Press Releases

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted dairy farmers Ralph and Barbara Ross and longtime Western NC advocate L.T. Ward into the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame during the fair’s opening weekend. These individuals were inducted for their longtime support to the fair and the livestock industry in Western North Carolina.
The following are winners in the N.C. Mountain State Fair’s opening weekend poultry, rabbit, sheep, goat and beef cattle categories:Youth Poultry Show
RALEIGH – The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded $18.2 million to protect working farms and forests, support county farmland preservation efforts and promote agricultural enterprises.
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced $12.4 million in awards that will focus on the expansion of current food manufacturers and processors with the goal of increasing value-added goods and products manufactured in the state. A total of eight projects that include produce, meat and dairy products received initial awards through the N.C. Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI). 
RALEIGH – The N.C. State Fair’s Farm Family of the Day, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its fourth year to recognize and celebrate more of our state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $111.1 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.
WHO/WHAT: The North Carolina Sentinel Landscape Committee will hold a meeting to hear committee updates, a program review and other Sentinel Landscape business.   WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Hall of Fame Room, Agriculture Building, 2 W. Edenton St., Raleigh.
WHAT:               The Whole Hog Barbecue Series is coming to the 2024 N.C. Mountain State Fair, with MANNA FoodBank receiving all meat from the competition as well as on-site monetary donations. The Whole Hog Cookoff is sanctioned by the N.C. Pork Council, sponsored by Mariner Finance and Heritage Finance Co., Inc., and will feature cooking teams from across the Carolinas.
FLETCHER – The Whole Hog Cookoff is coming to the 2024 N.C. Mountain State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 7, with meat from the competition and on-site monetary donations going to MANNA FoodBank to help feed the hungry. Pitmasters will be throwing down their best low-and-slow techniques to showcase their culinary skills and create great tasting barbecue. Cooking begins around 5 a.m. and contestants present their entries to the judges at 5 p.m. Awards will be announced immediately following the judging at 6 p.m. on the Leon Jacobs Piano Stage. 
WHAT:              Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will officially open the 2024 N.C. Mountain State Fair with a short ribbon cutting ceremony. WHEN:               Friday, Sept. 6, noon 
WHAT:              Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, N.C. Mountain State Fair officials and others will discuss grounds safety, traffic control, midway operations and animal exhibits.WHEN:               Thursday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.