Farm Family of the Day, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., is a program that recognizes one standout farm family each day of the N.C. State Fair. To honor these families’ accomplishments and contributions to North Carolina agriculture, they are awarded tickets to attend the fair on a day of their choosing, where they will be recognized through PA announcements and signs on the fairgrounds.
Today, the N.C. State Fair and Tractor Supply Co. congratulate King’s Sunset-Acres, operated by first-generation livestock farmers and newlyweds Gerald and Ali Conrad. Located at the base of Hanging Rock State Park, they lease a Century Farm, split between two locations, which they found through N.C. Farm Link.
Sunset-Acres manages a few hundred hair sheep, primarily Katahdin with some Dorper sheep. The Conrads specialize in selling replacement ewe lambs and wethers for meat. They also cut and sell orchard grass square bales to locals who own livestock and horses. Their goal is to continue expanding Sunset-Acres so that, one day, they can live solely off the farm.
Gerald grew up in an agricultural family. His parents, both graduates of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, raised him in Cary, where they grew cut flowers. While Gerald enjoyed farming, his passion leaned toward livestock, and after graduating from N.C. State’s Agricultural Institute, he realized his parents’ farm wasn’t large enough to fulfill his livestock ambitions. This led him to establish Sunset-Acres.
The Conrads have been building their farm since 2021, when Gerald was a student in Johnny Rogers’ beef cattle class at the Agricultural Institute. They were able to bring sheep to the farm in January 2024. Gerald and Ali hope that one day their future children will share their passion for agriculture and continue expanding Sunset-Acres into a multi-generational family farm.
“Without family and friends, Sunset-Acres would not have been able to grow as much as it has,” said Ali. “The never-ending support is what makes the success of the farm possible.”
As young farmers, Gerald and Ali are committed to inspiring other young people to pursue their passions with hard work and dedication.
Since moving to King, the Conrads have hosted two extension events, one at each farm location, contributing to their farming community. The first event, which focused on sheep health and managing small ruminants, attracted around 50 attendees. The second event featured topics like grazing and temporary fencing, demonstrated through a pasture walk.
These events draw sheep producers from across the county, surrounding areas and even the state. Attendees — whether they own 10 sheep, hundreds, or none at all — have the opportunity to learn from professionals and ask questions. The extension events also provide valuable networking opportunities for producers, fostering a community of support and collaboration.
Gerald, who grew up attending the N.C. State Fair, has always admired its dedication to promoting agriculture. He recalls telling Ali about how the fair’s celebration of the industry and mission to educate others, including those less familiar with farming, has long been appreciated by his family.
Agriculture is close to Gerald’s heart, and the N.C. State Fair is cherished by both him and Ali for personal reasons as well — they went on one of their first dates to the fair in 2018.
“The State Fair is super special to us because it represents the industry and lifestyle we love,” said Ali. “It’s so important for those who are generations removed from the farm to learn more about where their food comes from and all the hard work that farmers put into feeding the world. We have so many fond memories there.”
Congratulations to Sunset-Acres! Thank you for tuning in and celebrating these 11 Farm Families of the Day.