Ag Review Feature Stories 2026
March 2026
We have talked many times about the ongoing importance of biosecurity measures on farms, especially with the continuation of high pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks across the country and with cases in North Carolina.
But biosecurity is also important to our swine producers and other animal ag operators because we know animal diseases can accidentally be spread if a virus is picked up on shoes, clothing or equipment.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea is an example of a swine virus that is highly transmissible, but others include porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, and swine influenza.
We recently uploaded some biosecurity recommendations on the department’s website for utility and service providers who may need to go on a farm with animal agriculture operations.
I would encourage poultry and swine operators to share this information with their utility and service providers to increase their awareness of special on-farm considerations to assist with the health of their livestock.
Recommendations for the utilities include:
- Contacting the farm or company ahead of time to verify the current status of a farm. If a farm is under quarantine, a utility visit may need to be postponed if possible.
- Follow the company or farm’s biosecurity plan. Each animal production company will typically have a plan for anyone going on and off the farm.
- Limit the servicing of infected or high-risk farms if possible. This could include estimated billing procedures that do not require an on-farm visit.
- Use disposable shoe covers while on commercial animal farms when possible.
- Wash your vehicle between farms.
These measures can help prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Animal agriculture accounts for about 74% of our state’s farm cash receipts, so the health of these industries is important to our ag economy and our state’s economy, too.
This information can be found on our NCDA&CS Veterinary Division website at ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/ AvianInfluenza
From there, scroll down to the Biosecurity recommendations for utility and service companies link under Additional Resources.
Everyone needs to do their part to ensure strong biosecurity measures on farms to help protect our food supply.
Having conversations with your service providers can help them understand why taking these types of measures matter.
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I want to remind folks about our upcoming Got to Be NC Festival May 15-17 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Go ahead and mark your calendars to make plans to attend.
The Got to Be NC Pavilion will showcase North Carolina food and beverage companies that are part of our Got to Be NC program. Visitors can sample and buy delicious N.C. products from over 75 vendors.
We have a daily tractor parade and a large display of antique farm equipment, agricultural exhibits, food, rides and games, so it’s an event that is fun for the whole family.
Admission and parking is free with pay as you go for food, Pavilion entrance and carnival attractions.
I’d love to see you May 15-17 at the Got to Be NC Festival!
The new Midway Events Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh is taking shape! This two-story food hall and events center is located in the heart of the fairgrounds and will house eight permanent food stalls and four fair vendor stalls. The center will also provide ample indoor and outdoor seating options. Construction is ongoing and expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 N.C. State Fair, which runs Oct. 15-25.
February 2026
I traveled recently to the N.C. Commodity Conference in Greenville where I was able to visit with a number of growers who were attending the event. It was a good turnout at this new location, and I saw a lot of familiar faces.
As farmers know, the winter months are commodity association season with plenty of annual meetings taking place statewide. I encourage farmers to attend these meetings to hear the latest and get important industry updates for commodities they grow.
A few, upcoming meetings include the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina annual meeting and the N.C. Crop Improvement Association Feb. 6, the N.C. Agritourism Networking Association 2026 Farm Tour and Conference Feb. 22-24 and the 58th annual meeting of the N.C. Tomato Growers and Winter Vegetable Conference Feb. 25 and 26. This is not a complete list by any means, but gives you an idea of how February is shaping up with meetings.
I am also looking forward to seeing more farmers at the upcoming Ag Development Forum and Southern Farm Show in Raleigh Feb. 4-6, where we’ll hear from Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, an ag economist from N.C. State, and others as we look ahead to the 2026 growing season.
The forum and other commodity meetings offer farmers an opportunity to network with one another and hear important updates, ideas and projections for the upcoming season. We know what challenging times these are right now for agriculture. Commodity prices remain low and input costs high.
A college professor once told our class that good ag policy would be the single largest factor in our success on the farm. I remember thinking about the weather and what a big influence it has on crops and the impact of marketing, but over the years I have seen that he was indeed correct. Good farm policy is essential to successful farming.
Nationally, especially among other state’s agriculture leaders, we are hearing a recurring call for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill. The last one was passed in 2018 and was set to expire in 2023 but has been extended. A lot has happened since 2018, and the industry needs a new Farm Bill that addresses today’s agricultural climate.
We need to stay engaged as an industry to ensure our voices and concerns are heard and hopefully addressed through good ag policy. That’s why attending annual meetings and being engaged is so important.
I encourage you to follow the department’s social media channels to also stay up on the latest involving continued Hurricane Helene disaster recovery and grant programs that will come available. We are on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) at NCAgriculture and Got to Be NC on Instagram.
We are anticipating the approval of our $221 million federal Hurricane Helene Disaster Block Grant soon and will announce the application signup period once approval is granted. If you will recall, this block grant was announced in September during the Mountain State Fair. Since that time, we have put together our proposal on how to distribute these funds, which must be approved by USDA. We continue to meet with them and discuss what can be covered and rules involving the use of these funds. I am hopeful that we gain approval soon and can begin accepting applications for funds.
