Contributed
RALEIGH – Below is a summary of local interest stories that have recently been highlighted on the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ In the Field Blog and social media sites. Please feel free to use any of this content in your publications or contact us if you would like additional information.
Eastern
(Brunswick) Boiling Spring Lakes hides iconic endangered plants
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services uses nature preserves to protect all kinds of rare plant and animal species, but perhaps none are as iconic as the Venus Flytraps at Boiling Spring Lakes Plant Conservation Preserve. Despite being the most well-known, however, the flytraps are not the only rare species that inhabit the 6,000-plus acre preserve in the coastal town that shares its name. In fact, among the hundreds of species which live within the preserve, the flytraps are not even the only carnivorous plant, sharing that distinction with pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and butterworts. Brunswick County is one of the most biodiverse places in North Carolina, and with several species of orchid and over 400 vascular plants on top of their carnivorous neighbors, few places better represent that than Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve.
(Johnson) Century Farm Feature: Ogburn Berries & Produce
Ogburn Berries & Produce is a family-owned strawberry and produce farm in Willow Spring in Johnston County. The farm is currently operated by fourth-generation farmer Sim Ogburn. The farm was bought in the early 1900s by Sim’s great-grandfather, Simeon Lloyd Ogburn, from whom Sim gets his name. The farm has remained within the family ever since. Sim, his father, and grandfather have all grown up working on the farm. For a long time, tobacco was the primary crop. They also grew sweet potatoes, soybeans, small grains, and also raised some beef cattle. As a kid, Sim loved being with his dad out on the tobacco farm. He remembers riding the sprayer with his dad and helping baby calves stand up to get their first dose of milk. In fact, he loved being out on the farm so much as a kid that his punishment for misbehaving would be to stay inside because everyone knew he would rather be outside.
(Sampson) NC Feral Swine Task Force launches effort to eradicate a growing problem for farmers
A few years ago, the N.C. Feral Swine Task Force was formed to help address the growing issue of feral swine in the state. This effort was bolstered by $2.6 million in grant money from the most recent USDA Farm Bill. Grants include $620,000 for Sampson County North, $750,000 for Sampson County South, and $1.25 million for the Five County Feral Swine Trap Grant. These grant programs will run through August 2023.“We are excited about the development of real solutions to help our state’s feral swine problem,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Although these initial grants focus on six counties, the ultimate goal is the development of strategies that can be implemented statewide.”
(Washington) Driving N.C. Agriculture in the Blacklands
With agriculture being our state’s No. 1 industry, North Carolina is well-known for its beautiful acres of farmland and variety of crops. The Blacklands, an area of the state often overlooked when discussing agriculture, is actually one of the largest crop-producing regions of our state. The Blacklands encompasses the following eight counties in North Carolina: Beaufort, Washington, Hyde, Tyrrell, Dare, Pasquotank, Carteret, and Pamlico.
Piedmont
(Alamance) Ran-Lew Dairy finds new ways to thrive
Even after decades of family farming, there is always room for a new idea. Take that from Randy Lewis, owner of Ran Lew Dairy in Snow Camp. A fifth-generation dairy farmer, Lewis took over ownership of the farm in 1980, having bought the farm himself after his grandmother and mentor sold it among her family in the early 1970s. At the time, Lewis’ plan was to do as he’d always done – milk cows. Ran Lew Dairy has around 50 cows and produces whole milk, buttermilk, low-fat milk, chocolate milk, and half-and-half. The farm had always been in the business of selling milk, but things eventually had to change, Lewis said. The farm could not be profitable because of low milk prices and drastically increased input costs over time.
