Source:  NCDA&CS, 6/22/22

We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Will Thompson, Livestock Marketing Specialist, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each Wednesday here on the blog or any of our social media accounts and join us in honoring those who continue to drive our state’s agriculture industry forward each day!
Livestock are often not the only thing that are bred into the agriculture industry. Many individuals are born into the industry and raised with a love and passion for the lifestyle, including Livestock Marketing Specialist, Will Thompson.

Will was born into a multi-generational family farm that grew cotton and raised cattle. “Back then they did what most families in the area did, which was farm to survive,” he said, “so I was bred into it at a young age and have let it drive my life ever since.” In addition to his full-time job, Will continues to manage a beef cattle herd of his own, currently managing about 60 momma cows, as well as helps on his parent’s beef cattle farm.

After attending community college and working for many years as an auctioneer for livestock and farm equipment, Will started his career with the NCDA&CS in 2005 as an Animal Health Technician. In that role, he worked with many livestock industry producers, as well as had heavy involvement in the agriculture events and fairs across the state, that helped prepare him for his most recent role as a Livestock Marketing Specialist. “I live in Western North Carolina, so I’ve had heavy involvement with the N.C. Mountain State Fair for about 14 years, having served as the Director of Livestock for nine of those years,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot in this industry both through my professional work with the NCDA&CS and my own personal endeavor of owning and operating a beef cattle farm that has helped prepare me for my role today.”

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