Heather Overton
A North Carolina native, Heather Overton started interning for the N.C. State Fair while finishing up her degree in Communications at N.C. State University. She then worked full time from 2000 to 2006 as a public information officer for the N.C. State Fair division. She returned to work for the agriculture department in July of 2013 in the Public Affairs division.
Local students are winners in the N.C. Farm to School calendar contest
The artwork of 13 elementary school students will be featured in the 2022-2023 North Carolina Farm to School calendar. This is the 11th year for the calendar, which features daily agricultural facts and highlights the N.C. Farm to School program
N.C. State Fair able to offer $57,000 in scholarships this year to 28 junior livestock show recipients. Funds to help with higher education expenses.
Summary: The N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions each year raises money for show winners, but also for junior livestock show participants through scholarships. Since this program started in 2015, nearly $400,000 in scholarships have been awarded to
Know your bees. “Murder hornets” not likely in North Carolina
People are out working in their yards more and likely will see bees buzzing about pollinating plants. It is also the time of year when people start to see common North Carolina bees, wasps and hornets. Eastern cicada killer wasps,
A beginner’s guide to the Carolina Pig Jig according to three of its biggest fans
The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds this weekend. An eagerly anticipated part of the festival is the Saturday-only Carolina Pig Jig. Around 20 chapters of Masons will compete for bragging rights in this one-day competition
Vaccination time for West Nile Virus and Triple E (EEE) for equine.
Summary: As the weather warms, now is the time to take steps to protect your equine from WNV and EEE through vaccination. In the South, it seems like we deal with mosquitoes almost year-round. That might be a slight exaggeration,
Destination Dining in Saxapahaw
Nestled in the heart of Alamance County and about an hour’s ride from the Triangle is a dining destination that is sure to make your mom smile. Since 2008, the Saxapahaw General Store has been serving up breakfast, brunch, lunch
Agriculture and carbon sequestration.
Last week we hosted a roundtable discussion with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and industry leaders on how federal and state partners are working together to build a more resilient food and agriculture system in response to
It’s Prime Picking Season! Find strawberry farms near you.
With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, strawberry farms are opening for shoppers and, undoubtedly, strawberry lovers are ready for local berries. “Growers have done a good job protecting the crop from recent cool temperatures and because of their
Mark your calendar for the return of the Got to Be NC Festival May 20-22 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Summary: The Got to Be NC Festival is ready to welcome guests back after a two-year break due to COVID-19. May is a busy month, so we hope people will put this event on the calendar and come see us
Strawberry season is here, the crop looks plentiful and pick-your-own fields are beginning to open.
Strawberry lovers looking for fresh, local berries can expect to find a plentiful supply as the strawberry season gets underway and pick-your-own fields open. All the strawberry lovers out there will be happy with the news I have to share