I am proud that North Carolina farmers feed people locally, nationally and internationally. Ag exports are significant to the state’s $92.9 billion ag economy, with the state producing around $3 billion in ag exports annually. We continue to work to open new markets...
I spend a great deal of time on the road with my job. Seeing the state, particularly the areas outside of our urban centers, is something I enjoy most about my work. Seeing both the rural and urban areas serves as an excellent reminder that North Carolina is more...
I found an interesting 2017 FFA article that listed its predictions for the Top 5 Agriculture Careers in 2020. In order, they were 1. Drone Technologists 2. Hydrologists 3. Ag Communicators 4. Food Scientists 5. Precision Agriculture Technologists. The common thread with nearly each of these is science and technology – things that people may […]
by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler Last week I had the honor of recognizing George Cecil, one of the two grandsons of George Vanderbilt, with the Ambassador of Agriculture award. This award represents the highest honor given by the N.C. Department of Agriculture for outstanding work in agriculture. Mr. Cecil is the owner of Biltmore Farms, […]
Farmer stress is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Particularly as I have been meeting with farmers and farm groups across the state. In talking with farmers, I see the worry on their faces and feel the weight they are shouldering as they look critically at their farming operations in light […]
The federal Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law in January 2011. This act represents significant and historic change in food regulation and addresses every aspect of food production from farm to fork. Below Commissioner Steve Troxler discusses FSMA and the On Farm Readiness Reviews. Recently the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services […]
For too many of our farmers in Eastern North Carolina, fall has changed from a time of optimism to one of loss. First, Tropical Storm Hermine brushed the northeastern corner of the state, causing significant flooding and problems for farmers. Then, remnants of Tropical Storm Julia blanketed much of Eastern North Carolina. The final, devastating […]
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and like many of you, I will be enjoying the day with family and friends around a home-cooked meal. This holiday season I am thankful for farmers and what they provide to our state. As you sit down to your meal, there’s a good chance what you are eating was grown by […]
This past week has been a big one for ag awareness in our state. We have celebrated National Ag Day, Ag Awareness Week and N.C. A&T State University’s Small Farms Week. On Wednesday I had the honor of attending a luncheon honoring small farmers and recognizing Ryan Wiebe of Burnsville in Yancey County, who was […]
Yesterday I had the honor of speaking at a ceremony commemorating the opening of the L.L. Polk House in Raleigh. Many North Carolinians probably don’t know much about Leonidas LaFayette Polk, but he was instrumental in standing up for agriculture in North Carolina during the latter half of the 19th century. Polk grew up in Anson […]
For a while now, our staff has been working with the U.S. Marine Corps on a unique partnership. The Marine Corps is interested in creating buffers around its bases and training zones so that Marines can continue to train without bothering homes, businesses and schools. For example, Marine pilots have to practice a variety of […]
Ambassador Ron Kirk, President Obama’s U.S. trade representative, paid a visit to North Carolina last week to tout the pending free trade agreement with South Korea. If enacted, the agreement could be a boon to North Carolina farmers by expanding a potentially lucrative export market. The president has instructed Kirk to complete the agreement by […]