Each year the participants of the Leadership Institute that is sponsored by the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce have the opportunity to learn about agriculture in the largest county in North Carolina. This past Tuesday the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service hosted this group for "Ag Day" -- a day for them to see firsthand what is involved in production agriculture.

Participants in the Institute were provided information about how important agriculture is to our local economy and the diversity of agriculture in the county. They also had the opportunity to spend almost a full day with a farm family.

Many people that have lived in Robeson County their entire lives do not realize just how massive and diversified production agriculture is within the county. Although this is a rural county and many people live in rural areas, only a very small percentage of our population are actually involved in agricultural production. Most of our citizens are now at least one generation removed from the farm. Some may remember working briefly on a farm when they were young, and some have relatives that are farmers, but the vast majority of them know very little about agriculture other than what they see from the windshield of their car as they travel from home to work each day.

There is an increasing number of people in our county that have moved here from other areas, most times from highly populated urban areas. They know very little about farming and what is involved in producing the foods they eat each day.

When the 12 participants in this year's program were asked if they were involved in agriculture in any way, only 2 of them raised their hands. They shared that their family either owned a farm or that they actually lived on a farm. But when they were reminded that as consumers they rely on agricultural products every day for the foods they eat, the cloths they wear, and the homes they live in, they all agreed that they were indeed involved in agriculture every day.

It is indeed a pleasure for my staff and me to be able to provide "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 Robeson County Extension Center. They learned more about the history of agriculture in the United States and the role of the Extension Service in providing assistance and education to the farmers and agribusiness people in the county. They were also provided information about other government agencies that support farmers in various ways.

The group boarded a van and traveled to P&S Farms just outside Rowland. They spent the rest of the day with Tommy Stone and his son Bo. They were able to see firsthand one of the most diversified family farm operations in the county. This farm is truly a family farm. During the day the participants were able to visit with Bonnie and Missy, the wives of these farmers; the grandfather; and the grandchildren. The group enjoyed a picnic lunch with this family, which was prepared and served by the Robeson County 4-H staff.

During the day, Tommy and Bo described and demonstrated the process of producing each crop they grow on the farm. These crops included tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, beef cattle, hogs, strawberries, and vegetables.

As the participants returned to their vehicles late that afternoon, each of them had gained a wealth of knowledge about agriculture in Robeson County. More importantly, 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 6/9/04