2025 - Your Commission at Work

YOUR COMMISSION AT WORK

Dear NC Sweetpotato Growers,

While we all love our humble root vegetable, I believe there are moments when humility should take a backseat—especially when it comes to celebrating just how exceptional the North Carolina sweetpotato is, and more importantly, how outstanding our growers and industry truly are. That’s why we’re excited to bring you the 5th edition of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission’s Assessment Magazine . What began as a celebration of the Commission’s 60th anniversary has now become a tradition—one we’re proud to continue and share with you, our growers. Within these pages, we hope you’ll find pride and excitement in the work completed over the last fiscal year—made possible through your acreage assessment fees. We've worked hard to leverage every dollar, while expanding our partnerships at the state, national, and international levels. Since our founding on June 30, 1961 , the mission of the Commission has remained unchanged: To increase the consumption of NC sweetpotatoes through education, promotional activities, research, and honorable horticultural practices . This clear mission guides every decision we make—from how we invest your dollars to how we measure return, not just financially, but in terms of awareness, impact, and growth. It’s no surprise, then, that a significant portion of our operating budget is dedicated to reaching consumers—the ultimate drivers of our industry's success. We’ve worked closely with both of our public relations agencies to promote North Carolina sweetpotatoes through targeted, data-driven campaigns. These efforts are focused on regions where our sweetpotatoes are most accessible, timed to seasonal trends, and aimed at key consumer demographics. As such, you’ll find many pages in this edition dedicated to both domestic and international marketing initiatives , with a dual focus directed towards trade and consumer engagement. A vital part of our success in maximizing your assessment dollars comes from our invaluable partnership with the NC Department of Agriculture and the NC General Assembly. Their combined support of $650,000 annually enables us to extend our reach and amplify our message—ensuring that North Carolina sweetpotatoes are recognized as the best and promoted year round. You and your families are the reason we exist . Your tireless dedication produces not just the best sweetpotatoes in the country, but arguably the best in the world.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle Grainger NCSC Executive Director

We would be remiss if we didn’t also recognize the tireless efforts of our Promotions Committee, chaired by Brenda Oglesby and comprised of 11

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