NC Farm Bureau Magazine » Cabarrus

Farmers Find Help from High-Tech Research Campus

Farm Bureau — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:00:13 +0000

Rowan County Farm Bureau members Doug and Randall Patterson are third-generation operators of Patterson Farms, a 600-acre spread in China Grove. Part of their crop production includes raising strawberries, and the brothers face the same obstacles as many other berry growers.

“Our growing season is so short. That’s our main challenge here,” Doug Patterson says about that crucial time between April and June.

In an effort to enlarge that window, not only for the Pattersons but many more farmers in North Carolina, scientists are working feverishly at one of the most elaborate research parks in the nation, and it’s located within 30 minutes of where Doug and Randall Patterson work and live.

The North Carolina Research Campus is a multibillion-dollar site located on what was the former Pillowtex textile mill in Kannapolis. Dole Foods owner David Murdock bought the site, razed the former plant in the largest demolition project in state history and planted state-of-the-art facilities that will be occupied by more than a half dozen of North Carolina’s colleges and universities, as well as many private-sector companies.

The overall objective of the Research Campus is to enhance the knowledge of nutrition and how it relates to treatable diseases. Improved eating, Murdock believes, will extend a person’s productivity and longevity.

While institutions such as the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College have facilities at the Research Campus, or soon will, the university that will have the closest relationship with North Carolina farmers through the campus not surprisingly will be North Carolina State University.

Staffed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the role of the N.C. State University Fruit and Vegetable Science Institute is to develop a new generation of fruits and vegetables with superior nutritional and horticultural characteristics. That objective is how one of those staff scientists, Dr. Jeremy Pattison, became fully acquainted with Doug and Randall Patterson. As much as Pattison enjoys working in a lab setting, it’s the relationship he’s built with farmers like the Pattersons that’s made the potential of the Research Campus even greater.

“Without the growers, we’re out here being scientists for academic fun,” Pattison says. “The challenges that the grower has on the farm sets my priorities as a researcher. When we take that approach, we need to overlap our interests. We need to match my scientific ability on top of a problem that industry is having. That way we’re always making sure we’re going down the same road together.

“I’m getting the ability to apply my science in an arena that pays dividends and provides impact that gives that grower a competitive advantage, that solves a problem for him, makes him more profitable and keeps him on the farm,” Pattison adds.

The particular project that could aid the Pattersons is a series of tunnels over top of an acre of strawberry plants. These tunnels would act just like a greenhouse, protecting the plants from harsh weather conditions. Patterson Farms planted the strawberries in late September with the intention of adding a clear plastic cover on top of the tunnel frames in October. If all goes according to plan, Patterson Farms could sell fresh strawberries to its cast of local retailers and wholesalers in December.

“This is going to be a daily chore as soon as we cover these tunnels up,” Randall Patterson says. “The strawberry industry really needs this to work due to the short growing seasons. There might not be four weeks sometimes. That’s tough to gain your expenses back in that short of a time. If you have eight weeks, you have a better chance of making a profit.”

Whether it’s with strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes or a host of other fruits and vegetables, scientists at the North Carolina Research Campus aim to conduct study and field work with all of these products. It could spell an overall boost for the agriculture industry in the state.

“The Research Campus is really in a unique position,” Pattison says. “What happens in the field, what we’re doing in the lab, what we’re doing on a farm, we make those legs compatible with each other. That’s a great advantage for North Carolina.”

