Volume: 94 - No. 12 December 2019 Upcoming Avery Co. Century Farm is an active Christmas tree farm Ag Review When people hear Avery County, they think of Christmas trees and deadlines rightfully so, it is the Christmas tree capital of the United States. When William Waightstill Avery thinks of Avery County, he thinks of home and a farm, located in Plumtree, that dates back in his family to 1785. January 2020 Avery Farms started from land granted to Waightstill Avery, the first attorney general of North Carolina. Avery was a lawyer and officer in the deadline is Dec. 2 North Carolina militia during the American Revolution. Avery County is named for him. During the first 100 years of the farm, most crops were grown for livestock February deadline feed such as rye, grass, wheat and corn. From 1905 to 1928, William Waightstill Avery, a Davidson College is Jan. 2 graduate and grandfather of the current owners, came back to the farm and ran a dairy operation, from which he processed the milk into cheese and shipped it to New York City. Then William Waightstill (Waits) Avery ran a beef cattle operation until March deadline his death in 1980. The farmland was also mined for mica and feldspar until is Feb. 3 1959, which served as a major source of income. Today, Avery Farms is a Christmas Tree farm and has sold trees in every state as the Trinity Tree Company. Recently the farm has planted blueberries, raspberries to make cider. Their cider is available at Grandfather Mountain, April deadline is on farm and other local businesses. The current farm operator, William Waightstill Avery, is the great-great-great March 2 (See Century Farm Family, pg. 3) Funds awarded for Hemlock Wooly Adelgid work The N.C. Policy Collaboratory the Carolina and Eastern hemlock, a Troxler. the development of new technologies at the University of North Carolina species of tree which occupies parts “The beetle will consume all stages for habitat, environmental and water at Chapel Hill has awarded $80,000 of the eastern United States ranging of the adelgid, from eggs to nymphs quality improvement. The collaboratory to the NCDA&CS Plant Industry from Canada to Alabama. The adelgid and adults,” Troxler said. “Rearing also helps develop and disseminate Division to conduct research and kills trees slowly, attaching to the base will take place in the NCDA&CS best practices to interested parties, control efforts for the Hemlock Wooly of the hemlock needle where it feeds Biological Control Facility in Cary, leads and participates in projects Adelgid in western North Carolina. on the tree’s starch reserves. Trees can and the beetle will then be released across the state related to natural The funds will be used in the rearing, die in as little as four years, dying from periodically at infested sites in western resource management, and makes establishment and monitoring of the the bottom up. North Carolina.” recommendations to the General Laricobius Spp. beetle as a biological This funding will allow NCDA&CS The collaboratory supports research Assembly. control for the adelgid. to rear the beetle as a predator, said related to the management of natural For more information on the The adelgid is a pest that targets Agriculture Commissioner Steve resources in North Carolina, as well as collaboratory, visit https://collaboratory. unc.edu/ . From the tractor by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler the whole meal with local greens, potatoes, corn, pecans and eggs, just to name a few other top commodities. I hope you will consider serving fresh North Carolina meats and vegetables this holiday season. It’s not only a great way to serve your guests the freshest foods available, but it is also a great way to support North Carolina farmers. So is buying a fresh, live Christmas tree this year. The latest reports on North Carolina Christmas trees point Commissioner Troxler to an excellent growing season and the trees are green and extra fragrant include the Virginia pine, white pine sauces, dry rubs, jerky made from North Carolina farmers ensure a this year. and Norway Spruce. mushrooms, butter mints, crackers, brighter Christmas for many through Altogether, North Carolina In 2018, Christmas tree growers cheeses, peanuts and snacks, craft their hard work. I cannot imagine the Christmas tree growers are expected to saw over $86 million in sales. This beer, wine and spirits, and more. holidays or the holiday table without harvest 4 million trees this year, with year, sales are expected to be in the You can find these and many North Carolina coming to mind. 1 million being sold in North Carolina $90 million range. more online at www.gottobenc.com. As the top producer of sweet alone. With the close proximity to local Finally, if you are looking for I invited you to join me in potatoes, the second largest producer suppliers, no area of the state should a unique gift for that person who is celebrating North Carolina’s of hogs, turkeys and Christmas trees, see any shortage of trees. hard to buy for, consider specialty agricultural bounty this holiday you can bet many folks enjoy the fruits It is estimated that one out of every food products from North Carolina. season. Remember, when you want of our farmers labor at the holidays. four trees purchased will be a Fraser North Carolina entrepreneurs are the very best, it’s Got to Be NC! In fact, it is not hard to round out fir. Other North Carolina varieties producing an incredible array of special Page 2 AGRICULTURAL REVIEW December 2019 Agricultural Review Larger Century Farm Family signs 22,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $826.44 or 3.9 available for sale The Century Farm Family cents per copy. program has a limited number of 30-inch-by-30-inch reflective metal Century Family Farm signs for sale Andrea E. Ashby Editor & Mng. Editor DIVISIONS Jackie Bullock ..............................Ads & Agronomic ........... Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise for $50 each including shipping. Circulation Mgr. Emergency Programs ..............John Howard These signs look the same as Heather Overton .................. Staff Writer Food Distribution ......................... Gary Gay those given to families who qualify Joey Pitchford ..................... Staff Writer Food & Drug ................... Anita MacMullan Brandon Herring ................ Staff Writer Human Resources ............. Sylvia Crumpler and apply for the Century Farm Taylor Parrish ....................Social Media Legal Affairs ..............................Tina Hlabse Family program, just larger. Marketing ..............................Joe Sanderson “Over the years, we have had AGRICULTURAL REVIEW (ISSN Meat & Poultry Inspection Dr. Beth Yongue 07445466) is published monthly by the N.C. Forest Service ................... David Lane requests for larger signs to purchase N.C. Department of Agriculture and N.C. State Fair .................G. Kent Yelverton and we are trying it on a limited Consumer Services, 2 W. Edenton St., Plant Industry ....................... Phillip Wilson run,” said Agriculture Commissioner Raleigh, NC 27601. Second-class post- Property & Construction ...... Richard Clark age paid at Raleigh, N.C. Public Affairs ........................Andrea Ashby Steve Troxler. Research Stations ...............Kaleb Rathbone To order a sign, contact the Soil & Water Conservation .......Vernon Cox NCDA&CS Public Affairs Division POSTMASTER: Send address changes Standards .........................Stephen Benjamin and classified advertising to Statistics ...................................... Dee Webb at 919-707-3001. You will need to AGRICULTURAL REVIEW, 1001 Mail Structural Pest & Pesticides .... Jim Burnette submit a check for $50, along with Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699- Veterinary .................... Dr. Douglas Meckes 1001. your mailing address and farm name. AGRICULTURAL REVIEW is printed A regular sign, pictured at left, the larger 30-inch by 30-inch sign You must be listed in our current in interest of the farmers of the State and Chief of Staff: Century Farm Family directory to is sent free to residents upon request. Zane Hedgecock pictured at right. Chief Deputy Commissioner: order a sign. N. David Smith Jr. PHONE: 919-707-3001 Assistant Commissioners: More State Fair livestock winners Scott Bissette Steve Troxler Joe Reardon (Cont’d from pg. 3) Commissioner Dr. Sandy Stewart Open Dairy Cattle-Holstein -- Reserve champion individual shown by Susan -- Grand champion female shown by Corey Foster Hinnant of Kenly (Wilson County) of Cleveland (Rowan County) Junior Beef Heifer– Gelbvieh -- Reserve champion female shown by Cole -- Grand champion and champion Got To Be NC Bucolic briefs Strickland of Nashville (Nash County) shown by Austin Teeter of Mount Ulla (Rowan County) Open Dairy Cattle-Jersey -- Reserve champion shown by Bailee Worley of The Macon County Poultry Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month to discuss matters relating to raising poultry. Meetings are open to the public -- Grand champion female shown by Kevin Lutz Black Mountain (Buncombe County) and to all ages. For more information, contact the Macon County office of the of Lincolnton (Lincoln County) Junior Beef Heifer– Hereford N.C. Cooperative Extension at 818-349-2046. -- Reserve champion female shown by La-foster -- Grand champion shown by Colton Cox of *** Farm of Cleveland (Rowan County) Spruce Pine (Mitchell County) As a way to help farmers and agricultural workers stay safe at work, the Junior Feeder Calf/ Market Steer/ Heifer -- Reserve champion shown by Jordon Michem N.C. Department of Labor offers safety videos on a variety of topics through its YouTube channel. Video topics include: preventing green tobacco sickness, Showmanship Champion of Vale (Lincoln County) hazard communication, tobacco harvester safety, heat stress, migrant housing Junior (11 years old and younger) -- Champion Got To Be NC shown by Avareese requirements, forklift safety, and information about the NCDOL’s Gold -- Grand champion was Jordan Mitchem of Vale Branch of Elkin (Surry County) Star Growers program. The videos are in English and Spanish to increase (Lincoln County) Junior Beef Heifer– Limousin understanding of safety hazards and preventing accidents.