spring 2014: north carolina field & family

8/13/2019 Spring 2014: North Carolina Field & Family

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NCFIELDFAMILY.ORG

RECIPES

Discover delicious dishes to try this spring at ncfieldfamily.org/food. Youll

find Chipotle Bacon Deviled Eggs, Lightened Up Cream of Asparagus Soup,

Strawberry Sheet Cake and much more.

Find even more member news and

events in the On the Local Level

section of our website. Check it

out at ncfieldfamily.org/local.

Read this magazine on your computer

or iPad, and easily share it with

friends. Visitncfieldfamily.org

and click Magazine at the top.

LOCAL LEVEL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Visit the North Carolina Field & Family website for

online-only recipes, photos and expanded stories

facebook.com/ncfieldfamily

twitter.com/ncfieldfamily

youtube.com/ncfieldfamily

pinterest.com/ncfieldfamily

ONLINE
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Celebrate

spring

strawberrieswith fresh

recipes atfarmflavor.com.

4 ncfb.org
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COMMENTARY

ncfieldfamily.org 5

THE FUTURE OFFARM BUREAU

Farmers must provide leadershipand communicate in new ways

Farm Bureaus roots run deep in North Carolina,

stretching back to 1936.

In that year, 9 percent of the states population

were farmers. There was no question who would speak

for those farmers. They voiced their concerns through

their newly organized Farm Bureau.

But a wise Greek philosopher once warned, The onlyconstant is change.

Today, our states farming community represents less

than 1 percent of North Carolinas population. The state

is currently growing at a rate of 100,000 persons per year.

Thats nearly 2,000 people per week or 274 per day.

These new neighbors are not farmers. They are, however, changing the political

and economic landscapes. The demand for land has increased to the point where

North Carolina is losing farmland at faster than the national rate. This phenomenon

is occurring both in urban areas and in the surounding rural communities.

The majority of North Carolina General Assembly members are at least several

generations removed from any agricultural experience. Even with our best efforts,

there is less understanding of the importance of agriculture to our state and

national economies. Without question, changes within the state require changes

within Farm Bureau.

Who is going to speak for Farm Bureau in the future?

During 2013, we held a series of 10 district meetings with county Farm Bureau

leaders across North Carolina. At each meeting, we took time to discuss the future

of our organization. Without exception, our members emphatically said farmers

must provide the leadership and serve as the voices of Farm Bureau. I came away

from those meetings with a clear understanding we must zealously protect the

farmers right to speak through the unified voice of Farm Bureau.

Like many organizations, Farm Bureau has recognized that the models of the

1940s, the 1970s and even the 1990s do not work in todays world. In 2000, our

organization reviewed its structure. We deliberately chose to study the situation,

involve all the stakeholders, and then make well-thought-out decisions that

positioned Farm Bureau to move to the next level. In other words, we anticipated

the need for change before it was demanded of us. Weve made similar changes in

other areas, as well. Even though Farm Bureau is a powerful organization, we

realize the value of working cooperatively with groups having analogous goals. We

will continue to follow this path of proactive forethought during 2014 and beyond.

NORTH CAROLINA

AND

North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation

5301 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, N.C. 27612, (919) 782-1705

www.ncfb.org

Larry Wooten is

President of North

Carolina Farm Bureau.

PRESIDENTLarry B. WootenVICE-PRESIDENTSJ.M. Wright Jr., Scott Whitford, Jerry Wyant

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENTPeter T. Daniel

SECRETARY Julian Philpott

TREASURERPerry Crutchfield

DIRECTORS

Ray Allen, 1703 Winding Creek Rd., Elizabethtown 28337

David Allred, 799 Jasper Rd., Robbins, 27325

J. Larry Barbour, 7684 Cleveland Rd., Clayton 27520

Judy Bare, 131 Hickory Forest Dr., West Jefferson 28694

Keith Beavers, 482 N.C. 403 W., Mt. Olive 28365

Carl Bond, 1249 Governors Rd., Windsor, 27983

Randy Britt, P.O. Box 463, Fair Bluff 28439

David Brooks, 6567 Hebron Rd., Oxford 27565

T.R. (Pete) Burgess, 6736 NC 39 Hwy. South, Henderson 27537

Ronnie Burleson, 28838 Kendalls Church Rd., Richfield 28137

R.H. Byrd Jr., 8136 US Hwy. 401 South, Bunnlevel 28323

Jody Clemmons, 273 Sellers Road NW, Supply 28462

William Craig, 315 Union-New Hope Road, Gastonia 28056

Jerry Davis, 1949 Dogwood Vista, Lenoir 28645

Karlene Doby, 1630 Baker Mill Rd., Cleveland 27013

Elaine Fryar, 6298 McLeansville Rd., McLeansville 27301

Herbert Gaines, 4284 Siler City Glendon Rd., Bear Creek 27207

Ray Garner, 242 Elwyn Dr., Roanoke Rapids 27870

Brian Greene, P.O. Box 501, Crossnore 28616

Shawn Harding, 762 Harding Ln., Chocowinity 27817

David Haynes, 112 Haynes Farm Ln., Dobson 27017

Dan Hunsucker, 3216 John Daniel Dr., Conover 28613

Glen Ipock, 550 Ipock Ln., New Bern 28562

Richard J. Jenks, 2300 Richardson Rd., Apex 27502

Billy Johnston, 1492 Jeffress Road, Mills River 28759

Talmage Layton, 6504 Cheek Rd., Durham 27704

Lycurous Lowry, 545 Burleigh Ave., Pembroke 28372

Donald G. Madre, 706 Wynne Fork Rd., Hertford 27944

Kevin Martin, P.O. Box 256, Ansonville 28007

Kirk Mathis, 155 Millard-Mathis Rd., Roaring River 28669

Daniel R. McConnell, 475 Old Dana Rd., Hendersonville 28792

Brandon Moore, 1165 W. Hilliardston Rd., Nashville 27856

Harold C. Morton, 300 Country Club Blvd., Jacksonville 28540

James Nations, 370 Wilkerson Way, Marion 28752

Steve Nelms, 269 Bern Wilder Rd., Louisburg 27549

Harrell Overman, 1132 Overman Rd., Goldsboro 27530

Lorenda Overman, 1132 Overman Rd., Goldsboro 27530

Gwen Pitt, 193 Pitt Farm Ln., Macclesfield 27852

Ronald Price, P.O. Box 218, Cliffside, NC 28024

Richard Renegar, 694 E. Houstonville Rd., Harmony 28634

Alton Roberson, 1305 Cobb Rd., Kinston 28501

Jack Shore, 2220 Shore Rd., Yadkinville 27055

L.M. Simmons, 562 Masontown Rd., Newport 28570

Donald Smart, 1440 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville 28785

