We talk with Neill Westerbeek about Smithfield’s Pork Forward expo.

We break down what’s happening on April 15, 2026, including OIC credit hours, technology showcases, and the simple details that make the day easy to attend. Here's a few details:

• Held in Clinton
• Free BBQ lunch
• OIC Credit hours
• Over 130 vendor booths
• No registration required

For more: https://smithfieldfoods.com/Pork-Forward

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Meet Summer Lanier, the NC Poultry Federation's new Executive Director. While new to this role, Summer is no stranger to the poultry industry.

“I feel as if I have spent my life, up to this point, training for this position. Since the age of three, poultry has been the center of my home and professional life and coming to NCPF is a very natural progression in my career. I am thrilled for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take my passion for poultry to the next level and serve this great industry,” says Lanier in a NCPF press release.

Raised on a turkey farm, Summer holds bachelor's degrees in both Animal Science and Poultry Science as well as a master's degree in Poultry Science from North Carolina State University (NCSU). She also completed NCSU's Agricultural Leadership Development Program in 2014. Prior to joining NCPF, Summer spent 19 years working for Prestage Farms, Inc. in numerous roles, including Public Relations Director, and most recently, Antibiotic-Free Turkey Production Manager. She lives in Wallace, N.C. with her husband, Matt, and their two children, Cade, 10, and Maesie, 6.

Mark your calendars for Pork Forward,the state’s premier swine and agronomy event, happening April 15th at the Sampson County Exposition Center in Clinton. Join more than a thousand producers, industry partners and experts for a full day of learning, innovation, and handson demonstrations. Explore the latest in animal health, equipment and production technology — all in one place.

Visit SmithfieldFoods.com/Pork-Forward for more details.

Find us on Instagram @raisedonthefarm
Questions? Email us at raisedonthefarmpodcast@gmail.com

We sit down with Adam Caldwell to unpack why Johnston County leads the nation in projected farmland loss, what a UDO really changes on the ground, and how citizen input can shape a better balance between growth, jobs, and agriculture. We cover buffers, bona fide farm status, easements, tax impacts, and the push to bring high-paying jobs closer to home.

• why farmland loss in North Carolina accelerates and why Johnston County tops the list
• what a unified development ordinance is and how it affects farms and neighborhoods
• why early engagement matters
• conservation easements and local resources that keep land in production
• the cost of residential growth versus the fiscal benefits of ag and commercial uses
• strategies to attract high-paying jobs and reduce commuter outflow
• balancing property rights with the need to preserve prime soils
• farmland preservation as local resilience and national security

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Find us on Instagram @raisedonthefarm
Questions? Email us at raisedonthefarmpodcast@gmail.com