Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted three new members into the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 27, at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
“Agriculture has always been and will forever remain the heart of the N.C. State Fair,” Troxler said. “These inductees have helped make the livestock shows at our fair some of the best in the nation. This is a considerable honor and one that is well-deserved.”
Following is the list of this year’s inductees:
Bryan Blinson of Harnett County was inducted into the Commissioner’s Meritorious category. Blinson has dedicated his life to the success of North Carolina agriculture. He purchased his first cow when he was just 6 years old and went on to serve at the helm of the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association. Bryan began showing cattle at the N.C. State Fair in 1974. He is dedicated to supporting North Carolina farmers and families and passionate about fostering youth agriculture programs across the state.
Mike Sauls of Wayne County was inducted into the Swine category. Sauls has been a fixture in the Kelley Building for over 30 years, and has played a key role in ensuring the success of the N.C. State Fair Swine Show each year. He has dedicated countless amounts of time and energy to supporting exhibitors from the time they step onto the fairgrounds to the time they leave. Sauls is passionate about supporting youth exhibitors and ensuring their experience at the fair is a positive one.
Libby Gorman Williams of Durham County was inducted into the Horses category. Williams began showing horses at the N.C. State Fair as a teenager and went on to become a professional trainer, nurturing a love of horses and passion for the N.C. State Fair among countless young students. Her promotion of the N.C. State Fair and the horse community in the state has contributed to their continued success. Williams continues to attend and exhibit at the N.C. State Fair, bringing new generations of students with her each year.
Since 1980, the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame has served to recognize outstanding supporters of the fair’s livestock shows. Candidates for induction can be producers of livestock that have exhibited and promoted livestock shows at the fair, or a person who has served as a fair employee, representative of a business, extension worker or others from agricultural organizations.
Including this year’s honorees, 185 individuals have been inducted into the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame.
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