George Smith, 2750 Jersey Church Rd., Lexington 27292

Aaron Stack, 13562 Old Wire Rd., Laurel Hill 28351

Eddie Stroup, 11416 Timber Ridge Rd., Charlotte, 28213

Larry Taylor, 8831 High Ridge Lane, Concord 28027

William E. Tew Jr., 6233 Loop Rd., Linden 28356

Robert L. Thornton, 352 S. McCullen Rd., Clinton 28328

Bill Tipton, 10 Waldroup Rd., Brasstown 28902

Don Tucker, 171 Burnt Hill Road, Laurel Springs 28644

Kelly Vann, 12396 US Hwy. 158, Conway 27820

Hester Vernon, 3629 Yarborough Mill Rd., Milton 27305

Henry Vines, 3450 Isley Drive, Snow Camp 27349

Richard Whitaker, 2991 Providence Church Rd., Climax 27233

North Carolina Field and Family is published quarterly

by North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation at 5301 Glenwood

Ave., Raleigh, N.C., 27612headquarters of the Federation.

Telephone (919) 782-1705. Annual subscription rates: 25 for

members (included in annual dues). Periodicals postage

paid at Raleigh, N.C. 27611, and additional mailing offices.

(Postmaster: Return all Forms 3579 to North Carolina

Farm Bureau, P. O. Box 27766, Raleigh, N.C. 27611).

(ISSN 0744-9593) (USPS 392-740)

North Carolina Field and Family is produced by

North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and

Journal Communications Inc.

Please direct inquiries to North Carolina Farm Bureaus

Public Relations Department at (919) 782-1705.

For more information, visit ncfieldfamily.org.

A MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

VOLUME 1, NO. 1
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ALMANAC

Oh, DeerTo help reduce crop loss, diversify farm income and foster sustainable community support byfeeding those in need and more, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer

Services implemented the Farmers Manage Deer program.

The program is meant to help communities across the state control deer population on farms

through special events held during the hunting season. Hunters can keep what venison they

will use but are asked to donate the rest to North Carolina Hunters for the Hungry. In 2013,

this program offered special hunts on more than 14,000 acres of state farmland.

For more information on the program, visit ncfieldfamily.org.

Sweet SmilesChocolate Smiles has been providing North Carolina with locally made

candy for 30 years.

Located in downtown Cary, the chocolate company prides itself on making

treats handcrafted in small batches and free of preservatives and additives.

Stop in for some rich chocolate clusters, which feature nuts and fruits

dipped in chocolate, or try the shops popular almond toffee, handmade

truffles, snappers (also known as turtles) or freshly made fudge.

Each spring, the confectionery also offers hand-dipped North Carolina

strawberries and strawberry fudge, made with fresh strawberries picked

daily, though availability depends on when the fruit ripens each year.

For more information on Chocolate Smiles, its products and gift baskets,

call (919) 469-5282 or visit chocolatesmiles.com.

WIFE: There

is trouble with

the car. It has

water in the

carburetor.

HUSBAND:

Water in the

carburetor?

Thats

ridiculous.

WIFE: I tell

you, the car

has water inthe carburetor.

HUSBAND:

You dont even

know what a

carburetor is.

Ill check it

out. Wheres

the car?

WIFE: Inthe pool.

FIELD NOTES

MADE IN N.C.

THE LIGHTER SIDE
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ALMANAC

ncfieldfamily.org 7

Alls WellFor fresh, clean drinking and irrigation water, many landowners turn

to private water wells. A new website, wellowner.org, provides helpful

information to anyone who uses a private well.

The resource was created through an agreement between the National

Ground Water Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.The website features a variety of help from the Private Well Owner Hotline,

a free monthly tip sheet, online training modules and more.

ON THE WEB

Throughout April and May, youll find

no shortage of fishy festivals taking

place across the state:

1Blowing Rock Trout Derby:Held

the first weekend in April, this

family-friendly festival celebrates

the opening of trout season. Bringyour prized trout to the American

Legion to be measured, and awards

will be given out at 4:30 p.m. on

Saturday in five categories: Men,

Women, Girls, Boys and Small Fries.

For more information, visit

blowingrock.com.

2Grifton Shad Festival:One of the

states longest-running festivals, this

annual event celebrates the river

herring in Grifton, the Shad Capitalof North Carolina. Held the second

weekend of April, activities include

a fishing contest, carnival rides, craft

show, live music and more. Learn

more at griftonshadfestival.com.

3N.C. Herring Festival: Celebrate the

arrival of spring with friends, food

and fun at the N.C. Herring Festival

in Jamesville. This lively festival,

held on Easter weekend, features a

pancake breakfast, Easter egg hunt,Saturday night street dance and

sunset fireworks. Find more about

this event at ncherringfestival.com.

4Engelhard Seafood Festival:Seafood

lovers can make their way to Hyde

County for the annual Englehard

Seafood Festival held the third

weekend in May. The event offers

carnival rides and games, crafts,

historical displays, the Miss Seafood

pageant and, of course, lots of freshseafood. Read more about this and

other festivals at ncfieldfamily.org.

GO FISH

FEATURED FESTIVAL

435MNorth Carolina farmers

produced 435 million pounds

of peanuts in 2012.

Peanuts are technically

legumes, which means they

are part of the bean family.

Most of North Carolinas peanuts are consumed out-of-hand

as cocktail peanuts, instead of processed into peanut butter

or incorporated into candies.

Peanuts are

high in protein

and vitamin B.

The primary variety of peanut

grown in North Carolina

is the Virginia peanut.

Its known for its large oval

shape and reddish-brown skin.

FARM FACTS: PEANUTSDid you know that North Carolina ranks fifth in the U.S. for peanut

production? Learn more interesting statistics and facts about the states

peanut industry:

Source: ncagr.gov

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FEATURE

Alan Parker and his family

have breathed new life into

an aging farm in Southeast

North Carolina.

They dismantled old livestock

buildings. They recycled the metal,

found other uses for the lumber and

crushed the concrete for use on the

farms roadways. In their place, they

built six double-wide pig nurserieswith ventilation systems that

discharge air away from nearby

homes and traffic. They constructed

waterways, diversions and holding

ponds to handle rain that falls on

the farms 1.75 acres of roof area.

Now a fully functioning farm, the

family strategically places the animal

waste as natural fertilizer. The farm

participates in wildlife programs to

promote habitat for ducks, quail andsongbirds. Yet their overarching role

is to care for as many as 19,200 pigs

at once as a contract nursery for

Clinton-based Prestage Farms.

Within seven months of starting

their operation, the Parker family

earned an environmental award for

their efforts.

