News

Biltmore herd manager Mike Corn inducted into Hall of Fame

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 13, 2025

Mike Corn, who has spent the last several decades managing the legacy Biltmore Estate Jersey cow herd at his Small Acres Dairy in Mills River, was inducted into the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame on the opening weekend of the fair. Also inducted was Marjorie Burton, a prize-winning dairy goat breeder and exhibitor from Leicester.

Corn and Burton were both honored for their decades of supporting the agriculture fair and the livestock industry in Western North Carolina.

“We are fortunate to have many agricultural families that put their heart and soul into the livestock programs and the Mountain State Fair,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Marjorie Burton and Mike Corn are a big part of what makes these programs a success. I am honored to present them with this award and thank them for their support.”

At the Mountain State Fair, Mike is well known for providing the mama cows for the popular Mooternity Ward.

“When this exhibit was imagined for the fair more than a decade ago, likely no one knew then how popular and beloved it would be at the Fair,” Troxler said.“Every year through Mike’s dedication and hard work fairgoers can learn about the dairy industry and watch the miracle of a live birth. It takes a lot of effort, volunteers and a little science to make this exhibit a success. Mike is the one to make sure all these pieces fit together.”

Corn and his wife, Mary Louise, are also very active in the dairy show, ensuring countless youth have the opportunity to show. He’s deeply involved in youth mentorship, training young dairy judges and even loaning livestock to help students gain hands-on experience in showing and caring for animals.

Corn’s service and leadership haven’t gone unnoticed. In 1994, he was named Dairyman of the Year; in 2008, he received the Bill Martin Award for Service at the Mountain State Fair; and in 2018, he was inducted into the Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame.

“Mike embodies what it means to give back to the land and the people around him,” Troxler said. “We are proud to have him as part of our N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame.”

Marjorie Burton and her husband, Leonard, started Fire Pink Hollar in Leicester with up to 50 dairy goats in the late-1970s. Burton has shown goats at the N.C. Mountain State Fair since its beginning 31 years ago. Over the years, she has won premier breeder and exhibitor for the Oberhasli and La Mancha dairy goat shows. When Burton first added Oberhasli, the goats were a new breed with the American Goat Association. She has done a lot in improving the breed, specifically in Western North Carolina. Burton has also held numerous board positions with the Piedmont Dairy Goat Association.

“Everyone who knows Margie will tell you that she is a stable force at the N.C. Mountain State Fair and that they look forward to seeing her each year,” Troxler said. “In addition to creating a love of goats and showing with her granddaughter, Tiffany, she has helped countless other youth. She is an example of someone that through her love of goats and the Mountain State Fair has made a lasting positive impact in her community and for the dairy goat industry in North Carolina. We are proud to have her as part of the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame.”