Every year the N.C. State Fair thrills people of all ages and backgrounds from across the state for 11 exciting days. Fairgoers get the chance to enjoy exciting rides and delicious new foods. The State Fair is also a time to celebrate N.C. agriculture and the hardworking families who make it our state’s leading industry.
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 Ronnie Moore’s Fruits & Veggies of Sampson County!
This farm, located in Newton Grove, is run by Stephanie and Ronnie Moore. For regular visitors to the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh you might recognize this family! They’re year-round vendors at the market where they sell fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut flowers.
The Moore family is no stranger to farming. The Moores started their farm back in 2000, but the land has been in the family for nearly 80 years!
“It’s been in the family for years. My parents farmed, his parents farmed, so it’s just something that’s really important to our family,” shared Stephanie. Before the family began focusing on selling fruits and veggies, they previously farmed tobacco, soybeans, and sweet potatoes.
Today, they grow a wide variety of crops including cucumbers, collards, turnips, herbs, watermelons, strawberries, cantaloupe and more. They also feature the largest selection of heirloom tomatoes and peppers at the State Farmers Market. The peppers in particular are a fan favorite for those looking to make salsa and hot sauce. Many local chefs regularly look to the Moore’s for their produce needs including restaurants like Rey’s Steakhouse, Crawford Brothers’ Steakhouse and The Stanbury.
The Moores truly embody the heart of North Carolina agriculture, working from sunup to sundown to provide fresh produce to their local community. Both Moores, as well as their three children, are all involved in the day to day running of the farm. The farm is a family project built on hard work, dedication and a shared love of agriculture.
The Moores were deeply humbled to be nominated and chosen to be one of the 2025 State Fair farm families. They’ve been attending the fair for years and loved viewing all the agriculture exhibits and hearing about past farm families, but they never imagined that one day they would be chosen.
“I was kind of in shock when I found out. It’s an honor to be able to represent the other farmers like me, especially since there’s so few of us now. I think it’s great that they do this every year,” Stephanie said. They make it a point to be good representatives of N.C. agriculture in everything they do. In addition to being regular vendors at the State Farmers Market, they also help support local organizations in Newton Grove such as schools, churches, and local non-profits.
The Moores are incredibly proud to be living, working, and supporting the same community they were raised in.
Congratulations to Ronnie Moore’s Fruits and Veggies! Look out for our next featured farm family tomorrow!