We intend to use these funds to maximize disaster payments to farmers with Hurricane Helene losses, using state funds for items USDA will not fund and using federal funds for items state funds won’t cover.
During the Ag Development Forum, we will have an update on disaster payments and ongoing efforts to get funds to farmers who experienced losses. I hope to see you there!
Tractor enthusiasts and the public are invited to central North Carolina for the three-day national convention of the International Harvester Collectors Association in March.
A celebration of the nearly 125-year-old brand that has supported small farms and large agricultural operations alike, the event officially kicks off March 19 at the Village Inn Hotel and Events Center in Clemmons. The three-day event will feature informative sessions, a trade show, entertainment, a banquet and a keynote speech from Max Armstrong, producer and host of the "Farm Progress America" and "Max Armstrong's Midwest Digest" daily radio programs.
There are three chapters of the International Harvester Collectors Association in North Carolina – one in the east (Chapter 37), one in the west (Chapter 43) and one in the central part of the state (Chapter 42).
Chapter 42 will host the national event for the first time since 2020, with the other two chapters involved as well.
“International Harvester continues to be an important part of agriculture in North Carolina and is often considered a member of the ‘family’ for many farmers and enthusiasts,” said Chapter 42 President John Moon. “Many collectors still have the equipment and vehicles used by their parents and grandparents, which brings back precious memories.”
Will Brinkley, a first-generation N.C. farmer who gained fame as a social media influencer “The Tarheel Farmer,” will provide entertainment. Tim Honeycutt, Chapter 24 treasurer, said the convention also looks to support the local tourism industry by organizing trips to nearby attractions. Attendees are welcome to tag along on trips to the Billy Graham Billy Graham Library, Childress Vineyards and Race Shop, and the Andy Griffith Museum.
Free and open to the public, the trade show will feature International Harvester parts, manuals, collectables and wearables, and a tractor display across the grounds. Rogers Auctioneers will also conduct an IH auction on March 20, and IH-related consignments are welcomed.
Honeycutt said there will be “something for everyone” at this year’s convention. From classes on carburetor cleaning, quilting and social media, every attendee should be able to find something to do and learn.
“We try to make it applicable to everyone,” Honeycutt said. “It’s not just a bunch of guys sitting around talking tractors, there should be something entertaining for everyone.”
Honeycutt said he hopes the event showcases North Carolina’s IH following and heritage.
“We have a lot of tractors here in North Carolina that have supported tobacco, row cropping, cattle and all kinds of farming, so we really want that support to show,” Honeycutt said.
The auction and trade fair are free to the public, while the classes and banquet require registration.
Honeycutt said the 2020 convention was held just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted group gatherings.
Chapters of the International Harvester Collectors of North Carolina are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations focused on education and preservation of the International Harvester (“IH”) and CaseIH brands. Profits from the convention will support the educational and philanthropic efforts of the chapter, including hurricane relief efforts in rural Western N.C., FFA tractor restoration and scholarships.
To register, advertise or learn more, visit https://ihcollectorsnc42.com/ihc-winter-convention-2026/, or contact Tim Honeycutt at tlhoneycutt@aol.com.
January 2026
North Carolina’s newest educational state forest is now open to the public. Located in Stanley on an important conservation easement, Mountain Island Educational State Forest (ESF) is a working forest, emphasizing forestry best management practices related to water quality.
“Forests give back to the land by filtering the water we drink, cleaning the air we breathe and sequestering carbon,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Because Mountain Island Educational State Forest is a working forest, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate to the public the advantages of good forest management.”
Mountain Island ESF is located in the northeast corner of Gaston County and extends into the southeast corner of Lincoln County. Nearby Mountain Island Lake, from which the forest takes its name, supplies water to one out of every 12 residents in North Carolina.
As a way to help protect the water quality of Mountain Island Lake, the idea for an ESF on the site was born more than two decades ago.
Mountain Island ESF is one of six educational state forests that have been developed by the N.C. Forest Service to serve as a living classroom to teach children and adults about the complex, interdependent ecosystems that make up a forest.
“The mission of our educational state forests is to conserve the forest environment while providing working forest demonstrations and offering educational opportunities to the public and especially school children,” said Greg Hicks, state forester and assistant commissioner for the North Carolina Forest Service. “We are proud to have this facility finally open to the public.”
The 6,400 square-foot facility and more than 2,000 acres of land at Mountain Island ESF will allow the Forest Service to continue delivering on that mission.
The new ESF features a robust forestry education center, indoor and outdoor classrooms, four hiking trails -- including the distinguished Talking Tree Trail -- individual picnic tables located throughout the forest and a large picnic shelter that can be reserved to accommodate large groups with nearby restrooms.
The forest will be open weekly, operating on ESF winter hours through the end of February. The forest is closed on weekends November through February, with weekend hours resuming March 1.
Currently, Mountain Island ESF hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can find more information about program options, trail updates and other public use area availability by contacting Mountain Island ESF rangers at 704-601-1060.
The N.C. Forest Service worked closely with several partner organizations to create Mountain Island ESF. Partners include Duke Energy, Trust for Public Land, North Carolina Land and Water Fund, Lincoln County Parks and Recreation, Gaston County Parks and Recreation, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Lincoln County Natural Resources, Catawba Lands Conservancy, Gaston County Natural Resources, Gaston County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Carolina Land and Lakes.
