A Dedication to Service and Community

A native of Piney Creek, NC, Beth Pugh Farrell developed a deep passion and appreciation for agriculture on her grandparents’ dairy and burley tobacco farms.  After college graduation, she worked for 8 years at the NC Agricultural Foundation, focusing on 4-H and Extension fundraising efforts. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Poultry Science from NC State University. 

​

Beth and her husband, Kevin, reside in Cary, NC, and enjoy cheering for the NC State Wolfpack.  They also established Pack House Farm in 2016, a pick-your-own blueberry and heirloom blackberry farm in Apex, NC, near Jordan Lake.

 

Their first year open to the public was Summer 2020 during the global pandemic. Instead of a full opening, to adhere to Governor Cooper's Executive Orders limiting groups outside to 25,  reservations were required and limited to

3 families per hour. This gave Beth a real-life view on the unintended consequences of policy and the impacts it can have on farms and communities, motivating her to take a more active role in her community. 

 

Beth joined the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2010 and is currently serving as an Agricultural Programs Development Coordinator.   From February – May 2022, she also was appointed as Acting Director, Marketing Division. In this role,  she is making contributions to a broad range of activities to strengthen and enhance agriculture in the state that directly impacts farmers and agribusiness.  Additionally, Beth works with North Carolina farmers and industry on a variety of topics including public relations, international and domestic marketing, and special projects. Beth also has experience in strategic planning and managed a $18.75 million federal local food purchasing program. She is currently part of the team working to update the NC Agricultural Water Use Strategic Plan.

Outside the office, Beth has held numerous leadership positions in the Junior League of Raleigh, NC Agri-Women, Capitol Grange, NC 4-H Honor Club, American Agri-Women, and Sigma Alpha Alumni Association. She also serves on the board of directors of the Tobacco Growers Association of NC,  Tobacco Associates, Inc., serves as Vice-Chair of the NC Agricultural Foundation and Chair of its Research and Extension Committee,, NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni and Friends Society, NC Agricultural Institute Advisory Board, NC A&T State University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences Advisory Board, NC Agromedicine Institute Farm Stress Advisory Board, NC Biotech Center Board of Directors, NC Ag Biotech Advisory Council, and NC Agribusiness Council.  

​

​As a Supervisor, Beth has also taken a very active role in the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts on the state and area level.  Beth has worked to ensure that conservation cost-share programs will work for Wake County landowners, including leading efforts to implement water pilot programs and Agriculture Cost Share Program revisions to strengthen participation.  

 

All supervisors, whether elected or appointed, are required to secure a minimum of six Supervisor Training Credits (STCs) per term. Since being elected in 2022, Beth has a total of 60.25 hours documented in addition to countless hours assisting other efforts not counted towards STCs.  Her voluntary service as a Supervisor is a roll she takes very seriously to support soil and water conservation efforts in Wake County.  Beth took a leadership role in developing and advocating for passage of the revised Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan and has been actively engaged in the NC Ag Leads project - a strategic plan for North Carolina agriculture.

​

Beth is also a founding member of "She Farms Apex" - a group of area female farmers that started as an annual farm tour, and is in the process of becoming a nonprofit to establish a scholarship program for a young woman interested in agriculture and funded, in part, by proceeds of the annual tour.

​

She is also a member of the NC State Alumni Association, NC State Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy, NC State Grange, NC Farm Bureau, serves as a NC State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences CALS Alumni for Success Mentor, and the  Sigma Alpha Alumni Association.  Additionally, Beth volunteers with 4-H and FFA helping to encourage the next generation. 
 
In 2019, she was recognized by Sigma Alpha Sorority with the Spirit of Ruth Award, recognizing alumnae who embody the spirit of Ruth through active involvement, leadership, and commitment to the field of agriculture. She also received an Honorary FFA American Degree and was recognized by the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina with their 2020 Distinguished Service Award. Beth was also recognized with the 2024 NC 4-H Outstanding Citizen Alumni Award and the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association's Volunteer Service Award. 

​

Beth has been a Wake County resident for over 20 years, and volunteers with Global Hope India and has completed the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Agricultural Leadership Development Program, the Junior League of Raleigh’s Capital Leadership Initiative, and Syngenta’s Leadership at its Best program.  

​​

She has also had the opportunity to serve on several leadership development focused short-term mission trips to India and Haiti.