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NORTH CAROLINA FARMERS APPRECIATION DAY

by Laurie Barnhart, Legislative Director, NC La Grante

Inaugural North Carolina Farmers Appreciation Day Held

This year’s NC Farmer of the Year went to Curtis Smith of Seven Springs

RALEIGH, N.C. — During the Inaugural North Carolina Farmers Appreciation Day, the Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year were recognized, and all the state’s farmers were honored at a celebration dinner at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Special guest and keynote speaker was former United States Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

This year’s North Carolina Farmer of the Year went to Curtis Smith of Seven Springs. Smith grows a variety of produce on his farm, TC Smith Produce, including strawberries, cantaloupe, sweet corn, collards, watermelon, and more. He is a fourth-generation farmer who is heavily involved in the agricultural community. He has been named the Strawberry Grower of the Year and inducted into the NC Vegetable Growers Hall of Fame.  “Curtis Smith is an anchor of our local produce community. Young and beginning farmers look to Curtis for guidance and try to emulate him,” said nominators Lisa Rayburn and Tammy Kelly of NC Cooperative Extension. “He serves as an unofficial mentor to many aspiring growers while also serving a role in supporting the entire local produce community.”

Receiving Young Farmer of the Year (35 years or younger) award was John Norwood of Ruffin. Norwood is a fifth-generation farmer producing beef, pork, hay, lamb, blueberries, and blackberries to individuals and restaurants. He volunteers as a leader in both FFA and 4-H and is involved in Farm Bureau. “John Norwood exemplifies the qualities of a young farmer worth recognizing; his leadership, innovation, and a passion for agriculture  extends beyond his own operation. He is a valuable asset to the agricultural community and an inspiration to other young farmers,” said Brandon Hartman, Rockingham County Livestock and Forage Crops Extension Agent.  Norwood said he was shocked to be a finalist, let alone win Young Farmer of the Year. He said of the other finalists “I’ve learned to respect them very much and what they do. I’m still in shock over here because I don’t feel like I do anything more than so many other people do every day.”

Other finalists in the Farmer of the Year category included runner-up, Marlowe Ivey of Goldsboro and third place, Reggie Strickland of Mt. Olive. Young Farmer of the Year finalists were Ethan Lineberger of Dallas in second place and Adam Barnhardt of Mooresville in third place.

NC Representative Jimmy Dixon Senior Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee who sponsored the bill to recognize  the 2nd Thursday of every November was in attendance, as was NC Senator Brent Jackson, NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, and Ray Starling with NC Chamber were also in attendance at the celebration dinner.

NC Farmers Appreciation Day would not be possible without the efforts of the NC Grange, who led the initiative to have a designated day to show appreciation for North Carolina Farmers. With support from the NC Dept. of Agriculture, NC Farm Bureau, and NC commodities the initiative was presented to Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Duplin County who crafted a bill to recognize a North Carolina Farmers Appreciation Day. Every second Thursday in November is set aside as a day of appreciation and recognition for all North Carolina farmers and farm families.

North Carolina agriculture is over a $100 billion industry, driving much of the state’s economic success. Behind this robust industry are the hard-working farmers who produce our food, fuel, and fiber. North Carolina is home to over 46,000 farms, many of which are more than 100 years old. The state has deep roots in agriculture, and a bright future.