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.
- “China Tobacco International to open North Carolina office,” Southeast Farm Press: China’s national tobacco company has officially announced the opening of its United States office, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today. Officials with China Tobacco International informed Troxler of the decision at a meeting Wednesday afternoon, citing his department’s ongoing efforts to bolster trade relations with China with the decision to locate their office in the state. ….
- “Killer invading ash trees,” Henderson Dispatch: The emerald ash borer, an invasive species to ash trees, has made its way into Vance County. The emerald ash borer has been spotted in Vance, Granville and Person counties. This little insect is a killer. The adult is metallic green and about one-half inch long. …
- “Soil Sampling Post Wheat Harvest Strongly Recommended,” Southern Farm Network: Due to wet weather, small grain harvest is running about a week behind schedule. Although growers are anxious to get full-season crops planted, it may be worth their while to take time to collect soil samples directly following harvest. …
- “Apple farmers hope rain breaks for harvest,” Hendersonville Times News: This year’s Henderson County’s apple crop is shaping up to be a good one, said Marvin Owings, Henderson County’s Cooperative Extension Service director. “The fruit is growing quite well and is a good size,” he added. This season is a far cry from last year, when springtime hail storms slammed the area and destroyed 60 percent of the 5,600 acres of apples produced in the county. …
- “Cumberland Matters: Soil and Water Conservation program to help improve water quality,” Fayetteville Observer: The Cumberland Soil and Water Conservation District will begin the 2014 Program Year for the North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program on July 1. This program provides financial assistance to encourage farmers and other agricultural land users to install “Best Management Practices” that help protect or improve water quality in North Carolina. …
- “Chefs announced for Fire in the Triangle contest,” News & Observer: The lineup of chefs have been announced for next month’s Fire in the Triangle cooking competition. … Fire in the Triangle is part of a statewide “Iron Chef”-style cooking competition. …
- “Say ‘cheese’ in Durham this Saturday,” WRAL: The Out and About team loves cheese, so when we heard about this event we went crazy! The Artisan Cheese Fest is Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at The Cookery in Durham. It will feature Cookery member and one of our Five Fave food trucks American Meltdown. ..