Friends Of Tabletop: Meet Heather from the NC Strawberry Association

Friends of Tabletop is a place where we share who we love working with. This can range from a client, influencer/blogger, or special someone who simply means a lot to the Tabletop Team. Colleagues and friends who we’ve met throughout our journey with Tabletop Media Group make us a part of who we are.

For our June Friends of Tabletop, meet Heather from the NC Strawberry Association!

Photo credit: Heather Lifsey

Tell us about the NC Strawberry Association. 

The NC Strawberry Association represents strawberry farmers across the state.  Their focus on research and marketing helps the farmers make improvements on the farms and connect them to people like me who want to buy fresh strawberries. 

What makes NC strawberries special?

Since most of our farmers sell direct to consumers, they can choose varieties based on flavor and pick them when they are perfectly ripe.

How did this year's strawberry season go?

The farmers I talked to all had a good season.  As a family, my sons and I enjoyed our weekly visits to local farmers to get fresh NC strawberries.

What is your favorite strawberry recipe?

Strawberries are the only fruit all three of my sons eat.  They love them picked straight from the field.

Where are your go-to farms for strawberry picking?

I’ve been known to take a road trip just to visit a strawberry farm, but our three go-to’s are Wrenn’s Farm, Deans Farm and Strawberry City.

Where in NC are you headed for summer vacation - beach or mountains?

We are doing both.  I’m taking my oldest son fly fishing for a weekend in the mountains.  We are all headed to the beach with extended family.

What is one of your unpopular opinions? (i.e. opinion you have that goes against the norm)

I don’t think hotdogs have to be red.  I grew up in Virginia and had never seen a red hotdog until I moved to central North Carolina.

Where is your favorite place to eat in North Carolina? 

My favorite place to eat is at home.

Do you have a favorite story about how you got to where you are in your career?

Commissioner Troxler has told the story of meeting me at an event in Chowan County when I was the County Extension Director.  The meeting was outside, and gnats were in attendance.  It wasn’t long after that I came to work at NCDA.  The Commissioner says he “rescued” me from the gnats.

If you could redo one thing in regards to your career what would it be?

Early on in my career I had a chance to travel internationally, and I didn’t do it.  I still regret not seizing that opportunity. 

What's the most useful lesson you've learned from being in the North Carolina Ag Dept?

Never stop learning.