The start of the year is always a busy time for agriculture as commodity groups gather to hear the latest updates and projections for the year. I want to put a plug in for the 20th Ag Development Forum being held Feb. 5 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The forum is held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show.
Each year’s program includes an update on the economic outlook for agriculture and that will be part of the program this year as well. We will also have an update on the ag disaster assistance program, and I hope on the USDA Hurricane Helene agricultural block grant, too. As I write this, we are awaiting USDA’s approval of our distribution plan for the block grant.
Please mark your calendar for the morning of Feb. 5. Lunch will be served following the meeting. This year we will be meeting in a special events tent inside the gates in front of our Commercial and Education Buildings. The Holshouser Building is currently being renovated so this will be a temporary meeting space this year.
I mentioned an economic outlook report, and I wanted to share that we recently received updated Ag economic impact numbers from Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman at N.C. State University, and they were about what I expected them to be, based on the time period they are calculated from.
The latest economic impact numbers are based off 2023 USDA statistics. If you will recall, that year farmers were facing high input costs of fertilizers and other inputs in part due to the conflict in Ukraine.
While the total number did not grow this year, the good news is that the economic impact of North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness remains over $100 billion, $102 billion to be exact.
NC State Ag Economist Dr. Mike Walden, who retired several years ago, provided this information for years. This year the baton was handed off to Dr. Dorfman, who prepared this year’s report.
The last couple years coming back from the pandemic, natural disasters, droughts and other obstacles, it is not surprising that our growth is flat.
Diving into the numbers more, you will see that ag represents 13% of North Carolina’s total economic output, or $1 in every $8.
That might be hard to imagine if you live in one of our urban cities, but when you drive across the state, you see plenty of examples of agriculture and agribusinesses across the landscape.
This industry accounts for 965,000 jobs statewide, which represents 19% of the workforce or 1 in every 5 jobs.
Sometimes people only think about farmers when it comes to agriculture, but we have a big agribusiness sector in North Carolina with processing and food manufacturing, plus support industries.
To further break down the economic impact of ag industries:
• Food and related products: $58.9 billion.
• Tobacco and related products: $12.7 billion.
• Forestry and related products: $14.6 billion
• Fiber and related industries: $3 billion
• Green industry: $4.2 billion.
I am proud that North Carolina farmers and agribusiness owners not only feed us, but they also power our state’s economy.
Food starts somewhere and that is on a farm.
Yes, it eventually makes its way to a grocery store or farm stand or restaurant, but food doesn’t START at those places even though that’s where most people “get” their food from.
That is a very important distinction.
And, when you really think about that, you realize we ALL need our farms and farmers to be successful because they are the ones growing the food that we all enjoy.
Without farmers, we’d have a lot of empty grocery store shelves. We need to celebrate our farmers and agribusinesses every day.
Following are winners in the 2025 N.C. State Fair livestock shows, continued from the December 2025 issue. Congratulations to all of this year's competitors!
Junior Market Beef – Junior Market Heifer
- Grand champion shown by Brody Coleman of Davidson (Mecklenburg)
- Reserve grand champion and third overall shown by Michelle Hartman of Walnut Cove (Stokes)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Hannah Hooker of Mt. Airy (Surry)
- Grand champion junior market heifer shown by Davis Mills of Spring Hope (Nash)
Junior Market Beef – British Breed
- Grand champion shown by Madelyn Hooker of Mt. Airy (Surry)
- Reserve grand champion and third overall shown by Erica Shutsky of Pinnacle (Stokes)
Junior Beef Heifer – All Other Breeds
- Grand champion shown by Bryson Ingram of Middlesex (Nash)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Champion Got to Be NC and champion Bred and Owned shown by Schyler Crocker of Selma (Johnston)
Junior Beef Heifer – Angus
- Grand champion shown by Macie Wood of Benson (Johnston)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Beau Surratte of Sherrills Ford (Catawba)
- Champion Got to Be NC and champion Bred and Owned shown by Maddie Carpenter of Wadesboro (Anson)
Junior Market Heifer – Commercial
- Grand champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Duplin Lamb Project of Kenansville (Duplin)
- Reserve champion shown by Addison Sprinkle of Weaverville (Buncombe)
Junior Beef Heifer – Charolais
- Grand champion shown by Cole Williams of Waynesville (Haywood)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Hope Latta of Zebulon (Franklin)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Cayte Mitchell of Hiddenite (Alexander)
