If you are planning to visit the Got to Be NC Festival this weekend, take some time to visit the family-friendly agricultural exhibits in the Jim Graham building that highlight some of North Carolina’s top animal industries, including poultry. In the Graham Building festival goers can learn a little more about one of North Carolina’s … Read more
Summary: The department recently awarded $12.4 million in grants focused on expanding the processing of agricultural products. The investment in these eight projects is expected to be a boost for farmers by providing more options close by to process and distribute products. I am excited to share that the department recently awarded $12.4 million … Read more
Summary: The N.C. State Fair’s roots remain firmly in agriculture and its mission continues to focus on helping people connect the dots between agriculture and the food they enjoy, and the fiber and fuel we use. Be sure to look for the agricultural exhibits and activities at the Fair, Oct. 12-22. Last week we talked … Read more
The State Fair has always focused on agricultural education. In the beginning, this was more a farmer-to-farmer exchange, where good ideas were shared with one another and new production methods and techniques were introduced. Today, we are focused on educating the non-farming public about agricultural production and how all food begins on a farm. There’s … Read more
It started with a simple question: how do we get rid of those Bradford Pears? A simple premise, but complicated in execution. So when Dr. Kelly Oten of NC State University Extension began looking at ways to start reducing the numbers of the invasive tree species in North Carolina, she took inspiration from a program … Read more
As agriculture continues to grow and expand across North Carolina, small independent meat processors have become a vital part of meeting the growing demand for food both at home and across the nation. That’s where the Improving Meat Production Efficiency and Capacity grant program comes in. Created in September 2020 to help independent processors deal … Read more
By the time a piece of meat hits your plate, it has gone through a long journey. From the farm to the processing plant to the grocery store and everything in between, meat production is a complicated process which requires up-to-date infrastructure at every stage. That’s why in April 2021, the North Carolina Department of … Read more
The NCDA&CS Plant Industry division has a new face at the top. Dr. William “Bill” Foote, Plant Industry director, joined NCDA&CS in October. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Foote is a farmer by trade, having spent 25 years growing fruits and vegetables, running a greenhouse operation and a retail market. Eventually, however, new opportunities would draw … Read more
Man’s best friend will soon have a brand-new job in North Carolina — hunting down invasive bugs. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s Plant Industry division will soon welcome a pair of working dogs named Kita and Neeko to the state to help detect Spotted Lanternfly. The destructive pest, which causes severe … Read more
The day starts off a bit earlier than usual, but not by enough to justify the complaining I want to do about it. It’s alright though, because to be honest I am excited. I’m heading to the State Emergency Operations Center this morning to be part of a mock nuclear disaster exercise. This involves … Read more
