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.
- “Bladen-Cumberland wildfire nearly contained,” Fayetteville Observer: A wildfire that has been burning since June 20 near the Cumberland-Bladen county border is 91 percent contained, officials with the N.C. Forest Service said Thursday evening. …
- “Cooperative Extension program shows how agriculture affects daily life,” Salisbury Post: Each summer, the N.C. Cooperative Extension offers a variety of classes, workshops and tours through the 4-H Summer Fun Program. Youth in third through sixth grades learned how agriculture impacts their daily life through the Farm to Table day camp. …
- “Local pig farmers can smile at rise in pork prices,” Wilmington Star-News: Local pig farmers are bringing home the bacon once again. National pork gross farm values have reached all-time highs for the last three months, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This comes as good news for Southeastern North Carolina…the third largest hog producing region in the nation, according to the National Pork Producers Council. …
- “State’s corn crops parched by record heat,” WRAL-TV: Record-high temperatures and widespread drought have plagued North Carolina throughout June and July, hitting the state’s staple crops hard. Corn crops, in particular, are suffering under a nationwide heat wave. Agriculture officials have grouped North Carolina with Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and Texas for having the most damaged corn crops this season. …
- “NC drought council meets to discuss impact of dry weather on farmers, state preparations,” Daily Journal (Indiana): The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council is meeting to discuss the impact of the current dry weather on farms and how the state can prepare should conditions worsen. …
- “Fair tickets go on sale August 1,” Apex Herald: The 2011 N.C. State Fair is less than three months away and eager fairgoers can plan ahead to save time and money. Concert tickets, as well as discounted admission and ride tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at www.ncstatefair.org. …
- “Western NC cheese-maker meets business’ challenges,” WRAL-TV: The ancient art of cheese-making forces Jennifer Perkins to meet the challenges of both agriculture and running a small business…Perkins started Looking Glass Creamery with her husband Andy in 2009. The farm specializes in small-batch handmade cheese from both goat and cow milk and employs one full-time and one part-time worker. …
- “Knightdale farmers now exempt from building codes,” Eastern Wake News: The Town Council has exempted farmers from Knightdale’s building codes and fees. Earlier this year, the N.C. General Assembly passed a law allowing Wake County cities and towns to wave building codes for farmers. …
- “Health, agriculture officials warn of dangers of drinking raw milk,” Salisbury Post: An outbreak of illnesses in Iredell and Mecklenburg counties has prompted state health and agriculture officials to issue a warning about drinking raw milk. The N.C. Division of Public Health and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate three confirmed and five probable cases of campylobacteriosis. …
- “George Jones, Kansas, Dionne Warwick to headline N.C. State Fair,” News & Observer: Country legend George Jones, 1970s rockers Kansas and Dionne Warwick will be among the performers at this fall’s N.C. State Fair. The fair announced its nightly concert lineup for Dorton Arena [last] Friday. …