Junior Beef Heifer – Gelbvieh
- Grand champion, reserve grand champion, champion Got to Be NC and champion Bred and Owned shown by Molly Kate Anderson of Marion (McDowell)
Junior Beef Heifer – Hereford
- Grand champion shown by Jordan Mitchem of Vale (Lincoln)
- Reserve grand champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Ansley Gee of Vale (Lincoln)
- Champion Bred and Owned shown by Laurel Mitchem of Taylorsville (Alexander)
Junior Beef Heifer – Limousin
- Grand champion, reserve grand champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Duplin Lamb Project of Kenansville (Duplin)
- Champion Bred and Owned shown by Hope Latta of Zebulon (Franklin)
Junior Market Beef – Junior Beef Heifer Supreme
- Supreme grand champion, reserve supreme grand champion, supreme champion Got to Be NC and supreme champion bred and owned shown by Shelby Candler of Weaverville (Buncombe)
Junior Beef Heifer – Red Angus
- Grand champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Hannah Smith of Franklin (Macon)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Abigail Blankenship of Castalia (Nash)
Junior Beef Heifer – Santa Gertrudis/Star 5
- Grand champion shown by Madeline Allen of Concord (Cabarrus)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Janie Kay of Tryon (Polk)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Rhett Perry of Zebulon (Wake)
- Champion Bred and Owned shown by Robbie Sherrill of Concord (Cabarrus)
Junior Beef Heifer – Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus
- Grand champion shown by Ashlyn Houston of Claremont (Catawba)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Champion Got to Be NC and champion Bred and Owned shown by Makenzie Davis of Zebulon (Wake)
Junior Beef Heifer – Simmental
- Grand champion shown by Shelby Candler of Weaverville (Buncombe)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Cole Williams of Waynesville (Haywood)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Georgia Turrentine of King (Stokes)
- Champion Bred and Owned shown by Montana Boatwright of Franklin (Macon)
Junior Beef Heifer – Percentage Simmental
- Grand champion, champion Got to Be NC and champion Bred and Owned shown by Shelby Candler of Weaverville (Buncombe)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Allyson Helms of Norwood (Stanly)
Junior Feeder Calf
- Grand champion overall grand champion Got to Be NC overall shown by Schyler Crocker of Selma (Johnston)
- Reserve grand champion overall shown by Ruby-Ann Pipkin of Sims (Wilson)
- Grand champion prospect and Got to Be NC champion prospect shown by Schyler Crocker of Selma (Johnston)
- Reserve grand champion prospect shown by Wann Hinnant of Kenly (Wilson)
- Grand champion progress shown by Ruby-Ann Pipkin of Sims (Wilson)
- Reserve grand champion progress and grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Adam Braswell of Castalia (Nash)
Open Beef Cattle
Angus
- Grand champion bull and senior champion bull shown by Greyson Peeler of Lawndale (Cleveland)
- Reserve grand champion bull and reserve senior champion bull shown by Trey Mills of Spring Hope (Nash)
- Grand champion female and senior champion female shown by Wood Angus of Willow Spring (Johnston)
- Reserve grand champion female shown by Beau Surratte of Sherrills Ford (Catawba)
- Reserve senior champion female shown by Ashlyn Houston of Claremont (Catawba)
- Junior champion female and intermediate heifer champion shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Reserve junior champion female and reserve senior heifer calf shown by Maddie Carpenter of Wadesboro (Anson)
- Junior heifer calf champion shown by Beau Surratte of Sherrills Ford (Catawba)
- Reserve junior heifer calf champion shown by Marcie Harward of Richfield (Stanly)
- Senior heifer calf champion shown by Eli Price of Seven Springs (Lenoir)
- Reserve intermediate heifer champion shown by Macie Ledford of Franklin (Macon)
All Other Breeds Open
- Grand champion female, champion senior yearling heifer shown by Bryson Ingram of Middlesex (Nash)
- Reserve grand champion female, reserve champion senior yearling heifer shown by Karl Holshouser of Castalia (Franklin)
- Grand champion bull, champion bull calf shown by Trey Mills of Spring Hope (Nash)
- Champion senior bull, reserve champion senior bull and reserve champion bull calf shown by Nicholas Vidovich of Midland, Pa.
- Champion heifer calf shown by Hannah Smith of Franklin (Macon)
- Reserve champion heifer calf shown by Nate Bowman of Germanton (Stokes)
- Champion junior yearling heifer shown by Emma Vanhoy of Catawba (Catawba)
- Reserve champion junior yearling heifer shown by Schyler Crocker of Selma (Johnston)
Charolais Open
- Grand champion female shown by Marcie Harward of Richfield (Stanly)
- Reserve grand champion female and senior champion female shown by Cora Joines of Blacksburg, Va.
- Grand champion cow/calf pair, reserve junior calf champion bull, reserve senior calf champion female and junior champion female shown by Hope Latta of Zebulon (Franklin)
- Reserve grand champion cow/calf pair shown by Chloe Lawson of Union Grove (Iredell)
- Grand champion bull, junior champion bull and junior calf champion heifer shown by Chad Gowing of Ernul (Craven)
- Junior calf champion bull shown by Virginia Tech Beef Center of Blacksburg, Va.
