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.
- “Burning ban still in effect as N.C. drought lingers,” Greensboro News & Record: The N.C. Forest Service is reminding residents in 19 counties that a burning ban issued in June remains in effect. A statement from the service says the decision to keep the burning ban in place is based on the current fire and drought conditions in the southeastern portion of North Carolina. …
- “Rural US disappearing? Population share hits low,” Charlotte Observer: Rural America now accounts for just 16 percent of the nation’s population, the lowest ever. The latest 2010 census numbers hint at an emerging America where, by midcentury, city boundaries become indistinct and rural areas grow ever less relevant. …
- “Pew report: Fewer poultry farms concentrate waste,” Winston-Salem Journal: Increasing demand for chicken is being satisfied by fewer farms concentrated in a smaller area where surrounding farmland can’t sustainably use the resulting waste as fertilizer, according to a new report being disputed by industry groups. …
- “Texas ag losses could set new record amid drought,” Winston-Salem Journal: Randy McGee spent $28,000 in one month pumping water onto about 500 acres in West Texas before he decided to give up irrigating 75 acres of corn and focus on other crops that stood a better chance in the drought….The drought has spread over much of the southern U.S., leaving Oklahoma the driest it has been since the 1930s and setting records from Louisiana to New Mexico. But the situation is especially severe in Texas, which trails only California in agricultural productivity. …
- “Fair deal: Buy tickets really early, save a bit,” News & Observer: It’s time to start thinking about fried candy bars, racing pigs and Ferris wheel rides. There may still be 21/2 months until the N.C. State Fair opens, but tickets go on sale Monday and buying early can save money. …
- “State Library of NC shares State Fair “Blue Ribbon Memories” online,” Garner News: The State Library of North Carolina is getting in the mood for fried food and prize pumpkins as it launches a new online exhibit about the North Carolina State Fair: Blue Ribbon Memories: Your History of the NC State Fair, found at http://statefair.ncdcr.gov. …
- “Entrepreneur’s passion turns to organic farming in Chatham,” News & Observer: Norma DeCamp Burns could have settled into a quiet retirement after decades as an award-winning architect and a short stint in Raleigh politics. Instead, she decided to take up organic farming on 13 acres in southern Chatham County. …
- “Public can tour 30 farms,” Charlotte Observer: Families can hang out with cows, pigs, chickens, goats and sheep during the third annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour on Sept. 17 and 18. On the tour, sponsored by Davidson-based Know Your Farms, children will learn where their food comes from. …
- “N.C.’s local-food-purchase program says $5.7 million was purchased statewide in program’s first year,” Mountain Xpress: North Carolina residents and businesses bought more than $5.7 million worth of local food in the first year of the 10% Campaign, a statewide effort to stimulate economic development, create jobs and promote farms and fisheries in the state. …