News Roundup: Feb. 16-22

by | Feb 22, 2013

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.

  • Audio: FDA Discusses New Food Safety Modernization Act with Producers,” Southern Farm Network: The US Food & Drug Administration has been saying for two years that new food safety rules would be issued soon, and soon finally came last month. While the new proposed rules are still in the comment period, North Carolina Department of Agriculture hosted a listening session on Wednesday, which was simulcast for South Carolina producers as well. …
  • Area teens conducting scientific trials on tomatoes,” Charlotte Observer: Students at four Rowan County high schools are conducting scientific trials on tomatoes to see if industry pruning standards are superior to extra pruning or no pruning at all. …
  • Cotton farmers produce more but profit less,” Fayetteville Observer: Every eight minutes, like clockwork, a specially fitted tractor chugs out to the middle of Gene West’s field and scoops up another yellow tube stuffed with a ton of cotton. …
  • Snyder’s-Lance celebrates 100th anniversary,” Charlotte Observer: Snyder’s-Lance, a company that started with a man selling peanut butter and crackers on the streets of Charlotte, turns 100 this year – an occasion the company said Monday it will mark with new products and charitable donations. …
  • To apply pesticides follow label; it’s the law,” Hendersonville Times-News: Pesticides are always a hot topic and can really begin some heated discussions. But what do you know about pesticides and how to use them correctly? In North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services serves as the pesticide regulatory agency. …
  • Many farmers in NC say they don’t have enough workers,” WSOC-TV: Many North Carolina farmers said they do not have enough workers to pick the crops, in light of a national labor shortage. With immigration reform back in the spotlight, farmers like Doug Carrigan said they welcome an overhaul. …