December 2025 - Sweetpotato Speak

In 1993, Mrs. Celia Batchelor's fourth-grade civics class at Elvie Elementary School in Wilson, NC was visited by Representative Gene Arnold from Wilson County. His visit inspired her students to become involved in their state government. These fourth-grade students, along with their parents and HOW DID THE BECOME THE STATE VEGETABLE? sweetpotato

teachers, began a letter-writing campaign to the State Legislature requesting that the sweetpotato be named as our state vegetable. With much excitement, the entire community became involved in the campaign. After two years of letter-writing and a lot of hard work, the bill passed in the General Assembly's summer session of 1995. At last the sensational sweetpotato was declared the Official Vegetable of the State of North Carolina! 03