Wake County (NC) Agribusiness Council

Strawberry Fields Forever

The April regular WCAC monthly meeting provided a break from the normal meeting routine. The meeting was held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18 at the Pope Strawberry Farm in Knightdale, NC. Owner, David Pope, and his wife were excellent hosts for our meeting as they explained the many intricacies of growing strawberries commercially. They also provided our members with an assortment of specialty food items prepared with strawberries that were grown on the farm.

This year's crop got off to an early start and the quality of the fruit is exceptional. David Pope said demand has been very strong this season. In a typical growing season, they will have thousands of people come and pick their own berries on the farm or purchase berries that have already been picked by the farm staff. The farm is also a regular destination for many students who like to come out to see how strawberries grow and are processed.

If you would like to visit Pope Strawberry Farm for yourself and see what everyone is raving about, you can find them in Knightdale, NC at 1305 Fayetteville St.

Kickoff Breakfast a Phenomenal Success

Standing Room Only Crowd at the Kickoff Breakfast The 2012 Southern Farm Show Kickoff Breakfast was a tremendous success with a standing room only crowd present to hear an address from NC State Senator David Rouzer along with comments from Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, retiring Dean of the NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Johnny Wynne, and others.

At least 125 people enjoyed the buffet breakfast and took the opportunity to meet and mingle with many of the movers and shakers from all around the agricultural, educational, and political sectors. This represents at least a 25 percent increase in attendance from the previous year as the organization and its influence continues to grow.

Wake County Agribusiness Council President Shaunnika Johnson presided over the event which also included awards that were presented for the Wake County Young Farmer of the Year as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. A new award was also presented this year to the winning local FFA chapter that produced a video promoting agriculture.

Historic Election Results at Holiday Breakfast Meeting

New Executive Officers for 2012 The Wake County Agribusiness Council held its annual Holiday Breakfast meeting at the Wake County Cooperative Extension office just off of Poole Road in Raleigh on Wednesday, December 14th. The breakfast this year was held in a potluck style where members each brought in one or two of their favorite dishes to share.

Charles Hall, Executive Vice President of the NC Soybean Producers Association served as the featured speaker.

History was made during the elections that were held as a part of the business session. For the first time, the Wake County Agribusiness Council will have an entirely female executive officer team led by Shaunnika Johnson of AgCarolina Financial who will serve as President for 2012.

Barbara Adams was selected as the new Vice President, Kelly Gilliam will now assume the role of WCAC Secretary while Gayle Yanes will take over as the organization's new Treasurer.

Large Crowd at 2011 Farm City Day

A large crowd enjoyed the outdoor BBQ at the 2012 Wake County Farm City Day. Many supporters of the agricultural industry, including members of the Wake County Agribusiness Council, were on hand to attend the 2011 Farm City Day Luncheon and celebration which was held November 22 at the farm home of Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby near the town of Creedmoor, NC.

Numerous dignitaries, producers, ag organization leaders, FFA Chapter students, and non-farm people interested in learning more about agriculture attended the event which was highlighted by remarks from Justice Newby, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, Wake County Farm Bureau president Jackie Thompson, Wake County Ag Extension Agent Laura Martin, and others.

As is tradition at the Farm City Day events, the crowd was treated to an outdoor BBQ luncheon with barbecued pork, chicken, and all the fixin's.

Annual WCAC Fall Tour Held at Cotton, Inc.

Cotton Incorporated Headquarters in Cary, NC The annual Wake County Agribusiness Council Fall Tour was held Wednesday, October 19 at the headquarters of Cotton, Incorporated in Cary, NC.

WCAC members in attendance were treated to a guided walk-through tour of the impressive world-class facility. Vice President of Fiber Competition, Michael Watson, greeted our members and served as our group leader for the tour.

Many people are surprised to learn that the familiar Cotton logo and advertisements that promote the comfort and new types of fabrics that utilize cotton are all related to the research done in the labs and testing centers housed inside this beautiful building located right here in our own back yard - in Wake County.