USDA

Food Distribution Division is set to deliver over $3.6 million in locally sourced foods to North Carolina schools – a record for the program. This Farm to School effort has not only benefitted North Carolina producers but also the school children who enjoy the freshest foods available.

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North Carolina strawberries are in season now and being served in participating school systems across the state as part of the Farm to School Program.

Summary: North Carolina farmers have been able to supply over $3.6 million worth of food products to schools across the state, which is a new record for the N.C. Farm to School program. Schools have increased their purchases of North Carolina products thanks to USDA funding through the Local Food for Schools Cooperative. In addition … Read more

USDA’s NASS undertaking first North Carolina Labor Survey to capture an accurate picture of the state’s labor workforce, mechanisms in place to ensure a safe and healthy workforce and ways the department and groups can help farm and communities with needed training and programs.  

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NASS surveys have been sent to producers who are encouraged to provide responses to this first ever survey of labor needs and practices. Today’s Topic with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis Farmers should have recently received or may soon receive a labor survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is … Read more

NC Commissioner Troxler: NASDA Update

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State ag commissioners, secretaries, and administrators met last week at the 2023 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference outside Washington. NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler gave SFN’s Mike Davis some of the items of interest. These items include reorganization of the Food and Drug Administration, the reconsideration of allowing at least … Read more

Deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is Feb. 6. Be sure to respond whether online or by mail.

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Summary: Just a reminder that we are about one month away from the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years. The Census provides a snapshot of U.S. agriculture, plus a state-by-state look at agriculture. It offers helpful insights that help guide the development of ag programs and … Read more

Division of NCDA&CS working to expand food assistance program for seniors

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A program that helps low-income seniors get nutritious food has been expanding in North Carolina, thanks to the work of the NCDA&CS Food Distribution Division and its partner agencies. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is now available to seniors (aged 60 and over) in 72 of North Carolina’s counties. It’s a USDA program created … Read more

NC Feral Swine Task Force receives $2.6 million in grants

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  The Feral Swine Task Force has received more than $2.6 million in grants to help combat the feral swine problem in six North Carolina counties. Grants include $620,000 for Sampson County North, $750,000 for Sampson County South and $1.25 million for the Five County Feral Swine Trap Grant. The grant programs will run through … Read more

Organic production up $224.9 million in North Carolina since 2016

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Today's Topic

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released results of the 2019 Organic Survey, which showed total North Carolina sales of organic farm products at $369.8 million, up $224.9 million from 2016. The largest area of increase was … Read more

Today’s Topic: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program deadline extended to Sept. 11; some specialty crops now included.

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Today's Topic

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The deadline for farmers to apply for the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has been extended to Sept. 11. In addition, some 40 additional specialty crops are now eligible.

Several grants available for NC farmers and rural communities

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Fall is traditionally called “harvest season,” but it’s also grant season for several agricultural organizations in North Carolina. That means farmers and others could get thousands of dollars to help with projects on the farm and in the surrounding rural communities. Here’s a roundup of some available grants. Contact the organization for more information. WNC … Read more

Today’s Topic: 2019 planting intentions for North Carolina farms

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Today's Topic

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” We have gotten our first look at the 2019 planting intentions for North Carolina farms and it looks like we’ll be seeing more corn and cotton this year. Tobacco plantings look to be down 18 percent. The … Read more