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.
- “Mountain State Fair tickets now on sale,” Hendersonville Times-News: Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Mountain State Fair, which has a theme this year of “Squeals, Thrills and Ferris Wheels.” The fair, which runs Sept. 7-16 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher, will include fun activities, musical entertainment, rides, crafts, food and agricultural shows for the whole family. …
- “FDA names Ind. farm tied to salmonella in melons,” Charlotte Observer: The Food and Drug Administration has identified a southern Indiana farm that produces cantaloupes linked to a deadly salmonella outbreak and says the operation has recalled its melons. …
- “N.C. State offers “Pack ‘N Cool,” a mobile-refrigeration solution for farmers,” Mountain Xpress: PHHI has developed a new mobile cooling unit for farmers. The five-by-eight-feet refrigerated trailer – called the “Pack ‘N Cool” – is designed to keep fruits and vegetables at ideal temperatures during transport to and from farmers markets or as they’re harvested in farm fields. …
- “N.C. apple crop takes a big hit,” Charlotte Observer: North Carolina’s mountain farmers may have lost 80 percent of the apple crop, usually worth $24 million to the state. Official numbers won’t be available until the end of the month. …
- “U.S. Department of Agriculture gives Sampson County biofuels plant the go-ahead,” Fayetteville Observer: A company planning a $170 million biofuel refinery in Sampson County will clear its last hurdle before construction today when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announces a federal government guarantee for financing the project. …
- “Biltmore’s bounty provides for needy,” Asheville Citizen-Times: More than 2 tons of ripe, red apples grown in a stunningly beautiful hillside orchard at the Biltmore Estate are making their way to needy families across the mountains…
- “Southeastern Agricultural Center in Lumberton undergoes changes,” Fayetteville Observer: State agriculture officials have made several changes at the Southeastern Agricultural Center and Farmers Market in Lumberton in an effort to make the facility more profitable. …
- “Ashe Christmas tree to become White House holiday centerpiece,” Ashe Mountain Times: Rusty Estes of Peak Farms in Laurel Springs is hoping President Barack Obama will make a pit stop in Ashe County this September on his way to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte for an early taste of Christmas. Estes, along with his son Beau, recently won the right to not only provide, but also personally deliver this year’s Christmas tree that will grace the Blue Room at the White House in December. …