Many people in Robeson County do not realize just how massive and diversified production agriculture is within the county. Many of those who do not have farm backgrounds, or those who have moved here from other urban areas of the nation, have never had the opportunity to see firsthand the many kinds of commodities that are grown in this county. They also have not had the opportunity to learn much about what is involved in producing agricultural commodities.

Each year the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has the opportunity to provide a fantastic learning experience for the participants in the Leadership Institute that is sponsored by the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce. What is so fantastic is that many of the business leaders participating in this program have little or no experience with agriculture. Some of them are not even native to Robeson County and have never had an opportunity to experience agriculture on a firsthand basis.

This year's participants in the Leadership Institute had the opportunity to see Robeson County agriculture on a firsthand basis. From their comments throughout the day, it was obvious that each of them was amazed at what they saw. They all indicated that they learned a lot more about agriculture than they had ever known before. Few of them realized that more than $200 million worth of agricultural commodities are produced in the county each year.

Our staff has had the pleasure of providing "Ag Day" for each of the past eight Leadership Institutes. We take special pride in being able to showcase agriculture in this great county and to give the participants the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful farmers and farm families who are involved in production agriculture.

This year the group started their morning at the Extension Center where they were provided an overview of the various agencies that provide services to farmers and landowners. They were given information about the process of producing crops and animals. They were even asked to complete a corn production budget, so they could gain a better understanding of the cost of various inputs the farmer would have to consider and the returns the farmer could expect when he sold the corn. They then boarded a van and began a tour through the eastern part of the county.

The first stop was the McPherson Honor System intensive vegetable operation. This is the vegetable farm that was completely destroyed by a hail storm last weekend. Even though the storm completely destroyed all the strawberries, vegetables, grapes, and peaches on this farm, it was good for this group to be able to see the risk that farmers have to take and how dependent they are on the weather.

The group then traveled to Gene and Bobbi Parker's horse farm in Orrum. This farm is also somewhat unusual for Robeson County, but it does show that there are tremendous opportunities for people to use farmlands for a great variety of profitable operations. This farm specializes in breeding and training champion horses from all over the United States.

The group then visited both a confinement swine operation and a confinement poultry operation at Dan Lewis Farms. These intensive livestock operations represent the fastest growing segment of our agricultural economy and account for almost one-half of the total value of farm products produced in the county. The farmers produce hogs and chickens under contract with large companies. They are responsible for growing the animals and for managing the waste that is generated by the animals.

The group was treated to a picnic lunch on Dan and Sheila Lewis's farm near Barnesville. The picnic was prepared and served by the 4-H staff, and they had the opportunity to tell the participants more about this wonderful youth program and all the great things that are happening in the county.

Following lunch, Dan and Sheila described what it takes to operate and manage one of the largest and most diversified farm operations in the county. Dan then lead the group through the barnyard and described how various pieces of equipment were used. He also showed them how tobacco greenhouses, curing barns, baling equipment, and harvesting equipment was used to handle large volumes of tobacco very efficiently.

The group then traveled to the field where soybeans were being planted. The participants were fascinated to see the no-till planting operation and to hear Dan describe how herbicides were used to control weeds.

Finally, the group visited the Southeastern North Carolina Farmers Market. Although not in full operation at this time, the group was able to see the potential that this site will provide for local citizens to purchase a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and the potential for farmers to use this facility for selling their produce either retail or wholesale.

As the participants were returned to their vehicles late that afternoon, each of them had gained a wealth of knowledge about agriculture in Robeson County. They had the opportunity to see only a small part of agriculture in Robeson County, but they had gained a new respect for the farmers and farm families who produce our food and fiber.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 5/22/03