Every year the N.C. State Fair thrills people of all ages and backgrounds from across the state for 11 exciting days. Fairgoers get the chance to enjoy exciting rides and delicious new foods. The State Fair is also a time to celebrate N.C. agriculture and the hardworking families who make it our state’s leading industry.
Farm Family of the Day, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., is a program that recognizes one standout farm family each day of the N.C. State Fair. To honor these families’ accomplishments and contributions to North Carolina agriculture, they are awarded tickets to attend the fair on a day of their choosing, where they will be recognized through PA announcements and signs on the fairgrounds.
Today, the N.C. State Fair and Tractor Supply Co. congratulate G.M. Langdon Family Farm, LLC of Johnson County!
This farm, located in Angier, has been in the Sutton family for generations. As a member of the North Carolina Century Farm program, they had the opportunity to be honored at the fair last year and this year they are returning again!
Historically, they grew tobacco on the farm but decided to switch their focus and start growing a new crop. Marie Sutton’s father was the first person in the area to make the switch, moving from tobacco to sweet potatoes long before anyone else in the area.
In the community, the family is known for being changemakers and innovators. Their decision to switch from tobacco crops to sweet potatoes helped show farmers in the area that there were other paths to success. Sutton’s father was proactive in supporting their local community by teaching other farmers how to be successful potato growers and eventually building a packing facility which employed many people in the community year-round as well as his own trucks which hauled the potatoes to New Jersey and other areas for distribution.
Farming is a way of life for the Sutton family. As a century farm, the entire family is still very actively engaged with the running of the farm and they hope to see it continue to thrive. For them, one of the best parts of what they do is the deep sense of accomplishment of growing nutritious food that ends up on America’s table.
Sutton hopes that, going forward, the farming community in her area will be able to continue. Farmland across NC has been disappearing for years and she’s watched as many of the nearby family farms have been lost as the area is developed.
The family is deeply honored to have been chosen as one of the 2025 farm families and they’re looking forward to their trip to the N.C. State Fair this year!
Sutton shared that while she’s fan of everything the fair has to offer, her favorite parts have to be the food and exhibits. Growing up, Sutton’s father loved going to the tractor pulls and looking at the farm equipment on display. For the Sutton family, attending the State Fair is a regular tradition and an important part of educating people about N.C. agriculture.
“I love the fact that farming is still recognized and celebrated at the fair,” she shared. With so many new people moving to North Carolina each year from across the country, the importance of farming to the state can often be lost. She wants to make sure that people don’t forget the heritage and hard work which made N.C. the incredible state that it is today.
Congratulations to G.M. Langdon Family Farm, LLC! Look out for our next featured farm family tomorrow!