My goal today and to the day I

leave this earth is to be a producer

of wholesome, safe pork and do

everything I can to protect the

environment in ways Im required

to by the state and beyond, Parker

says. My plan is for this to be a

multi-generation farm.Farmer innovation, new technology,

regulatory compliance, and industry

and land-grant university research

combine to improve animal and

environmental care in North Carolinas

pork industry. The result: higher levels

of environmental management than

ever before.

There is a strong attitude among our

producers to comply, and compliance

is a highest priority, says Deborah

Johnson, chief executive officer of

the North Carolina Pork Council.

Compliance makes the neighbors

happy, but it also makes good business

sense. In fact, hog farmer Bundy Lane

believes environmental management

and production management are

synonymous on his 4,800-sowfarrow-to-wean farm in Gates County.

(Farrow-to-wean farms specialize

in care during the birthing process,

known as farrowing, until the piglets

are weaned and sent to another farm

to grow.)

Whats efficient is efficient for

both production and environmental

management, says Lane, an eighth-

generation farmer. Some people have

this notion that were doing it just to

feel good, but the best protection of

the environment is the best use of the

resources. And we dont waste them.

WASTE NOTThroughout North Carolina, hog

farmers prove they can do more

with less.

The greatest impact weve made on

Alan Parker of Autreyville has only been a hog farmer for three years but has already received an environmental award for his efforts.

He recycled old farm buildings into new, eco-friendly structures, while also implementing other sustainable measures for water and air.

PIG FARMERS GO GREENNorth Carolina hog farms make environmental strides over past 20 years

Story by Joanie Stiers

Photography by Jeffrey S. Otto

ncfieldfamily.org 9


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10 ncfb.org

FEATURE

the environment is through feed conversions,

Parker says. Our feed conversions are the best

theyve ever been, which in turn reduces the

amount of waste that goes into a lagoon and [is]

applied to the fields.

Pigs today produce more pork per pound of

feed than in the past, and farmers do not use

growth promotants, a myth among the general

public. In fact, Parker estimates improvements

in genetics and nutrition have cut feed

conversions 25 percent over the last 15 years.Likewise, water use is reduced. Parkers farm

adopted the cup watering system, which reduces

his herds water usage and waste discharge by

50 percent over the trough watering system

common years ago.

And farmers today share the knowledge and

ability to capture, treat and recycle nutrients

from hog manure in more improved ways than

just a generation ago, Johnson says.

In fact, hog farmer Tommy Porter uses

manure as efficiently as possible on his 2,200-

sow farrow-to-wean multiplication farm in

Cabarrus County.

We utilize all the waste on the farm. I call it

the ultimate in recycling, he says. Fertilizer is

very expensive. The waste that is produced on

the farm is valuable to us. We want it to go as far

as it will.

The farm analyzes soil and waste samples

at a laboratory. Porter, therefore, considers the

nutrients already in the soil, the nutrients in

the manure and the nutrient needs of his farms

crops to determine the precise amounts for

application to their land.

The Porters are also mindful of the level of

odor and its direction before, during and after

applications. The family hosts weddings and

events on their farm, and they also remain aware

of the social functions of the neighboring church

and daycare, so they are able to adjust the farms

waste application schedule accordingly.

ENVIRONMENTAL

STEWARDSHIP EVOLVESMaking environmental improvementsremains a cooperative effort. Farmers

partner with government service providers,

educators, researchers, conservationists

and their communities to adopt improved

environmental practices.

Industry research from the National Pork

Board and production companies proves

valuable, Johnson says. Farmers also rely

on leading pork industry research at North

Carolina State University, which is delivered

to farmers through the North Carolina

Cooperative Extension. Specialists help farmers

calibrate equipment and teach them how to

measure a farms carbon footprint, Johnson

says. They deliver university-researched

recommendations about soil nutrient levels

and lagoon management. Farmers also learn

new production methods, which feature

elevated levels of environmental care.

Simply stated, North Carolina hog farmers

actively approach environmental stewardship

as more than a state-mandated requirement.

The Porter family

of Cabarrus County

recycles waste on their

hog farm in a variety

of ways, such as using

manure to providenutrients to their crops.

PORTERF

ARM:AMY

LAFONTAINE

PHOTOGRAPHY


13/36

BY THE NUMBERS

9.5MNorth Carolina farmers

care for 9.5 million hogs

46KThe pork industry generates

46,000 state jobs

$2.5BIt contributes $2.5 billion

to the state economy

2ndThe state ranks second in

the nation for hog production

Sources: National Agricultural

Statistics Service and NorthCarolina Pork Council, 2013

FEATURE

They feel accountable to the rural

communities in which they live and

to the legacy they create for future

generations of farmers.

My children were raised here.

We drink water out of the same wells

as the animals. We breathe the same

air. We play in the fields where the

animals are and waste is spread. We

play in the creeks, Porter says. We

want to take care of everything the

very best that we can because its not

only where were making a living, but

its also where we live.

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MAKE LASTINGMEMORIES IN

NORTH CAROLINA

from the Mountains to the Coast

Download the app or order a freetravel publication at www.visitnc.com.

Get the official

NORTH CAROLINA TRAVEL GUIDE
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COVER STORY

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15/36

COVER STORY


Discover fascinating facts about Ashevilles architectural masterpiece

Story by Jessica Mozo

Photography by Brian McCord

Think you already know everything

about Biltmore? You might be surprised

to learn theres more to this iconic

North Carolina estate than meets the eye.

1. Asheville can thank France for the designof its popular tourist attraction.WhenGeorge Vanderbilt began building his dream

home in Asheville in 1889, he envisioned a

French Renaissance chateau that intertwined

architectural features of 16th-century castles

he had seen in the Loire Valley of France.

George was an avid traveler. He crossed the

Atlantic Ocean 60 times in his life, says Darren

Poupore, chief curator of Biltmore. When plans

[for the house] were being discussed, he went toEurope with his architect Richard Morris Hunt

to gain inspiration. The result was Biltmore an

American expression of those grand European

estates that is truly an American design.

2. It took 1,000 men six years to build thehouse.Vanderbilt had fallen in love with

Western North Carolinas climate and scenery,

and in 1888 he began purchasing land that

eventually amounted to 125,000 acres.

Construction began a year later by what is

reported as 1,000 talented craftsmen, and

Biltmore House opened to the family at

Christmas 1895.

3. The architect of the estates gardens alsocreated Central Park.Frederick Law Olmsted,considered the father of landscape architecture,

was hired by Vanderbilt to design the grounds.

Olmsted decided to have a grand garden area

close to the house and majestic views beyond it.

4. Mount Pisgah was once part of Biltmore.After George Vanderbilts death in 1914, his wife,

Edith, sold 86,700 acres to the U.S. government

to honor her husbands wishes. The land became

part of Pisgah National Forest, the second

national forest to open east of the Mississippi.