County Annual Meetings – 2009

Farm Bureau — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:44:50 +0000

County Annual Meetings – 2009

Alamance	The Cutting Board, Burlington	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Alleghany	Sparta Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Sparta	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Anson	Lockhart Taylor Center, Wadesboro	Oct. 15	6:30 p.m.
Avery	First Baptist Church, Crossnore	Oct. 15	6:30 p.m.
Beaufort	Washington Civic Center, Washington	Oct. 13	7:00 p.m.
Bladen	Powell-Melvin Ag Service Center, Elizabethtown	Oct. 1	7:00 p.m.
Brunswick	Co. Farm Bureau office, Shallotte	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Buncombe	WNC Ag Center, Arts & Crafts Bldg., Fletcher	Oct. 26	6:30 p.m.
Burke	Community House, Morganton	Oct. 15	7:00 p.m.
Cabarrus	St. John’s Fellowship Hall, Concord	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Caldwell	Hudson Uptown Bldg, Hudson	Oct. 23	6:00 p.m.
Camden	Co. Farm Bureau office, Camden	Nov. 19	4:00 p.m.
Carteret	Co. Farm Bureau office, Beaufort	Nov. 10	7:00 p.m.
Caswell	Co. Farm Bureau office, Yanceyville	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Catawba	Ag Resource Center, Newton	Oct. 12	6:00 p.m.
Chatham	Ag Center, Pittsboro	Oct. 26	6:30 p.m.
Chowan	Co. Farm Bureau office, Edenton	Oct. 15	7:30 p.m.
Clay	Brasstown Community Center, Brasstown	Oct. 17	5:30 p.m.
Cleveland	Cleveland Extension Service office, Shelby	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Craven	Craven Co. Ag Ext. Complex, New Bern	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Cumberland	Crown Center, Fayetteville	Oct. 19	6:30 p.m.
Currituck	Co. Farm Bureau office, Currituck	Oct. 22	7:00 p.m.
Dare	Co. Farm Bureau office, Kill Devil Hills	Oct. 29	7:00 p.m.
Davidson	Davidson Co. Ag Center, Lexington	Oct. 22	7:00 p.m.
Davie	Davie Co. High School, Mocksville	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Duplin	Duplin Commons, Kenansville	Oct. 15	7:00 p.m.
Edgecombe	Co. Farm Bureau office, Tarboro	Oct. 26	7:00 p.m.
Forsyth	Forsyth Ag Center, Winston-Salem	Oct. 22	6:30 p.m.
Franklin	County Extension Annex, Bickett Blvd., Louisburg	Nov. 2	7:00 p.m.
Gaston	Citizen’s Resource Center, Dallas	Oct. 19	7:00 p.m.
Granville	Cooperative Extension Bldg., Oxford	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Greene	Greene Co. Extension office, Snow Hill	Nov. 5	6:30 p.m.
Guilford	Guilford Ag Center, Greensboro	Oct. 22	7:00 p.m.
Haywood	Haywood Co. Fairgrounds, Waynesville	Oct. 19	6:00 p.m.
Hertford	Co. Farm Bureau office, Ahoskie	Oct. 27	7:30 p.m.
Hoke	West Hoke Middle School, Raeford	Sept. 28	6:00 p.m.
Hyde	Co. Farm Bureau office, Swan Quarter	Sept. 24	7:30 p.m.
Iredell	Statesville Civic Center, Statesville	Nov. 12	7:00 p.m.
Jones	American Legion Building, Trenton	Oct. 1	7:00 p.m.
Lee	Ruby McSwain Ag Center, Sanford	Nov. 2	7:00 p.m.
Lenoir	Co. Farm Bureau office, Kinston	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
McDowell	Marion Community Bldg., Marion	Oct. 5	6:00 p.m.
Macon	Cullasaja Fire Dept., Franklin	Sept. 22	6:00 p.m.
Martin	Co. Farm Bureau office, Williamston	Oct. 19	7:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg	Oehler’s Mallard Creek BBQ, Charlotte	Nov. 2	6:00 p.m.
Mitchell	Creekside Restaurant, Bakersville	Oct. 27	6:30 p.m.
Montgomery	James H. Garner Conference Center, Troy	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Nash	Co. Farm Bureau office, Nashville	Nov. 5	7:00 p.m.
New Hanover	Co. Farm Bureau office, Independence office	Sept. 28	6:30 p.m.
Onslow	Onslow Co. Multipurpose Bldg., Jacksonville	Oct. 19	7:30 p.m.
Orange	Occheechee Steak House, Hillsborough	Oct. 28	6:30 p.m.
Pamlico	Co. Farm Bureau office, Alliance	Oct. 21	7:00 p.m.
Pasquotank	Co. Farm Bureau office, Elizabeth City	Oct. 19	7:00 p.m.
Pender	American Legion Post #165, Burgaw	Oct. 13	7:00 p.m.
Person	Person Co. Office Bldg., Morgan St., Roxboro	Nov. 9	7:00 p.m.
Pitt	Co. Farm Bureau office, Greenville	Oct. 27	7:00 p.m.
Polk	Polk Central Elementary School, Mill Spring	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
Randolph	Captain Tom’s Seafood, Staley	Sept. 28	6:00 p.m.
Richmond	Richmond Sr. High School Cafeteria, Rockingham	Oct. 22	6:00 p.m.
Robeson	Co. Farm Bureau office, Lumberton	Oct. 19	7:00 p.m.
Rockingham	Ag Center, Wentworth	Oct. 15	6:00 p.m.
Rowan	Frank Small Sr. farm, Salisbury	Oct. 27	6:30 p.m.
Rutherford	Chase High School, Forest City	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Sampson	Sampson Community College, Clinton	Nov. 2	7:00 p.m.
Scotland	Scotland Place Civic/Senior Center, Laurinburg	Oct. 8	7:00 p.m.
Stanly	Stanly Ag/Civic Center, Albemarle	Oct. 15	7:00 p.m.
Stokes	Stokes Cooperative Ext. bldg., Danbury	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
Surry	Co. Farm Bureau office, Dobson	Nov. 9	7:00 p.m.
Transylvania	Transylvania Co. Library, Brevard	Oct. 3	6:00 p.m.
Tyrrell	Co. Farm Bureau office, Columbia	Oct. 12	7:00 p.m.
Union	Agriculture Center, Monroe	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
Vance	Leslie Perry Memorial Library, Henderson	Nov. 5	7:00 p.m.
Washington	Vernon James Ag Center, Roper	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Wayne	The Wayne Center, Goldsboro	Oct. 20	6:00 p.m.
Wilkes	Co. Farm Bureau office, North Wilkesboro	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Wilson	Co. Farm Bureau office, NC 42 Hwy, Wilson	Nov. 2	7:30 p.m.
Yancey	Town Center, Burnsville	Oct. 15	6:00 p.m.

County Fair Happenings

Farm Bureau — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:18:50 +0000

2009 County Fair Happenings

Alamance County Agricultural Fair	Burlington	May 5-10
Alexander County Agricultural Fair	Taylorsville	Oct. 6-10
Alleghany County Agricultural Fair	Sparta	Aug. 24-29
Avery County Agricultural Fair	Newland	Sept. 8-12
Bethware Community Fair	Kings Mountain	July 28-Aug. 1
Burke County Fair	Morganton	Aug. 4-8
Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair	Concord	Sept. 11-19
Caldwell County Agricultural Fair	Lenoir	Oct. 7-11
Cape Fear Fair & Expo	Wilmington	Oct. 29-Nov.7
Central Carolina Fair	Greensboro	Sept. 11-20
Chatham County Fair	Pittsboro	Sept. 16-19
Cherokee Indian Fair	Cherokee	Oct. 2-6
Chowan County Regional Fair	Edenton	Sept. 29-Oct. 3
Cleveland County Fair	Shelby	Oct. 1-10
Coastal Carolina Agricultural Fair	New Bern	Oct. 22-Nov. 1
Columbus County Agricultural Fair	Whiteville	Oct. 13-18
Cumberland County Fair	Fayetteville	Sept. 10-20
Davidson County Agricultural Fair	Lexington	Sept. 21-26
Dixie Classic Fair	Winston-Salem	Oct. 2-11
Drexel Community Fair	Drexel	Aug. 18-22
Harnett Regional Agricultural Fair	Lillington	Nov. 3-7
Haywood County Fair	Waynesville	Sept. 24-Oct. 1
Hickory American Legion Fair	Hickory	Sept. 1-7
Halifax-Northampton County Agricultural Fair	Roanoke Rapids	Sept. 4-8
Iredell County Agricultural Fair	Statesville	Sept. 7-12
Lee Regional Agricultural Fair	Sanford	Sept. 15-20
Lenoir County Fair	Kinston
Moore County Agricultural Fair	Carthage	Sept. 1-5
N.C. Mountain State Fair	Fletcher	Sept. 11-20
N.C. State Fair	Raleigh	Oct. 15-25
Onslow County Agricultural Fair	Jacksonville	Oct. 5-10
Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair	Greenville	Oct. 5-10
Richmond County Agricultural & Industrial Fair	Hamlet	Oct. 13-17
Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair	Lumberton	Oct. 1-10
Rocky Mount Agricultural Fair	Rocky Mount	Oct. 12-17
Rowan County Agricultural Fair	Salisbury	Sept. 21-26
Stanly American Legion Post #76 Agricultural Fair	Albemarle	Sept. 22-26
Stokes County Agricultural Fair	King	Sept. 14-19
Surry County Agricultural Fair	Mt. Airy	Sept. 28-Oct. 3
Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair	Goldsboro	Oct. 1-10
Wilkes County Agricultural Fair	North Wilkesboro	Oct. 13-17
Wilson County American Legion Fair	Wilson	Sept. 22-27

