Each week we’ll round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from newspapers across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to each paper’s full story.
- “Farms find niche, sell directly to consumers,” WRAL: With fewer farms statewide, more farmers are trying to set their business apart and reach customers directly. “We’re finding our niche of customers who are more interested in exactly where their food came from, how it was raised,” said Steve Mobley of Meadow Lane Farms, which specializes in beef cattle. …
- “Grants for organic producers,” Hendersonville Times-News: Organic farming conservation practices will now be eligible for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share funds. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 million for a new initiative to meet the Obama administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. North Carolina will receive $1,021,496 under the new initiative. …
- “Farming in the county undergoes change,” Lexington Dispatch: The recent economic slump has cut household budgets worldwide down to the basics of food and shelter. Those industries, especially farming and agriculture, seem to be recession-proof. Since Davidson County is still a rural area, it seems the number of farms would be rising. A proposed update of the county’s land development plan included language to protect farmland from urban development. …
- “N.C. Masons host 4th annual Pig Jig barbecue cook-off at Got to Be NC Festival Saturday, May 30,” Apex Herald: Despite what the name might imply, the fourth annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig is not a dance contest for pigs; it is a barbecue cook-off hosted by the Masonic organizations of North Carolina. The Pig Jig will be coming to the Got to Be NC Festival at the State Fairgrounds Saturday, May 30. Barbecued pork and chicken will be available to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. …
- “Promoter of NC farm produce finds home on YouTube,” Raleigh News & Observer: North Carolina’s produce farmers have a friend on YouTube. The new director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Rockingham County is featured in a series of videos explaining the seasons for fresh fruits and vegetables, and what cooks can do with the food available at farmer’s markets across the state. …
- “On with the show: Wet weather has not dampened Ag Center progress,” Asheville Citizen-Times: Recent rainfall hasn’t delayed construction on the new arts and crafts building and livestock show area at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. “They are on schedule,” said Matt Buchanan, the ag center’s director. Plumbing and electrical work is expected to begin soon on the arts and crafts building. …
- “State ag chief has fears about Navy landing field,” Raleigh News & Observer: A proposed Navy landing field in northeastern North Carolina could damage the area’s farm economy, the state’s top agriculture official said during a tour of the area. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler met with about 50 people and toured the area Monday where the Navy has proposed locating an outlying landing field, also known as an OLF. The field would be used for practice landing and takeoffs by carrier-based jets from a Virginia air station. “We’re talking about an issue that would be a terrible blow to Camden, Currituck and the surrounding region,” Troxler said. …