- Reserve junior calf champion female shown by Makayla Davis of Zebulon (Wake)
- Senior calf champion female shown by Marcie Harward of Richfield (Stanly)
- Reserve senior champion female shown by Cayte Mitchell of Hiddenite (Alexander)
Gelbvieh Open
- Grand champion female, champion junior heifer calf, champion senior heifer calf and reserve champion junior female shown by NCSU E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit of Raleigh (Wake)
- Grand champion cow/calf pair, reserve champion female, reserve champion senior heifer calf and champion junior female shown by Todd Hodges of Yanceyville (Caswell)
Hereford Open
- Grand champion bull, champion senior bull, champion yearling bull, champion bull calf, reserve champion bull calf, shown by Nora Cave of Elkin (Surry/Wilkes)
- Reserve grand champion bull, champion junior bull calf and reserve champion cow/calf shown by Joy Hinnant of Kenly (Johnston)
- Grand champion heifer, champion intermediate heifer and grand champion cow/calf shown by Jordan Mitchem of Vale (Lincoln)
- Reserve grand champion heifer, champion senior heifer calf, reserve champion senior heifer calf and reserve champion intermediate heifer shown by Roseview Cattle Farm of Goldvein, Va.
- Champion junior heifer calf and reserve champion junior bull calf shown by Courtney Eudy of Harrisburg (Cabarrus)
- Champion yearling heifer shown by Erica Shutsky of Pinnacle (Stokes)
- Reserve champion junior heifer calf and reserve champion yearling heifer shown by NCSU E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit of Raleigh (Wake)
Miniature Hereford Open
- Grand champion and reserve grand champion bulls, grand champion and reserve grand champion females, champion and reserve champion heifer calf, champion junior bull calf and champion senior bull shown Cow Swamp Creek Farms of Grimesland (Pitt)
Limousin Open
- Grand champion, reserve grand champion bull, grand champion female, Reserve champion heifer calf, champion intermediate heifer, champion senior female, champion bull calf and champion intermediate bull shown by Dustin Kendall of Magnolia (Duplin)
- Reserve grand champion female and champion heifer calf shown by Hope Latta of Zebulon (Franklin)
Percentage Simmental Open
- Grand champion heifer shown by Justin Teeter of Cleveland (Rowan)
- Reserve grand champion heifer shown by Charlie Thomas of Winston-Salem (Davidson)
- Grand champion bull shown by Shelby Candler of Weaverville (Buncombe)
- Reserve grand champion bull shown by Alana McDaniel of Kings Mountain (Cleveland/Gaston)
- Champion and reserve champion heifer calf shown by Charlie Thomas of Winston-Salem (Davidson)
- Junior champion heifer shown by Justin Teeter of Cleveland (Rowan)
- Reserve junior champion heifer shown by Allyson Helms of Norwood (Stanly)
- Senior champion heifer shown by Alana McDaniel of Kings Mountain (Cleveland/Gaston)
- Reserve senior champion shown by Abigail Blankenship of Castalia (Nash)
- Champion bull calf shown by Alana McDaniel of Kings Mountain (Cleveland/Gaston)
- Junior champion bull shown by Shelby Candler of Weaverville (Buncombe)
Piedmontese Open
- Grand champion female, reserve grand champion female, champion junior yearling heifer, reserve champion junior yearling heifer, champion senior yearling heifer and reserve champion senior yearling heifer shown by A.J. Strickland of Middlesex (Nash)
- Grand champion bull, reserve grand champion bull and champion Tenderlean bull calf shown by Marina Strickland of Middlesex (Nash)
- Grand champion Tenderlean female and champion Tenderlean heifer calf shown by Michaela Mitchell of Zebulon (Wake)
- Reserve grand champion Tenderlean female and champion Tenderlean bull calf shown by Ava Strickland of Middlesex (Nash)
- Reserve champion heifer calf shown by Luke Johnson of Carlisle, Pa.
Santa Gertrudis Open
- Grand champion bull, reserve grand champion bull and champion senior bull shown by Thomas Benfield of Statesville (Iredell)
- Reserve champion senior bull shown by Alan Barlowe of Lenoir (Caldwell)
Simmental Open
- Grand champion heifer shown by Justin Teeter of Cleveland (Rowan)
- Reserve grand champion heifer shown by Hannah Vanhoy of Catawba (Catawba)
- Grand champion bull shown by the Silverado Cattle Company of Mineral, Va. (Fauquier)
- Reserve grand champion bull shown by Cooper Joines of Blacksburg, Va.
- Grand champion cow/calf pair shown by Cayte Mitchell of Hiddenite (Alexander)
- Champion bull calf shown by Cooper Joines of Blacksburg, Va.
- Reserve champion bull calf shown by Charlie Thomas of Winston-Salem (Davidson)
- Junior champion bull shown by Silverado Cattle Company of Mineral, Va. (Fauquier)
- Reserve junior champion bull shown by Charlie Thomas of Winston-Salem (Davidson)
- Champion heifer calf shown by Cooper Joines of Blacksburg, Va.
- Reserve champion heifer calf shown by Cullen Joines of Blacksburg, Va.