Achievements & Lifestyles: May/June 09

Farm Bureau — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:30:32 +0000

North Carolina Farm Bureau member Crystal Roberts was the winner of American Farm Bureau’s 2009 Collegiate Discussion Meet at the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference in Sacramento, Calif.
Roberts, an animal science major at N.C. State and former state FFA officer, had won the state award in November 2008 and snagged the national award after four rounds of competition. The final discussion topic was “How do land grant universities remain on the forefront of an ever-changing agricultural environment?”
Roberts, the daughter of Madison County Farm Bureau members, took home a $2,500 scholarship.

CABARRUS COUNTY Farm Bureau President Tommy Porter and his wife, Vicky, have been selected by the North Carolina Pork Council as its “Outstanding Pork Producers” for 2009. The Porters run a 580-acre operation where they have 2,200 sows, poultry and cattle. They were recognized for the care they give their animals, environmentally friendly practices and conservation-mindedness while determining the best and most efficient practices. Also, both are active advocates for agriculture and are involved in a number of community leadership roles.

" src="http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lifestyles-post-camden-2b.jpg" alt="Preston Kight helps remodel a home for the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
" width="216" height="165" align="left" />CAMDEN COUNTY Farm Bureau members Brian Rollinson and Preston Kight recently appeared on a popular television show for a good cause.
Rollinson and Kight, junior partners at Doug Williams/Rick Gilbert Refrigeration, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, installed a Geo-Thermal Closed Loop System for a family, the Cooper family of Jamesville, featured on the television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
The work was done March 9-13, and the equipment was donated by Florida Heat Pumps and Mechanical Equipment.

" src="http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lifestyles-post-camden-1b.jpg" alt="Brian Rollinson arrives ready to work on a home for the Cooper family of Jamesville. " width="216" height="165" align="left" />

CARTERET COUNTY Farm Bureau hosted Croatan High School FFA Association officers and members Joseph Mauro, Tyler Sowers, Joshua Filipovich, Keith Mentnech, Jacqueline Staab and Chelsea Lewis at a monthly board meeting in February.
The FFA members presented PowerPoints demonstrating all the various activities the Croatan FFA were involved in, including Southeast Regional Rally, State Convention, White Lake, Mega Conference and National Convention held in Indianapolis.
In addition to Croatan, Carteret County Farm Bureau sponsored FFA students from West Carteret and East Carteret high schools who attended the National Convention.
Also pictured are Carteret Farm Bureau officers and directors Clayton Garner, June Bryan, Herbert Page, Mickey Simmons, Mike Temple, Rusty Bryan, Ray Garner, Henry Davis, Greg Garner and AG Extension Agent Ray Harris.

DAVIDSON COUNTY Farm Bureau board member Jim Davis and his family have been awarded the Southeast Region Farm Family Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. Davis is a third-generation beef and poultry farmer, and says the environmentally friendly practices they use include fencing off all of their streams and ponds and using geotech fabric and stone in high-use areas. Also, they use a Soil and Water Conservation-designed litter shed with an incinerator for disposal.
The award was one of six given out nationwide, and the Southeast region includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.

CURRITUCK COUNTY Farm Bureau members recently received recognition and service awards through their local Soil & Water Conservation office. Manly M. West, Albemarle Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor (Currituck Board) was re-elected to a three-year term (his second) on the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Harvey Roberts (a member of the Currituck County Farm Bureau board of directors) and Tommy Grandy, Albemarle Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisors (Currituck board) each received 20-year length of service awards. Roberts was recognized by the Albemarle Resource Conservation & Development (Albemarle RC & D) for his service as a council member. Grandy received his service award from the Albemarle Conservation District (Currituck board).

FORSYTH COUNTY Farm Bureau members Bob and Jean Cooper, owners of Meadowbrook Tree Farm in Winston-Salem, have earned a big honor: 2008 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The American Tree Farm System chose to give the couple its top award not just for their own 118-acre farm, which they had to completely restore upon buying it in 1973, but also for their efforts on behalf of the North Carolina Tree Farm Program. The Coopers enrolled their farm in the American Tree Farm System in 1985 and host several forestry projects including the first Green Ash planting project in North Carolina. They’ve opened Meadowbrook Farm to hosting workshops and have taken on roles as active advocates for their industry.

North Carolina Farm Bureau’s 2009-10 LEAD Program recently started with a conference in Wilmington. Over the next two years, the 15 members of the leadership development program will engage in a number of activities meant to develop, foster and enhance the skills of individuals and couples (between the ages of 36 and 52) actively engaged in production agriculture.

GATES COUNTY Farm Bureau hosted a meeting about rules and regulations for farm equipment on roadways on Feb. 11. The event featured a catered lunch and was open to all farmers in the county. Highway Patrolmen from Raleigh and Troop A led the talk, which almost 70 people attended.

