Andrea Ashby The 137th opening of the Wilson Tobacco Market drew a crowd Wednesday, Aug. 12, setting a festive and hopeful tone for the start of the tobacco buying season that felt equal parts family reunion and pep rally. With America also celebrating its 250th anniversary, many speakers included tributes to America’s first crop and its role … Read more
North Carolina can trace its beekeeping roots back in state inventories to as early as 1697 and the formation of the N.C. Beekeepers Association to 1917, but surprisingly that isn’t the oldest beginnings for either in the United States. The Colorado State Beekeepers Association was formed in 1880 making it the oldest state association in … Read more
The countdown is on to strawberry season with farmers working hard to protect the emerging blossoms and berries from cold nights that always follow what has come to be known as “false spring” in North Carolina. Jonathan Godfrey, who grows over a half-acre of organic strawberries with his dad and brother at Olde Carthage Farm … Read more
Canning and home food preservation has made a big comeback in recent years, particularly as many people have begun gardening and growing their own fruits and vegetables. While putting up garden produce for the winter months was a necessity for many families several generations ago, today canning is more of a delicious hobby. At the … Read more
If you grew up in the Piedmont area around Winston-Salem, at least one school field trip was to Old Salem where we learned about the German settlers who came to live in Forsyth County and the town of Salem. The history and stories behind Old Salem were interesting and I loved coming home with a … Read more
Moore County sits squarely in North Carolina’s main peach producing region, but at Ann Marie and David Thornton’s James Creek Orchard, it is the heirloom and cider apples that take center stage as the foundation of their award-winning ciders. Fermented or hard cider can trace its roots back to the beginning of our country, with … Read more
No matter what crop farmers are growing, the department’s Agronomic Services Division can help them improve the crop and yields through soil, water and tissue testing services offered. Brad Thompson is a regional agronomist serving Anson, Chatham, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond and Stanley counties and specializes in fruit and vegetable production. He works one-on-one with … Read more
The end of the year is always a good time to look back to see what you accomplished and any changes you want to make looking ahead. The department’s social media accounts – Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) – are key communication tools and that was really obvious when we reviewed the … Read more
This year the old tobacco barn in Heritage Circle will celebrate its 20th year of being used to cure tobacco during the fair. But it’s impossible to know just how many seasons of tobacco have come through its short, single door and how many times fires were lit to begin … Read more
When the two NCDA&CS Food Distribution trucks pulled up to Biltmore Church in Arden, NC, on Sunday, they were met with cheers and a round of applause. The Baptists on Mission recovery site had run out of food just moments before the trucks arrived, together carrying 32 pallets of protein, vegetables and fruits, said Walter … Read more
