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.
Hunter Murphy, a 5th generation farmer operating on his family’s farm, Lucky Four Farms in Stantonsburg, is being recognized today, Sunday Oct. 18th, as the N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day, presented by Tractor Supply Company! For Hunter, growing up on the farm meant it would always be a part of his life. After graduating from NC State with his bachelor’s degree, Hunter came back home and took over his uncle’s share of the farm to begin farming alongside his father.
“I knew that’s what I was going to end up doing,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on being part owner as quick as I was, but I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Either way, even if I wasn’t part of it, this is still what I’d be doing.”
As a young farmer, having his father farming alongside him helps provide him with the knowledge and experience that a veteran farmer has, and adding Hunter’s fresh attitude to that helps the farm in numerous ways. “It’s nice having him there to show me the things I don’t know, keep me in line and kind of just learn from him,” he said. “It’s really nice working this close with him, my sister and everybody.”
As Hunter’s wife, Jill, puts it, farming is more than just a job to Hunter — it’s a way of life. Hunter knows all of the ups and downs that can come with farming, but he knows the value of perseverance as well to carry him and the operation through.
“He showcases his passion through his daily actions and the pride he takes in everything he does on the farm,” she said. “Whether it’s managing crops, caring for turkeys or maintaining equipment, he approaches every task with purpose.”
On the farm itself, they grow corn, sweet potatoes, soybeans, peanuts and raise turkeys. Going along with North Carolina tradition, Hunter said one of his favorite crops to work with is sweet potatoes.
Hunter understands the lack of young farmers in agriculture today, but to be a part of a smaller community of farmers is something he approaches with pride. He said that when someone gets a first person look at the way food gets to your table, the importance of producing that food gets an even deeper feel.
“It’s just nice doing something that I feel sometimes gets overlooked and not looked at as being as important as it really is,” he said. “All the food and with the turkeys and everything else, just knowing that it doesn’t just show up and actually putting in the work… it’s just nice knowing it myself.”
Jill added to this and shared some of the same sentiments about Hunter, and why he chose to come back home and farm.
“A lot of people our age went in different directions, but he chose to come back home and continue his family’s farm. That decision says everything about his character. He takes pride in what he does and making sure the farm is there for the next generation.”
Hunter has carried that love for agriculture into his two year-old son Ivey too, whether it’s maintaining the land, helping other farmers or taking pride in his own work, his commitment showcases his character through actions.
Each year Hunter and his family have made memories at the State Fair, but this year he is looking forward to a new adventure. Hunter and Jill will be bringing their son Ivey for the first time, along with his sister and her two-year-old daughter. “He’s at the age now where they’ll really be able to enjoy some of the stuff,” he said. “So, I’m excited to see them out there and start some new memories of the State Fair.”
We are honored to recognize Hunter today and look forward to seeing where he continues to expand their farm in the future! If you see him on the grounds at the N.C. State Fair, be sure to congratulate him on this honor and thank him for his hard work in N.C. Agriculture!