DUPLIN County Farm Bureau President Dexter Edwards, with his son Nicholas and Nicholas’ wife, had a booth for their business, Edwards Land and Cattle, at the Murphy-Brown Vendor Expo.

the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. " src="http://www.ncfbmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lifestyles-post-sampson-1.jpg" alt="SAMPSON County Farm Bureau board member Buck Blanchard and his wife, Women’s Committee member Shelby, visit NCFB’s display at the Murphy-Brown Vendor Expo March 17 at
the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. " width="216" height="165" align="left" />SAMPSON County Farm Bureau board member Buck Blanchard and his wife, Women’s Committee member Shelby, visit NCFB’s display at the Murphy-Brown Vendor Expo March 17 at
the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.

UNION COUNTY Farm Bureau hosted a retirement breakfast for Jerry Simpson, Union County Cooperative Extension Director, on Jan. 26. In Simpson’s honor, Union County Farm Bureau donated $2,000 to the Union County 4-H Youth and Development Foundation. In the photo are Simpson, left, and Union County Farm Bureau President Brad Hargett.

WAKE County Farm Bureau members Richard Jenks and Jay Thompson represented Farm Bureau at Leesville Road Middle School’s Career Day on March 5. About 90 sixth-graders learned about the importance of agriculture to North Carolina’s economy and about what farm life is like today. Students pictured stayed after class to ask more questions about farming.

WARREN County Farm Bureau bought Photosynthesis Promenade books for four county schools. Pictured are, from left: Jeff Bender, Warren County Farm Bureau president; Calvin Jones, Warren County Board of Education chairman; Pat Riethmeier, Ag in the Classroom ambassador; and Dr. Ray Spain, superintendent of Warren County Schools.

More than 100 women from across the state recently attended the 2009 North Carolina Farm Bureau Women’s Conference. The event, held at the Marriott Crabtree Valley in Raleigh, included a silent auction with proceeds benefiting NCFB’s Ag in the Classroom program. The conference also included a number of educational workshops such as misconceptions about agriculture, becoming a better leader and developing leadership skills, the impact of urbanization on agriculture and how to develop active county Farm Bureaus.
A luncheon featured an update of bills being introduced in the General Assembly and how Farm Bureau is monitoring legislative activities. Michele Payn-Knoper was a featured guest at the conference, with a talk on “Celebrating Agriculture.”
The Silent Auction raised more than $3,900 for the Ag in the Classroom program.