5. Biltmore is home to Americas most-visited winery.The winery came about after

William A.V. Cecil, Vanderbilts grandson, planted

grapes on the property in 1971. Disappointed with

his first vintage, he brought a sixth-generation

winemaker from France to North Carolina.

The Biltmore Estate Winery opened in 1985,

which Cecil declared the most historic event

since my grandfather had opened his estate tohis family on Christmas Day 90 years earlier.

6. Frommers says it takes at least five hoursto fully explore the house.Biltmore Housespans more than four acres of floor space,

including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65

fireplaces. It was and still is Americas largest

home with 250 rooms. At first glance, people are

simply amazed by the large scale of the house,

Poupore says. He recommends the 60-minute

Architects Tour, which allows guests to get

a closer look at the design of Biltmore House

by touring areas not on the regular house visit,

including rooftops and balconies.

Even after working there for 14 years,

Poupore continues to make new discoveries.

It never gets boring, because the house

continues to give back, he says. Ill walk

through on any given day and see some

detail Ive never noticed before.

Constructed in the late 19th century, Biltmore Estate in Asheville opened to the public in 1930 with the hope of

increasing tourism during the Depression. Today, admission includes a self-guided visit to Biltmore House,

access to historic gardens and a Vanderbilt family exhibition, and a free wine tasting and guided winery tour.

MORE ONLINE

Find even more

fun facts about

Biltmore Estate at

ncfieldfamily.org/

biltmore. You can

also plan your visit

at biltmore.com

or by calling

(800) 411-3812.

65number of

fireplaces

in Biltmore

250number of rooms

8Kacres the

estate spans

23Knumber of

books in

Biltmores library

BILTMOREBY THE

NUMBERS

BILTMORE

Behind the Scenesof
http://www.ncfieldfamily.org/biltmorehttp://www.ncfieldfamily.org/biltmorehttp://www.ncfieldfamily.org/biltmorehttp://www.biltmore.com/http://www.biltmore.com/http://www.biltmore.com/http://www.ncfieldfamily.org/biltmore


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WATER WORKING ITHydroponic farms grow fresh produce throughout the year

Story by Carol Cowan


Hydroponics, the technique of

growing plants without soil in acontrolled environment, has been

around for hundreds of years. Sir Francis

Bacon first wrote about it back in the 1600s.

His work spawned research, which led to

discoveries concerning the mineral nutrients

plants need to thrive and the development

of technologies to deliver those nutrients

without soil.

Today, hydroponic systems range from

the simple to the sophisticated. They include

both kitchen windowsill herb gardens and

high-tech setups in massive commercial

ventures. The term itself hydroponics,

from the Greek hydro, meaning water, and

ponos, meaning labor literally means

water working.

Water is working well, in fact, for North

Carolina farmers who use hydroponics to

grow lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers

and other fresh produce in greenhouses year

round. The controlled environment and

carefully engineered nutrient delivery

systems free these farmers from many of

the limitations of field-grown crops for

instance, seasonal production, variationsin soil quality and mineral content, weather

and weeds.

As one part of its overall operation that

also includes field-grown tomatoes and

strawberries, Shelton Family Farm in

Jackson County near Whittier produces

10,000 to 12,000 heads of hydroponically

grown Bibb lettuce every week.

Its a year-round operation thats geared

toward wholesale markets. Its an intensive

production, says William Shelton Jr., a

fourth-generation family farmer whose

lettuce is distributed in grocery stores

throughout the Southeast.

Prior to 1986, when Shelton began growing

lettuce hydroponically, his farm, like many in

North Carolina, primarily produced livestock

and tobacco.

I grew up on a subsistence farm here in

the mountains, and we raised a lot of stuff

for our own consumption. But as far as

commercial enterprises, it was tobacco and

livestock, Shelton recalls. When I graduated

FEATURE

21

1Shelton Family Farm

Whittier

(828) 497-5323

sheltonfamilyfarm.com

2Spahrs Produce Farm

Lillington

(910) 850-9013

ncagr.gov/ncproducts
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William Shelton Jr. of Shelton Family Farm in Whittier grows

10,000 to 12,000 heads of hydroponic Bibb lettuce per week.


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16 ncfb.org

FEATURE

from college and took over the farm, I

kind of saw the handwriting on the wall

with tobacco, so we made the transitionkind of early on. Weve tried to diversify

and fill a niche.

That meant building greenhouses

and installing hydroponic systems that

currently occupy two 120-foot-by-96-

foot ranges. A nutrient flow-tray system

pumps the nutrient solution from an

in-ground tank into plastic PVC

channels. The channels are built to

allow the water to flow through them

via gravity, coming in contact with theroots of each plant as it passes through

the channel, then drops into a gutter

and returns to the nutrient tank.

Its an enclosed system that runs

24/7, and its very efficient from a

water-usage standpoint because we

recycle the water, Shelton says. The

only water thats actually consumed

in the process is what is taken up and

transpired through the plants.

Water conservation is just one of

the benefits of hydroponic farming.

Other advantages include the absence

of weeds and less potential for disease.

Disease is more manageable,

mainly because youre keeping

the tops of the plants dry, Shelton

explains. Theyre not getting hit

with rain thats dispersing disease

organisms. And theyre not being hit

with wind or hail or things like that.

Constant, regulated uptake of an

exact mix of mineral nutrients also

Hydroponic farming is not necessarily foreverybody, but it is a viable alternative for peoplewho are willing to put the work in.

William Shelton Jr., Shelton Family Farm

Shelton checks the conductivity of the nutrient solution that grows the lettuce. The

hydroponic system runs around the clock, pumping water and nutrients to the plants.


19/36

FEATURE


HYDROPONICS 101Learn about the six types of hydroponic systems

Two types of hydroponics exist. In the first, plants grow in a non-soil

medium, such as sand, clay, vermiculite or rock wool, which stabilizes

plants and wicks up nutrient solutions. However, whats known as true

hydroponics uses no medium, only a water-based solution of plant nutrients

Hydroponically grown plants get their nutrients from one of six different

types of delivery systems that range from straightforward to complex.

1.Drip System (most commonly used): timer-controlled pump drips

growing solution onto the base of each plant

2.Wick System (simplest system): nutrient solution is drawn up from

a reservoir by means of material such as vermiculite or coconut fiber

3.Ebb and Flow System: growing medium is flooded with nutrient

solution via a timer-controlled pump; excess solution flows back intoreservoir for reuse

4.Water Culture System (effective for lettuce production): active system

wherein plants float atop nutrient solution while oxygen is pumped into

solution to aerate plant roots

5.Nutrient-Film Technique System (used by commercial farmers): high-tech

system in which a constant flow of nutrient solution is pumped over

plant roots; with no growing medium, plants are supported in plastic

or mesh baskets

6.Aeroponics System (most sophisticated): plants are suspended in a rack;

exposed roots are misted frequently with nutrient solution

Learn more about hydroponics at ncfieldfamily.org.

makes hydroponically grown crops

consistently nutritious and flavorful.

