Former Ag Commissioner Jim Graham takes a soil sample at the groundbreaking for the new analytics lab in 1975. Former state chemists Dr. W.Y. Cobb and Dr. E. W. Constable flank the Commissioner.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides testing for everything from food and cosmetics to seed and fertilizer. Most of the tests are conducted at the department’s Constable Laboratory near the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The building, is named after former State Chemist Dr. E. W. Constable. Originally, these services were housed in downtown Raleigh, but in 1975 ground was broken on the new $3 million, three-story building. The 52,000 square foot facility offered more space and safety. Former State Chemist Dr. W.Y. Cobb said about the opening:
“We are proud that we now have one of the safest, most modern laboratories in the country. Not only will we be able to increase our operation’s efficiency, but we can better insure the safety of our lab personnel.”
You can learn more about the people and services of the Constable Laboratory on our website.