Social media series introducing a farmer a week wraps up one-year run. More stories to come.

The department has reached the one-year mark on a social media series introducing followers to North Carolina farmers. It’s been a popular feature so we plan to continue it through July and will then launch a follow-up series introducing people to young farmers across the state.

Summary:

• Social media continues to be a great way for us to share stories about North Carolina agriculture, which is important.
• We have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at the department and we also have an In the Field blog where our Public Affairs team writes stories about departmental programs, agricultural events and programs of interest and people working in agriculture.
• I’ve mentioned our social media channels here a couple of times before, but I wanted to tell you that we recently reached the one-year mark in a special Facebook series highlighting North Carolina farmers. These short stories post every Friday.
• It was a pretty ambitious project to highlight a farmer every week, but anyone who knows me, knows I like ambitious projects! These social media posts have been successful in reaching lots of people, but also in showing the diversity of our agricultural community.
• Along the way we have highlighted mushroom farmers, family farms, women-owned farms, beginning farmers, organic farmers, farms owned and operated by military veterans, urban farms, flower and herb farms, small farms, large farms, wineries, multi-generational farms, agritourism farms. I think you get the idea.
• In showcasing these farms, we wanted readers to learn more about North Carolina agriculture, but we also want non-farmers to see that they have a lot in common with farmers. No matter what our career paths, we are more alike than we are different.
• I hope listeners have had a chance to read some of these interesting profiles.
• Because these have been successful according to the social media metrics, we are going to extend the farmer feature through July. After we wrap up the regular series, we will begin highlighting young North Carolina farmers.
• I have been teaching some college classes at N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University, so I have met a number of students who are interested in careers in agriculture.
• I can tell you based on the young people I have met, I believe the future of agriculture will be in good hands, particularly as these young people continue to incorporate technology into the mix.
• I am excited to read these stories and I hope you will be, too.
• If you know a young person that we should highlight in our young farmer series, I encourage you to send us a message on Facebook so we can add them to our list.
• It is important that farmers tell their own stories rather than letting someone else tell it. Too often, activists and others are trying to tell agriculture’s story through their agenda.
• I have always found their version of farming is nowhere close to what actually happens on a farm. By telling the story ourselves, we are can set the record straight.
• I am proud that we are highlighting farms across this state and I am proud of the tremendous contributions these farms are making.
• The department is on Facebook as NCAgriculture. Be sure to follow us, so you will see when each new feature posts. On Intsagram, you can find us as GottoBeNC.