2008 County Annual Meetings

Farm Bureau — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:03:58 +0000

COUNTY	LOCATION	DATE	TIME
Alamance	Occasions, Burlington	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Alexander	Alexander Co. Senior Center, Taylorsville	Oct. 16	6:30 p.m.
Alleghany	Alleghany Inn Conference Room, Sparta	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Anson	Anson Senior High School, Wadesboro	Oct. 21	6:15 p.m.
Ashe	Ashe Co. High School, West Jefferson	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Avery	Crossnore Baptist Church, Crossnore	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Beaufort	Washington Civic Center, Washington	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Bladen	Powell-Melvin Ag Service Center, Elizabethtown	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Brunswick	Co. Farm Bureau office, Shallotte	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Buncombe	Co. Farm Bureau, Leicester office	Oct. 27	6:00 p.m.
Burke	Friday Friend’s Restaurant, Morganton	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Cabarrus	St. John’s Fellowship Hall, Concord	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Caldwell	Hudson Uptown Bldg, Hudson	Oct. 17	6:00 p.m
Camden	Co. Farm Bureau office, Camden	Nov. 11	6:30 p.m.
Carteret	Co. Farm Bureau office, Beaufort	Nov. 11	7:00 p.m.
Caswell	Co. Farm Bureau office, Yanceyville	Oct. 21	7:00 p.m.
Catawba	Ag Resource Center, Newton	Oct. 6	6:00 p.m.
Chatham	Ag Center, Pittsboro	Oct. 27	7:00 p.m.
Cherokee	Murphy Elementary School Cafeteria, Murphy	Oct. 27	6:30 p.m.
Chowan	Co. Farm Bureau office, Edenton	Oct. 16	7:30 p.m.
Clay	Brasstown Community Center, Brasstown	Oct. 18	5:30 p.m.
Cleveland	Neal Senior Center, Shelby	Oct. 2	7:00 p.m.
Columbus	Interim Centre, Liberty St., Whiteville	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
Craven	Craven Co. Ag Ext. Complex, New Bern	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Cumberland	Charlie Rose Agri-Expo, Fayetteville	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Currituck	Co. Farm Bureau office, Currituck	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Dare	Co. Farm Bureau office, Kill Devil Hills	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Davidson	Davidson Co. Ag Center, Lexington	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Davie	Davie Co. High School, Mocksville	Oct. 14	7:00 p.m.
Duplin	Duplin Commons, Kenansville	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Durham	Co. Farm Bureau office, Roxboro Rd., Durham	Nov. 13	7:00 p.m.
Edgecombe	Co. Farm Bureau office, Tarboro	Oct. 27	7:00 p.m.
Forsyth	Agriculture Building, Winston-Salem	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Franklin	Franklin Co. Cooperative Ext. Annex, Louisburg	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Gaston	Citizen’s Resource Center, Dallas	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Gates	Tarheel BBQ Restaurant, Hwy. 13 South, Eure	Nov. 11	6:30 p.m.
Graham	Co. Farm Bureau office, Robbinsville	Sept. 26	2:00 p.m.
Granville	Cooperative Extension Bldg., Oxford	Nov. 5	7:00 p.m.
Greene	Greene Co. Extension office, Snow Hill	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Guilford	Guilford Ag Center, Greensboro	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Halifax	Co. Farm Bureau office, Halifax	Nov. 13	7:30 p.m.
Harnett	Harnett Central High School, Angier	Oct. 17	7:00 p.m.
Haywood	Waynesville Middle School, Waynesville	Oct. 20	6:00 p.m.
Henderson	Mike’s on Main, Hendersonville	Oct. 21	6:00 p.m.
Hertford	Co. Farm Bureau office, Ahoskie	Oct. 28	7:30 p.m.
Hoke	West Hoke Middle School, Raeford	Sept. 29	6:00 p.m.
Hyde	Co. Farm Bureau office, Swan Quarter	Sept. 25	7:30 p.m.
Iredell	Iredell Co. Agricultural Building, Statesville	Nov. 13	7:00 p.m.
Jackson	Community Services Building, Sylva	Oct. 7	6:00 p.m.
Jones	American Legion Building, Trenton	Oct. 15	7:00 p.m.
Lee	Ruby McSwain Ag Center, Sanford	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Lenoir	Lenoir Co. Extension office, Kinston	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Lincoln	Lincoln Cultural Center, Lincolnton	Sept. 30	7:00 p.m.
McDowell	Marion Community Bldg., Marion	Oct. 13	6:00 p.m.
Macon	Cullasaja Fire Dept., Franklin	Sept. 23	6:00 p.m.
Madison	Carolina Cafeteria, Hwy 213, Marshall	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Martin	Co. Farm Bureau office, Williamston	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg	Oehler’s Mallard Creek BBQ, Charlotte	Nov. 3	6:00 p.m.
Mitchell	Creekside Restaurant, Bakersville	Oct. 21	6:00 p.m.
Montgomery	James H. Garner Conference Center, Troy	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Moore	Union Pines High School, Cameron	Oct. 16	5:45 p.m.
Nash	Co. Farm Bureau office, Nashville	Nov. 6	7:00 p.m.
New Hanover	Co. Farm Bureau office, Burnt Mill office	Oct. 13	6:30 p.m.
Northampton	Co. Farm Bureau office, Jackson	Sept. 22	7:30 p.m.
Onslow	Onslow Co. Multipurpose Bldg., Jacksonville	Oct. 20	7:30 p.m.
Orange	Occheechee Steak House, Hillsborough	Oct. 22	6:30 p.m.
Pamlico	Co. Farm Bureau office, Alliance	Oct. 22	7:00 p.m.
Pasquotank	Co. Farm Bureau office, Elizabeth City	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Pender	American Legion Post #165, Burgaw	Oct. 14	7:00 p.m.
Perquimans	Hertford Fire Department, Hertford	Oct. 21	7:00 p.m.
Person	Person Cooperative Ext. Bldg., Roxboro	Nov. 10	7:00 p.m.
Pitt	Co. Farm Bureau office, Greenville	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Polk	Polk Central Elementary School, Mill Spring	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Randolph	Snyder Farms Restaurant, Sophia	Sept. 22	6:00 p.m.
Richmond	Richmond Sr. High School Cafeteria, Rockingham	Oct. 16	6:00 p.m.
Robeson	Co. Farm Bureau office, Lumberton	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Rockingham	Ag Center, Wentworth	Oct. 10	6:30 p.m.
Rowan	Frank Small Sr. farm, 580 Lake Rd., Salisbury	Oct. 28	6:30 p.m.
Rutherford	Chase High School, Forest City	Oct. 24	7:00 p.m.
Sampson	Sampson Community College, Clinton	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Scotland	Scotland Place Civic/Senior Center, Laurinburg	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Stanly	Stanly Ag/Civic Center, Albemarle	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Stokes	South Stokes High School, Walnut Cove	Oct. 28	5:00 p.m.
Surry	Co. Farm Bureau office, Dobson	Nov. 10	7:00 p.m.
Swain	Darnell Farms, Bryson City	Oct. 11	5:00 p.m.
Transylvania	Transylvania Co. Library, Brevard	Oct. 4	6:00 p.m.
Tyrrell	County Library, Columbia	Oct. 13	7:00 p.m.
Union	Agriculture Center, Monroe	Oct. 16	6:00 p.m.
Vance	Leslie Perry Memorial Library, Henderson	Nov. 6	7:00 p.m.
Wake	Co. Farm Bureau office, Western Blvd, Raleigh	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Warren	Co. Farm Bureau office, Warrenton	Nov. 4	7:00 p.m.
Washington	Vernon James Ag Center, Roper	Oct. 30	7:00 p.m.
Watauga	Greenway Baptist Church Family Life Center, Boone	Oct. 6	6:30 p.m.
Wayne	The Wayne Center, Goldsboro	Oct. 20	6:00 p.m.
Wilkes	Co. Farm Bureau office, North Wilkesboro	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Wilson	Wilson Co. Agricultural Center, Wilson	Nov. 3	7:30 p.m.
Yadkin	Yadkin Moose Lodge, Yadkinville	Nov. 3	6:00 p.m.
Yancey	Town Center, Burnsville	Oct. 9	5:30 p.m.

Achievements & Lifestyles: July/August 2008

Farm Bureau — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:16:45 +0000

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU’s Women’s Leadership Committee hosted the third National Women’s Leadership Conference April 25-28 in Louisville, Ky. Nearly 700 farm and ranch women from 38 states attended the event, sharpening both their leadership and networking skills. The conference included sessions on a variety of topics, including farm business dynamics, grassroots political advocacy, challenges and opportunities in animal agriculture, women’s health and many more. In an opening address, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman urged the attendees to make Farm Bureau the organization that “people think of first when the words ‘women, agriculture and opportunity’ are linked in a sentence” and ensured that Farm Bureaus at all levels would be better off because of their input and leadership. The conference, which is open to all farm and ranch women involved in agriculture, has been scheduled to occur every four years. Due to a dramatic increase in interest, the event will now be held at two-year intervals. The next conference is planned for spring 2010.

CARTERET COUNTY Farm Bureau presented Amber Nead, of Croatan, and Hannah Mical, of Gramercy Christian School, each with a $500 scholarship.

ANSON COUNTY Farm Bureau President Eloise Harrington and the county Board of Directors met April 7 with the county extension agents, two county commissioners, a county planner and a Soil and Water Conservation District member, to discuss starting a Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance (VAD) program within the county. Tommy and Vicky Porter of Cabarrus County were the guest speakers at the meeting.

ASHE COUNTY Farm Bureau sponsored, in conjunction with the Safe Kids N.C. program, a Car Seat Safety event April 19 at its office. The event allowed passersby the opportunity to get children’s car seats inspected for free. Approximately 19 vehicles passed through the site and 35 car seats were inspected.

