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 Worley Honey Farm of Buncombe County!
This family farm is owned and operated by Tucker Worley who can trace his roots all the way back to the 1940s when the land was purchased by his great-grandfather. Although the farm has been in the family for generations, the honey farm only began in 2019 when Tucker first began beekeeping.
Worley is deeply connected to the farmland and the local community surrounding the farm. He grew up on the farm and learned many of the life skills which he considers indispensable to him today. Growing up, he learned the importance of preserving rural life and traditions.
“It’s extremely important for kids to grow up on a farm. It teaches you a good work ethic and teaches you many hands-on skills that others don’t get,” Worley shared. Working on a farm is a labor of love that takes countless hours of hard work and effort. Despite that, he finds it to be incredibly rewarding. He shared that being able to watch as your work pays off and harvest what you’ve been caring for is his favorite thing about the work that he does.
Within the community, the Worley family is well known for their dedication to their work.
“We don’t do a whole lot of marketing. Most of it is word of mouth because we’ve been here so long and we’ve farmed for generations,” Worley shared. Despite the growth his farm has seen he continues to sell out year after year. The local community, he shared, makes it a point to support the work that he does, and he’s incredibly thankful for that.
Until Covid, Worley had never missed a State Fair in his life. He has fond memories of visiting the fair as a kid and he’s excited to return for the first time since the pandemic this year. He’ll be visiting with his father, mother, and brother. Out of all the things there are to see and do at the fair, he’s most looking forward to the chance to see the livestock shows. As a kid, he participated in the State Fair livestock shows and watching them as an adult brings back many of those fond memories.
Looking forward, Worley hopes to continue to grow his farm and carry on with the work he loves.
“I hope that we can continue to farm and that we can preserve farmland so that future generations can continue to farm,” said Worley. He hopes to see the farming community persevere as the years go by.
Congratulations to Worley Honey Farm! Look out for our next featured farm family tomorrow!