Governor Proclaims Strawberry Month 2021

WHEREAS, the North Carolina strawberry is a sweet, aromatic, nutritious berry, and the first sign of warm-weather fruits; and

WHEREAS, the strawberry industry generates an estimated $21.3 million in farm income according to the 2018 Agricultural Statistics from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina ranks third in the nation in strawberry production with about 1,100 acres harvested by farm families in almost every county of the state; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina is recognized as a leader in strawberry research and production in the Southeast; and

WHEREAS, the strawberry industry is a part of diversification practices by many of North Carolina’s full-time farmers; the industry also provides employment for many of our state’s citizens and provides supplemental income for a number of rural families who farm on a part-time basis; and

WHEREAS, the strawberry industry is flourishing across the state through the cooperation of strawberry producers, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services, the North Carolina Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service, hundreds of pick-your-own farms, roadside markets, and traditional farm-to-market operations; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s strawberry industry is an important part of the state’s $92.7 billion agriculture and agribusiness economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2021, as “STRAWBERRY MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.