North Carolina Sweet Potato Leaders Honored in Business North Carolina’s 2025 Power List

The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) Executive Director Michelle Grainger, alongside Linwood Scott III, Co-owner of Scott Farms and Linwood Vick, Partner and General Manager of Vick Family Farms, have been named in the 2025 Business North Carolina Power List as Agriculture Honorees. Their leadership and contributions to North Carolina’s agriculture industry have set benchmarks for innovation, sustainability and community impact.

Business North Carolina’s 2025 Power List recognizes approximately 500 of the state’s most influential leaders across 17 sectors, including agriculture. The selection is based on editorial research, public nominations and interviews, highlighting individuals shaping North Carolina’s future.

Michelle Grainger, executive director of the NCSC, represents more than 300 growers, as well as the packers, processors and business associates that support them. Grainger attributes the Commission’s collective team of dedicated staff and marketing agencies to the numerous successful promotion initiatives that have further educated consumers on just how special the North Carolina sweet potato is and why more than two-thirds of the nation’s total sweet potatoes come from this state.

Scott III continues the legacy of quality and sustainability at Scott Farms, a sixth-generation family business. The company has grown to become one of the leading producers of sweet potatoes with more than 4,500 acres in North Carolina. Linwood’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship has positioned Scott Farms as a model of excellence in modern agriculture.

Vick, partner and general manager of Vick Family Farms, has more than 9,000 acres of farmland. His leadership has not only expanded Vick Family Farms’ operations but also earned the NC Farm Family of the Year and National Young Farmer of the Year awards.

“It’s an honor to be recognized among North Carolina’s agricultural leaders. At the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, we remain committed to supporting our farmers and promoting the economic importance of sweet potatoes for our state,” said Grainger.

The honorees’ dedication to North Carolina’s agricultural sector has been instrumental in driving the $111 billion contribution to the state’s economy, showing the true importance of sweet potatoes in the state’s economy. Their innovative approaches and community-focused efforts continue to elevate North Carolina as a leader in sustainable farming and food production. 2025 marks the fifth consecutive year Scott and Vick have received this recognition and third for Grainger.

For more information on NCSC, click here or to visit the 2025 Business North Carolina Power List click here.

This is two words. I’m going to die on this hill….