As another year comes to a close, we’d like to take a moment to look back over the past 12 months and highlight our five most popular blog posts of the year. A unifying theme does not connect these posts. One department division is not represented more than another. Instead, the following posts are a reflection of the variety of programs and services administered by the department.
Without further ado, here are the top five posts of 2010:
5. Today’s Topic: North Carolina’s Feral Hog Problem
Each week, Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss the latest developments and hot topics in agriculture. This post gained recognition for addressing the growing feral hog problem in North Carolina in an interview from March of this year.
4. ISO 17025: A rare accomplishment x2
Getting ISO accreditation is difficult to get in one field, but the staff of the Food and Drug Protection Division’s Constable Laboratory earned accreditation twice, in chemical and biological testing, this year. The four-year accreditation process culminated in a ceremony at the N.C. Museum of Art in July.
3. Photos from the Field: Ginseng
Last year, we began sharing the who, what, when, where and whys behind the photos in our archive collection. This photo, and accompanying insight into N.C. ginseng production from department botanist Laura Gadd, was the most viewed Photos from the Field of 2010.
2. See what happens to a soil sample when it comes to the Agronomic lab
NCDA&CS’ Agronomic Division offers free soil testing, and our explanatory video of the process had a lot of clicks this year. The service is provided throughout the year, but has a faster turnaround time during the summer months when this video was posted.
1. Emergency animal sheltering training
In 2006, NCDA&CS created the first CAMET – Companion Animal Mobile Equipment Trailer – that could be used to set up an emergency companion animal shelter in the case of widespread displacement following a hurricane or other emergency. The top blog post of 2010 covers one of the CAMET training sessions facilitated by our Emergency Programs Division.
In the coming year, we look forward to bringing you more insight into the department, and the value our divisions and employees brings to N.C. agriculture and the citizens of our great state. Happy New Year!