- Junior champion heifer shown by Justin Teeter of Cleveland (Rowan
- Reserve junior champion heifer shown by Hannah Vanhoy of Catawba (Catawba)
- Senior champion heifer shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Reserve senior champion heifer shown by Georgia Turrentine of King (Stokes)
Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus Open
- Grand champion female shown by Ashlyn Houston of Claremont (Catawba)
- Reserve grand champion female shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Grand champion bull shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Champion junior bull calf shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Champion junior yearling shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Reserve champion junior yearling shown by Makayla Davis of Zebulon (Wake)
- Champion heifer calf shown by Rylea Suddreth of Catawba (Catawba)
- Reserve champion heifer calf shown by Greyson Peeler of Lawndale (Cleveland)
Supreme Open Beef Cattle
- Supreme champion female shown by Justin Teeter of Cleveland (Rowan)
- Reserve champion female shown by Jordan Mitchem of Vale (Lincoln)
- Supreme champion bull shown by Silverado Cattle Company of Mineral, Va. (Fauquier)
- Reserve supreme champion bull shown by Nora Cave of Elkin (Surry)
- Supreme champion cow/calf pair shown by Jordan Mitchem of Vale (Lincoln)
- Reserve supreme champion cow/calf pair shown by Joy Hinnant of Kenly (Johnston)
Star 5 Open
- Grand champion female and champion yearling heifer shown by Janie Kay of Tryon (Polk)
Junior Dairy Cattle
- Supreme champion shown by Bryson Baldwin of Statesville (Iredell)
- Reserve supreme champion shown by Reagan Tompkins of Ennice (Alleghany)
Junior Dairy Show Fitting and Showmanship
- Peewee winner (6-8) was Silas McMurry of Shelby (Cleveland)
- Junior winner (9-11) was Issac Schmiesing of Linwood (Davidson)
- Intermediate winner (12-14) was Maggie Mehaffrey of Rural Hall (Forsyth)
- Senior winner (15-18) was Soraya Gomez of Burlington (Alamance)
- Costume class winner was Presley Karriker of Staley (Randolph)
Junior Dairy Cattle -- Jersey
- Grand champion, senior champion and junior champion shown by Bryson Baldwin of Statesville (Iredell)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Barrett Heizer of Snow Camp (Alamance)
Junior Dairy Cattle -- Holstein
- Grand champion and senior champion shown by Reagan Tompkins of Ennice (Alleghany)
- Reserve grand champion and junior champion shown by Madeline Branch of Mount Airy (Surry)
Junior Dairy Cattle -- Guernsey
- Grand champion and senior champion shown by Soraya Gomez of Burlington (Alamance)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Thatcher Mehaffey of Rural Hall (Forsyth)
- Junior champion shown by Anne Horstman of Raleigh (Wake)
Junior Dairy Cattle – Brown Swiss
- Grand champion and senior champion shown by Madeline Branch of Mount Airy (Surry)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Soraya Gomez of Burlington (Alamance)
- Junior champion shown by Calloway Mehaffey of Rural Hall (Forsyth)
Junior Dairy Cattle -- Ayrshire
- Grand champion and senior champion shown by Mckinley Branch of Mount Airy (Surry)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Carson Ward of Lexington (Davidson)
- Junior champion shown by Colton Oliver of Burlington (Alamance)
Open Dairy Cattle – Ayrshire
- Grand champion female, reserve grand champion female, senior champion female and reserve senior champion shown by Kylie Ward of Lexington (Davidson)
- Junior champion and reserve junior champion female shown by Russell Isley of Burlington (Alamance)
Open Dairy Cattle – Brown Swiss
- Grand champion, reserve grand champion, senior champion female, reserve senior champion female, junior champion female and reserve junior champion female shown by Brittco Farms of Snow Camp (Alamance)
Open Dairy Cattle – Guernsey
- Grand champion female and senior champion female shown by Nelson Brooks of Graham (Alamance)
- Reserve grand champion female and reserve senior champion female shown by Thatcher Mehaffey of Rural Hall (Forsyth)
- Junior champion female shown by Sarah Horstman of Raleigh (Wake)
- Reserve junior champion female shown by Goldprint Farm of Linwood (Davidson)
Open Dairy Cattle – Holstein
- Grand champion female and senior champion female shown by Reagan Tompkins of Ennice (Alleghany)
- Reserve grand champion female and reserve senior champion female shown by Christian Cook of Pittsboro (Chatham)
- Junior champion female shown by Shanna Langley of Staley (Randolph)
- Reserve junior champion female shown by Russell Isley of Burlington (Alamance)
Open Dairy Cattle – Jersey
- Grand champion female, senior female champion and reserve junior champion shown by Brittco Farms of Snow Camp (Alamance)
- Reserve grand champion female and reserve senior champion female shown by Amanda Baldwin of Statesville (Iredell)
- Junior champion female shown by Shylee Brooks of Seagrove (Randolph)
Open Dairy Cattle
- Collegiate Showmanship winner was Mia Leathers of Hillsborough (Orange)
Open Market Barrow
- Grand champion purebred shown by Evan Mayo of Battleboro (Nash)
- Reserve grand champion purebred shown by Lillian Griffin of Elm City (Wilson)
- Grand champion crossbred and champion crossbred shown by Daniel Sharp of Sims (Wilson)
- Reserve grand champion crossbred shown by Evan Mayo of Battleboro (Nash)
- Reserve champion crossbred shown by Emma Brinson of Fayetteville (Cumberland)
Open Breeding Gilt
- Overall supreme champion shown by Riley Ballance of Lucama (Wilson)
- Overall reserve supreme champion shown by Makenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Grand champion breeding gilt shown by Lizzie Griffin of Elm City (Wilson)
- Reserve grand champion breeding gilt shown by Isla See of Raleigh (Wake)
- Champion crossbred and champion purebred shown by Lizzie Griffin of Elm City
