Plant Industry Division

The Plant Police: Protecting Endangered Species in N.C.

We Are Agriculture is a year-long series that will highlight the hard-work done by employees across the Department of Agriculture. Lesley Starke, N.C. Plant Conservation Program Manager with our Plant Industry Division, is one of those employees. Stay tuned each Wednesday here on the blog or any of our social media accounts and join us […]

read more

Dr. William Foote brings farmer’s perspective to Plant Industry

The NCDA&CS Plant Industry division has a new face at the top. Dr. William “Bill” Foote, Plant Industry director, joined NCDA&CS in October. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Foote is a farmer by trade, having spent 25 years growing fruits and vegetables, running a greenhouse operation and a retail market. Eventually, however, new opportunities would draw […]

read more

Fire ant quarantine area expands to part or all of 77 counties.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The quarantine area for red imported fire ants has expanded and now includes part or all of 77 counties. The quarantine now includes all of Alamance, Burke, Guilford, Jackson and McDowell counties. Summary of Talking Points: On […]

read more
Today’s Topic: Sweet potato weevil quarantine issued for two counties in South Carolina

Today’s Topic: Sweet potato weevil quarantine issued for two counties in South Carolina

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Recently a sweet potato weevil quarantine area was established for Berkeley and Jasper counties in South Carolina after weevils were detected there. The quarantine is an effort to protect against the accidental introduction of the weevil into […]

read more
Today’s Topic: Plant nursery inspections look for pests and diseases to ensure healthy plants for consumers

Today’s Topic: Plant nursery inspections look for pests and diseases to ensure healthy plants for consumers

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Inspectors with our Plant Industry Division are fanning out across the state checking nurseries for plant stock to ensure consumers are purchasing healthy plants as they begin to turn their attention to getting out in the yards […]

read more
Today’s Topic: Boll weevil assessment stays at 75 cents per acre.

Today’s Topic: Boll weevil assessment stays at 75 cents per acre.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The state’s boll weevil assessment will stay at 75 cents per acre of cotton. The money from the assessment is used to fund a trapping program to monitor cotton acreage for any re-introduction of boll weevils. The […]

read more

Looking back at 2017: our year-in-review

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
News Roundup: Dec. 23 – 29

News Roundup: Dec. 23 – 29

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
NCDA&CS takes center stage at the Southern Farm Show

NCDA&CS takes center stage at the Southern Farm Show

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