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.
“NC Mountain State Fair’s animal shows popular,” Asheville Citizen Times: From alligators to ducks, sea lions to horses, the annual N.C. Mountain State Fair attracts visitors of all ages with its colorful array of animals. But even the new alligator show can barely compete with the pig races, an event that continues to bring back a crowd year after year. “We get the schedule and we check what time the pig races are, and we come here immediately,” said Leslie Manner, an Asheville native. “We love it.” …
“NC Ports: Company Abandons Plans For Fumigation Facility,” WITN: A proposed project for the State Port in Morehead City that had many residents raising health and environmental concerns will not happen, according to the NC Ports Authority. Cogent Fibre wanted to fumigate logs using the pesticide methyl bromide. …
“NC sheep farm educates public through tours,” Spartanburg Herald Journal: Melissa Orr didn’t know anything about sheep when her family purchased three ewes in 2005. The only experience she’d had was with some miniature donkeys that her family had on their 2-acre farm. Still, after talking with a sheep owner at the N.C. Mountain State Fair about the benefits of raising the animals, her curiosity was piqued. Now she and her husband, Bryan, have 44 sheep and are launching tours of their Mills River operation, Sycamore Farms. …
“Small Farmers Show Resilience,” Epoch Times: After historic droughts, floods, and fires in recent years, American farmers got good news this harvest season. “This week’s forecast of a $6.8 billion increase in net farm income is a testament to the resilience and productivity of U.S. farmers and ranchers, and a further sign of the positive momentum they have achieved over the past five years,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. It’s the second-highest inflation-adjusted amount since 1973. More than 90 percent of American farms are small, with gross incomes under $250,000 each year. …
“Like N.C.? Pin it on Pinterest,” Charlotte Observer: The N.C. Department of Agriculture wants you to know more about state food, and they’re taking to Pinterest to do it. Until Nov. 1, you can get a chance to win a weekly package of prizes (most Got to Be N.C. promotional products) if you go to the state agriculture page, www.pinterest.com/GottobeNC, and do two things: Follow at least one board and repin at least one thing. You’ll find pictures and recipes featuring N.C. products. …