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.
- “16 chefs will compete in Iron Chef-style contest starting June 11 in Raleigh,” News & Observer: Chef Jimmy Crippen, owner of Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant in Blowing Rock, has brought his Iron Chef-style cooking competition to the Triangle starting June 11. …
- “New Highland brew gets national attention,” Asheville Citizen-Times: The city’s first Beer Week celebration is starting with a big bump for one local brew. Highland Brewing Co.’s new Razor Wit was named one of the best beers of 2012 by Esquire magazine. …
- “Burley and beef to broccoli and biofuel: Test farm plants seeds of new farm economy without forgetting its roots,” Smoky Mountain News: A walk through the fields of the Mountain Research Station will find dozens of projects in process as researchers experiment and push the limits of what the land can produce. …
- “Gov’t taking new steps to combat food stamp fraud,” Charlotte Observer: Food stamp recipients are ripping off the government for millions of dollars by illegally selling their benefit cards for cash – sometimes even in the open, on eBay or Craigslist – and then asking the government for replacement cards. …
- “Tempeh Starter Yeast recalled over salmonella,” News & Observer: A Rockville, Md., company is recalling all packages of a food product because of potential salmonella contamination. …
- “Farmers markets good for health, economy,” WRAL-TV: Farmers markets bring locally grown produce at its peak of freshness to urban communities across the nation. …
- “N.C. considers new rules on coyote, hog hunting,” Greensboro News & Record: North Carolina’s wildlife agency is considering new rules on hunting coyotes and feral hogs. …
- “‘Quintessential farm family’,” Wilkes Journal-Patriot: When officials at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment were looking for a good example of a family farm that was both profitable and committed to sound conservation practices, they were directed to a diverse agricultural operation in southeastern Wilkes County. …
- “Farmers warned about burning debris,” Richmond County Daily Journal: Farmers should review open burning laws before burning off crop residue to ensure they stay in compliance with state air quality rules. …
- “10 Percent Campaign encourages purchase of local foods,” Salisbury Post: Support for a statewide campaign encouraging consumers to spend 10 percent of their existing food dollars with local food producers, related business and communities is quickly approaching $15 million. …
- “What’s in your gasoline? Rules change June 1,” Gaston Gazette: Consumers can expect to see changes in ethanol labels at gas pumps across North Carolina beginning June 1. …