Adam and Carrie Barnhardt of Rowan County are the winners of the 2023 NCFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award.

Adam and Carrie Barnhardt
Photo credit: Mark Stebnicki

They met as students at NC State University with Adam studying poultry science and Carrie studying agricultural science. In 2017, they fulfilled their dream of starting a first-generation farm, purchasing a 45-acre property and building four broiler breeder houses. Adam has worked full time at Barnhardt Farms of Rowan County, LLC since chickens arrived in 2018. The couple later diversified their farm by adding sheep and cut flowers.

See more: How Young Produce Farmers Turned Their Hobby Into a Full-Time Venture

Adam and Carrie Barnhardt jointly serve as chairs for the Rowan County Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and Adam is a member of the Rowan County Farm Bureau Board. They are also parents to Tucker (5) and Macie (3). In their free time, Adam and Carrie enjoy being with friends and family, cooking, and traveling.

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NCField&FamilySummer2026
Flip through the pages of the Summer 2026 edition of North Carolina Field and Family magazine. In this issue, find vineyard adventures at U-pick muscadine grape farms, explore the oasis of Manteo, learn more about on-farm markets, enjoy peak berry season with summer berry recipes, read about riveting research on hemp fiber and so much more.

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