North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA)'s Chef Showdown is one of the highlights of our year! The NCRLA Chef of the Year was awarded to Matthew Deering from Dot Dot Dot in Charlotte, while NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year went to Savanna Brodar from The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. NCRLA Mixologist and Distiller of the Year was claimed by Miguel Angel Latorre, Jr. from Revival 1869 in Clayton, and Broadslab Distillery in Benson was honored as the 2024 Distillery of the Year. Latorre, Jr. also won the newest category for the competition: Best Mocktail of the Year. The Chef Showdown competition began in March, featuring 84 contestants competing in 11 preliminary and semifinal rounds across the state. Chefs and mixologists were judged by industry experts on presentation, taste and the use of local North Carolina ingredients. Together, through the dozen rounds of competition including the Chef Showdown Grand Finale, our 2024 Chefs and Mixologists supported over 500 North Carolina farmers and producers using their ingredients more than 650 different times. As part of the grand finale, attendees enjoyed a special wine tasting featuring award-winning wines from the 2024 NC Wine Competition, hosted by the NC Wine and Grape Council. Each wine was expertly paired with the evening’s tasting plates, showcasing North Carolina’s vibrant wine industry. In addition to their titles, this year’s winners join the 2024 – 2025 Got to Be NC team of culinary and beverage ambassadors, furthering their role in promoting North Carolina’s rich gastronomic and agricultural heritage. People’s Choice Award winners were: Best Mocktail: Conley Marie from The Willard at the AC Hotel in Raleigh Best Cocktail: to Gus Bellavida from End of Days Distillery in Wilmington, partnering with End of Days Distillery Best Dessert: Pastry Chef Jill Heaton from Ivory Road in Arden Best Savory Dish: Chef Mauricio Huarcaya from Gusto Peruano in Wilmington The Undeniably Dairy Awards recognized chefs, pastry chefs and bartenders who best showcased North Carolina dairy products: Best Use of Dairy Products in a Dessert: Pastry Chef Mary Jayne Wilson, Thoughtful Baking Co., Charlotte Best Use of Dairy Products in a Savory Dish: Chef Theresa Norris, M Restaurants and M Pocha, Durham Best Use of Dairy Products in a Cocktail: Mixologist Conley Marie, The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh Best Use of Dairy Products in a Mocktail: Mixologist Conley Marie, The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh The Born in the Carolinas Awards was presented by Pepsi Bottling Ventures, recognizing creative use of Pepsi products in cocktails and mocktails: Best Use of a Pepsi Product in a Cocktail: Mixologist Miguel Angel Latorre, Jr., Revival 1869, Clayton Best Use of a Pepsi Product in a Mocktail: Mixologist Zig Payton, Kingfisher, Durham We're already looking forward to next year: https://lnkd.in/ghNNS6fe #GottoBeNC #NCAgriculture #ChefShowdown #NCRLA #NCProud

CALS Tailgate and the Ag Day football game is coming up on Sept. 14! 🏈 Come celebrate NC State CALS, agriculture and football with your friends and family. 📅 Sept. 14 ⏰ 9 a.m. to noon 📍 Lowes Foods Fan Zone, located between PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium 🏈 Ag Day Football Game: NC State vs. Louisiana Tech kicking off at noon Join us and register for free: http://ncst.at/okhh50Teu9l

Application and nomination forms for the N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, are due THIS FRIDAY (9/6). Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to represent our state's number one industry. Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair prize pack including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2024 N.C. State Fair as well as a gift package from Tractor Supply Company. The eleven families selected will be announced on our social media pages on Monday, Sept. 9. Apply/nominate your favorite farm family today --> https://lnkd.in/esmM_dwB #GottoBeNC #NCAgriculture #TractorSupplyCo #FarmFamilies #FarmFamily #NCStateFair #NCProud

New Got to Be NC member product alert!! The newest retail product launch from Hickory Nut Gap - the all-new Smash Burger blend. Perfectly delicious and perfectly on-trend, this is the latest addition to their line of retail-ready, 100% grass-fed and finished ground beef products. This blend is made for anyone who loves a good burger with those crispy, caramelized edges. With a 70/30 lean-to-fat ratio, the Smash Burger blend is crafted to press well on the griddle while keeping that juicy, rich flavor everyone craves. It’s a great way to bring the premium burger experience right to your kitchen. Jamie Ager, Hickory Nut Gap's co-founder and fourth-generation farmer, said it best, "When most people think about grass-fed beef, they think lean. However, as a whole animal harvest business, this product improves our utilization while offering a product that’s next-level delicious.” You can find our Smash Burger blend in new retail packaging at various locations, including the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Store, all Earth Fare locations, and more. Check out Hickory Nut Gap online: https://hickorynutgap.com/ #GottoBeNC #NCAgriculture #HickoryNutGap #GrassFed #Beef #SmashBurger #GrassFedBeef #BeefItsWhatsForDinner

