hardwood

New NCDA&CS biochar program turns Helene recovery & other challenges into a positive for farm soil and water

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A new biochar program in the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services traces its roots to a trifecta of problems affecting Western North Carolina, but it ultimately aims to improve soil and water on farms across the state. Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment made by heating organic material in a very low-oxygen … Read more

The Spotted Lanternfly: Spotted in Virginia

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Pictured is a late-stage spotted lanternfly nymph.

And we need your help to spot it here! In 2013, the emerald ash borer was found for the first time in N.C.  Now, a mere 5 years later, it can be found in a third of our state. The introduction of this forest pest has been catastrophic. Countless ash trees have been killed by … Read more