Christmas tree research in North Carolina is entering a new chapter after a groundbreaking at the Upper Mountain Research Station. The event in late November marked the official beginning of a new building on the research station that will house a seedbank for the...
Christmas trees
Expanding agriculture research in the N.C .Mountains
We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Tracy Taylor, Superintendent of the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each...
Research station aims to provide world’s best Fraser firs
Like any other farmers, Christmas trees growers in western North Carolina are always looking for ways to grow more and better product.
N.C. tree shines as center of White House Christmas decor
A Christmas tree from North Carolina is now on display as the official White House Christmas tree and the centerpiece of the home’s Christmas decorations. The Fraser fir from Peak Farms in Ashe County is in the Blue Room. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden officially revealed the decorated tree along with the other White House […]
Regional Agronomists provide April crop updates
With a long, wet winter and now Easter behind us, field work and land preparation for the 2021 crop is in full swing. With the soils drying out over the past week, many acres have been tilled and/or burndown herbicides have been applied to row crop acres. There are still low-lying and/or poorly drained areas […]
News Roundup: Dec 1 – 7
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. “We waste a lot of food. These people are doing something about it.” News & Observer: Oddly shaped produce can make for a fun conversation. But most produce that doesn’t […]
Today’s Topic: A North Carolina Fraser Fir goes to Washington (as in the White House).
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” For the 13th time, a North Carolina Fraser fir will grace the Blue Room of the White House after North Carolina grower Larry Smith of Mountain Top Fraser Fir won the national tree contest. This was Smith’s […]
News Roundup: Nov. 11-16
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. “Amid salmonella outbreak, experts say NC turkeys are safe to eat this Thanksgiving,” WRAL: With one week to go before Thanksgiving, many are wondering if turkey is safe to eat. The concerns […]
News Roundup: Aug. 18 – 24
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. “A new Bayer era: Who farmers call for seed, chemical purchases,” Southeast Farm Press: As farmers start making buying decisions for the 2019 growing season, it will be business as […]
News Roundup: Dec. 16-22
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. “Thieves fooled by hemp in farmer’s field,” Southeast Farm Press: Back in September, industrial hemp made the news in eastern North Carolina when five Edgecombe County men were arrested for […]
News Roundup: Dec. 9 – 15
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. “INCREASED FOCUS ON SENECAVIRUS A IN SWINE,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio)Animal health officials are conducting more tests related to a relatively low-impact swine disease which symptoms mimic a major disease […]
News Roundup: Dec. 2 -8
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. “Jerome Vick honored with Tobacco Great award,” Wilson Times: Wilson County farmer Jerome Vick told about 250 tobacco farmers to “never give up.” Vick was presented with a prestigious Tobacco […]