Watch your mailbox!

If you're a voting member of the N.C. Pork Council, you'll be receiving a ballot for the 2019 NCPC Board of Directors' election. Please fill this out and have your signed envelope postmarked by Dec. 31. The Board of Directors represent the industry and set policy and direction for the Pork Council and determine how  The Pork Checkoff  money is spent in our state. 

If you're a NC pig farmer or work in the industry and aren't a member, please go to our website and fill out the form for a free membership . 
Call for nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for annual awards to recognize excellence in our industry. The lineup includes three new awards that aim to recognize young leaders, industry employees and industry innovation. For criteria and an application, click on the name of the award below:
  1. Hall of Fame
  2. Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year
  3. Emerging Leader Award - NEW
  4. Lois G. Britt Service Award
  5. Award for Excellence in Innovation
  6. W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction
NC General Assembly approves deadline extension for 
agricultural disaster program 
The N.C. General Assembly has approved extending the deadline for the agricultural disaster relief program to Dec. 20. The bill now awaits Governor Roy Cooper’s signature.
Eleven additional North Carolina counties have received secretarial disaster declarations based on agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence or Tropical Storm Michael. These counties are Anson, Avery, Dare, Person, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga and Yadkin. With these additions, 65 counties are now eligible for agricultural disaster relief through this program.
Six counties are still awaiting a secretarial disaster declaration, which would make them eligible to participate in the disaster assistance program.
“We don’t want to miss any farmers that are eligible for help through this program,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “To qualify for assistance, a farmer only needs to farm in a disaster-declared county. Payments from this fund will be based on county averages for loss and yield rather than individual losses.”
This assistance is available to farmers who suffered crop losses including apples, barley, corn, cotton, hay, industrial hemp, nursery crops, specialty crops, tobacco, peanuts, sweet potatoes, livestock, aquaculture and more.
“I urge farmers to go online and fill out an application as soon as possible,” Troxler said. “You can find the application as well as other information about the program at  www.ncagr.gov/agriculturaldisasterprogram or call 1-866-645-9403.
What counties are eligible?
Alamance, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Carteret, Caswell, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Durham, Duplin, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Madison, McDowell, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Tyrrell, Union, Wayne, Wilson, Yancey


Hams Across America shows industry commitment to We Care principles
NC pig farmers are showing they Give A Ham by donating hams to local charities this holiday season. You can get involved by making a donation or challenging someone to make a donation and using #GiveAHam or #HamsAcrossAmerica on social media channels.
Mark your Calendars:
Come to Raleigh for three important events in March!

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will host the NC Ag Awareness Day and Rally in the morning on March 20 and we are hosting Bacon Bash in the evening. Bacon Bash is an important event to raise money for our Political Action Committee and is open only to members of the NC Pork Council.
Stay the night in Raleigh at our host hotel and join us the next day for our annual meeting, full of informational sessions and topics. We will also host the Awards Luncheon during the event, which you won't want to miss! Register online for the meeting and luncheon.
Whole Hog Barbecue Summit provides overview for anyone wanting to join the series
Cooks, judges and festival organizers are invited to join us for a day of learning about what it takes to make it in the world of championship whole hog barbecue - either as a participant or as a judge.

The event takes place at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena in Kinston on Feb. 16.

Early-bird price is $20 through Feb. 10. Price increases to $25 the week of the event.

Learn more about the Barbecue Summit and the Whole Hog Barbecue Series.
Smithfield Vendor Expo returns in February
Smithfield Hog Production & MB Grain will co-host the 2019 Smithfield Hog Production Vendor Expo on February 26th, 2019, at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.

This event will feature multiple vendors from all over the United States and World. Expo admission is free, and includes a complimentary lunch. Educational classes will also be held throughout the day. Check the website for updates on educational opportunities.

This Expo will offer tremendous opportunities for interaction between swine growers, grain producers, and vendors. The vendors will be displaying the latest equipment and technology used for swine and grain production, as well as being available to answer questions.
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