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.
- “In North Carolina, a 20-fold increase in fines for seed piracy,” The News & Observer: North Carolina’s peanut belt got the kind of rain in 2013 that three decades ago could have wiped out the peanut crop. The deluge of precipitation was ideal for nurturing devastating diseases for the harvests, but farmers had a defense: Most of them had planted protected peanut varieties that N.C. State University’s Tom Isleib and his staff developed to fight off the rain-fueled fungi, blights and viruses that can be the difference between a farmer making money and taking a loss. …
- “Exploring Local Farms And Local Food,” WFAE: We’ve all seen the bumper sticker – ‘No Farms. No Food.’ While agriculture remains North Carolina’s largest industry, a new census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that farmers in the state are getting older and scarcer. Experts say we need more growers and more attention on building the local and regional food economies. Eating local isn’t just the hip thing to do anymore; many see it as vital for environmental sustainability as well. …
- “So far, so good for farmers,” Robesonian: Following a long dry spell, the heavy rainfall that swept through Robeson County on Thursday came as a relief to many area farmers, though some considered it to be a gift that gave too much. “It was much needed,” said Casey McQueen, of McQueen Family Farms in Pembroke. “The wheat crop needed it and the corn crop definitely needed it. The ground was getting dry and a lot of farmers were waiting for some rain to come through before planting soy beans.” …
- “Economist Releases Research Showing Increased Economic Impact of Agriculture,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio) NC State University Economist Mike Walden has released updated information on the impact of agriculture and agribusiness on North Carolina and these numbers are good. North Carolina Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler: “Agriculture and agribusiness continue to make up the state’s leading industry with an economic impact of $78 billion, a $900 billion increase from the previous study. The current data is from 2012 and that was a record year for several NC crops.” …
- “A tobacco hazard” Greensboro News & Record: Many North Carolina residents recall long, hot summer days working in tobacco fields as youngsters. Few remember the experience as easy or pleasant. Children still work in North Carolina tobacco fields — and they might be risking their health, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based international organization that looks for human rights abuses. Unlike in other workplaces, children as young as 12 can work long hours as farm laborers when school is out. On tobacco farms, that puts them at risk for Green Tobacco Sickness…This isn’t regulated like exposure to pesticides, N.C. Department of Agriculture spokesman Brian Long said. But there are safe practices that can limit risk, including use of gloves and protective clothing. The Agriculture Department, N.C. Department of Labor and other organizations provide information to farmers. …
- “Eat Local? Marines Say ‘yes,sir’,” Greater Wilmington Business Journal: Wilmington chef Keith Rhodes and North Carolina produce on Tuesday helped introduce Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base’s newest dining facility and push for more local foods on military bases…This is a great example of the state’s two largest industries, agriculture and the military, working together for common goals,” N.C. Department of Agriculture commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Our department has been working with military installations for more than 30 years to promote local agriculture and provide nutritious products to feed our troops and their families.” …
- “Troxler Says Make Food Not Data,” The Rhino Times: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler didn’t ride into the Guilford County Prison Farm on a white horse, but he may as well have, given the reception he got from the 50 or so people who came out to hear him talk in his attempt to keep the Prison Farm and surrounding area from being destroyed on the off chance that a huge data center park will be built there. Troxler is the only state official who has come out against Project Haystack, the proposed technology park development that would be built on and near the Prison Farm. Troxler, making his first official statement on the matter, spoke at the Wednesday, May 14 press conference held near the Prison Farm greenhouses. …
- “Blackberry growers stay upbeat after freeze damage,” Hendersonville Times: Henderson County’s blackberry growers are trying to remain positive after hard freezes in January and again in April caused widespread damage, leaving this year’s berry production in question. “The level of damage will vary from farm to farm,” said Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County. “Some of the ones at the highest elevations and along creek bottoms seemed to have sustained the most damage.” …
- “Shortage of Tobacco Plants Escalates,” Southern Farm Network: As tobacco setting progresses, it’s becoming apparent that there indeed will be a shortage of plants, for a variety of reasons. Don Nicholson, NCDA Regional Agronomist, for Harnett, Johnston, Wake, Wayne and Wilson Counties, says the shortage is becoming glaringly apparent: “It looks like its going to be a big crop this year. A lot of people are growing tobacco than in the last few years. Plant supply was tight to start with and we’ve had some boughts of bad weather where fields have been under water. And some of the greenhouses have had bad luck with the curtain not going down and it got too hot and killed a lot of plants. Also there have been some disease problems so we will be tight in some places and extremely short in others.” …
- “Strawberry farms looking at record crop” Winston-Salem Journal: If you like fresh strawberries, now is the time. A record amount of strawberries will be ripe for picking this month, according to the N.C. Strawberry Association. Though the crop looks abundant, many more berries are ripening at once, which is challenging farmers to sell large volumes quickly. “We’ve got oodles and gobs of berries at the same time,” said John Hedgecock of Hedgecook Strawberry Farm in Kernersville. “We got more than we want right now.” …