Brian Long

Today’s Topic: The NC Food Processing Innovation Center

Today’s Topic: The NC Food Processing Innovation Center

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Over the past three years, North Carolina has been working to boost food manufacturing in the state. The goal is to create jobs and build North Carolina’s agricultural economy. The NCDA&CS has been working with the College of Agriculture […]

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Today’s Topic: USDA forecasts huge increase in NC cotton production; yields of many crops higher than last year

Today’s Topic: USDA forecasts huge increase in NC cotton production; yields of many crops higher than last year

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The USDA’s August crop report for North Carolina indicates yields are looking good across the board. The cotton yield is forecast at 967 pounds per acre, a 321-pound increase from last year. Overall production is predicted to be 705,000 […]

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Today’s Topic: Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum is Aug. 15

Today’s Topic: Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum is Aug. 15

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The 13th annual Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum is coming up Aug. 15 at the State Fairgrounds. The forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Expo Center. Admission is free, and lunch will be […]

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News Roundup: July 29-Aug. 4

News Roundup: July 29-Aug. 4

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. “Her goal is to connect farmers, food businesses to people with money to lend,” The News & Observer: As a child, Carol Peppe Hewitt often traveled with her father, a […]

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Today’s Topic: Farmers markets hitting peak season

Today’s Topic: Farmers markets hitting peak season

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” National Farmers Market Week is Aug. 6-12, but there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the state’s farmers markets year-round. The NCDA&CS operates markets in Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville and Colfax, which is just west of Greensboro. These […]

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Today’s Topic: It’s almost time to sign up for NC State Fair competitions

Today’s Topic: It’s almost time to sign up for NC State Fair competitions

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” If you’re interested in entering a competition at the 2017 N.C. State Fair, it’s almost time to start signing up. Online registration for the competitions opens Aug. 1. To celebrate the 150th N.C. State Fair, several competitions will […]

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Today’s Topic: 28 receive NC State Fair youth livestock scholarships for 2017-18 school year

Today’s Topic: 28 receive NC State Fair youth livestock scholarships for 2017-18 school year

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” It won’t be long before young folks are starting a new year of college. And 28 North Carolina students will be getting some financial help through the N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarship Program. The scholarships are […]

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Today’s Topic: NC farmers plant more cotton, peanuts this year

Today’s Topic: NC farmers plant more cotton, peanuts this year

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” North Carolina farmers are planting more cotton and peanuts this year, according to USDA’s latest crop acreage report. Cotton acreage is forecast to reach 360,000 acres this year, 29 percent more than a year ago. The forecast also […]

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Today’s Topic: Consumers are important, too

Today’s Topic: Consumers are important, too

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” July marks a milestone for the NCDA&CS. Until 20 years ago, the department was known simply as the N.C. Department of Agriculture (NCDA for short). But that all changed in July 1997 when then-Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham […]

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Today’s Topic: Industrial hemp being planted under NC’s pilot program

Today’s Topic: Industrial hemp being planted under NC’s pilot program

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” North Carolina’s goal of having an industrial hemp crop this year is being achieved. More than 60 farmers have had permits approved by the N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission, and they have begun planting the crop. Even with […]

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Today’s Topic: 2017 Census of Agriculture is coming

Today’s Topic: 2017 Census of Agriculture is coming

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The USDA will begin collecting data for the 2017 Census of Agriculture later this year, and there are some changes this time around. This year, the census will include a question about farmers who are active-duty or […]

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News Roundup: June 10-16

News Roundup: June 10-16

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. “Six quick facts about N.C. A&T’s agriculture college,” Greensboro News & Record: (Video) N.C. A&T held its 16th annual Small Farms Field Day on Thursday at the University Farm on […]

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