tour consists of two areas of Apex, the Martha’s Chapel Road Area and the Castleberry Lake Area. For $25 per carload, you can visit as few or as many farms as you would like. It is a time when the farms throw open their doors to give community members a peek into their day-to-day operations. “Farm tours bring joy and education,” said Diana May, owner of Jordan Lake Christmas Tree Farm. “Some people on the tour are with their families and want to learn about farms in the area and what they offer. Some people on the tour have a little land and might want to produce something, too. They want to see our greenhouse, our water system – they are on the tour to learn.” ...
Western:
(Haywood) Finding a new happy place at Winchester Creek Farm
Waynesville is a corner of our state often associated with peace, community and happiness. In November of 2020, Gayle and Ken decided to add to the local environment by opening Winchester Creek Farm to the public. The farm is home to a variety of miniature animals, including goats and highland cow, as well as alpacas, chickens, dogs and more. “Our mission is for this farm to become the happy place of each individual that visits us,” Gayle said. “I found my happiness and peace in this community, with the animals and on this farm, so my goal is always to share that with others.” Recently named the #1 attraction in Waynesville, Winchester Creek Farm offers a variety of events for the public to enjoy each year! In the midst of a pandemic that was causing lots of fear and anxiety across the world, Gayle and Ken wanted to give joy back to the community by hosting their first Easter on the farm. “Easter holds a lot of traditions that are fun for kids, like egg hunts, bunny cuddles and the Easter bunny,” Gayle said. “Since COVID-19 took a lot of those activities away, I wanted to recreate those memories and traditions in a way that was fun and safe.” ...
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