Celebrate Farming in JoCo
Held the week before Thanksgiving, the Johnston County Farm-City Week banquet and service project promotes a better understanding of agriculture between farm and non-farm families. Farm-City Week is part of a nationwide celebration of the partnership of farmers, agribusinesses, processors, truckers, wholesale operations, and retail that it takes to feed the American people. All of the parts of the food chain are important and viable in Johnston County.
NC Cooperative Extension and the staff at the Johnston County Extension Center provided leadership for this celebration along with the support of the County Commissioners, the Farm-City Week Committee, and many other sponsors and volunteers. Local agribusinesses, financial institutions, and grower organizations supported the weeklong celebration. For more information on the 2023 Farm-City Week banquet, contact the Cooperative Extension office at 919-989-5380.
2022 Farm-City Week Highlights
The highlight of Farm-City Week and the banquet is always the special recognition of an outstanding farm family and an outstanding agribusiness. While the award does not have an official title it is viewed by many as the highest recognition that a farmer or agribusiness can receive in Johnston County. The award recognizes lifetime achievement, community service, success in farming or business, and the respect of the countywide community of the people and organizations involved. The Charles T. Wiggs Family and Wiggs Brothers Farming, Inc. were recognized as the outstanding farm family, and Paul Dunn and Mule City Specialty Feeds, Inc. were recognized as the outstanding agribusiness.
The Johnston County Youth Livestock Festival took place on Friday evening November 18 with approximately 500 people in attendance. Proceeds from this fundraiser go to support and fund the Johnston County Youth Livestock Show and Sale. Approximately 120 youth each year raise and exhibit market animals through this program. The Farm-City Week celebration culminated with a banquet on Monday, November 21st at the Johnston County Agricultural Center with approximately 200 people in attendance. Dr. A. Blake Brown, Extension Economist, and Hugh C. Kiger professor from NC State University were the keynote speakers addressing the current agricultural economy and the market influences on shipping and commodities for the coming growing season. Johnston County 4-H also partnered with the Farm-City Week Committee to conduct a food drive. This year the food drive resulted in over 1,300 lbs. of food donated to local schools for children and families that have limited resources. Food donations this year were delivered to West Smithfield Elementary and Wilsons Mills Elementary schools.
