2022 Breakfast with the Commissioner

The Tobacco Farm Life Museum is proceeding with plans for the 17th annual Breakfast with the Commissioner benefit. The program is held in cooperation with Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler. Event proceeds support the Museum’s mission to preserve and present the history and heritage of the rural farming community though collection care, research, and public tours.

The 2022 Excellence in Ag award, sponsored by Southern Bank, will be presented to Dr. Sandy Maddox. Dr. Maddox earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation, a Master of Science in Soil Science and a Doctorate in Adult and Community College Education from NC State University.

Dr. Maddox’s career in the field of agriculture spans more than 44 years, having served 30 years in public service employed by both NC State University and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She worked in the Soil Science Department at NC State as an agricultural research technician; was a Horticultural Agent and County Extension Director for Cooperative Extension in Pender County; served as the Superintendent of the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Sampson County; and lastly served as the Director of the Division of Research Stations with the NC Department of Agriculture, retiring from state service in 2007. That same year, Dr. Maddox joined the University of Mount Olive as a faculty member and Director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center. Dr. Maddox currently serves as the Founding Dean for the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at the University of Mount Olive.

Dr. Maddox often says that upon her arrival at UMO, she found her true passion of working with students and developing academic programs to train the next generation of agricultural professionals. The Excellence in Agriculture award will be presented to Dr. Maddox at the 2022 Breakfast with the Commissioner.

The Innovative Young Farmer of the Year award is also presented annually at the Breakfast with the Commissioner and is sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina. Applications are now available and can be found on the Museum’s website at https://www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/innovative-young-farmer-of-the-year. The deadline is December 3, 2021.

Event Details

Where: Southern Farm Show at the North Carolina State Fair Grounds, Holshouser Building

When: Friday, February 4, 2022 at 7:30am