Source: NCDA&CS, 9/6/18


Tonight marks the first official night of football for the season! Not only does that mean more games, cooler weather and fun tailgates, but more support from the agriculture industry as well.

The agriculture industry has its hands in football, from the field to the uniforms and even the food sold at concession stands. The footballs used in the NFL are made from cow hide and are required to be Wilson footballs, which are made in Ohio by hand.
As for the field being played on, the turf is grown on farmland for months to ensure that it is perfect for game day.  More than 40 farmers in North Carolina carefully care for and grow the sod to use throughout the football season.

What’s a football game without good food? Everything that you can imagine at a game is grown and prepared for the season as well. Everything from wings to nachos and soda, agriculture is the foundation where it all comes from. Our drinks are sweetened with corn syrup, the nachos and cheese are made from corn flour and dairy cows, and the chicken wings from chickens of course! Agriculture has a significant impact on football season from beginning to end.

North Carolina State University’s Ag Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 at 12:30 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.  NCSU will go up against the Georgia State Panthers.

The game will recognize the 6th annual Ag Day, a day that promotes the state’s agriculture, agribusiness and biotech industries and the connection with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State.  There will be a tailgate prior to the game from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in PNC Arena with games, music, food and exhibits that exemplify the state’s booming agriculture business.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will attend the Ag Day Game at NC State to speak on the impact of agriculture on our society and football. “Agriculture is a vital part of North Carolina’s economy and is an $87 billion industry, making it one of the biggest in the state. We are here to celebrate those that work hard to develop our state’s agriculture and agribusiness market and the history behind agriculture business in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Ag Day is hosted in partnership with the NC Agricultural Foundation, Inc., NC State Athletics, Wolfpack Sports Properties and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.