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.
- “N.C. ports ‘missing the boat’ on agriculture exports,” Wilmington Star-News: North Carolina’s ports are “missing the boat” on agriculture exports, primarily because the state’s port and transportation infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle them, state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said Thursday. …
- “House Budget Proposal Redirects Tobacco Settlement Funds,” Carolina Journal: House Republican leaders rolled out a proposed spending plan for the new fiscal year Wednesday morning that includes significant changes to the allocation of North Carolina’s tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Under the budget plan, the Golden LEAF foundation would lose its $68-million allotment next year, and the Tobacco Trust Fund and Health and Wellness Trust Fund would be abolished. …
- “Sanderson Farms Rep: Proposed Nash Co. Plant Won’t Hurt Environment,” WITN: A representative from Sanderson Farms spoke about the proposed chicken processing plant in Nash County for the first time in a public meeting Tuesday. The Sanderson representative, Bob Billingsley, and a panel of environmental and economic experts addressed Nash County commissioners about controversial aspects of the proposed poultry plant. …
- “N.C. fruit fields will be ready for picking,” News & Observer: The strawberry fields are beckoning. And soon, blueberry and blackberry bushes will be ready for picking. Those fruit fields signal the start of North Carolina’s long and varied growing season that lasts until pumpkin harvest in October. …
- “South Korea wants to buy North Carolina pork,” News & Observer: Foreign diplomats in suits look a bit out of place amid the pig barns and swine lagoons on a Johnston County hog farm. But South Korean Ambassador Han Duk-soo counts himself a fan of American agriculture. …
- “Index shows ag companies fare well in hard economy,” Charlotte Observer: Since 2007, much of the American economy has stumbled through a difficult period, but agriculture-related firms have enjoyed four profitable years thanks to heavy demand for corn and other crops. …
- “Eateries compete for ‘Best Dish’ in N.C.,” Durham Herald-Sun: Durham and Chapel Hill restaurants and those who dine there have again reason to be proud as two have made it as finalists in the state’s annual Best Dish N.C. competition. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Best Dish finalists Tuesday in the casual and fine dining categories for eastern and western regions. …
- “Now organic farmers can apply for funding,” Hendersonville Times-News: North Carolina organic producers and those transitioning to organic farming now have a second opportunity to qualify for available funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. Applications must be received by May 20 to be considered for available funding. …
- “NCDA&CS offers help to North Carolina farmers,” Southeast Farm Press: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has set up a website and hotline to help connect farmers who were affected by tornadoes to the resources they need to help rebuild their farms. …