With the traditional season of harvest fast-approaching, we'd like to give a special shout-out to our agriculture teams, who work hard year-round to produce Biltmore products. Our estate was built on a farming foundation; learn more of the "un-herd" facts of our agricultural pursuits: https://bit.ly/3Ambp85

This position accelerates construction of engineering practices for implementing conservation programs. The Engineer III supervises a regional team of engineers and technicians developing designs and performing construction inspections for engineering practices pursuant to program policies, standards and/or General Statute 89C. The employee will be required to seal their designs, as well as those developed by staff under their direct charge, because many of these practices require a professional engineer’s seal under N.C. GS 89C. The position provides technical leadership to the regional team. The Engineer III also provides engineering support to animal producers necessary to meet NRCS waste storage design standards in order to maintain compliance with state and federal animal waste permits. In addition to supervision of technical staff, the position performs, and coordinates work necessary to implement engineering design and construction for BMPs associated with the N.C. Ag Cost Share Program, Community Conservation Assistance Program, and the Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program practices. The position also has responsibility for special Division projects within their region including emergency response, joint NRCS/Division projects, representing the Division on technical issues, overseeing the training of regional technical staff and serving as an advisor to the Engineering Services Section Chief. The Engineer III will have a key role in the Division Job Approval Authority (JAA) program, coordinating and implementing technical training by regional engineers for district staff on engineering design practices approved for JAA along with reviewing and approving applications for engineering design practices submitted in their region. Application Deadline: 9/5/24 Recruitment Range: $65,876 - $108,000 Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid This position will be headquartered in Buncombe County; however work will be done statewide. For more information, or to apply --> https://lnkd.in/ghpPY-Hx #GottoBeNC #NCAgriculture #NowHiring #Engineers #SoilandWaterConservation

Upcoming Virtual Trade Mission! 🇨🇦 Canada remains one of the most important export markets for U.S. food and agricultural exports with total exports exceeding $28.1 billion USD in 2023, inclusive of consumer-oriented goods; fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, processed food, and beverages, constituted 72 percent of that trade with a value of $20 billion. Canada sources nearly 60 percent of total consumer-oriented product imports from the U.S. The United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) renegotiation is completed and ratified, leading to countless opportunities in the market! This virtual trade mission offers a unique opportunity for companies to get consumer packaged goods and high-value added products in front of qualified buyers across Canada without having to travel. Both established and new to export companies can participate in this virtual trade mission. Argyle and SUSTA will assemble sample boxes to be shipped to 10 Canadian trade contacts, including retailers, brokers, distributors and importers. More information and registration: https://lnkd.in/ezwccutW #SUSTA #NCAgExports #VirtualTradeMission

One of our Got to Be NC members, Food Lion, is changing the game for hunger relief through its annual Sack to Give Back program. This fall, Food Lion Feeds is supporting 35 colleges and universities by helping nourish college students’ bodies and minds while addressing food insecurity. Food Lion Feeds will donate 1,000 meals (up to 30,000 meals per school) for every quarterback sack made by participating colleges and institutions. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyEGGqtB

🏈 Make your next tailgate 100% NC-made! Learn how to find local food, drinks, and products in your grocery store. 🌾🍻 Join us in celebrating NC Farmer Appreciation Day on November 14th, a day dedicated to honoring the incredible farmers who nourish our state. Special thanks to NC Farmer Appreciation Day for making this segment possible. Let’s give a big shoutout to our farmers and show them the appreciation they deserve! 🙌💚

The goal of the Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program is to provide technical, financial, and educational assistance to local governmental, educational and non-profit organizations across the State. This position delivers NCFS Urban & Community Forestry (U&CF) program services within, and as may periodically be required outside, their assigned NCFS Region footprint under the direction of the Urban & Community Forestry Program Head. He/she provides coordination, guidance, assistance and support to NCFS field staff to further the NCFS goals regarding the urban and community forestry program. He/she provides technical assistance, information, and guidance to local governments, community groups, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders in U&CF forestry development, management and the NCFS U&CF financial assistance program. Application Deadline: 9/6/24 at 5 p.m. Recruitment Range: $42,464 - $74,313 Duty Station: NCFS Region 3 (Mountain) For more information, or to apply: https://lnkd.in/ex5Pxa3n #GottoBeNC #NCAgriculture #NCForestService #UrbanForestry #CommunityForestry #SmokeyBear