We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Cameron Greene, Assistant Manager of the Horse & Livestock Complex at the NC Mountain State Fair and the WNC Agricultural Center, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each Wednesday here on the blog or any of our social media accounts and join us in honoring those who continue to drive our state’s agriculture industry forward each day!
Lifetime passions are often instilled in us at a young age, or at least that was the case for Cameron Greene, Assistant Manager of the Horse & Livestock Complex at the WNC Ag Center and NC Mountain State Fair. “I was raised on a small farm where I fell in love with agriculture, specifically the equine industry,” he said. “My parents raised Arabian horses and I spent many years of my childhood riding and showing horses with them.” Although he did not work on the family farm itself in high school, Cameron did apply for a summer job with the WNC Agricultural Center. “I had no idea at the time that this is where I would come to one day spend my career,” he said, “but at that time, as well as now, it proved to be the best place for me.”
Upon graduating high school, Cameron attended Martin Community College where he studied horse training and then returned home to work for his dad as a carpenter. “My dad at the time was a contractor so I enjoyed working for him, but when a carpentry position became available at the WNC Agricultural Center I knew that I had to apply,” he said. In 1996, he accepted his first position with the facility as a carpenter and has worked his way up ever since. “I’ve held many positions in my 26 years here and each one has taught me many valuable lessons,” he said. “I am very thankful for every single opportunity that I have been given here.”
As Assistant Manager of the Horse and Livestock Complex, Cameron wears a lot of hats and tackles a variety of tasks each day. “There is a lot of variety in my job, which is one of the reasons that I enjoy it so much,” he said. From marketing and administrative duties to show planning, management and labor, Cameron does everything he can to ensure events at the grounds run smoothly each weekend. “We have multiple shows out here at the WNC Agricultural Center every weekend, including horse shows, goat shows, and cattle shows,” he said. “It is my job as the manager to ensure that show participants have everything that they need, including a well-kept arena, throughout the show.” Depending on show type, Cameron can even be found dragging the arena to ensure proper footing for the animals at various intervals throughout the weekend.
In addition to weekly horse and livestock shows, Cameron is also heavily involved with the N.C. Mountain State Fair each September. “This event is a year-long planning process, but typically we start working ten-hour days in August to ensure proper preparation,” he said. During the fair, Cameron does whatever needs to be done not only because he has a heart and passion for the event itself, but also because he is one of the most knowledgeable staff on-site. “I was here at the infancy of the very first N.C. Mountain State Fair and I have been an instrument in the infrastructure of this event,” he said. “Therefore, I know a lot about various aspects of this fair and will do anything that I can each year to ensure that the plan comes together, and attendees are not only satisfied with the fair but radiating joy from the moment they step in the gate to the moment they leave.”
