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THE SOURCE
for Promotion, Information, Education and Service
from North Carolina’s Sweet Potato Growers
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The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, Inc. is a non-profit corporation (IRS 501 (c)5), which was chartered on June 30, 1961 by six sweet potato farmers. For almost fifty years North Carolina farmers have sought to increase sweet potato consumption by collectively funding promotional programs; providing timely and relevant information to themselves as well as consumers; funding research and development projects; and encouraging the use of good seed stock and horticultural practices among producers.
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The current sweet potato industry in North Carolina is comprised of over four hundred growers, forty plus packer-shippers, four processors, five or more brokers and many business associates. These members, acting jointly, form the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission. Each year the sweet potato growers in North Carolina assess themselves $15.00 per planted acre, representing 99% of the funding for the promotional activities of the Commission.
The Commission’s main objective is to boost sweet potato consumption, production and sales in both domestic and foreign markets. This goal is accomplished through marketing, legislation, education, service, and the dissemination of information. The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission also undertakes various grower management issues which affect the sweet potato industry. We accomplish this by supporting or opposing current legislation/regulation; developing best management / horticultural / environmental practices; and consulting with various federal, state and private agencies for the betterment of the sweet potato industry.
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Under the direction of its current executive director,
Sue Johnson-Langdon,
and the office staff the Commission continues to make the public aware of the health benefits, nutritive value and the virtually endless diversity of sweet potatoes. The Commission promotes North Carolina’s sweet potatoes through the public media - radio, television, the Internet and printed publications, through agricultural extension services; family and consumer services; professional groups; school, hotel and restaurant foodservice; and medical groups. We also exhibit at statewide and national trade shows, conduct demonstrations, food workshops, and slide presentations to all types of groups and organizations.
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