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.
- “O, fresh Christmas tree,” Charlotte Observer: Picking out a fresh Christmas tree? Here are a few tips to make sure you get the evergreen you want – and avoid the hassles you don’t. …
- “Get yours: WNC farm calendar benefits program AgOptions program that helps local farmers,” Mountain Xpress: The photographs and stories of more than 50 Western North Carolina farms are featured in a 2012 wall calendar that can be purchased at select Asheville stores and some N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers in the region. …
- “Free workshop planned for women and minority farmers,” Wilmington Journal: An outreach workshop focusing on assistance to underserved groups including women and minority farmers and forest landowners will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. on December 15, 2011 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Hotel in Wilmington. …
- “New ruling provides more protection to chicken farmers,” Winston-Salem Journal: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration issued a ruling Friday that increases certain protections for poultry and hog farmers. One change sets criteria for determining whether it is unlawful for a company to require growers to make expensive upgrades. …
- “N.C. meat processor goes organic,” Mountain Xpress: In a boon to the local and niche meat industry in North Carolina, a Taylorsville meat processing company has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to process certified organic meats. …
- “N.C. State researchers seek new treatments for strawberry diseases,” Salisbury Post: Researchers at North Carolina State University will use funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to help southern strawberry growers battle some common plant diseases. …
- “Shock waves from MF Global collapse felt on farms,” Charlotte Observer: The shock waves from the collapse of commodities trading firm MF Global Inc. are hitting hard across rural America, where farmers, ranchers and agricultural business owners are nervously waiting to learn how much money they’ve lost. …
- “Buffalo roam again near Asheville,” Asheville Citizen-Times: The bull bison, known as “1683” by its tagged ear, topped out at more than a ton. It edged its massive horned head over the bed of the Ford pickup, its long tongue seeking the treats Frankie King shelled out from a bag. …
- “Four winters see steady drop in Cape Fear region bee population,” Fayetteville Observer: Jenaro Garcia lifts the lid off the small white box, revealing a Ziploc bag covered in honeybees. Worker bees swarm into action, creating a cloud that circles Garcia’s beekeeping suit as he tosses the bag aside. …