But, perhaps most important,

the controlled environment of the

greenhouse allows for year-round

production, which means better access

to fresh produce for consumers and

more income for farmers. Shelton

estimates that due to the intensity of

production seeding, transplanting

and harvesting every week of the year

his half-acre of greenhouse space yields

the equivalent of 80 acres to 90 acres

of field-grown lettuce.

Of course, hydroponic farming

is not all a bed of lettuce. While

production is fairly straightforward,it requires constant attention,

significant investment and a great

deal of marketing. Sheltons operation

keeps him and four full-time employees

busy all year long.

Hydroponic farming is not

necessarily for everybody, he says,

but it is a viable alternative for people

who are willing to put the work in.

Scott Spahr of Spahrs Produce Farm

in Lillington echoes that sentiment.Itll work for anybody if you want

to work at it, he says. But its not for

everybody. Its a lot of work. It keeps

me busy every day.

Spahr, who runs his Harnett County

operation mostly solo since his parents

retired, diversified into hydroponics

about 15 years ago, gradually adding

one greenhouse at a time as he could

afford it. He started with tomatoes,

then added lettuce, English cucumbers

and bell peppers. Today, three of his five

hydroponic greenhouses are dedicated

to tomatoes two for the spring crop,

one for the winter crop.

I seem to get better quality and size

with two different crops, he explains.

Selling exclusively at farmers

markets, Spahrs goal was to be able

to make a living through the winter.

Now the winter market is almost

as good as the summer market is,

he says.
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21/36

RECIPES


North Carolina farm products shine in seasonal recipes for dinner and dessert

Recipes and Food Styling by Mary Carter


Your mother probably told

you to eat your greens, and

these days, its easier than

ever. Mustard, collard, beet and

turnip greens are partnering with

spinach, escarole, Swiss chard and

kale to enhance many dishes with

delicious flavors.Full of fiber, vitamins and minerals,

greens are even said to help prevent

diabetes, not to mention theyre

carbohydrate-free.

The North Carolina climate is

friendly to both fragile and hearty

varieties. With easy access to so many

types of greens, and the long growing

season (almost year round for the

heartiest strains), you can add them

to as many dishes as possible.

A few of the recipes on the following

pages offer a glimpse into the potential

for adding them to your diet. They are

no longer stuck in the overcooked, salty

stew of greens of yore, but looking hip

in a Turnip Greens & White BeansSautor combined with the cheesylayers of Greek Chicken Lasagna.

Whats more, most greens can be

used interchangeably in these recipes,

so feel free to swap turnip greens for

collards or kale. In fact, the spring

greens mix used in two of these recipes

often come in convenient packages

featuring many different types greens.

They consist of tender baby lettuces

including romaine, oak leaf, red leaf,

lolla rosa and tango, as well as varieties

of other seasonal greens such as Swiss

chard, mizuna, tatsoi, baby spinach,arugula, frise and radicchio. Lettuces

typically are pretty mild, while other

greens have a bolder flavor that some

consider bitter, though thats lessened

by the cooking process not to mention

the other, more savory ingredients.

Pork, one of North Carolinas top

commodities, lends its salty and

savory flavor to ourSpring Greens& Country Ham Tart. In addition to

the healthy greens, the ham provides

nutrients including protein, zinc,

vitamins B12 and B5, thiamine and

iron. Turn to page 8 to learn more

about North Carolinas pork industry.

Fresh strawberries are readily

available in the spring, perfect for our

Strawberry-Coconut Tres LecheCake. North Carolina ranks third inthe nation for strawberry production,

and May has been designated National

Strawberry Month. What better way to

celebrate than with a fluffy, fruity cake?

SPRING INTOSTRAWBERRY

RECIPES

If you love strawberries,we have some spectacular

springtime recipes for you:

Fresh Strawberry Muffins

Strawberry Breakfast

Smoothie

Old-Fashioned Strawberry

Shortcake

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Orange Strawberry Salad

Find these and even more recipes

atncfieldfamily.org/strawberries.

Opposite page:

Turnip Greens &

White Beans Saut

Fresh Spring

Flavors
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20 ncfb.org

RECIPES

1 pie crust (to fit a 10-inch

tart pan)

6 ounces (about 3 4/cup) country

ham, chopped

5 ounces (about 2 cups) mixed

spring greens

8 ounces (about 1 1 2/cups packed)

Gruyere cheese, grated

8 eggs

1 2/ cup milk

1 2/ teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 green onions, chopped

TURNIP GREENS &WHITE BEANS SAUTPrep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Makes: 4-6 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 large leeks (or 1 cup ramps),

sliced

1 large bunch turnip greens*,

cleaned and sliced

chiffonade-style

1 2/ cup stock (chicken, beef

or vegetable)

15 ounces (1 can) garbanzo

beans, rinsed and drained

15 ounces (1 can) navy beans,

rinsed and drained

1 2/ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 2/ cup grated Parmesan cheese,

or more to taste

*You may substitute any hearty

greens, such as collards, kale,

spinach or beet greens.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over

medium heat. Add leeks and saut until

they just begin to brown and soften. Stir

in greens and stock. Stir occasionally

over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes.

When greens have softened, stir in the

beans and pepper flakes, and heat until

warmed through. Spoon into a serving

dish, and top with Parmesan cheese.

May be served over pasta, polenta or

rice, or enjoyed on its own.

SPRING GREENS & COUNTRY HAM TARTPrep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Makes: 8 servings

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Press the crust evenly into the tart pan. Layer the ham, greens and cheese over

the crust.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, nutmeg and green onions. Slowly

pour the egg mixture into the tart pan.

Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Cover the top with foil, and continue baking for

about 30 minutes longer, or until center is set and no longer jiggles. Cool slightly

and serve.


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ncfieldfamily.org 21ncfieldfamily.org 21

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total time: 8 hours or overnight

GREEK CHICKENLASAGNAPrep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Makes: 8-10 servings

4 tablespoons (1

2/stick) butter 5 cloves garlic, minced

4 tablespoons flour

4 cups 2% or whole milk

3 cups chicken, cooked

and chopped

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 4/ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 2/ teaspoon salt

9 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles

2 cups ricotta cheese

4 ounces (1 cup) feta cheese,

crumbled

2 cups shredded mozzarella

cheese

5 ounces spring greens mix

(any combination)

1 2/ cup black olives, sliced

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease a deep-dish, 13-by-9-

inch casserole dish. In a large saucepan

over medium heat, melt the butter and

saut the garlic until just fragrant. Stir

in the flour until it foams. Whisk in the

milk, and stir until it mixture thickens

into a white sauce. Mix in the chicken,

oregano, pepper flakes and salt.

