This is the second year of the Young Farmer of the Day program at the Got To Be N.C. Festival. This program, sponsored by AgCarolina Farm Credit and AgSouth Farm Credit, recognizes three young farmers who work hard everyday to impact our state’s agriculture industry & blaze the trail for a strong future. Individuals either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. One young farmer will be recognized each day of the Got To Be N.C. Festival, taking place May 19-21, 2023 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds!
Cooper Little has been a farm boy ever since he was old enough to drive the tractor. Since 2004, his family has owned and operated The Little Farm in Pleasant Garden. Cooper grew up helping his parents around the farm and he continues to work for them as manager of the cattle herd. As a beef cattle farm, there is a lot of hard work that goes into production, maintenance, care of the herd and more! “I am in charge of the overall welfare of the cattle,” said Cooper, “which means that I feed and water them, including salt blocks and minerals, maintain the fences, cut, rake and bale the hay and transport them to the stockyard for sale.”
Growing up in the lifestyle of agriculture and learning at the hands of his parents, Cooper has a strong passion for farming today and plans to make it his future career. “I have been helping around our family farm since I was very young and I truly enjoy having the opportunity to work and take care of it,” he said. Not only does he love driving the equipment and spending time outdoors, but he also takes pride in watching things grow and mature on the farm. “I love agriculture because I get to interact with nature and have a hand in feeding our community,” he said. According to Cooper, everyone needs agriculture multiple times each day, which means the industry has a high calling. As a young farmer, he is proud to be a trailblazer for the future of the industry and hopes to inspire others through his work.
Cooper is currently a Senior at Southeast Guilford High School in Guilford County. In the fall, he will start his first year of college at N.C. State University in Raleigh where he will study Agribusiness Management. His goals are to complete college and then use the knowledge he’s learned either to operate the family farm or pursue a career with a local farming company.
Cooper is representing the N.C. Agriculture industry as the Got to Be NC Festival‘s Young Farmer of the Day on Sunday, May 21st! Look for him around the festival grounds and in the daily tractor parade taking place at 1 p.m. Be sure to thank him for all that he is doing to further our state’s number one industry!