(Chatham) Making a Difference with Microgreens
When inspiration hits, it can change the course of your life for good. Tenita Solanto, owner of Green Panda Farms in Siler City, never dreamed that she would become a full-time farmer, but after attending the Minority Land Owners Conference at Fayetteville State University, all her plans changed. “Being in the Navy for four and a half years and then owning my own IT company, farming was the last thing on my radar,” Tenita said, “but when I attended that conference and saw all the great work that farmers in our state and across the world were accomplishing I got inspired.” …
(Mecklenburg) Making Memories and Lasting Smiles at Peace N Peas Farm
Some of you may recognize this face that went viral during the COVID-19 pandemic as one local farm caught the attention of individuals both in and outside of the agriculture industry with their pet donkey, Mambo. Peace N Peas Farm has been operating as a family farm since 2008. Francie Dunlap and her husband did not grow up in the agriculture industry but always had a love for animals and farming. “My husband has always had a love for gardening, and when we had children, they all wanted animals of their own, including horses,” Francie said, “so honestly, our farm just grew out of those small passions.” Today, Peace N Peas Farm in Charlotte grows a variety of fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, cherries, figs, and plums, as well as raises bees for honey and is home to a variety of other farm animals, including Mambo the donkey.
(Wake) Century Farm Feature: Wakelon Angus Farms
Wakelon Angus Farms in Zebulon can trace its history back not just a century, but over two centuries. The farm, which is owned and operated by the Fowler family, can trace its history back to 1743, making the farm 278 years old. The story of Wakelon Farms is a story of family legacy. The farm’s longevity is evidence that the Fowler family truly cares for their land and wants it to endure for as long as possible. This is the legacy of the Fowler Farm.
(Wake) Po Hous Farm: A true farming family
The Jenks family of Apex has been involved in agriculture for many generations and truly encompasses the meaning of a family-run operation. The farm was purchased by the Jenks family in the early ’60s and originally grew tobacco, raised dairy cattle, and operated a farm supply store known as Jenks Farm Supply. “Our whole family grew up on the farm and in the agriculture industry,” said Andy Jenks, “there are a lot of good memories here, especially from my childhood years of helping my dad and grandpa. It’s what I have always known, and I have a huge passion for it today.” Much like the generations before, the Jenks family loves to stay busy at Po Hous Farm today, raising 20 beef cattle, 150 chickens, making homemade bread for their customers, and growing hay, rye, and a variety of produce, including tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.
Western
(Buncombe) Meet the new WNC Farmers Market Manager
Phil Jacobus has started his career with the NCDA&CS as the new manager of operations/marketing at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market in Asheville. He started June 1 and has jumped right in to implement innovative programs to connect western North Carolina farmers to customers who live in the greater Asheville community and beyond.
(Henderson) New facility near Asheville will help with produce safety training and produce research
A food safety education program within NCDA&CS gained a big tool for its toolbox recently. It’s expected to help ensure that North Carolina fresh produce growers are well educated about how to safely pack and hold their produce. On July 20, the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River hosted a grand opening for its new produce handling facility. What’s inside the newly updated building just outside Asheville will help the NCDA&CS Produce Safety Program with outreach, education, and training.
Laurel Gray is a recent North Iredell High School graduate who will be attending N.C. State University to study Agricultural Business Management. She is one of 12 students that received an R. Flake Shaw Scholarship from N.C. Farm Bureau. The R. Flake Shaw Scholarship goes to students pursuing higher education in an agriculture-related discipline. To receive this award, students must intend to pursue a career in agriculture or other related field, have satisfactory grades, and display leadership potential. Laurel was honored to receive a scholarship from N.C. Farm Bureau, an organization that her family has always been deeply involved in.
(Iredell) Loving the life of a farmer
“Agriculture is more than a job, it’s a lifestyle,” said Harrison Jenkins of Westward Farm. In 1900, Harrison’s great-grandpa started the family farm, which at that time was a dairy farm in Iredell County. The farm has since changed to raising chickens and farming other crops, but the same family atmosphere exists as it did in the 1900s. “I grew up right here on the family farm and have always known it was what I wanted to do,” Harrison said, “farming is one of those fields that you love but also live.”
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