CASWELL COUNTY Farm Bureau’s Spaghetti Dinner on March 14 raised $500 to assist the D.A.R.E. program. Retro Bill put on a free show for about 125 people. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

CLAY COUNTY Farm Bureau helped provide Hayesville Elementary School kindergarten classes with quite a treat March 6 when they traveled to Rolling Green Farms for a field trip. Located in Clay County and owned by Smith and Becky Danielson, the farm includes such animals as chickens, goats, sheep, horses and rabbits. The children were able to pet new lambs and were introduced to “Strawberry,” a miniature horse on the farm. Besides being able to feed the goats and goldfish, the children also learned about goat’s milk, lanolin found in the wool of sheep and the many different types of farm animals.

DAVIDSON COUNTY Farm Bureau recently donated $5,000 to the local 4-H organization. The money will be used, in part, to help fund the program as it works to educate the county’s youth and to create scholarships for those wanting to attend district and state 4-H programs and activities that promote leadership, teamwork, communication and community service.

GASTON COUNTY Farm Bureau President Bill Craig and wife Wilma were recognized for their contributions to Gaston County agriculture during an April 29 event at the Dole Foods Bessemer City facility. More than 100 people attended the breakfast, which featured local fresh foods and was designed around the theme, “Celebration of Gaston County Agriculture.” Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Dole Foods fresh vegetable facility. Craig also serves as a member of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors.

NORTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU’s Women’s Committee hosted its annual conference April 3-4 at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley hotel in Raleigh. The conference, “Growing Stronger, Reaching Higher,” drew more than 120 women from across the state. The women enjoyed workshops on a variety of topics including alternative energy, women’s health, photographing county events, legislative and policy issues, retirement planning, and a session on a national Ag in the Classroom initiative focused on the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid. The key speaker was breast cancer survivor Andrea Lohr, who talked with the group about gaining a new perspective on life and believing in oneself as well as others.

NEW HANOVER County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors, along with Hollis-Sasser, worked with the second-graders at Anderson Elementary School to plant a garden on the school grounds. The event was fun and educational, and everyone had a wonderful time.

NORTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU Women’s Committee members Monnie Jenks, Shirley Burt and Rebecca Sadi participated in Yates Mill Elementary School’s Science Day on March 27. They led 80 kindergartners in learning activities that included milking a cow and making greenhouses.

MECKLENBURG and CABARRUS COUNTY Farm Bureaus hosted an Ohio Farm Bureau group Saturday, April 5. The retired Ohio farmers were passing through North Carolina on their way to Myrtle Beach, S.C. when they stopped and asked to see some agriculture operations in the surrounding areas. Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau President Eddie Stroup gave them a tour of Baucom Nursery in Charlotte, and Tommy Porter, Cabarrus County Farm Bureau president, gave a tour of his farm. The Ohio group also enjoyed a dinner sponsored by NCFB board members of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties. Mallard Creek BBQ owners Donnie and Susie Oehler provided the delicious meal. The group was grateful for the Southern hospitality it received and said they hoped to come back again.

In Memory Of …
Mr. John H. Ihrie III, a well-known Franklin County dairy farmer, passed away at his home on May 2. Ihrie served as the president of the Franklin County Farm Bureau from 1968 to 1980 and was a member of the North Carolina Farm Bureau State Board from 1969 to 1982. He also served as a member of NCFB’s Executive Committee. He will be missed greatly and always remembered for his humor, positive attitude and loving devotion to his wife, Sarah.

PITT COUNTY Farm Bureau members Jasa Allen and Pat James delivered a basket of goodies, on behalf of the Pitt County Farm Bureau and the Women’s Committee, to the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville, March 27. Allen (left) is pictured giving the basket to Dee Harper of the Ronald McDonald House, along with a $200 check for the “Share a Night” program, which collects monetary donations to fund needy families’ stays at the house.

FARM BUREAU members from several different counties took an active role in supporting the Coastal Plains Livestock Show and Sale that took place March 24-25 in Lenoir County. The show featured exhibits of goats, sheep, swine and cattle.

PITT COUNTY Farm Bureau members Pat and Eugene James were honored on Feb. 26 during a county board meeting for their outstanding service to Farm Bureau. Eugene has served on the Board of Directors of Pitt County Farm Bureau for 50 years, while Pat has served as Chair of the Women’s Committee since 1992. Both have also served on various state and county committees.

PERQUIMANS COUNTY Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee prepared and distributed more than 60 appreciation and information “goody bags,” May 8-9, as part of Teacher Appreciation Month at Hertford Grammar School. Betty Mathews, Dolna Proctor, Hollis Williams, Carol Roberts and Varina Hollowell were instrumental in the project. Another event was also recently sponsored at the Hertford Grammar School. PCFB members Proctor and Mathews distributed safety program brochures to 140 third-grade students. The materials included, “Is it Time to Change Your Hat?” and “Willy’s Farm Safety Case Book.” Other event sponsors included Perquimans County’s North Carolina Cooperative Extension office, North Carolina A & T State University, the American Trauma Society, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Ace Hardware of Hertford and Elizabeth City, and Don’s Place.

UNION COUNTY FARM BUREAU hosted its 30th Annual Candidate Forum April 5. Sponsored by the Union County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the forum attracted approximately 75 people, including candidates for local elections, state offices and Congressional offices. Candidates for agriculture commissioner, judge, lieutenant governor, state auditor and the house of representatives attended. Candidates who spoke included U.S. Congressman Robin Hayes and Larry Kissell, who is running against Hayes.

WAKE COUNTY Farm Bureau Women’s Committee member Shirley Burt provided dairy farm education to 32 students at Sunrise UMC Preschool. In the photo, a happy herd of students show off the moo masks they made as part of their Farm Bureau Ag in The Classroom activities. Students also took turns milking a replica of a dairy cow and learned about the process of making ice cream. At the end, they were able to enjoy an ice-cream snack.

