Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Event on April 25

 

Farms play a vital role in diversifying income sources for farmers and helps revitalize rural economies by generating additional revenue. It allows farmers to earn income beyond traditional agricultural practices. As more visitors engage in farm tours, pick-your-own fruit programs, or other agritourism activities, local businesses also benefit from increased patronage. By opening their doors to the public, farms educate visitors about agriculture. People gain insights into farming practices, food production, and rural life. Public awareness about sustainable land use practices and the importance of preserving agricultural heritage grows through agritourism experiences. Agriculture remains North Carolina’s biggest economic workforce driver, while feeding, fueling and clothing people in the USA and around the world. Farm land makes up 8.1 million acres of our state’s land. Agritourism is a win win for farmers and the public as it increases farm income, reduces debt and puts away money for the future, while teaching the public responsibility of agriculture practices and promotes farm products and increases sales. Locally grown food and products is a bonus for all. On April 25^th the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce held the event “Agritourism- the Significant Financial Effects to State and Local Economies” at the beautiful Woodmill Winery in Vale, NC. Speaker Ann Savage, Tourism Extension Associate of the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management spoke on how agritourism is a significant economic footprint in North Carolina by providing jobs and contributing to the state’s revenue. Savage spoke about the importance of agritourism. “North Carolina is known for tourism and agriculture. What better way to ‘marry’ these two together as they make a great combination. In recent years public interest has increased as people are more aware of where their food comes from. It also helps the farmer as it attracts local dollars to stay in the community and brings awareness and the importance of generational family owned farms that highlights heritage.” Savage encouraged farmers to start small; maybe with a stand on their farm, hayrides, corn mazes, and then tours, festivals and farm to table dinners. Tanya Binafif, County Extension Director and 4-H Youth Development Agent spoke of the benefits of their office and information that their office has to offer at the Lincoln County level. She encouraged folks to go to their website Lincoln County Center | N.C. Cooperative Extension (ncsu.edu) . Binafif adds, “We are another good resource here locally here in Lincoln County.” Dean Joanne Matz of Gaston College (Lincoln Campus), spoke of a new CPP Pathway starting in the Fall of 2024. Matz explains, “We are so excited to offer a new program called The Foundation of Agricultural Technology, which is a curriculum that focuses on the study of biomolecular structures, functions, and processes specific to plant and plant substances and a basic understanding of livestock production practices. Students will be exposed to the livestock industry, plant production schedules, and implications for strategic management decisions. The pathway is open to College Now students and will be offered in alignment with the LCST class schedule.” Savage concluded how agritourism and North Carolina is ripe for new farms. “I encourage local folks to download the Visit NC Lincoln County Farms app. The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched the Visit NC Farms app for free to connect residents and visitors with local agriculture experiences across North Carolina. I would love to see more farms listed on the map for Lincoln County.” The evening highlighted the multifaceted importance of farming, from nourishing populations to driving economic growth and supporting sustainable development.

 

iS YOUR BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, OR NON PROFIT SEARCHING FOR A FREELANCE WRITER? iF SO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU. PLEASE CONTACT ME By Text or Call CELL PHONE 336-978-6604 OR EMAIL ME AT -  jonesrg1976@gmail.com

 

Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Event

Being in the top ten can mean acceptance and something good; being highest ranked. But it also can be a devastating number. North Carolina is consistently in the top ten states of Human Trafficking. Those statistics can be higher as most human trafficking is under reported. Human Trafficking is a very lucrative business with a 153 Billon Dollar industry; 42.5 million are trapped in modern day slavery and the data is showing 300,000 added yearly in the United States alone. Although Human Trafficking has always been around it is the fasted growing crime in the world; it has now surpassed drug trafficking. The FBI, SBI, local Police Departments, Sheriff Departments, NCIS, Homeland Security and others are working together to try to get a handle on this growing crime. It knows no economic boundaries, victims who are vulnerable and easily manipulated get trapped in the prostitution; 12 to 14 years of age children are currently the most targeted

I was honored to be invited by Senator Ted Alexander, North Carolina Senate 44^th District, to attend the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Event on April 5 that was held at the Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Over 100 interested folks came together to listen to speakers such as Christine Long, Executive Director of the NC Human Trafficking Commission, Charnessa Ridley, Deputy Director of the NC Council of Women and Youth, and testimonies from  Jasmine Myers, Shelby Thompson, and Latiana Appleberry of the Survivor Leader Network; amazing stories of despair and now hope. Keynote speaker was Raleigh Sadler, author of Author of Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking and founder of Let My People Go. Lance Lemmonds, Director of Operations at NC Institute of Human Trafficking spoke, along with Major Marc Nichols, Retired State Highway Patrol and Commission on NC Human Trafficking Commission. Darren Crotts, Program Manager from the NC Rural Center Faith in Communities spoke of the importance of awareness, in which this event was all about. Senator Alexander reiterated the importance of awareness with messages on educating yourself, your team and family, promoting awareness of the problem, keeping our eyes open for the signs and report, and support anti-trafficking, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts. Did you know that Charlotte ranks number one now in the State of NC? The Senator encourages all of us to share this blog and links; especially Compassion to Act and call 704-288-7230 if you, or someone you know may be in need of help.

iS YOUR BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, OR NON-PROFIT SEARCHING FOR A FREELANCE WRITER? iF SO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU. PLEASE CONTACT ME - Text or call CELL PHONE 336-978-6604, OR EMAIL ME AT -  jonesrg1976@gmail.com

Agri Tourism in Carteret County NC - Featuring The Simpson Farm

I had the privilege to write about some of the farms in Carteret County, NC the past 5 years. My husband and I just moved to Lincoln County in the foothills of the NC Mountains in December 2023. I am still learning about my new 'place' and am looking forward to learning about some of the farms in our new town. As a Freelance Writer, I get to tell the 'story' of some amazing people along the way. I hope you enjoy the article below of one of the farms in Bettie, NC in a place called Down East. 

