Summary: Ten projects focused on supporting specialty crop producers recently received funding through the specialty crop block grant program funded by USDA. More than $1.25 million was awarded. Specialty crops represent tremendous opportunities for North Carolina...
Today’s Topic on Southern Farm Network
North Carolina Culinary Ambassadors selected as the Chef Showdown series wraps up and top chef, pastry chef and mixologist named.
Summary: Three North Carolina chefs, three pastry chefs and three mixologists from across the state were recently named Got to Be NC Culinary and Beverage Ambassadors after winning in the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Chef Showdown. Today's Topic with...
Fair season is cranking up and you can find 32 county and regional agricultural fairs taking place across the state between now and the end of October.
Summary: As we head into the end of summer and beginning of fall, that means it is fair time in North Carolina. The state is home to 32 county and regional agricultural fairs from the mountains to the coast. These community events celebrate their people and their...
The N.C. State Fair is looking for 11 farm families to recognize for its 2023 Farm Family of the Day presented by Tractor Supply Company.
Summary: The N.C. State Fair continues its commitment to highlighting North Carolina agriculture through its Farm Family of the Day program presented by Tractor Supply Company. Eleven farm families will be recognized at the State Fair, highlighting their farm and the...
The destruction caused by the recent tornado that came through Nash and Edgecombe counties serves as a reminder that farmers and residents should brush up on their emergency readiness plans.
Summary: We are in hurricane season and that means farms and residents need to be sure they have an emergency response plan and be ready to activate it quickly. The destruction caused by the recent tornado that traveled through Nash and Edgecombe counties is a very...
The N.C. Department of Agriculture has a lot of interesting career opportunities including some that people may not know we have.
Summary: People are sometimes surprised to learn about all the different types of jobs we have at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, especially in fields they may not associate with agriculture. We have a number of job openings currently and...
Baptists on Mission to bring Health and Dental Screening to North Carolina Farms
North Carolina Baptists on Mission wants to bring its health and dental screening programs to North Carolina farms and farmworkers. The faith-based organization is looking for farms to partner with for weekday visits. The health screenings focus on assessing vital...
Summertime is a busy time in agriculture.
Summary: Blink and summer will be over! Farmers markets are busy with fresh new products coming in daily and special commodity day events planned. In addition, research stations across the state are hosting field days to share the latest research with local farmers....
Keep an eye out for spotted lanternfly.
Since finding spotted lanternfly at a site in Kernersville in 2022, the Plant Industry Division has asked residents to be on the look out for this invasive and destructive pest. Residents who think they may have seen spotted lanternfly in their area are asked to take...
Four promotions announced at the department
Summary: New faces moving into leadership roles in the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Three department employees are promoted and one is joining the department from N.C. State. I'm happy to report that we have four people...
N.C. Forest Service seedling sales begin July 1.
Summary: The N.C. Forest Service’s annual tree seedling sale is set to start July 5. Around 16 million seedlings are produced each year through the NCFS Nursery Program, enough to plant around 30,000 acres. If you are interested in purchasing these genetically...
June is National Pollinator Month and June 19-25 is National Pollinator Week making it a great time to celebrate bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators.
Summary: It is well established that pollinators are essential to food production, with a third of every mouthful of food attributed to pollinated crops. Protecting pollinators, especially bees, has been an ongoing focus of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and...