Blog

Do you enjoy fall vegetables? Britt Farms of Mount Olive will offer state employees the opportunity to participate in a NC Greenmarket Fall CSA at the Polk House. A CSA (Community Shared or Supported Agriculture) provides the opportunity to pre-order a season’s worth of fresh, just- harvested local fruits and vegetables.  Vegetables will be available for weekly pick up at the Polk House.

Participating in a CSA is not only good for your health, but also supports the local economy and North Carolina farmers.  Become a locavore (one who eats locally-produced food whenever possible) and join the NC Greenmarket CSA.

The Greenmarket CSA is a partnership of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the NC Tobacco Trust Fund and the Polk House Foundation.

Learn more at www.ncgreenmarket.com

Strawberries, anyone?  Join Farmer Roger Ball on the Halifax Mall on Thursday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Office of State Personnel and our many partners kicked off the Farmer on the Mall Project Tuesday on the Bicentennial Mall.  A pilot project of the State Employees Wellness Initiative, Farmer on the Mall will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the growing season.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most positive things you can do to benefit your health.  A plant-based diet helps to reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses.  At the same time, consuming local produce benefits the local economy. It is estimated that for every dollar spent, $3 to $7 is returned to the local economy.

As the growing season progresses, so will the offerings at Farmer on the Mall.  I, personally, am looking forward to fresh corn, tomatoes and butter beans.  But no matter what your palette craves, you know it’s going to be good.  Because we all know Goodness Grows right here in North Carolina!

For more information, visit http://www.osp.state.nc.us/Wellness/farmeronthemall.htm

By the way, the strawberries are delicious!

What a beautiful Carolina Day and what a glorious afternoon for a walk. Yesterday was the perfect day to kick off San Diego in 60 Days, the first virtual pedometer-based walking competition for state employees.

Governor Perdue and State Wellness Director, Ruth Barlow, led us on a walk around the State Capitol.  State leaders, wellness leaders, team captains and more than 100 state employees joined us to get ready for the competition which begins April 1 and runs through May 30.

More than 200 teams from across the state will participate in the competition which is a journey of 2,600 miles. This is the first of our statewide wellness initiatives which I hope will get state employees on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy employees are more productive, have less absenteeism and help us to lower our health care costs. Let’s get on the road to health together!

Check out the Governor's Flickr page for some great photos!

Tuesday morning on Read Across America Day, I had the privilege of reading to Mrs. Williams’ kindergarten class at Hodge Road Elementary School in my home town of Knightdale.  The experience took me back many years to when I first began my career as a teacher. Children have an awesome sense of wonder, curiosity, and creativity. I read Dr. Seuss’ infamous Cat in the Hat and the children wore hats they had made especially for the occasion.

What a treat it was to spend time with these eager young students!

Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement. Research shows that children who spend more time reading do better in school. Reading can supply us with lifelong pleasure that can take us to faraway places right from our own homes. As Dr. Seuss said, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.  Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted.”

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss, and thanks for challenging, entertaining and delighting children of all ages.

On Thursday, I joined Governor Perdue at the Museum of History to present the Governor’s Awards for Excellence to ten of North Carolina’s most deserving public servants.  These state employees demonstrated courage, innovation and compassion for their fellow citizens.  We presented awards to:

Lisa Edwards
Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Public Service

Mary Garner
Department of Health & Human Services, Safety & Heroism

Robin S. Greene
University of North Carolina General Administration, Innovations

Lieutenant Doug Hayes
Department of Crime Control & Public Safety, Public Service

Trooper Kevin Hennelly
Department of Crime Control & Public Safety, Public Service

Trooper Kirk Hensley
Department of Crime Control & Public Safety, Human Relations

Judy Jones
Employment Security Commission, Outstanding State Government Service

Beth Smyre
Department of Transportation , Outstanding State Government Service

Jonathan Sowers
Department of Insurance, Innovations

And for the first time in the nearly 30-year history of the program, we presented an award to an entire state agency --- the Employment Security Commission. Over the past year, the 3,000 plus employees of ESC have responded to extraordinary economic times with extraordinary service to North Carolinians who have found themselves out of work.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Through their efforts and accomplishments, our award recipients demonstrated that belief.  Serving the citizens of North Carolina is indeed work worth doing, and the Governor’s Awards for Excellence recipients have done it well.

North Carolinians are fortunate to have such dedicated public servants.

You may learn more about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence recipients at http://www.osp.state.nc.us/recognize/govaward.html.