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The Simpson Farm in Bettie NC

Will Rodgers once said, “The farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” That is the beginning of the story of the Simpson’s Farm at 743 Highway 70 in Bettie, run by George and Sandra Simpson.  In 1918, George’s grandfather George (Frank) Simpson bought 20 acres of land in Bettie. He cleared the land by hand and by candlelight. He did the work at night because the nighttime was not so hot. He raised hogs and vegetables to feed his family. When Frank died, George’s father, Dyon, took over the farm in 1944. Dyon raised soybeans, cabbage and sweet potatoes to sell. In 1966, George and Sandra took over the farm. They truck-farmed mostly potatoes and cabbage. All their children helped with the farm, along with migrant workers they hired. When their children became grown and started having children, the grandchildren took over where their parents left off.

Sandra said, “Our farm stand is run by family. It is where we teach our grandchildren how things are grown and sold and to respect your customers.” Apparently, the ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. George and Sandra did not “set out” to have a farm stand. When George Jr. was 11 years old, he wanted to grow some tomato plants. Of course, his parents encouraged him. That first summer, he had an abundance of tomatoes, so he set up a farm stand by the side of the road. The next year, he asked George and Sandra if they could build him a small greenhouse and if he could plant two rows of strawberries to sell. He sold those crops as well. They ended up building four large greenhouses. The farm stand was doing so well that George and Sandra began growing strawberries, cantaloupe, squash, sharp head cabbage, onions, potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Sandra spent her days doing a lot of cooking for everyone as all the workers had to be fed lunch and snacks. Her baked goods, jams, breads and pickles were such a hit that she was encouraged to bake and sell her goods as well. Another building was built with a commercial kitchen, and Sandra called it Nannie’s Bakery. She is most famous for her pies: strawberry, pineapple, coconut, Hawaiian, peach, sweet potato and Butterfinger. She also makes and sells cookies, cream bars and cakes, with her German Chocolate being the most sought after. The old barn still stands on the property. Sandra, smiling, said, “What if old barns could talk? They would have a lot to say.” No doubt, that barn is full of wisdom as it would tell the stories of the families that lived there, of the things and events that it witnessed, of the storms it endured and the endings of things. There will be stories told and forgotten, and some reinvented anew. A good life is a collection of happy memories. The barn has seen lots of beginnings and endings, but there is no real ending in life. It’s just the place where you stop the story.

 

Excerpt from Journey Through North Carolina (written by Rebecca Jones)

Page 12

“How many times do we stare out into the horizon, oblivious to the world around us while people all around us just want a bite of our time? We bait and throw and throw while all along missing lots of opportunities in the process.”

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We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon. Nothing is worse than missing an opportunity that could have changed your life. Life is short. Don’t miss opportunities to spend time with the people that you love.

Excerpt from Love Brings You Home (written by Rebecca Jones)

 

Page 45

“She had lost a lot of weight recently thinking if she ignored it, whatever it was, would go away. She had been ignoring little things all her life. Things like not dealing with her feelings about her mama. Or for that matter not dealing with her disappointment of not having her daddy around to cheer her on. Or maybe the feelings of hurt, grief that she chose to hold on to and to hold against people she loved who were left. Nobody likes conflict, but sweeping issues under the rug ultimately causes more damage than addressing things directly.”

If you are struggling today, remember this: You have survived everything you have gone through up to this point. The best day of your life is still yet to come. There are still people you have not met and things you have not experienced. And sometimes I have learned that the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not obsess. Just breathe, have faith that everything will turn out for the best.

 

Excerpt from Changing Tides (written by Rebecca Jones and Kandice Antwine)

 

Page 63

“When the world says to give up, HOPE whispers, “try it one more time.”

HOPE is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. In case no one told you today… You are beautiful, you are loved, you are needed. You are alive for a reason. You are stronger than you think. You are going to get through his. I am glad you are alive and do not ever give up! So do not lose hope. When the sun goes down, the stars come out.

Excerpts from Go Deep (written by Rebecca Jones)

 

Page 36

Lessons Learned from a Sea Turtle

• Ø  Life begins on the beach
• Ø  Sometimes you have to dig yourself out of a hole you didn’t dig
• Ø  Keep the faith you will make it
• Ø  Never forget where you came from
• Ø  Swim with the current
• Ø  Travel at our own pace; you will arrive

It is better to look back on life and say, “I can’t believe I did that.” Than to look back and say, “I wish I did that.” Life is too short to stress yourself. Sometimes you need to stop worrying, planning and just relax and release and let go. So enjoy your life and make every moment beautiful.