New research station superintendent feels calling to advance agriculture

For Kyle Miller, working in agriculture isn’t just his job. He feels it’s a gift that he has to share. “I’ve always loved agriculture. I’ve always just wanted to farm my whole life,” Miller said. “When it’s in your blood, it’s more than just a job or profession. You feel like you’ve got a moral … Read more

Education meets hands-on experience through summer internship at the Mountain Research Station

Summer break is a time when many college students decide whether to spend their summer at the beach or the mountains. While other students utilize this time for career-building internships. Students who spend the summer interning at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville are immersed in all parts of agriculture. “We are a small crew … Read more

Research station teams ups to help flooded farmers in WNC

Less that 24 hours after remnants of Tropical Storm Fred flooded areas of western North Carolina, staff at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville began mobilizing to help farmers who needed a hand to recover. The flooding rains came on a Monday. On Tuesday, the aid effort began. “The morning following the flooding, we started … Read more

Research could help N.C. farmers grow cigar wrapper tobacco for premium prices

Growing tobacco in North Carolina is nothing new, but tobacco that can sell for nearly $6 per pound certainly is. The recent norm for the state’s traditional flue cured or burley varieties is close to $2 per pound. However, some work at the state’s agricultural research stations means the jaw-dropping $6 figure may become more … Read more

Could purple carrots bring the green for N.C. farmers?

Purple carrots may seem like a fantasy right out of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – a quirky little snack you’d only find by following a white hare down a rabbit hole. They’re no fantasy though. Instead, purple carrots are a reality at some research stations in North Carolina. They’re stars of some serious research to … Read more

News Roundup: April 21 – 27

News Roundup

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. “Jury awards hog farm neighbors $50 million,” The News & Observer: A North Carolina jury awarded $50 million to neighbors of a 15,000-hog farm in Eastern North Carolina in a … Read more

News Roundup: Dec. 23 – 29

News Roundup

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. “Industry set to make more meat, more money in 2018,” Meatingplace: The U.S. meat industry is expected to produce 6 percent more pork, 6 percent more beef and 2 percent … Read more

News Roundup: June 18-24

News Roundup

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. “Troxler: DuPont fees will be instituted if needed,” Hendersonville Times-News: Funding for DuPont State Recreational Forest is at stake as the state legislature crafts the final budget plan, and the … Read more