by North Carolina’s Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler from his October column “From the Tractor” for the department’s monthly newsletter the Agricultural Review:

We have got a lot of exciting events and celebrations of agriculture happening on the horizon that I wanted to share with readers. First off, the N.C. State Fair is this month, Oct. 17-27. We have been busy planning for this event since before the Fair wrapped up in 2023.

Agriculture remains at the heart of the State Fair, and you will see that throughout the grounds — in the show rings in the Jim Graham Building, through the horticultural exhibits and flowers and gardens, on signs highlighting our Farm Families of the Day presented by the Tractor Supply Company and in the Field of Dreams exhibit brought to you by N.C. Electric Cooperatives.

As one of the largest events in North Carolina, it takes time to pull it all together, but we are finishing up preparations as I write this. I hope you will plan to join us at the N.C. State Fair. On Monday, Oct. 21, we will be celebrating North Carolina Century Farm Families and that is going to be a great day.

These farm families represent the foundation of our state and rural communities. They take a great deal of pride in keeping their family farm in continuous family ownership for 100 years or more and they should. It is quite an accomplishment, and I am grateful we are able to celebrate these families every four years in Raleigh.

My wife Sharon and I had a chance to meet with some Century Farm Families from Western North Carolina while we were at the Mountain State Fair in September and what an honor it was to hear their stories and meet with family members. It was particularly rewarding seeing some of the younger generations of these families talk about wanting to carry on the family tradition of farming.

I still have a way to go before my farm can qualify as a Century Farm, but that will be a happy day for me when it does.

Another event that is fast approaching is the inaugural Farmer Appreciation Day on Nov. 14. The N.C. Grange is leading the way on this effort, along with the support of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the N.C. Farm Bureau and commodity groups across the state.

As Agriculture Commissioner, I am probably a bit biased, but we could have a farmer appreciation day every day and it still wouldn’t be enough thanks for the people who produce our food and fiber for clothing.

We are blessed to have so much agricultural diversity in this state.

There are not too many commodities North Carolina farmers cannot grow and that means that we as consumers enjoy the fruits of their labor every day. Since I took office in 2005, we have seen agriculture and agribusiness in North Carolina grow from a $59 billion industry to the $111.1 billion industry it is today. That’s an 88.3% increase in economic impact since 2005. Farm gate receipts have doubled from over $8.3 billion to over $16.8 billion.

I am proud that North Carolina has designated a day to recognize hardworking North Carolina farmers and farm families, especially this year with all its challenges.

Farmers need our support now more than ever and to know what they do matters and is appreciated.

I want to thank the N.C. Grange and specifically Grantham Grange for bringing up this idea and Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Duplin County for crafting a bill in the N.C. General Assembly that led to this special day of recognition.

As part of this day of recognition, organizers will be awarding a N.C. Farmer of the Year and a Young Farmer of the year. Awards include $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for 2nd place and $2,000 for 3rd place. NC State Grange will also provide $500, $300 and $200 for respective county applicant sponsors.

I look forward to recognizing the winning farmers in November along with all of the farmers in this state who help feed and clothe us.

We can all do our part to support farmers by buying local, looking for the Got to Be NC logo on manufactured food products and eating out at restaurants that feature North Carolina foods on the menu.

I hope you will join me Nov. 14 in thanking North Carolina farmers and fan families!

Photo above courtesy of Legacy Farms & Ranches of NC.