Spoon 1 to 2 cups of white sauce into

the casserole dish. Layer 4 lasagna

noodles on top. Spread half of each typeof cheese over the noodles, and then

add a second layer of noodles. Spread

all of the greens evenly on top. Add

another 1 to 2 cups of sauce, a third

layer of noodles and the remaining

cheese. Sprinkle the black olives

evenly over the cheese.

Cover with foil, and bake for 40

minutes. Uncover and continue baking

until golden brown and bubbly, about

20 minutes. Garnish with grape

tomatoes just before serving.

1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow

cake mix, prepared in

a 13-by-9-inch baking

dish according to

package directions

14 ounces (1 can)

sweetened

condensed milk

12 ounces (1 can)

evaporated milk

1 2/ cup whole milk or half-

and-half

2 cups whipping cream

1 3/ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups fresh strawberries

1 cup sweetened

coconut, toasted

Greek Chicken Lasagna


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22 ncfb.org

FEATURE

S

am Franklin knows why the

North Carolina plant world

celebrates azaleas.The beauty that they bring to

our state and to the Southeast is

unparalleled, says Franklin, who

runs a nursery in Henderson.

Franklin and his brother, Joe, began

Franklin Brothers Nursery in 1974. Joe

has since segued into ministry, but Sam

Franklin and his wife, Sheila, continue

the nursery operation.

Show-stopping beauty characterizes

the azalea, Franklin says. Your

architectural forms and textures are

important, he notes, but color in the

landscape engages people.

TRUE COLORSAzaleas come in a rainbow of shades

of pink, purple, yellow and white, but

Franklin says, Reds are what people

gravitate to.

Vibrant red pushes a green button for

azalea lovers, agrees Camilo Apolinar.

He and his wife, Juliana, own C&J

Nursery in Angier, where they sell

between 18,000 and 25,000 azaleas

per season.

Although Apolinar recommends

fall planting to establish a root system,

many choose azaleas in the spring. The

timing is understandable. Thats when

they show the color, he says.

Azaleas, a Southeast Asia import, are

generally easy to propagate and grow

with proper placement and watering,

no matter when the gardener chooses

to plant them. Only the states coastal

and high mountain regions provebarriers for azalea growth. In the

foothills and throughout the Piedmont

and the Coastal Plain, the plant thrives.

Of the thousands of varieties,

Sunglow and Wolfpack Red sell

particularly well. We cannot even

keep the Wolfpack, Apolinar says.

Its one of the brightest reds.

Traditional Formosa azaleas are

also popular, especially in more

established gardens.

We tend to be comfortable with

plants that we already have, Franklin

says. Familiarity is something we

battle when were trying to introduce

something new to the industry.

Nonetheless, the relatively new Encore

variety is gaining popularity. The

patented brand blooms in spring,

summer and fall.

Gayle Ward of Wilmington loves

Encore azaleas. She is a longtime member

and leader of the Cape Fear Garden

Club, the second largest garden club

in the United States. (The first club

is in Texas somewhere, she says with

a laugh.) Her club is instrumental in

organizing the internationally recognized

North Carolina Azalea Festival.

Azaleas are wonderful to landscape

with, and you can control their size

with pruning, says Ward, who grew

up on a farm. But you should only cut

right after they bloom. Otherwise, she

notes, youll destroy future flowers.

Ward prefers to buy in spring. I like

to see the blossom that Im actuallygetting, she says.

An azalea can die from freezing

weather, overwatering, drought or by

planting too deep (plant no deeper

than the pot it came in, Ward advises).

But, overall, theyre hardy. The blooms

lasts two to three weeks at a time. With

proper care, they live very long lives.

A FRAGRANT FESTIVAL

Resplendent landscaping luresvisitors to southeastern North Carolina

each spring. Called the city of a million

azaleas, Wilmington began hosting the

award-winning North Carolina Azalea

Festival in 1948. This years event, April

9-13, will be the 67th festival.

The celebration attracts thousands

with a heady mix of events. For instance,

the Cape Fear Garden Club offers tours

of 13 stellar gardens, large and small

($20 per map/ticket). Hoop-skirted

high school seniors called Azalea Belles

serve as garden guides.

Other highlights include a street fair

of arts and crafts, a parade, concerts,

home tours, an azalea queen coronation

and even celebrity sightings.

Luminaries who participated in the past

include Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan,

Michael Jordan and Kelly Ripa.

The citys bountiful azaleas blanket

the town, setting a picturesque backdrop

for the extravaganza.

EVERYTHINGS COMING

UP AZALEASGardeners throughout the state honor bountiful springtime shrubStory by Nancy D orman-Hickson



25/36

FEATURE


3

1

1Franklin Brothers Nursery

Henderson(252) 492-6166

franklinbrothers.com

2C&J Nursery

Angier

(919) 207-0042

candjnurserync.com

3North Carolina Azalea Festival

Wilmington

(910) 794-4650

ncazaleafestival.org

2

PLANTING POINTERS

Plant in an area that drains

well. Azaleas do not like wet

feet, says Sam Franklin.

Azaleas prefer full sun to

light, filtered shade with a

minimum of 4 to 6 hours of

sun daily.

Make the planting hole twice

as wide as it is deep. Leave

the top of the plant root ball

about one inch from soil level.

Mix peat moss with soil when

planting. The soil needs to

be soft, so the roots can

spread out, says Gayle Ward.

Water well when you first

plant azaleas in spring and

summer. Keep the soil moist

in winter. Unless there is a

drought, azaleas require no

watering after the first year.

If azaleas stop blooming,

consult your county extension

agent about a soil test.

Azaleas are available year

round as greenhouse potted

products. They can be moved

to the garden after blooming.

Azalea Belles serve as garden guides at the North Carolina Azalea Festival.

Greenfield Park in Wilmington

Azaleas thrive in most areas of North Carolina.

Camilo Apolinars son Richard makes cuttings from azalea plants at C&J Nursery.

Their operation in Angier sells between 18,000 and 25,000 azaleas each year.
http://www.franklinbrothers.com/http://www.franklinbrothers.com/http://www.candjnursery.com/http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/http://www.candjnursery.com/http://www.franklinbrothers.com/


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24 ncfb.org

An elephant at the North Carolina Zoo


27/36


28/36


29/36

TRAVEL


HI, HONEYHoney Bee Exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo creates

educational buzz about these busy insects

Bees help bring us favorites like apples, strawberries, watermelon andsunflowers, but thats only the beginning. Theyve been called the mostimportant insect pollinator in North Carolina, and thats why the North

Carolina State Beekeepers Association, along with the North Carolina Farm

Bureau, wanted to educate people about the important role of honeybees.

