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.
- “Got to Be NC Festival,” My Carolina Today: Join your friends and family for three great days of down-home celebration North Carolina-style at the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival. Coming to the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh May 20-22, the festival will feature North Carolina’s agricultural bounty and mix in a generous dash of music and fun for everyone. General admission is free to all ages, including all grandstand events. …
- “Headed to the Got to Be NC Festival? Some tips before you go,” WRAL-TV: The Got to Be NC Festival will draw tens of thousands to the State Fairgrounds this Friday through Sunday. This mini-version of the State Fair offers lots of family-friendly fun with rides, games, a petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, live music and more. …
- “Find fresh ingredients at farmers markets,” News & Observer: Walking through a farmers market with a chef is a lesson in possibilities. That’s why we asked Andy Schaumann, chef de cuisine at Vivace, which has restaurants in Raleigh and Charlotte, to let us tag along one Tuesday morning as he shopped at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh for that evening’s farmers market special. …
- “City Schools eating better these days,” Durham Herald-Sun: Food on the cafeteria trays at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools looks and tastes a whole lot different than last year. It’s tastier, fresher, healthier and, instead of sugary soft drinks, students are drinking 100 percent juice or skim milk with their meals. …
- “As a matter of good taste, pick fresh berries,” Hendersonville Times-News: This time of year, you can easily find local strawberries that are bright, juicy and brimming with sweet flavor. Of course, there are strawberries at the supermarket too. But these can get expensive, and usually the berries have been shipped in from faraway locations. …
- “Don’t plug the plug! Tobacco Trust Fund key to N.C. agriculture’s future,” Mountain Xpress: The N.C. House’s version of the state budget proposes to permanently eliminate the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, putting that money into the General Fund to help cover the budget shortfall. …
- “Reilly Road Farmers Market prepares to reopen,” Fayetteville Observer: Keep it clean; make it presentable. That’s Jay Burke’s job these days as manager of the Reilly Road Farmers Market. The market closed after getting caught in the path of the April 16 tornadoes that left a path of destruction in Fayetteville. …
- “Stokes touts organic farming as alternative to tobacco,” Winston-Salem Journal: Now that tobacco is no longer king in Stokes County, farmers are looking for new ways to make money. Officials with the Stokes County Cooperative Extension hope they will consider transitioning into organic farming. …