Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story.
- “Food safety bill stumbles over small-farm exemption,” Charlotte Observer: The future of a big food safety bill fell into doubt one day after the Senate approved it, as farm organizations began withdrawing their support and new technical hurdles arose. The hurdles may be overcome shortly, and the bill itself still enjoys widespread political support. But, the newfound skepticism of major farm organizations and farm-area lawmakers marks a surprising turn. …
- “Tree prices cut,” News & Observer: Holiday shoppers are discovering retail prices of Christmas trees in the Triangle at their lowest point in several years as tree sellers compete with artificial trees and contend with an ailing economy. At the State Farmers Market in Raleigh on Friday, tree vendors said they were doing well if they kept this year’s prices flat with last year’s. Not all vendors could keep that vow, and customers were finding deals. …
- “Livestock center to soon help cattle farmers,” Hendersonville Times-News: The WNC Regional Livestock Center near Canton is close to completion, and in four months local cattle farmers will finally have a place close to home to market and sell their products. Thanks to additional funding commitments from Henderson, Buncombe and other counties in the region, the facility’s $3.1 million budget has been met, said Project Manager L.T. Ward. The state-of-the-art center is expected to be mostly completed by Dec. 28, Ward said, with the first livestock sale scheduled for Feb. 28. …
- “Western North Carolina farmers eligible for funds due to crop losses, drought,” Asheville Citizen Times: United States Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today commented on the announcement that 67 North Carolina counties will receive agriculture disaster designations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that these counties experienced major crop losses due to drought and heat in 2010. The counties are now eligible for federal assistance through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). …
- “House passes school-lunch bill,” Winston-Salem Journal: More children would eat lunches and dinners at school under legislation passed yesterday by the House and sent to the president, part of first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood hunger and fight childhood obesity. The $4.5 billion bill approved by the House 264-157 would also try to cut down on greasy foods and extra calories by giving the government power to decide what kinds of foods may be sold in vending machines and lunch lines. …
- “NC economy slowly improving, according to NCSU economic indicator,” News & Observer: The N.C. State University Index of North Carolina Leading Economic Indicators, a tool created by NCSU professor Michael Walden, increased 1.7 percent in October from its level in September. Walden created the indicator to give business owners, politicians, economic recruiters and others a fresh source on North Carolina’s economic health looking four to six months ahead. The index is based on five components, including initial claims for unemployment benefits and weekly hours of work for manufacturing employees. It’s modeled on the national leading index and similar indices in other states. …
- “Pender shelter violating state rule, seeking donations to add doghouses,” Wilmington Star: I don’t want to take him hunting anymore. I’m moving to Idaho and can’t take the mutt with me. My puppy isn’t cute anymore. His ears don’t look right. Those are just few of the baffling excuses Darlene Clewis hears when people abandon their dogs at the Pender Animal Shelter in Burgaw. Unable to find permanent homes for all the canines that come through its doors, this county-funded shelter, nestled on the site of an old landfill off New Savannah Road, is feeling overwhelmed. … Having to contend with chronic overpopulation is something the shelter seems generally used to, however. What has Clewis, the shelter manager, particularly worried lately is that a recent state inspection found the shelter in violation of the so-called Animal Welfare Act, which requires one doghouse for each dog caged in an outdoor kennel. …
- “Aquaculture magazine spreads story of Vanceboro prawn farm,” New Bern Sun Journal: Word of a Craven County aquaculture operation is spreading across the continent with a story of Carolina’s Best Freshwater Prawn Farm in the pages of Aquaculture North America’s November-December edition. In the story entitled “Prawns trump tobacco for North Carolina farmer,” writer Erich Leuning tells the story that many Sun Journal readers have followed since October 2006 when the Ipock family of Spruill Town Road harvested its first crop of Great Malaysian Freshwater Prawn. …
- “Christmas tree sales a success for the state,” The Daily Tar Heel: This Christmas morning, Vice President Joe Biden and billionaire Donald Trump will be opening presents under a North Carolina-grown Christmas tree. North Carolina ranks second in the nation for Christmas tree production with approximately 5 million trees harvested every year from more than 15,000 growers, said Jennifer Greene, executive director of the N.C. Christmas Tree Association. The N.C. Fraser fir Christmas tree has been chosen to be the official White House tree 11 times. This is more than any other species, she said. …
- “Gifts for food lovers,” News & Observer: Anybody can buy a set of pots or a new waffle iron. Giving a gift with real North Carolina flavor is more interesting. We looked for unusual, useful and delicious products that capture the taste of our state, from pickled bamboo shoots to aged country ham. Get saucy North Carolina is awash in sauces. …