Volume 23 | Issue 4

North Carolina's rural areas are at risk of being under represented for agricultural programs and services if more farmers do not complete the Census of Agriculture.

According to USDA's National Ag Statistics Service, only 34 percent of North Carolina's farmers completed the survey before the deadline - one of the lowest response rates in the country. The deadline has been extended to allow for better response.

It is important for farmers of all sizes to respond to this survey, which takes place every five years. Census of Agriculture data are used by those who serve farmers and rural communities.  

It is important for the pork industry to be fully represented in the Census. Farmers and the local communities lose out when there isn't enough data to publish for commodities or localities. If this happens, U.S. agriculture starts to lose its voice and representation, according to USDA-NASS. To not be represented is to risk being underserved. This data impacts everything from farm programs and funding, crop insurance rates, rural development, disaster assistance, and more. These are things that directly impact producers. Response means strong data and strong data leads to better informed decisions.

Wednesday, March 1

11 a.m.       Allied Partners Update and Lunch

(allied members - contact the NC Pork office for more info)

1:30 p.m.     Registration opens for conference

2 p.m.          Addressing feral swine in North Carolina: taking responsibility & setting aim

Aaron Loukes, NCDA&CS & Falyn Owens, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

2:45 p.m.     Break

3 p.m.          Where is the threat now? An update on ASF

Dr. Lisa Becton, National Pork Board

3:45 p.m. Break

4 p.m.          Preparing for the unthinkable: Lessons from HPAI and other efforts to protect NC pork

Dr. Michael Martin, State Veterinarian, NCDA&CS

4:30 p.m.     PLC Reunion sponsored by First Bank and Trust

(Pork Leadership Carolina alumni only)

5 p.m.          Welcome Social sponsored by Naylor Association Solutions

5:30 p.m.     Bacon Bash registration opens

6 – 10 p.m.   Bacon Bash (members only) see sponsors listed below

Thursday, March 2

7 a.m.        Registration sponsored by Phinite

7:15 a.m.    Breakfast buffet opens sponsored by N.C. Farm Bureau

Bacon provided by Villari Foods

7:45 a.m.   Annual meeting (see notice at bottom of email)

8:30 a.m.    State & National Updates

NC Pork 2022 in Review – Jared Porter, 2022 President & Roy Lee Lindsey, CEO, NC Pork Council

National Pork Board – Bill Even, CEO

National Pork Producers Council – Brian Humphreys, CEO

10 a.m.       Networking Break sponsored by Zoetis

10:30 a.m.  Break out Session  – choose 1

Stockinghead watershed research update*

Dr. William Showers and Dr. Jay Levine, NC State University

Answering the tough questions

Ernie Barnes, National Pork Board

11:30 p.m. Awards luncheon sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of NC

Emerging Leader Award: Joey Short

Excellence in Innovation: Dr. Mark Knauer

Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year: Jennifer Daniels

W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction: Dr. Glen Almond

Awards luncheon: $30

2 p.m. Breakout Session  – choose 1

Digesters 101 - what you need to know*

Gus Simmons, Cavanaugh and Associates and Kraig Westerbeek, Smithfield Renewables

The new workforce - engaging with Gen Z

Roxi Beck, Center for Food Integrity

3:00 p.m.       Break

3:15 p.m.   I’m with the government and I’m here to help *

Christine Lawson, NC Department of Environmental Quality

4:00 p.m.     Adjourn

*Indicates OIC credit applied for

Aurora Pharmaceuticals

Brock Equipment

Ro-Main

USDA-APHIS

Silent Auction sponsors:

• Bill Carone Cars
• Farmers Ace Hardware
• Villari Foods 
• River Landing Country Club
• Parks Livestock
• Neese’s Sausage
• Porter Farms
• Dean Street Processing