They partnered with the North Carolina Zoo to open the Honey Bee Exhibit

in 2009.

John Groves, supervisor of the exhibit, says the project includes an

active observation beehive, along with a number of educational graphics

and structures such as a 6-foot long sculpture of a honeybee. Visitors can

walk into an oversized skep (the name of a beehive made of grass) and

wander through gardens designed to attract honeybees, as well as other

pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies.

Volunteers from the beekeepers association also visit on occasion to

talk about honeybees and their important role in pollination.

As for the occasional bee sting, Groves says its never been a problem

at the exhibit. Honeybees are not aggressive, he says.

The Lathams taught themselves the

craft from the family tradition. Their

shop features hand-turned coffee mugs,

pie plates, vases and dinnerware, as

well as Bruces trademark baskets with

handcrafted flowers as decoration. You

can also browse through more than 40

other pottery shops in the Seagrove

area, which has been called the largest

community of potters with the longest

continual history of pottery making in

the United States.

Art galleries and antique shops also

abound in downtown Asheboro. The

35,000-square-foot Collectors Antique

Mall hosts more than 100 vendors.

About 10 miles north of Asheboro, theRichard Petty Museum tells the story

of the racing legend who took home

200 career wins and seven NASCAR

championships. The museum, which

includes Pettys personal collections,

as well as history on racing, recently

returned to its original headquarters

and Pettys birthplace in Level Cross,

where it first opened in 1988.

Finally, to experience the natural

beauty of this region, head south tothe Uwharrie National Forest, the

Piedmont regions only national forest,

which covers about 50,000 acres.

Though the Uwharrie National

Forest stretches farther south than

Asheboro, hikers have an Asheboro

man to thank for the Uwharrie National

Recreation Trail. Joe Moffit, an old-

time trappers son, blazed the trail more

than 25 years ago. The Scoutmaster

started the project in 1972 to help Boy

Scouts earn an Eagle rank.

If youd prefer to soar through the

forest rather than hike it and stay

closer to town choose the Richland

Creek Zip Line Canopy Tour in

Asheboro. Youll glide across 14

different cables with the highlight at

Mendenhall Falls along the companys

namesake Richland Creek.

For additional information about

Asheboro and its surrounding area,

visit heartofnorthcarolina.com.
http://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/http://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/http://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/http://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/http://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/


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28 ncfb.org

LOCAL LEVEL

BUNCOMBE

During the N.C. Mountain State Fair

in September, Congressman Mark

Meadows visited the North Buncombe

High School FFA milking booth,

a fundraiser the high school holds

during one weekend of the fair. The

congressman sat with Caleb and

Cole Gillespie, children of Michelle

Gillespie, the former N.C. Farm Bureau

YF&R chair. After he milked Yancey

the cow, Meadows took a minute to talk

with the children about the importanceof hard work and agriculture.

AVERY

Avery County Farm Bureau has

donated $250 to the new Avery CountyMiddle School Chicken Project. Farm

Bureau member and teacher Chantae

Hoilman, along with teacher Jonathan

Vance, is teaching students about

raising and caring for their Silver Laced

Wyandotte chickens. The students also

sell the eggs produced in order to help

maintain the chicken coop.

CALDWELL

Matt and Jamie Bowman, NCFB

YF&R State Committee members,

recently hosted a farm tour for 85 high

school sophomores from the Caldwell

Early College. The students were able

to see the Bowmans family farm,

shared with Matts father and brother,

including a grain operation, beef cattle

and hay. The students learned about

production practices, conservation

and employment opportunities

in agriculture.

CATAWBA

The Catawba County Farm Bureau

presented Brad Lael, ag education

and FFA advisor for Fred T. Foard

High School, with a check for

$10,000 to support its Greenhouse

Project, which will be fully operational

in spring 2014. Mark Story, career and

technical education director, as well

as students, attended the presentation

in September 2013.

ON THE LOCAL LEVELThis section highlights county news and events from Farm Bureau members

throughout the state. Find more member achievements atncfieldfamily.org/local.
http://www.ncfieldfamily.org/localhttp://www.ncfieldfamily.org/localhttp://www.ncfieldfamily.org/localhttp://www.ncfieldfamily.org/local


31/36

LOCAL LEVEL


CLAY

Clay County Farm Bureau Womens

Group held a farm safety event as part

of the 7th Annual Clay County Tractor

Parade and Ag Day in September 2013.

Becky Danielson and Benita England,

with assistance from board memberSmith Danielson, engaged the 50

participants in a safety inspection on

a farm tractor discussing safety issues

and possible solutions. Each was given

a Slow Moving Vehicle Sign and, if they

participated in the safety inspection,

they were given safety glasses or gloves.

HOKE

The annual meeting of the Hoke County

Farm Bureau was held in September

2013 at the West Hoke Middle School

cafeteria, with 125 members and guests

in attendance. County Farm Bureau

officers were elected, including Earl

Hendrix, president; Kelly Archambault,

vice president; James Warner Jr.,

secretary/treasurer. Directors

elected were Johnny Boyles, William

Cameron Jr., James McGougan, Keith

Walters and Robert Wright. Policyrecommendations were also approved.

MECKLENBURG

Robert Pittenger, congressman for

most of Mecklenburg County, spoke

at the countys annual meeting in

November 2013. He discussed several

issues Congress was dealing with at

the time, including health care and

the farm bill. He invited everyone to

contact him if they have a question

or opinion on any issue.

MITCHELL

The Mitchell County Farm Bureau

Womens Committee sponsored a

Tupperware sale to raise funds for

its educational scholarship.Dorothy

Campbell, Carol Wright and Kim

Slotnik (pictured) helped prepare

salsa at the Bakersville Farmers

Market to raise additional funds. The

women raised more than $900 for the

scholarship, which was was matched

|by the Mitchell County Farm Bureau

Board of Directors. The first scholarshipwill be offered in spring 2014.

DUPLIN

North Carolina Farm Bureaus

Young Farmers and Ranchers program

participants Justin Edwards, left, and

Gerald Miller of Duplin, attended

Agriculture Day at Wallace Elementary

in Wallace on Oct. 25. They broughtdisplays with pictures of combines and

tractors harvesting soybeans, wheat

and corn, and they discussed what

products come from each. They also

passed out Rudy Rooster coloring

books for all the kindergarten children.

HERTFORD

The Hertford County Farm Bureau

supported the Hertford County 4-H

Summer Fun Farm to Fork Cooking

School. During the week, 4-H members

traveled to Johnny Powells farm near

Harrellsville to learn about his sweetpotato operation; the State Farmers

Market in Raleigh to identify fruits

and vegetables; and Ham Farms/Ham

Produce Co. in Snow Hill to see sweet

potato production on a much larger

scale. They also prepared healthy fresh

fruits and vegetables for the public.


