Clifton McNeill Jr. Inducted Into Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame
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Collapse ▲Clifton McNeill Jr. was inducted into the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse this morning.
McNeill was recognized during the annual Farm City event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville. McNeill’s official portrait was unveiled during the ceremony and will hang on the wall with those of past inductees in the I.B. Julian Auditorium of the Cooperative Extension office at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, located at 301 E. Mountain Dr.
McNeill grew up on a family farm in the Grays Creek Community, where he developed a deep connection to agriculture and community. A 1967 graduate of Grays Creek High School, McNeill played basketball and was the catcher for the baseball team. He was also very active in the school’s FFA program.
McNeill went on to North Carolina State University where he earned a degree in agricultural engineering, graduating in 1971. During his time at N.C. State, McNeill gained practical experience working part-time with the N.C. Department of Agriculture. After graduating, McNeill began a 30-year career with the N.C. Department of Transportation.
McNeill continued to support the McNeill family farm, which has been in the family since the land was granted by the King of England. While the farm traditionally grew tobacco, McNeill and his father, Clifton McNeill Sr., shifted to growing potatoes, cabbage, strawberries and greenhouse tomatoes, pioneering a pick-your-own operation that became a popular local tradition. Clifton McNeill Sr. was inducted into the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1997.
The McNeill Strawberry Farm, located off Chickenfoot Road, has become an iconic fixture in Cumberland County. In the latter part of his career, McNeill scaled back his farming activities to focus on his father’s health. Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations, McNeill stayed involved in the agriculture community, serving on the Farm Advisory Board for Cumberland County.
Since Grays Creek High School opened in 2003, McNeill has been a steadfast supporter of the FFA program, contributing through grant funding, providing student access to his farm for educational purposes and offering his time and expertise.
McNeill has served on various boards and committees including the Cumberland County Board of Adjustment, Cumberland County Planning Board and the South River Electric Membership Board of Directors. He was a member of the Grays Creek Ruritan Club and helped establish the kids’ baseball league in Grays Creek.
McNeill’s served on the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors for 12 years before retiring in December 2023. McNeill played a key role in approving thousands of dollars in cost-share funding for local farmers. McNeill served as chairman of the Cumberland County Soil and Water Board of Supervisors and the Area VII Soil and Water Board of Supervisors, which encompasses seven counties. Cumberland County Soil and Water received the “Best Conservation Program” award from Area VII in 2016.
McNeill graduated from Grays Creek High School in 1967, where he played basketball and baseball. McNeill graduated with a degree in agricultural engineering from North Carolina State University in 1971.
“Clifton McNeill, Jr. has given exemplary service to our county’s agricultural community and his leadership has had a lasting positive impact both locally and statewide,” said Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers.
Watch the 2024 Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a brief feature video on the Cumberland County’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/CumberlandCountyNC.
Article & photo provided by Jon Soles, Cumberland County Public Information Office
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