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.
- “Inspectors checking gas pumps for accuracy,” WXII-TV: Twenty-four inspectors with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are inspecting gas pumps across the state to ensure they are accurate as motorists hit the road for the Christmas holiday rush. …
- “House sends food safety bill to Obama,” Durham Herald-Sun: WASHINGTON — The House has passed a sweeping bill aimed at making food safer following recent contaminations in peanuts, eggs and produce, sending it to President Barack Obama for his signature. …
- “Course helps farmers start using computer,” Hendersonville Times-News: The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with N.C. AT&T State University and JobLink are offering a 33-hour free computer course called Farmers Adopting Computer Training for beginners at the Blue Ridge Community College.
- “Drought-tough corn seed races to the finish line,” News & Observer: Agribusiness Syngenta is leading the charge on a new generation of corn designed by its scientists to withstand drought. …
- “Large Lake Norman tract to be conserved,” Charlotte Observer: The Catawba Lands Conservancy plans to conserve 719 Catawba County acres at Lake Norman by month’s end, including one of the lake’s largest undeveloped tracts, known as Mountain Creek. …
- “NC agency wins grant to prevent mad cow disease,” WRAL-TV: There’s never been a confirmed case of mad cow disease in North Carolina, and state officials have won a $1.25 million grant to help keep it that way. …