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.
- “Townsends Crestwood Farms growers seek solutions,” Southern Farm Network: More than 175 Townsends Crestwood Farms growers attended the first of several informational meetings on Monday in Siler City. In these early days after the announcement that Ukrainian business, Omtron, LLC will definitely close the doors of the Mocksville and Siler City plants on October 4th, few concrete solutions were evident, but many are working hard for a positive solution. …
- “Website geared to help poultry farmers affected by plant closures,” Yadkin Ripple: Poultry farmers whose production contracts will be affected by the closing of two Townsends processing plants this fall are advised to seek information from a website set up by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Growers Assistance and Information Network, or GAIN, contains information and listings of resources that could assist growers with financial planning, alternative markets and other topics relevant to their situation. …
- “West Texas town teeters on drying up in drought,” Charlotte Observer: Ranchers in pickup trucks here stop to ladle up puddles of street water after underground pipes crack, and wilting trees are quenched with dirty bathwater hauled from tubs to front yards. An April storm teased Robert Lee, but instead of rain, a lightning strike started a wildfire that chewed up 169,000 drought-starved acres. …
- “Increased food demand means increased costs for farmers,” WRAL-TV: Local farmers say they are feeling the brunt of the increased demand of corn and soybeans from overseas, particularly China. CBS News reported Tuesday that, for the past three years, the country has been importing more than half of the United States’ soy exports. Although it means more business for corn and soybean farmers, it also means higher feed costs for livestock and, likely, higher food costs for consumers. …
- “Mountian State Fair seeks gospel groups,” Asheville Citizen-Times: The North Carolina Mountain State Fair is recruiting gospel singers and groups for this year’s gospel singing competition at 9 a.m. on Sept. 10 on the fair’s Heritage Stage. More than $2,000 will be awarded in the competition. …
- “Farmers urged to prepare for storms,” Richmond County Daily Journal: As hurricane season enters what is generally its most active period, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is reminding farmers to have emergency plans in place for their farms and share those plans with workers in advance of storms. …
- “NC awaits onslaught of tree-killing pest,” News & Observer: It’s just a matter of time before a tree-killing pest called the emerald ash borer shows up in North Carolina. The state Forest Service is holding a workshop Sunday along with officials from Tennessee and Virginia on ways to prepare for the onslaught of the Asian beetle. …
- “Under the Dome: Minority farmers’ voice,” News & Observer: Archie Hart, Knightdale resident and administrator in the state Department of Agriculture, has a hand in setting federal agriculture policy, as well. As vice chairman of the federal Minority Farmer Advisory Committee that’s reporting to U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack, Hart is helping shape recommendations on ways the department can promote participation of minority farmers and ranchers in federal agriculture programs. …
- “Hunger study calls Winston-Salem area worst in U.S. ,” Winston-Salem Journal: The greater Winston-Salem area was ranked the worst metro area in the United States in having families with children that had a hard time putting food on the table, according to a new study. …
- “Simmons Road fire 100% contained, fire officials say,” WECT: The fire burning on Simmons Road in Bladen County is now 100 percent contained, according to fire crews. The forest service said they are pulling out of the area Wednesday but will leave a handful of people to help with the area’s rehabilitation. …