Agricultural fairs are fun AND educational, showcasing the state’s $111 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry and celebrating everything that makes North Carolina unique. The registration period is open for the N.C. State Fair and the N.C. Mountain State Fair to sign up for competitions and advance tickets to both are on sale now. Mark your calendar to join the fun!

• You know I get pretty excited about Fair season, and I can report that we are busy at the department working to get ready for the two fairs we host each year.
• Putting on the Mountain State Fair near Asheville and the State Fair in Raleigh every year is one of the fun things we get to do at the department.  But it is also an opportunity to share the agriculture story and what the industry contributes to our state with people outside the farming community.
• Around 370 people move to our state every day, plus add in the fact that many people today are two or three generations removed from the farm and you can see why educational opportunities for agriculture matters.
• Helping the public understand that without farms and farmers there would be no food in grocery stores is very important. It really is one of the biggest ongoing challenges we face in agriculture.
• The Fairs offer great, big fun platforms to showcase what we grow, the variety of livestock raised in our state, agricultural equipment and the people behind the agriculture industry.
• We have a lot of fun things like rides and over-the-top food to attract people to our Fairs, but I hope they also learn a little bit about agriculture while they are here.
• I am proud that agriculture continues to be at the heart of our fairs and it will continue to be.   
•  I mentioned we are getting ready for the Fairs … advance tickets are on sale online now and the registration period is open for those wanting to enter competitions.
• You can find out more information online at www.ncagr.gov .
• And, if you want to get a jump start on Fair season, you can also check out one of the county fairs being held across the state in August, September and October.
• We have a list of county fair dates and locations in the August edition of the Agricultural Review and online in our In the Field blog.
• On a personal note, Mike, I know this is the last time we will be taping this program together. I have enjoyed talking with you over the years and I wish you the best in your well-deserved retirement!