drought – In the Field

Update on drought conditions across the state, plus emergency loans now available in five counties due to recent disaster declaration.

July 30, 2024 by Heather Overton

Although drought conditions persist, recent rains have been welcomed by farmers across the state. Crop conditions continue to remain a concern, especially for corn and hay. Some crops show signs they are responding to the rain. USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared a disaster for Columbus County based on losses caused by the drought, which … Read more

News Roundup: July 13-20

July 20, 2018 by Heather Overton

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. “Western Wake Farmers Market is Home at Last,” Cary Magazine: The Western Wake Farmers Market is open Saturdays on Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. Eight years after its founding, the Western Wake … Read more

News Roundup: Sept. 23-29

September 29, 2017 by Heather Overton

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. “North Carolina farmers handled dicamba well, but can improve,” Southeast Farm Press: Only 14 official dicamba drift complaints were filed with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture this year. “There were … Read more

News Roundup: May 20-26

May 26, 2017 by Heather Overton

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. “Rain drenches county, puts crops on hold,” Hendersonville Times-News: Rain is drenching the already saturated ground in Henderson County, putting many farming operations on hold, and forecasters say several more … Read more

News Roundup: April 1-7

April 7, 2017 by Heather Overton

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. “Hog waste bill speeds through NC House,” WRAL: Speed legislating is pretty common each legislative session in the weeks leading up to crossover, the date by which, in most cases, a … Read more

News Roundup: Feb. 11-17

February 17, 2017 by Heather Overton

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. “Warning bells issued for nematodes in Carolinas,” Southeast Farm Press: Both Clemson University and North Carolina State University are issuing warning bells for nematodes in the Carolinas. The nematode issue was … Read more

News Roundup: Dec. 31-Jan. 6

January 6, 2017 by Heather Overton

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. “NC FSA Director to Leave January 20th,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio) For just over three years, the North Carolina Farm Service Agency has had the most dynamic and involved director in … Read more

News Roundup: Nov. 12-18

November 18, 2016 by Heather Overton

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. “Popcorn passion: Yadkinville farm is only grower on East Coast,” Winston-Salem Journal: Shallowford Farms Popcorn owner Caswell Booe is pictured at the company’s Huntsville plant with many of the silos … Read more

News Roundup: Nov. 5-11

November 11, 2016 by Brian Long

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. “Myths and facts about U.S. hemp farming today,” Southeast Farm Press: Commercial hemp production faded, along with its legality, many decades ago in the U.S., but enthusiasts and business people … Read more

Today’s Topic: Hay Alert website can help ranchers find hay

November 8, 2016 by Brian Long

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Continuing drought in the West and Hurricane Matthew’s rains and flooding in the East have combined to raise farmers’ concerns about finding enough hay to feed their animals this winter. Commissioner Troxler says over a third of North Carolina … Read more