Since Sampson County has strong roots in the swine industry, it should come as no surprise that several county residents have received top honors from the North Carolina Pork Council.
At the Pork Council’s annual conference in February, Clinton pork producer Josh Coombs was elected president, while Reid Cumbo and Kaleb Sargent, both also of Clinton, were named to the board of directors. In addition, Curtis Barwick of Clinton and Dr. Mary Battrell of Garland received awards from the council.
“It’s an honor to represent North Carolina pork producers,” Coombs said. “Our farmers care deeply about their animals, their land and the communities where they live. I’m proud to help tell their story and support the future of our industry.”
Coombs was installed as president during the annual conference, succeeding Jay Archer of Tarboro, who now serves as past president. Reggie Strickland of Mount Olive will serve as vice president and Lorenda Overman of Goldsboro will continue to serve as secretary/treasurer.
“As president, he will help represent pig farmers across the state and guide the organization’s work on behalf of the pork industry,” a pork council press release reads.
In addition to Cumbo and Sargent joining the council’s board, other newly elected or appointed board members are: Garret Barwick of Deep Run, Chris Conser of Mount Pleasant, Blake Floars of Goldsboro, Dean Hilton of Elizabethtown and Mallory Strickland of Warsaw.
“Strong leadership is essential for our industry,” said Roy Lee Lindsey, CEO of the NC Pork Council. “These producers and industry leaders bring experience from farms, research, animal health and business. Their willingness to serve helps ensure North Carolina pork producers continue to lead the nation in responsible production and innovation.”
Also at the N.C. Pork Council’s conference, awards were presented to leaders in the pork industry, including the two winners from Sampson County. Following is a bit of information about Curtis Barwick and Dr. Mary Battrell.
Curtis Barwick,
Lois G. Britt Service Award
Barwick was presented the Lois G. Britt Service Award by the Pork Council, in recognition of decades of service supporting pork producers across eastern North Carolina.
After working for Coharie Farms from 1993 to 2010, Barwick launched his own consulting business, helping farmers manage irrigation systems, conduct lagoon and soil sampling, develop nutrient management plans, and maintain environmental compliance records.
He has also been actively involved with the NC Pork Council for more than 30 years and served as its president in 2003.
“I worked for Ms. Lois Britt so it is a such an honor to be receiving an award named after her,” he said in a video produced by the N.C. Pork Council. “One of the things we do for farmers, we calibrate their equipment. We keep up with their irrigation records for them. We do their lagoon sampling, soil sampling, write their waste plans, write their sludge plan.”
Son Graylon works with him, and together, they created an app for farmers to use to keep track of their lagoons and other aspects of swine farming.
Lois Britt spent 34 years with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and 15 years working in public and government relations with Murphy-Brown LLC (now Smithfield Hog Production). Her many achievements include induction into the National Pork Producers Council Pork Industry Hall of Fame and the N.C. Pork Council Hall of Fame, as well as receiving the N.C. 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Mary Battrell,
W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction
Dr. Mary Battrell of Garland received the W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction in recognition of her career serving pork producers as a veterinarian. Battrell is a swine veterinarian with Murphy Family Ventures and has spent more than two decades working with farmers to strengthen herd health, biosecurity, and animal care practices across the industry. She previously worked with Smithfield Foods.
“She is the director of veterinary services for Murphy Family Ventures and we are so proud of her,” a statement from Murphy Family Ventures reads. “This award is presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service to the pork industry and Mary does just that.”
Other N.C. Pork Council Awards
The other producers and ag workers honored at the annual conference include: Debbie Craig of Mount Olive, Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year; Dr. Christina Phillips of Wallace, Award for Excellence in Innovation for her work advancing swine production research; Blake Floars of Goldsboro, Emerging Leader Award.
The biggest honor of the night went to Greg Brown of Duplin County, who was inducted into the NC Pork Council Hall of Fame.
“Every one of these recipients represents the best of our industry,” Lindsey stated. “Their dedication, integrity and commitment to doing things the right way are exactly what make North Carolina pork producers successful.”
Brown’s career in the pork industry began in Duplin County, where he entered the pig business as a boy. By age 20, he and his family had built a small operation with 15 sows and a five-crate farrowing house.
He later joined Carroll’s Foods in 1972 and rose through the company’s leadership ranks, eventually serving as vice president of production operations. After retiring from Carroll’s Foods in 1991, Brown launched Browns of Carolina and continued building finishing operations across eastern North Carolina.
Today, the Brown family operation includes finishing barns, poultry houses, cattle and cropland. Those who worked alongside Brown say his influence is defined not only by the operations he helped build, but by the people he mentored throughout his career.
“He’s left a legacy within our family, but he’s also left a legacy within our community,” said his son, Bret Brown. “People who know him understand how hard he worked and that he’s done it the right way.”