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.
- “‘Tis the season to support local tree farmers,” Hendersonville Times-News: Christmas is a great season to show your support for the local farmer. Purchasing locally grown Christmas trees helps keep money in the local economy. North Carolina is home to more than 1,000 Christmas-tree producers, mostly in Western North Carolina. About 40 of those are here in Transylvania County. …
- “Texas drought takes cow numbers down by 600K,” Charlotte Observer: The worst drought in Texas’ history has led to the largest-ever one-year decline in the leading cattle-state’s cow herd, raising the likelihood of increased beef prices as the number of animals decline and demand remains strong.
- “New National YF&R committee members appointed,” Farm Bureau News: New members have been appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, for the 2012-2014 term beginning in March. …
- “N.C. farm cash receipts grew in 2010, with net income up 18 percent,” Mountain Xpress: Cash receipts from farming in North Carolina grew to more than $9.6 billion in 2010, according to the latest Agricultural Statistics Yearbook. That’s an increase of more than $400 million over the 2009 total. …
- “Point of View: Connecting farms and our youngest children,” News & Observer: In September, state officials launched a new program called “No Kid Hungry” to provide federally funded school breakfasts to more children in North Carolina. …
- “Ga. farmers out to bring back homegrown olive oil,” Charlotte Observer: Jason Shaw says his first fall harvest yielded fruit for no more than 500 bottles, just enough to sell at select tastings and to share with restaurant chefs in hopes of priming their palates for more. …