WAKE COUNTY Farm Bureau members spread the word about agriculture at Middle Creek High School during its Science Family Night March 20. Students and members of the community set up displays about science projects along with some hands-on activities. WCFB members assisted Ag Ambassador Kelly Rayfield (right) with a PowerPoint game, based on American Farm Bureau’s misconceptions about agriculture study. Volunteers also explained the “Careers in Agriculture” poster and handed out “Food for Thought” coloring books to the younger children.

WAKE COUNTY’S Women’s Committee member Donna Thompson taught some valuable lessons to more than 50 children April 10 at The Growing Place. The Growing Place, a three-day preschool program, was held at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Thompson presented a safety program on farm equipment and lawnmowers. The children were also shown how to make greenhouses using plastic cups and were taught how heat and moisture cause seeds to germinate and grow, thus making the greenhouses work. Butterbeans, string beans and purple hull peas were planted, and children were able to take their greenhouses home to watch the seeds grow.

WAKE COUNTY’S Donna Thompson also presented a donation of approximately 75 Farm Bureau bags to the Mission Raleigh Food Pantry at Mount Vernon Baptist Church April 15. The bags were filled with food from the pantry and then distributed to families and others in need. Approximately 50 Willy the Safety Squirrel safety activity books were also donated to the pantry to be handed out to families who have small children.

ALAMANCE COUNTY Farm Bureau is sponsoring An Agricultural Experience Tour, Sept. 27. Contact: Linda Albright, (336) 226-2477. www.acfb.com

YANCEY COUNTY Farm Bureau President Johnny Hensley helped cook up hot dogs for the county Farm Bureau’s first Membership Appreciation Day. A lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and the fixin’s were served Thursday, May 8.

County Fair Happenings

Farm Bureau — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:14:22 +0000

ALAMANCE CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Burlington
Aug. 26–30, 2008

ALEXANDER CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Taylorsville
Sept. 30–Oct 4, 2008

ALLEGHANY CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Sparta
Aug. 16–23, 2008

ATLANTIC DISTRICT FAIR
Ahoskie
Oct. 27–Nov. 1, 2008

AVERY CO. FAIR
Newland
Sept. 9–13, 2008

BETHWARE COMMUNITY FAIR
Kings Mountain
July 29-Aug. 2, 2008

BURKE CO. FAIR
Morganton
Aug. 5–9, 2008

CABARRUS CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Concord
Sept. 5–13, 2008

CALDWELL CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Lenoir
Sept. 23–27, 2008

CAPE FEAR FAIR & EXPO
Wilmington
Oct. 30–Nov. 8, 2008

CENTRAL CAROLINA FAIR
Greensboro
Sept. 12–21, 2008

CHATHAM CO. FAIR
Pittsboro
Sept. 17–20, 2008

CHOWAN CO. REGIONAL FAIR
Edenton
Sept. 23–27, 2008

CLEVELAND CO. FAIR
Shelby
Sept. 25–Oct 4, 2008

COASTAL CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL FAIR
New Bern
Oct. 16–26, 2008

COLUMBUS CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Whiteville
Oct. 6–11, 2008

CUMBERLAND CO. FAIR
Fayetteville
Sept. 18–28, 2008

DAVIDSON CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Lexington
Sept. 15–20, 2008

DIXIE CLASSIC FAIR
Winston-Salem
Oct. 3–12, 2008

DREXEL COMMUNITY FAIR
Drexel
Aug. 19–23, 2008

HALIFAX-NORTHAMPTON CO. FAIR
Roanoke Rapids
Oct. 21–25, 2008

HAYWOOD CO. FAIR
Waynesville
Sept. 22–29, 2008

HICKORY AMERICAN LEGION FAIR
Hickory
Aug. 27–Sept. 1, 2008

IREDELL CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Statesville
Sept. 1–6, 2008

LEE REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Sanford
Oct. 6–12, 2008

MOORE CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Carthage
Oct. 7–11, 2008

N.C. MOUNTAIN STATE FAIR
Fletcher
Sept. 5–14, 2008

N.C. STATE FAIR
Raleigh
Oct. 16–26, 2008

ONSLOW CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Jacksonsville
Oct. 6–11, 2008

PITT CO. AMERICAN LEGION
AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Greenville
Sept. 29–Oct. 4, 2008

RICHMOND CO.
AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Hamlet
Oct. 14–18, 2008

ROBESON REGIONAL
AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Lumberton
Oct. 2–11, 2008

ROCKY MOUNT AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Rocky Mount
Sept. 8–13, 2008

ROWAN CO. AGRICULTURAL
& INDUSTRIAL FAIR
Salisbury
Sept. 15–20, 2008

STANLY AMERICAN LEGION POST #76 AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Albemarle
Sept. 16–20, 2008

STOKES CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
King
Sept. 8–13, 2008

SURRY CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Mt. Airy
Sept. 1–6, 2008

WARREN CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Warrenton
Sept. 23–27, 2008

WAYNE REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Goldsboro
Sept. 25–Oct. 4, 2008