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30 ncfb.org

LOCAL LEVEL

RANDOLPH

The Randolph County Farm Bureau

made safety its theme for the annual

meeting in Asheboro in October 2013.

Edsel Beck was the keynote speaker

for the event. Beck spoke about his life

before and after a farming accidentnearly 20 years ago. He lost both arms

in the accident, one at the shoulder

and one at the elbow. He reminded

everyone to listen to the little voice in

your head, and if it says, Dont do it,

then dont do it! Nearly 200 people

attended the event.

WARREN

Members of the Warren County Farm

Bureau Womens Committee and

Ambassadors for Ag in the Classroom

program recently recognized returning

teachers at the annual countywide

Teacher Convocation at Warren

County Middle School. North Carolina

Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom

information and other items were

provided to the veteran educators to

help with their daily teaching activities.

WAYNE

The Wayne County Farm Bureau

Womens Committee held its

Distracted Driving Safety Program in

September 2013. Twenty-three teens

and adults attended the program. They

watched the distracted driving video

and then discussed it. Each attendee

was given a winner medal to hang on

their car mirror to remind them to not

text and drive. The program was led by

Patricia Herring, Wayne County Farm

Bureau safety coordinator.

YADKIN/DAVIE

Davie and Yadkin County Farm

Bureaus were instrumental in

supporting the Annual Yadkin/Davie

Area 4-H Livestock Show. More than

30 youth from the surrounding area

participated in exhibiting beef cattle,

sheep and goats. The August 2013

event was held at Lone Hickory Arena

in Yadkinville. Farm Bureau has

supported this show for several

years, as well as numerous other

programs through the North CarolinaCooperative Extension.

STANLY

Stanly County Farm Bureau held a

Healthy Living for a Lifetime event for

the residents of Stanly County on Oct.

24, 2013. Approximately 130 people

attended the event and received free

health screenings and advice on healthyeating and living. Board members

enjoyed greeting those who attended.

Along with North Carolina Farm

Bureau, Stanly County Farm Bureau

donated $5,000 for those whose

screenings showed they needed further

treatment but had no insurance.

WAKE

Wake County Farm Bureau Womens

Committee Chair Shirley Burt visited

Brassfield Elementary as a guest

speaker for the fourth grades NC

Commodity Day. Burt spoke to students

in June 2013 about the importance ofagriculture and shared about farming

in Wake County. At the end of the

discussion, students learned how to

milk Bernice the Dairy Cow.


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MCCLOY FELLOWSIN AGRICULTURE

Brandon Moore, a North Carolina

livestock farmer and waste

management specialist, was selected

to be part of the prestigious McCloyFellows in Agriculture program in 2013,

which sent him on a three-week trip to

Germany. The program gives American

farmers the opportunity to get an

up-close look at agriculture, farms and

food, including conditions and policies,

with their transatlantic counterparts.

The Nash County farmer and

member of North Carolina Farm

Bureaus Board of Directors says he has

seen diversity of farming throughoutthe United States, but visiting Germany

was an amazing opportunity for him to

understand agriculture from a greater

perspective, as well as to exchange

ideas and information.

I have a great interest in innovations

of manure management and animal

husbandry practices, Moore says. I

know that many livestock production

methods originated in Germany years

ago. It was interesting to see how

changes in animal housing, water usage

and environmental regulation have

affected their livestock operations.

One of the main things he learned

from German farmers that he felt he

could bring home is transparency on

the farm.They wanted to let the public see

what was happening on the farms, he

says. Some even had web cams in the

livestock facility. He adds that the trip

made him realize the importance for

himself and other American farmers

to educate the public about modern

agricultural practices and their benefits.

Read what Moore and his fellow

travelers wrote about their experience

atjhawkins54.typepad.com/mccloy.

Learn more about the McCloy

Fellowship in Agriculture and how

to apply atacgusa.org.

NEW GROUP FOILSMETAL THEFT

A new entity is joining the fight

against scrap metal theft in North

Carolinas rural counties.

Recycling Association of NC,

established during the summer of 2012,

now counts more than 50 members in

the industry, according to its president,

Travis Ward. Their goal is to combat

metal theft through legislative action

and working with the North Carolina

Sheriffs Association, the North

Carolina Association of Chiefs of

Police, Duke Energy Progress, Farm

Bureau and other groups.

While knowing that we cant fully

stop it, Ward says, we want to doeverything we can by working with

these organizations to severely limit

it and slow it down.

Ward works with his familys

Regional Materials Recovery Inc. Our

business has been in existence for over

80 years, and this problem has been in

existence for over 80 years, he says.

Ward notes that the North Carolina

General Assembly has passed four

pieces of legislation since 2007 thataid efforts to slow down metal theft,

but more clarification is needed

to create an equal playing field for

the industry.

While legislation was what brought

us together, we realized the bigger need

was to change the stereotype of our

industry, Ward says. Lots of people

have a negative view of our industry

aiding and abetting criminals. We want

them to know that we are legitimate

businesses that care and are concerned

about this metal theft issue.

The industrys national

association hosts a free website,

www.scraptheftalert.com,that helps

law enforcement track metal theft.

If all law enforcement would

use it, it would make a positive

impact, Ward says. He encourages

anyone with questions to contact

him atncrecyclingassociation.org,(252) 443-1521, or [email protected].

NCFB NEWS


NEWS & NOTESHeadlines, resources and other stories from around the state

North Carolina farmer Brandon Moore, second from left, spent three

weeks in Germany through the McCloy Fellows in Agriculture program.
http://jhawkins54.typepad.com/mccloyhttp://jhawkins54.typepad.com/mccloyhttp://jhawkins54.typepad.com/mccloyhttp://www.acgusa.org/http://www.acgusa.org/http://www.acgusa.org/http://www.scraptheftalert.com/http://www.scraptheftalert.com/http://www.ncrecyclingassociation.org/http://www.ncrecyclingassociation.org/http://www.ncrecyclingassociation.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.ncrecyclingassociation.org/http://www.acgusa.org/http://jhawkins54.typepad.com/mccloymailto:[email protected]://www.scraptheftalert.com/


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32 ncfb.org

LAST LOOK

Local legend says pirates used Topsail Islands channels as ahiding spot to capture merchant ships until they began looking

for tops of the pirates sails over the dunes, which gave thecoastal island and beach the name Topsail (pronounced Topsl).

Staff Photo

Topsail Beach


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THERAPY, SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE
http://www.mysafestep.com/


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http://www.qualityequip.com/http://www.eastcoastequip.com/http://www.jamesriverequipment.com/

spring 2014: north carolina field & family

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