Heather Overton 
April is Stress Awareness Month, held annually since 1992 to raise public awareness of the causes and solutions of stress. Many organizations use this month to talk openly about the impact of stress and mental health. For many farmers across North Carolina, stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain are part of everyday life, especially as the 2026 planting … Read more
The following blog is a Got to Be NC Member Spotlight written by marketing specialist Heather Lifsey on Page Farms in Wake County. Driving down the roads in northwestern Wake County, you see construction in almost every direction. Among all the new buildings is one farm that has been growing crops for over 100 years. … Read more
Last year, the Animal Welfare Section of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted 2,089 inspections across more than 900 animal shelters, boarding kennels and pet shops in North Carolina. Chris Bradley, program coordinator and inspection supervisor with the section, oversees the inspection of nearly 100 facilities in his region. Most facilities receive … Read more
Commissioner Troxler spoke with Southern Farm Network on a new round of funding now available through the North Carlina Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative. Listen to the article online at Southern Farm Network or read more below. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says a new round of funding is now available through a state initiative designed … Read more
Yesterday was National Agriculture Day. Commissioner Troxler spoke with Southern Farm Network on the importance of farmers to food and security and how everyone can support farmers. Listen to the article online at https://www.sfntoday.com/2026/03/24/12545/ Summary: Today marks National Agriculture Day, a time to recognize farmers, producers and agribusinesses that keep food on the table and … Read more
The following blog is from NC Wine. Find more information about North Carolina’s vibrant wine industry at www.ncwine.org. Across our state, from the mountains to the coast, women are working in every facet of wine, cider, and mead production. They are vineyard managers, winemakers, cidermakers, mead makers, marketers, tasting room host, logistics coordinators, compliance experts, … Read more
Commissioner Troxler talks to Southern Farm Network on biosecurity and farms. For link to audio visit Southern Farm Network’s website https://www.sfntoday.com/2026/03/03/11600/. We’re joined again by Commissioner Steve Troxler. Commissioner, I know that biosecurity is something you take very seriously, but it’s not just the farmers who can take steps. I know you’ve recently put some … Read more
Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler talks with Southern Farm Network each week on issues and opportunities in North Carolina agriculture and about the programs and services of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more Today’s Topics visit https://www.sfntoday.com/nc-ag-commissioner-steve-troxler/ House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson released the long-overdue text of the revised Farm Bill … Read more
Listen to Commissioner Troxler speak with Southern Farm Network North Carolina is facing record growth, but state agriculture officials warn that expansion is coming at a cost: the steady loss of farmland and forestland. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the state’s goal is not to stop development altogether, but to slow the pace at which … Read more
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum honored David Smith, Chief Deputy Commissioner of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with the Excellence in Agriculture Award at the 21st Annual Breakfast with the Commissioner held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds during the Southern Farm Show. “Over the years I have had the honor of presenting … Read more