- Reserve champion crossbred shown by Isla See of Raleigh (Wake)
- Reserve champion purebred shown by Will Morgan of Franklin (Macon)
Junior Market Barrow
- Grand champion shown by Dylan Briley of Greenville (Pitt)
- Reserve grand champion shown by Billiefaith Fulcher of Godwin (Cumberland)
- Third overall shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
Junior Market Barrow -- Crossbred
- Champion and grand champion Got to Be NC crossbred shown by Dylan Briley of Greenville (Pitt)
- Reserve champion crossbred shown by Billiefaith Fulcher of Godwin (Cumberland)
- Reserve grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Lightweight champion crossbred shown by Hannah Cooper of Hertford (Perquimans)
- Lightweight reserve champion crossbred shown by Ella NcNeely of Lake Toxaway (Transylvania)
- Lightweight champion Got to Be NC crossbred shown by Halle Taylor of Pink Hill (Onslow)
- Medium weight champion crossbred shown by Cody Formisani of Wendell (Johnston)
- Medium weight reserve champion crossbred shown by Grace Jennings of Camden (Camden)
- Medium weight Got to Be NC champion crossbred shown by Eleanor Smothers of Walnut Cove (Stokes)
- Heavy weight champion and heavy weight Got to Be NC champion shown by Dyland Briley of Greenville (Pitt)
Junior Market Barrow -- Purebred
- Champion purebred shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Reserve champion purebred shown by Elizabeth Jennings of Raleigh (Wake)
- Champion Got to Be NC purebred shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC purebred shown by Genevieve Pulcini of Richlands (Onslow)
- Lightweight champion and light weight Got to Be NC champion shown by Genevieve Pulcini of Richlands (Onslow)
- Lightweight reserve champion shown by Mason Stallings of Elizabeth City (Pasquotank)
- Medium weight champion and medium weight Got to Be NC shown by Lillian Griffin of Elm City (Wilson)
- Medium weight reserve champion shown by Eli Price of Seven Springs (Lenoir)
- Heavy weight champion and heavy weight Got to Be NC shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
Junior Breeding Gilt
- Grand champion shown by Riley Ballance of Lucama (Wilson)
- Reserve grand champion and grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Dylan Briley of Greenville (Pitt)
Junior Breeding Gilt – Crossbred
- Champion shown by Riley Ballance of Lucama (Wilson)
- Reserve champion shown by Hannah Cooper of Hertford (Perquimans)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Charleston Slate of King (Stokes)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Dylan Briley of Greenville (Pitt)
Junior Breeding Gilt – Purebred
- Champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Mackenzie Cox of Richlands (Onslow)
- Reserve champion and reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by McLane Sharp of Sims (Wilson)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Supreme Junior Ewe Meat Breed Sheep
- Supreme grand champion shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Supreme reserve grand champion and Grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Kaylee Casper of Enfield (Halifax)
- Third overall and reserve grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Ceily Bledsoe of Dobson (Surry)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Division 4 Black Face Cross
- Champion shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Reserve champion shown by Kaylee Casper of Enfield (Halifax)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Scarlett Denning of Newton Grove (Johnston)
- Champion lightweight ewe lamb shown by Ceily Bledsoe of Dobson (Surry)
- Reserve champion lightweight ewe lamb shown by Caitlyn Anderson of Tarboro (Edgecombe)
- Champion Got to Be NC lightweight ewe lamb shown by West Rowan FFA of Mt. Ulla of Rowan
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC lightweight ewe lamb shown by Jacob Meads of Elizabeth City (Pasquotank)
- Champion medium weight ewe lamb shown by Kaylee Casper of Enfield (Halifax)
- Reserve champion and reserve champion Got to Be NC medium weight ewe lambs shown by Scarlett Denning of Newton Grove (Johnston)
- Champion Got to Be NC medium weight ewe lamb shown by Kaylee Casper of Enfield (Halifax)
- Champion and reserve champion heavy weight ewe lambs shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Champion Got to Be NC heavy weight ewe lamb shown by Kendall Ayscue of Battleboro (Nash)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC heavy weight ewe lamb shown by Darci Boucher of Columbia (Tyrrell)
Junior Ewe Meet Breeds --- All Other Registered Sheep Breeds
- Champion shown by Charleigh Settle of Mooresville (Iredell)
- Reserve champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Norah Jacob of Knightdale (Wake)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by West Rowan FFA of Mt. Ulla (Rowan)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – All Other Hair Breeds Registered
- Champion shown by Mckinleigh Settle of Mooresville (Iredell)
- Reserve champion shown by Zacariah Gaither of Harmony (Iredell)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Dorset Purebred
- Champion shown by Meredith Poole of Zebulon (Franklin)
- Reserve champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Zoey Jacob of Knightdale (Wake)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by West Rowan FFA of Mt. Ulla (Rowan)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Hampshire Purebred
- Champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Lydia Wilson of China Grove (Rowan)
- Reserve champion and reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Charleigh Settle of Mooresville (Iredell)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Southdown Purebred
