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.
- “Union has state’s first local foods agent,” Charlotte Observer: Dustin Adcock has an idea that could dramatically boost the local economy. But he needs support from local farmers and consumers. Adcock recently became the state’s first local foods agent for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. …
- “Farm Bureau: Import field workers or import food,” WRAL: The North Carolina Farm Bureau said Wednesday that a majority of farmers statewide are having trouble hiring qualified employees, and they asked lawmakers for support with immigration reform. …
- “Biomass samples new to North Carolina wheat growers,” Southeast Farm Press: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reminds growers that properly timed nitrogen applications are essential to the growth and development of wheat. Now is a good time to assess the nutrient needs to optimize yields. …
- “Oskar Blues’ new Brevard brewery signals future of North Carolina craft beer scene,” News & Observer: At first glance, it looked unremarkable: the owners of three craft breweries sitting on a stage talking shop at a beer festival. But the scene from Sunday’s Bull City Food & Beer Experience said everything about North Carolina’s emerging status as a landmark on the national craft beer map. …
- “Center receives grant to promote local food,” Winston-Salem Journal: The Center for Environmental Farming Systems has received a $3.9 million grant to build and analyze supply chains for local farmers and fishermen to supply large-scale markets in North Carolina. …
- “NC Department of Agriculture holds workshops aimed at preserving farmlands,” News 14: The NC Department of Agriculture held the second of five statewide workshops aimed at preserving farmlands through the formation of voluntary agricultural districts. The workshops are for agricultural advisory board members, county leaders and farmers. …
- “Farmers find market for apples, berries improving,” Asheville Citizen-Times: In the last two years, apple prices have increased 21 percent, berry production has risen 95 percent and two new wineries have opened in Henderson County, all part of growing demand for local agricultural products. …
- “Winning the blend in China is big for U.S. cotton growers,” Southeast Farm Press: China is the biggest buyer of U.S. grown cotton and of long-term critical importance to our cotton industry is convincing the Chinese to use more cotton in their domestic production, and in the past few years they have gone the other way, using more polyester, says Joe Nicosia, global senior platform head for Louis Dreyfus Commodities. …