NC Pork Council honors industry leaders at the 2026 Annual Conference
Greg Brown inducted into Hall of Fame; five others recognized for service, innovation and leadership
RALEIGH, NC — The NC Pork Council recognized six individuals for outstanding leadership, innovation and service to North Carolina’s pork industry during its Annual Conference in February.
Greg Brown of Duplin County, a longtime industry leader whose career helped shape modern pork production in North Carolina, was inducted into the NC Pork Council Hall of Fame. It is the organization’s highest honor.
“Every one of these recipients represents the best of our industry,” said Roy Lee Lindsey, CEO of the NC Pork Council. “Their dedication, integrity and commitment to doing things the right way are exactly what make North Carolina pork producers successful.”
Brown’s career in the pork industry began in Duplin County, where he entered the pig business as a boy. By age 20, he and his family had built a small operation with 15 sows and a five-crate farrowing house.
He later joined Carroll’s Foods in 1972 and rose through the company’s leadership ranks, eventually serving as vice president of production operations. After retiring from Carroll’s Foods in 1991, Brown launched Browns of Carolina and continued building finishing operations across eastern North Carolina.
Today, the Brown family operation includes finishing barns, poultry houses, cattle and cropland. Those who worked alongside Brown say his influence is defined not only by the operations he helped build, but by the people he mentored throughout his career.
“He’s left a legacy within our family, but he’s also left a legacy within our community,” said his son Bret Brown. “People who know him understand how hard he worked and that he’s done it the right way.”
In addition to Brown’s Hall of Fame induction, the NC Pork Council recognized five other leaders whose work strengthens the state’s pork industry.
Curtis Barwick, Lois G. Britt Service Award
Curtis Barwick of Clinton received the Lois G. Britt Service Award in recognition of decades of service supporting pork producers across eastern North Carolina. After working for Coharie Farms from 1993 to 2010, Barwick launched his own consulting business, helping farmers manage irrigation systems, conduct lagoon and soil sampling, develop nutrient management plans, and maintain environmental compliance records. He has also been actively involved with the NC Pork Council for more than 30 years and served as president in 2003.
Debbie Craig, Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year
Debbie Craig of Mount Olive was named Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year for her leadership as a North Carolina pork producer. Craig and her late husband Ron moved from Missouri to eastern North Carolina during the early expansion of the state’s pork industry and built a farming operation while raising their family. Today, the farm includes hog production, cattle, and a goat dairy that produces artisan cheese.
Dr. Christina Phillips, Award for Excellence in Innovation
Dr. Christina Phillips of Wallace received the Award for Excellence in Innovation for her work advancing swine production research. Phillips serves as Senior Director of Production Research for Smithfield Hog Production, where she leads studies focused on nutrition, management practices, and production systems that help producers improve efficiency and animal performance.
Dr. Mary Battrell, W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction
Dr. Mary Battrell of Garland received the W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction in recognition of her career serving pork producers as a veterinarian. Battrell is a swine veterinarian with Murphy Family Ventures and has spent more than two decades working with farmers to strengthen herd health, biosecurity, and animal care practices across the industry.
Blake Floars, Emerging Leader Award
Blake Floars of Goldsboro received the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes pork producers age 40 or younger who demonstrate leadership and promise for the future of the industry. Floars serves as operations manager for Carolina Swine Integrators and has emerged as an advocate for agriculture, participating in the Pork Leadership Institute and engaging with policymakers on industry issues.
Together, the six recipients represent the farmers, veterinarians, researchers and advisors who help strengthen North Carolina’s pork industry and the rural communities it supports.
About the NC Pork Council
The NC Pork Council is the voice of North Carolina’s pork industry, advocating for the family farmers and industry partners who work hard every day to produce quality pork the right way — safely, responsibly, and sustainably. North Carolina is one of the top pork-producing states in the country, ranking third nationwide and contributing $10.8 billion to our state’s economy each year. Whether through advocacy, education, or community outreach, the NC Pork Council works to support responsible, smart farming practices and to ensure the continued success of the industry. Learn more at www.ncpork.org.