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

It’s December, so I don’t want to miss the opportunity to encourage readers to buy a real North Carolina Christmas tree, wreath or garland this year if they can. Buying a real N.C. Christmas tree will go a long way to support tree farmers and communities in Western N.C., and it is a festive way for North Carolinians to help one another.

We know that some N.C. tree farms lost trees and suffered damage to roads and other infrastructure on their farms, but they do have trees. Farmers are working hard to harvest and sell trees so they can stay in business and pay their employees and bills.

Your Christmas celebration and family get-togethers will take on added meaning knowing that your purchase has directly helped a Christmas tree farmer.

We’d love to see your tree. Take a photo and share it with us on the NCAgriculture Facebook page. Tag the tree farm in the photo if you know who grew your tree. We can all help brighten the season for Western N.C. through our purchases and support.

And, in case you missed it, Curtis Smith of TC Smith Produce Farm Inc. in Seven Springs was recognized as the North Carolina Farmer of the Year and John Norwood of Norwood Meador Farms Meat Sales in Ruffin was recognized as the Young North Carolina Farmer of the Year as part of the inaugural NC Farmer Appreciation Day.

The awards presentation at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh was part of the culmination of the special day dedicated to recognizing the many contributions of North Carolina farmers and I was honored to be part of the activities.

Smith is a fourth-generation farmer who produces strawberries, cantaloupe, sweet corn, collards, watermelon and seasonal vegetables. In his nomination, Smith was praised for mentoring younger farmers in the community. He has been named the Strawberry Grower of the Year and inducted into the N.C. Vegetable Growers Hall of Fame.

Norwood is a fifth-generation farmer who produces beef, pork and lamb that are sold to individuals and restaurants. The farm also produces blueberries and blackberries. He was noted for inspiring other young farmers in his community and for his innovation and passion for agriculture. In addition to the two winners, four additional finalists were recognized.

Other finalists for N.C. Farmer of the Year included Marlowe Ivey of Goldsboro and Reggie Strickland of Mt. Olive. The other two Young Farmer of the Year finalists were Ethan Lineberger of Dallas and Adam Barnhardt of Mooresville.

Ivey, a fourth-generation farmer and former executive director of Feed the Dialogue NC, wears many hats — hog and turkey farmer, mom of two, business owner and passionate industry advocate. Her advocacy with Feed the Dialogue offered an important voice in educating people about agriculture and its contributions to our state.

Strickland is a seventh-generation farmer who grows com, soybeans, sweet potatoes, pickling cucumbers, flue-cured tobacco, turkeys and pork. He lends his voice to agriculture through his service with agricultural organizations.

Lineberger is a fourth-generation farmer who produces 40 different crops on over 90 acres, including strawberries which his great, great-grandfather initially started producing. Other produce and products from his farm include pumpkins, blackberries, elderberry syrup, cider, jam and syrups.

Barnhardt’s love of farming began in FFA and today, he and his wife Carrie and their two kids, Macie and Tucker, are first-generation farmers in Rowan County. They produce hatching eggs, market lambs and cut flowers, and are proof that it is still possible to start a successful farm from scratch.

Congratulations to the first class of winners and finalists!