As of 2026, the N.C. Department of Agriculture has been using a bee protection tool for ten years. That tool is an online-based program called BeeCheck, which is a voluntary bee hive registration system. It involves a database, mapping tools and communication channels. The purpose is to help protect bees from harmful pesticide drift, which … Read more
From grapes to cotton, tobacco to Christmas trees, any crop can be harmed if the wrong herbicide or pesticide comes in contact with it. Certain specialty crops are especially vulnerable because they can be damaged by lots of normal herbicides and pesticides that are commonly used on farms and yards across North Carolina. Beehives could … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The online mapping programs DriftWatch and BeeCheck were launched two years ago, and the recent addition of two new apps (FieldCheck and BeeCheck) make them even easier to use. The FieldCheck app will allow users to access … Read more
It’s been two years since the online mapping programs DriftWatch and BeeCheck were launched in North Carolina. Since then, it has become a valuable tool for beekeepers, specialty crop growers and pesticide applicators. This month the programs launched two apps to help growers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers. The apps work to increased functionality and ease … Read more
With over 2,000 employees in 20 divisions and a presence in all 100 counties, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services touches the lives of North Carolinians every day. We have regulatory and service responsibilities that are wide-ranging, but all seek to support and promote the health and welfare of the residents of this state. … Read more
Communication is key to any good relationship, including business. FieldWatch, an online mapping service designed to help prevent crop damage and bee deaths due to accidental or unintended pesticide drift, aims to help improve communication between growers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators. For the past year, department staff, with the help of N.C. State University and … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” A year ago this month, North Carolina became the 14th state to partner with FieldWatch, an online mapping service designed to help prevent crop damage and bee deaths from accidental or unintended pesticide drift. The BeeCheck and DriftWatch … Read more
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up! The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is pleased to present its lineup for the 2017 Southern Farm Show Feb. 1-3. This show is the Southeast’s largest agricultural exposition with more than 400 vendors. It’s held every February at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Come early and plan … Read more
Last month, North Carolina became the 14th state to partner with FieldWatch, an online mapping service designed to help prevent crop damage and bee deaths due to accidental or unintended pesticide drift. Check out the video below for step-by-step instructions on how to map your beehive or specialty crops. “This program is voluntary, non-regulatory and … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” North Carolina is joining 13 other states in offering an online service that allows producers of pesticide-sensitive specialty crops to map their crop locations. Commissioner Troxler says DriftWatch seeks to enhance communication and awareness between pesticide users and producers of high-value specialty crops. … Read more
