NC Ag Partnership Foundation

08/21/2026

"North Carolina's agricultural identity wasn't built overnight. The state's most iconic commodities each have their own unique history, shaped by changing markets, scientific innovation, and generations of farmers adapting to new challenges. Today, the state ranks among the nation's agricultural leaders, producing billions of dollars in food each year." 🚜

Our most recent blog post covers the food commodities that raise North Carolina up as one of the top ag producers in the country! 👏 Read along to learn more: https://www.ncapfoundation.org/post/north-carolina-agriculture-s-defining-products

08/18/2026

Late summer & early-mid fall are full of fun opportunities to celebrate seasonal fruits or gather at an outdoor fair! Don't miss these upcoming events in NC:

- Winterville Watermelon Festival 🍉 (August 27-30) Winterville, NC (near Greenville). Parade, watermelon-eating contest, rides, vendors, live music.

- Pawpaw Palooza 🎊 (August 30) The Plant in Pittsboro, NC. Celebration of the native pawpaw fruit with tastings, learning opportunities, and food applications.

- North Carolina Apple Festival 🍎 (Labor Day Weekend; September 4–7) Downtown Hendersonville, NC. Major statewide event with street fair, local apple growers, fried pies/slushies/donuts, live music, kids activities, and the King Apple Parade on Monday. One of the biggest produce festivals in the state.

- NC Mountain State Fair 🎪 (September 11-20) Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC (near Asheville). 10-day event featuring rides, livestock shows, heritage crafters, food vendors, live entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

- Pepperfest 🌶 (September 13) The Plant, Pittsboro, NC. Peppers from garden to plate, food, and flavor-focused activities.

- NC Muscadine Festival 🍇 (September 26) Duplin Events Center in Kenansville, NC. Winery exhibitors, music, crafts, and food vendors.

- Figgy Jubilee 🎶 (September 27) The Plant, Pittsboro, NC. Fig celebration with food and fun.

- Brushy Mountain Apple Festival 🍏 (October 3) Wilkesboro, NC. Large free event with hundreds of vendors, apple products, multiple music stages, and food.

- NC State Fair 🎡 (October 15-25) At the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. The largest annual event in the state, with rides, games, deep-fried foods, livestock, competitions, exhibits, live music, fireworks, and family activities.

- Taylorsville Apple Festival 🍎 (October 17) Taylorsville, NC. Vendors, apple products, contests, kids activities, entertainment.

Add these festivities to your calendar! Which ones do you have your eye on? 👀 Let us know in the comments!

08/18/2026

This week’s County Spotlight features Burke County!

From food production to forestry and green industries, Burke County plays an important role in North Carolina’s economy. Its contributions support jobs, strengthen local communities, and help keep our state growing. 🌿

Know someone from Burke County? Share this post with them and follow our page to learn more about the economic impact of counties across North Carolina!

08/12/2026

There's a reason NC is known for its to***co production! Read this post by the NC Dept. of Ag to learn about this cash crop's history in the state and its steady influence in the culture, economy, and communities throughout NC. 🍂

08/12/2026

Leaders from across North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness community gathered last week at SAS in Cary for the third annual Imagine Ag Day, hosted by NC Ag Leads. Launched in 2023 by the Golden LEAF Foundation and the NC Chamber Foundation, with support from the NC Farm Bureau and Google, N...

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

What a win for the community! Interested in starting your own farm business? Check out NC Farm School! 🧑‍🌾

08/12/2026

Among the long list of things North Carolinians take pride in are the foods and beverages born in our great state! 💪 These include:

- Mt. Olive Pickles (Mount Olive, 1926)
- Lance Crackers (Charlotte, 1913)
- Cheerwine (Salisbury, 1917)
- Pepsi (New Bern, 1893)
- Texas Pete Hot Sauce (Winston-Salem, 1929)
- Bright Leaf Hot Dogs (Smithfield, 1941)
- Jesse Jones Hot Dogs (Garner, 1947)
- Krispy Kreme Donuts (Winston-Salem, 1937)

Whether you're taking a break on the farm for "a soft drink and a pack of nabs", enjoying a picnic with some NC favorites, or rocking on your front porch tending to your sweet tooth, these brands have you covered! 🤩

What's your favorite out of this lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

08/11/2026

Next up is Buncombe County!

Food and Related products contribute $1.8 billion to the county’s GDP! We’re thankful for their contribution to our state’s agriculture economy 🍊

Share with your friends in Buncombe and be sure to follow along as we highlight NC’s counties!

08/11/2026

🐝 Passionate about pollinators? 🐝 You can help us protect them by participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census!

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 21 and 22 is a community science project that invites folks of all ages to observe and count pollinators in their yards and neighborhoods. This annual event aims to collect data on pollinator population levels and educate the public on the importance of pollinators.

Learn more about the census, save the date and join the count at the link in our comments.