- Champion shown by Carter Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Reserve champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Maddison Wagaman of Washington (Beaufort)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Mckinleigh Settle of Mooresville (Iredell)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Division 1 All Other Breeds Non-registered
- Champion shown by Brody Coleman of Davidson (Mecklenburg)
- Reserve champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Maelynn Hartman of Walnut Cove (Stokes)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Liam Whitney of Teachey (Duplin)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Division 2 All Other Hair Breeds Non-registered
- Champion, reserve champion, champion Got to Be NC and reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Laura Jessup of Ramseur (Randolph)
Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Division 3 Natural Color -Ewe
- Champion and champion Got to Be NC shown by Ceily Bledsoe of Dobson (Surry)
- Reserve champion shown by Kaylee Casper of Enfield (Halifax)
- Reserve champion Got to Be NC shown by Lydia Wilson of China Grove (Rowan)
Junior Market Lamb
- Reserve grand champion shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Third overall shown by Isabel Moore of Scotland Neck (Wake)
- Grand champion Got to Be NC shown by Elizabeth Jennings of Raleigh (Wake)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 1 All Other Breeds
- Champion shown by Hattie Jo Powell of Four Oaks (Johnston)
- Reserve champion shown by Kennedy Winslow of Roper (Washington)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Caleb Davis of Zebulon (Wake)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 2 Hair Influence
- Champion and Champion Got to Be NC shown by Mckinleigh Settle of Mooresville (Iredell)
- Reserve champion shown by Caroline Oxendine of Hope Mills (Robeson)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 3 Natural Color
- Champion shown by Kennedy Lee of Smithfield (Johnston)
- Reserve champion shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Champion Got to Be NC shown by Ella Hill of King (Stokes)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 4 Blackface Cross
- Champion lightweight shown by Caitlyn Anderson of Tarboro (Edgecombe)
- Reserve lightweight champion and champion lightweight Got to Be NC shown by Addison Maxwell of Brown Summit (Guilford)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 5 Blackface Cross
- Champion medium weight shown by Isabel Moore of Scotland Neck (Halifax)
- Reserve champion medium weight shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Champion medium weight Got to Be NC shown by Elizabeth Jennings of Raleigh (Wake)
Junior Market Lamb – Division 6 Blackface Cross
- Champion heavy weight shown by Hesston Meadows of Leicester (Buncombe)
- Reserve champion heavy weight shown by Zadock Jennings of Kenly (Johnston)
- Champion Got to Be NC heavy weight shown by Kendall Ayscue of Battleboro (Nash)
State and local officials gathered in early December to officially break ground on the future home of the North Carolina Forest Service Region 1 headquarters at the Duplin County Airport.
This $13.1 million project includes an administrative building and a maintenance and storage facility to serve as the headquarters for the NCFS’s Region 1 operations. The facility will house the region’s forestry and aviation resources and support NCFS personnel as they respond to wildfires and other emergencies.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, State Forester and Assistant Commissioner Greg Hicks, Rep. Jimmy Dixon, Sen. Brent Jackson, Duplin County Commission Chair Dexter Edwards, architect Paul Sewart of Williard Stewart Architects and Jeremiah Daniels of Daniels & Daniels Construction Co. were joined by other members of the community to mark the beginning of construction.
“A new headquarters for Region 1 has been a long time coming and wouldn’t have been possible without strong partnerships between state, county and local leaders,” Hicks said. “This facility will strengthen wildfire response and forestry management across Eastern North Carolina.”
The NCFS has three regional offices across the state. The coastal plains area of the state makes up Region 1. The region is comprised of four districts serving 27 Eastern North Carolina counties. Additionally, the Bladen Lakes State Forest and Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest are in Region 1.
The three regional offices across the state serve as lifelines for the districts and counties that make them up, storing tools and equipment and supplying them when they are needed during wildfire events or prescribed burning. These facilities also act as a central hub with classrooms used for training employees in the region and across the entire state.
Currently, the Region 1 office is located in Kinston at a building that opened in 1942 as a military facility. The NCFS moved into that building in 1962, and while the facility has served the agency well for more than six decades, a new home is needed.
“I know our Region 1 staff are looking forward to being in this new facility to serve this part of our state,” Troxler said. “We certainly could not have gotten to this point without strong legislative and local support, which I am incredibly thankful for.”
The facility will include administrative offices, training rooms, maintenance shops, equipment storage, chemical storage and above-ground fuel storage.
Overall, this project includes 10,300 square feet of space for the admin building and 10,000 square feet for a heated shop, plus 12,000 square feet of covered storage. Additionally, it will have around 2,700 square feet of space for shared training and Emergency Incident Command functions.
“This project has been in the making for a number of years, and is a true testament to patience, perseverance and partnership,” Troxler said. “I want to thank the Duplin County leaders for welcoming our Region 1 offices and staff here.”