Wayne County Welcomes
Cooperative Extension Southeast District
On October 10, 2006, Wayne County welcomed the Southeast District of Cooperative Extension for a fall agricultural tour. The tour provides a hands-on educational opportunity for people interested in agricultural tourism. The educational information featured art and history, along with visits with owner/operators of profitable businesses that are also successful agricultural tourism sites.
Sites in Wayne County and surrounding area visited included:
Nahunta Pork Center – 200 Bertie Pierce Road in Pikeville
Mack and Larry Pierce process pork the old fashioned way by processing the meats completely in-house. The country-cured hams are hand rubbed in salt and spices for curing and aged over several months to acquire a true country ham flavor. Nahunta Pork Center has one of the largest displays of pork products in the nation with custom ordered sausage, cured hams and other fresh port products. For more information, contact Nahunta Pork Center at http://www.nahuntapork.com.
     
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A Secret Garden Winery – 1008 Airport Road in Pikeville.
Take a drive down this sleepy country road in northern Wayne County and you will find good friends, southern hospitality and one of North Carolina’s best kept secrets. Linda and Gerald Hall make all natural Muscadine and fruit wines, which are handcrafted the old way using no chemicals or sulfites. The wines are made with only fruit, sugar and water – nothing more, nothing less. Tours and tasting are available. For more information, contact A Secret Garden Winery at http://www.asecretgardenwinery.com/intro.htm
  
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Holly Grove Farms – 1183 Grantham School Road in Mount Olive
Holly Grove Farms makes specialty goat cheeses right on the farm where they hand raise their goats from babies. Owners Ron and Debbie Craig strive to produce the highest quality all-natural goat cheeses. Goat cheese can be ordered from the website. Special orders can be requested. For more information, contact Holly Grove Farms at www.hollygrovecheese.com.
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DJ & W Prawn Farm
Gene Wiseman explained the process of growing freshwater prawns in eastern North Carolina. Prawns are harvested in the fall, when they reach about 9 inches in length. DJ & W Prawn Farm has been in business for approximately four years. Mr. Wiseman explained the importance of marketing prawns in the area.
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Tobacco Farm Life Museum – Highway 301 north in Kenly
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum preserves the rich tradition of history and cultural heritage of eastern North Carolina farm life. Explore the Iredell Brown farmstead complete with restored farmhouse, detached kitchen, tobacco barn, pack house and smokehouse. The museum included a tobacco warehouse and exhibits depicting everyday life on the farm. For more information, contact the Tobacco Farm Life Museum at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org
You can also participate is the self-directed driving trails in 72 North Carolina counties. The trails include art galleries, horse farms, “u-pick” farming operations, locally owned restaurants that feature North Carolina food products. Wayne County invites you to experience its tradition of cultural and heritage tourism. The website is www.homegrownhandmade.com
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