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.
- “Turkey plant closing in Raeford will eliminate 950 jobs,” News & Observer: The state’s poultry industry suffered another blow Thursday as House of Raeford Farms announced it will close its turkey slaughtering plant in Raeford that employs 950 people. The company is also shuttering its turkey hatchery in Rose Hill and ending its relationship with about 140 turkey farmers in eastern North Carolina. …
- “Master Gardener – Pick proper plants to reap the fruits of your labors,” Wilmington Star-News: Thinking of planting fruit trees or berry bushes? Your chances of success have a lot to do with which fruits you choose to grow. …
- “Meat production threatened by budget cuts, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says,” Tulsa (Okla.)World: A standoff over federal budget cuts could shut down meat production plants for more than two weeks this summer and halt the pipeline to grocery stores and restaurants, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told the Tulsa World on Wednesday. …
- “Upcoming conference offers advice for food businesses,” Garner Cleveland Post: Local food businesses will have two opportunities to take part in the annual Food Business Conference sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The event, aimed at helping small-business owners grow their food businesses, has expanded to include two conference locations in Raleigh and Burnsville. …
- “The Field is Set, Eight Rounds of Fire on the Rock Featuring the High Country’s Premiere Chefs,” High Country Press: On Wednesday, Fire on the Rock Founder Jimmy Crippen announced the competitors and battle brackets for the “Got To Be N.C.” Competition Dining Series at a press conference.
- “Raleigh compost company wins $5,000 green award,” News & Observer: CompostNow, a Raleigh company with a mission to turn food scraps into compost, has won a People & Planet Award from Green America. The award comes with a $5,000 cash prize. …
- “Burns planned at Goose Creek,” Greenville Daily Reflector: A prescribed burn is planned for Goose Creek State Park in Washington, N.C., later this month, the state Division of Parks and Recreation announced. …
- “Wineries pour efforts into targeting younger drinkers,” Charlotte Observer: Increasingly, Chardonnays, Pinots and Cabernets are sharing shelf space at your local store with some unusual names – such as Bodacious Brunette red and Buxum Blonde and Angel Food whites. …