WILKES CO. AGRICULTURAL FAIR
North Wilkesboro
Oct. 14–18, 2008

WILSON CO. AMERICAN
LEGION FAIR
Wilson
Sept. 16–21, 2008

2008 County Annual Meetings

Farm Bureau — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:21:31 +0000

COUNTY	LOCATION	DATE	TIME
Alamance	Occasions, Burlington	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Alleghany	Alleghany Inn Conference Room, Sparta	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Anson	Anson Senior High School, Wadesboro	Oct. 21	6:15 p.m.
Ashe	Ashe Co. High School, West Jefferson	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Avery	Crossnore Baptist Church, Crossnore	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Beaufort	Washington Civic Center, Washington	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Bladen	Powell-Melvin Ag Service Center, Elizabethtown	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Brunswick	Co. Farm Bureau office, Shallotte	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Cabarrus	St. John’s Fellowship Hall, Concord	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Caldwell	Hudson Uptown Bldg, Hudson	Oct. 17	6:00 p.m.
Camden	Co. Farm Bureau office, Camden	Nov. 11	6:30 p.m.
Carteret	Co. Farm Bureau office, Beaufort	Nov. 11	7:00 p.m.
Caswell	Co. Farm Bureau office, Yanceyville	Oct. 21	7:00 p.m.
Catawba	Ag Resource Center, Newton	Oct. 6	6:00 p.m.
Chatham	Ag Center, Pittsboro	Oct. 27	7:00 p.m.
Cleveland	Neal Senior Center, Shelby	Oct. 2	7:00 p.m.
Columbus	Interim Centre, Liberty St., Whiteville	Oct. 6	7:00 p.m.
Craven	Craven Co. Ag Ext. Complex, New Bern	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Cumberland	Charlie Rose Agri-Expo, Fayetteville	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Currituck	Co. Farm Bureau office, Currituck	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Dare	Co. Farm Bureau office, Kill Devil Hills	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Davidson	Davidson Co. Ag Center, Lexington	Oct. 23	7:00 p.m.
Davie	Davie Co. High School, Mocksville	Oct. 14	7:00 p.m.
Duplin	Duplin Commons, Kenansville	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Durham	Co. Farm Bureau office, Roxboro Rd., Durham	Nov. 13	7:00 p.m.
Edgecombe	Co. Farm Bureau office, Tarboro	Oct. 27	7:00 p.m.
Forsyth	Agriculture Building, Winston-Salem	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Franklin	Franklin Co. Cooperative Ext. Annex, Louisburg	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Gaston	Citizen’s Resource Center, Dallas	Oct. 20	6:30 p.m.
Graham	Co. Farm Bureau office, Robbinsville	Sept. 26	2:00 p.m.
Granville	Cooperative Extension Bldg., Oxford	Nov. 5	7:00 p.m.
Greene	Greene Co. Extension office, Snow Hill	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Guilford	Guilford Ag Center, Greensboro	Oct. 23	6:30 p.m.
Haywood	Waynesville Middle School, Waynesville	Oct. 20	6:00 p.m.
Hertford	Co. Farm Bureau office, Ahoskie	Oct. 28	7:30 p.m.
Hoke	West Hoke Middle School, Raeford	Sept. 29	6:00 p.m.
Hyde	Co. Farm Bureau office, Swan Quarter	Sept. 25	7:30 p.m.
Iredell	Iredell Co. Agricultural Building, Statesville	Nov. 13	7:00 p.m.
Jackson	Community Services Building, Sylva	Oct. 7	6:00 p.m.
Jones	American Legion Building, Trenton	Oct. 15	7:00 p.m.
Lee	Ruby McSwain Ag Center, Sanford	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Lenoir	Lenoir Co. Extension office, Kinston	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Macon	Cullasaja Fire Dept., Franklin	Sept. 23	6:00 p.m.
McDowell	Marion Community Bldg., Marion	Oct. 13	6:00 p.m.
Madison	Carolina Cafeteria, Hwy 213, Marshall	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Martin	Co. Farm Bureau office, Williamston	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg	Oehler’s Mallard Creek BBQ, Charlotte	Nov. 3	6:00 p.m.
Montgomery	James H. Garner Conference Center, Troy	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Moore	Union Pines High School, Cameron	Oct. 16	5:45 p.m.
Nash	Co. Farm Bureau office, Nashville	Nov. 6	7:00 p.m.
New Hanover	Co. Farm Bureau office, Burnt Mill office	Oct. 13	6:30 p.m.
Onslow	Onslow Co. Multipurpose Bldg., Jacksonville	Oct. 20	7:30 p.m.
Orange	Occheechee Steak House, Hillsborough	Oct. 22	6:30 p.m.
Pamlico	Co. Farm Bureau office, Alliance	Oct. 22	7:00 p.m.
Pender	American Legion Post #165, Burgaw	Oct. 14	7:00 p.m.
Perquimans	Hertford Fire Dept., Hertford	Oct. 21	7:00 p.m.
Person	Person Cooperative Ext. Bldg., Roxboro	Nov. 10	7:00 p.m.
Pitt	Co. Farm Bureau office, Greenville	Oct. 28	7:00 p.m.
Polk	Polk Central Elementary School, Mill Spring	Oct. 7	7:00 p.m.
Randolph	Snyder Farms Restaurant, Sophia	Sept. 22	6:00 p.m.
Richmond	Richmond Sr. High School Cafeteria, Rockingham	Oct. 16	6:00 p.m.
Robeson	Co. Farm Bureau office, Lumberton	Oct. 20	7:00 p.m.
Rockingham	Ag Center, Wentworth	Oct. 10	6:30 p.m.
Rowan	Frank Small Sr. farm, 580 Lake Rd., Salisbury	Oct. 28	6:30 p.m.
Rutherford	Chase High School, Forest City	Oct. 24	7:00 p.m.
Sampson	Sampson Community College, Clinton	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Scotland	Scotland Place Civic/Senior Center, Laurinburg	Oct. 9	7:00 p.m.
Stanly	Stanly Ag/Civic Center, Albemarle	Oct. 16	7:00 p.m.
Stokes	South Stokes High School, Walnut Cove	Oct. 28	5:00 p.m.
Transylvania	Transylvania Co. Library, Brevard	Oct. 4	6:00 p.m.
Tyrrell	County Library, Columbia	Oct. 13	7:00 p.m.
Union	Agriculture Center, Monroe	Oct. 16	6:00 p.m.
Vance	Leslie Perry Memorial Library, Henderson	Nov. 6	7:00 p.m.
Wake	Co. Farm Bureau office, Western Blvd, Raleigh	Nov. 3	7:00 p.m.
Warren	Co. Farm Bureau office, Warrenton	Nov. 4	7:00 p.m.
Washington	Vernon James Ag Center, Roper	Oct. 30	7:00 p.m.
Wayne	The Wayne Center, Goldsboro	Oct. 20	6:00 p.m.
Wilkes	Co. Farm Bureau office, North Wilkesboro	Oct. 21	6:30 p.m.
Wilson	Wilson Co. Agricultural Center, Wilson	Nov. 3	7:30 p.m.
Yancey	American Legion Hall, Burnsville	Oct. 4	5:30 p.m.