Rollercoaster

"Life is short, so do the things you love with the people you love." Rollercoaster is the fair-themed nickname for Taylor Parrish, an information and communications specialist in the Public Affairs Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. An alumni of N.C. State University and former Marketing and Sales Assistant with Scott Farms, a sixth-generation family farm out of Lucama, NC, she is no stranger to the world of agriculture. Football and singing are her biggest passions. While at the fair, her "must do" items are a pineapple smoothie from Tropical Delight and a ride on the Fireball.

Finding hope and happiness in N.C. Agriculture

Rollercoaster October 28 October 28

Agriculture has a way of bringing families together in a special way, including the Palmer family. Six-year-old Grace Grasty has been showing pigs and lambs at the N.C. State Fair since she was two-years-old! According to her parents, these animals, in addition to her other hobbies like dancing and gardening, have given Grace an outlet to express herself, overcome obstacles and impact the lives of countless other people. In 2016, Kathy and her husband Manley began fostering Grace and gained full guardianship of her the following year. “Grace was a surprise to us because we also have three other children,…

Life of a fair manager

Rollercoaster October 25 October 25

N.C. State Fair manager Kent Yelverton has always had a strong love of agriculture. Growing up on a family farm, Kent has spent many hot summer days working in the fields with his family growing and harvesting a variety of row crops. Although college at N.C. State almost took him in a different direction, graduating with a degree in engineering, the call of agriculture spoke to his heart and brought him back to his roots. Kent started his career at the N.C. Department of Agriculture at a young age, working as a consulting engineer in the markets division. In 2001…

Carrying on a Century Farm legacy at Hoggard Farm

Rollercoaster October 24 October 17

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24. Hoggard Farm in Ahoskie is an agriculture haven growing over 100 acres of various crops, including tobacco, peanuts, soybeans and corn. The farm, owned by Robert Earl and Carolyn Brinkley, was…

Combining hard work, love of family and N.C. agriculture at Kee-Lang Farms

Rollercoaster October 23 October 4

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families -one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring this program, which runs Oct. 14-24. Kee-Lang Farms in Trenton is a second generation hog farm founded on hard work, dedication and family. First started in 1995, the farm is now home to a total of seven hog houses as…

Flourishing flowers at Conrad Farms

Rollercoaster October 22 October 17

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24. The Conrad family may be fairly new to farming in North Carolina, but their business has taken off and flourished as quickly as their beautiful flowers! Conrad Farms, located in Cary,…

Bringing local to the community at Jackson Farms Produce

Rollercoaster October 21 October 17

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24. Jackson Farms Produce in Saint Pauls not only grows a variety of fruits and vegetables, like corn, peaches, beans and onions, but also produces beef and pork products. The multi-generational family…

Chosen By The Bells

Rollercoaster October 20 October 22

Charlie St. Cyr – Paul is the man behind the Cast In Bronze Carillon. Some of you may remember the Carillon from the 2019 N.C. State Fair, however it takes on a new look, feel and management under Charlie. In previous years, the bells were played by Cast in Bronze creator, Frank DellaPenna. However, Frank recently announced his retirement from touring with the Carillon and chose none other than Charlie St. Cyr – Paul to carry on the inspiring tradition. Cast in Bronze was the first musical act in the world to feature the carillon in its show. Although the…

Supporting fresh and local products at Ogburn Berries and Produce

Rollercoaster October 20 October 6

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24. Ogburn Berries and Produce in Willow Springs has been providing fresh products to the community since the 1900’s. Originally the farm focused mainly on tobacco as well as other cash crops,…

Giving back to the community at Faith Farm Supply

Rollercoaster October 19 October 17

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families -one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring this program, which runs Oct. 14-24. The Solomon family has been farming in Prospect Hill for over 50 years and not only has a focus on growing local products but giving back to the community and making a difference. Faith…

Over 200 years of heart and devotion at Wadsworth Acres

Rollercoaster October 18 October 17

The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24. Wadsworth Acres in Carthage has been under family operation for over 200 years. Current farm owner and manager, Bradley Wadsworth, is the eighth generation to work on the farm. “Our family…

Author: Rollercoaster