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.
- “Latest buzz on bee decline: Maybe it’s pesticides,” WRAL: A common class of pesticide is causing problems for honeybees and bumblebees, important species already in trouble, two studies suggest.
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- “NC Forest Service urges residents not to burn debris,” Lexington Dispatch: The warm weather may feel nice, but if you plan on doing any kind of yard work this weekend the North Carolina Forest Service is encouraging residents not to burn yard debris because strong winds mixed with low humidity could cause a small debris fire to quickly become an out of control blaze. …
- “North Carolina appoints soil, water conservation commissioners,” Southeast Farm Press: Five members of the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission have been sworn-in by Judge Bob Hunter. …
- “N.C. lawmakers delay major immigration legislation,” News & Observer: A special legislative committee that promised a dispassionate review of the state’s immigration policies heard plenty of passionate words from immigrant advocates and their critics during a two-hour hearing Wednesday. …
- “Strawberry growers expect NC crop to ripen early,” WRAL: North Carolina strawberry growers expect their 2012 crop to ripen early and be abundant at most of the 200 farms statewide. …
- “Market is exploding for gluten-free products,” News & Observer: Gluten-free used to be something that food makers didn’t brag about. The few products that were free of wheat or gluten would say so in small type on the back. …
- “Black farmers file claims in USDA settlement,” Charlotte Observer: When Roy James needed money to buy equipment and dig an irrigation well for his father’s Mississippi farm, he applied for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – but was turned down. …
- “NC Sweet Potatoes an Overseas Success Story,” Locally Grown News: North Carolina now exports about $3 billion in agricultural products each year. When Barnes Farming opened in 1960, the Nash County farming operation planted just one acre of sweet potatoes. …
- “That baby chick could make you sick,” Charlotte Observer: Children love getting baby chicks at Easter. But public health officials warn people to be careful when handling these pets. …
- “Biltmore Estate in Asheville exploring wine market possibilities in China,” Asheville Citizen-Times: Three years ago the Biltmore Estate embarked on an ambitious plan to have its wine on sale in all 50 United States. …
- “NC State’s ten percent campaign supports aspiring farmers,” N.C. News Network: Future farmers in five North Carolina counties are being provided with plots of land they can use to develop their skills. …