North Carolina has long been known for being a national leader in the production of sweet potatoes, dry beans, tobacco, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Agriculture as such is a major component to the economy in our state, but also Cumberland County. 
“When we think about our economy, we often think of large-scale businesses and industries, but rarely associate agriculture with the local economy in Cumberland County,” said Lisa Childers, county extension director for the NC Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Center. “Most people are unaware that agriculture is the number one industry in our state. As I often share with people, agriculture is the economic engine for our state. According to the NC Department of Agriculture, agriculture and agribusiness, including food, forestry and fiber, contributes $95.9 billion to the state's economy.” 
Childers said Cumberland County has a viable agricultural industry that makes a significant contribution to the local economy — much of which is thanks to small family farms. 

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“In Cumberland County, we grow a variety of crops to include corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat and soybeans,” Childers “For instance, most don’t know that Cumberland County is the 11th largest sweet potato producing county in North Carolina. The chances are that sweet potato you ordered at your favorite steakhouse was actually grown right here in Cumberland County. North Carolina farmers produce about 54 percent of all sweet potatoes grown in the country.”
Of course, sweet potatoes might be top, but not the only export from our county.
“With the demand for more local foods, many of our farmers have responded by providing U-picks and roadside stands across the county,” Children said. “Our vegetable, fruit, nuts and berries crops rank 18th in the state. Livestock production continues to be strong to include poultry, swine, cows, and some small scale goat farms. 
“Aquaculture/fish farms are another hidden gem in our county,” Childers said. “Cumberland County farmers not only contribute to our local economy, but also to our global economy due to our export markets. The next time you pass by that field of corn, just remember that agriculture plays a crucial role in our local, state and global economies.”
The Cumberland County fair serves to showcase the best of locally produced livestock, agriculture and more, but also to help educate the community on the importance of farming and what it brings to the county and state.
“We are two to three generations removed from the farm and many young people will never have the experience of visiting a farm,” Childers said “Today we use the fair as a way to bring the farm to others. We still continue to showcase our local harvests, prize winning baked goods, and best in show arts and crafts, but we also display agriculture through a 900-square-foot farm exhibit. The staff at Cumberland County Cooperative Extension put in hours of planning to make this exhibit fun, creative and most importantly educational.”
“This year’s fair theme is ‘Agriculture and Food and Rides! Oh My!’” Childers said. “Using a spin off from the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ the exhibit will feature and spotlight the county’s corn production. So get ready to see Dorothy’s ruby red ‘cowboy boots,’ yellow ‘corn’ brick roads and much more!”
“This year, we’re featuring corn,” said Wayne Collier with the Farm Bureau. “It changes up every year to show our different commodities and crops in the area. We’re going to bring out some antique corn equipment and I think the yellow brick road is even going to showcase even going to be made of it.
Collier said the Farm Bureau helps donate to both the Cumberland County Fair, the livestock youth shows and some of the exhibits. 
While the agricultural industry wasn’t swept up in an Oz-like tornado, COVID-19 was a storm in itself and as the local community is coming out of lockdowns, the Crown is getting prepared for an influx in numbers this year, which comes at a great time for an event venue that spent much of last year without business. 
“We are expecting record numbers,” said Tony Williams, the Crown Complex event manager and the Cumberland County Fair manager. “We are looking at fairs that have been held around the state and across the U.S. and 95 percent are experiencing greater numbers than they’ve seen in the past five years. People are getting back to activities and this is a great outdoor event.”

The schedule of events include the rides, the exhibits, the livestock shows and they also have a full schedule of music playing on the entertainment stage. 
“We have some great music coming to the stage this year as well including some area favorites like Rivermist and 80s Unplugged,” Williams said. “We hope everyone comes out and just has a great time.”
The Cumberland County Fair will be in town from Sept. 3-12 at the Crown Complex. If you want more about local farms, you can download the “Visit NC Farms” app, which is free and a one stop shop when you are looking for local farms in Cumberland County that sell locally grown products or when you are looking for family-friendly outdoor activities. The app lists all the farms that have the locally produced items with a quick search including driving directions, hours of operation, and contact information. For more information, visit the website https://visitncfarmstoday.com/ or download the app.