WHO/WHAT:The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting its 16th annual Agricultural Development Forum in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show.The forum will include a 2022 economic outlook, a panel discussion on increasing the meat and seafood processing capacity of smaller, local processors in the state, and a presentation on the fertilizer market – which has seen steep increases in prices this season.
Press Releases
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking input from residents and other interested parties in Vance County concerning planned treatment activities for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth.
The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program recently awarded $1 million in grants for 15 projects aimed at boosting bioenergy opportunities and crop production in the state. The Bioenergy Research Initiative began in 2013, with the allocation of funds by the North Carolina General Assembly. The initiative’s grants of $500,000 support the development of energy production from North Carolina agricultural and forest-based products.
High Path Avian Influenza has now been confirmed in 53 hunter-harvested wild waterfowl at three sites in North Carolina. These sites are Hyde County, a site located on the Pamlico/Beaufort County line and a new site in Bladen County. These are the first wild birds in the United States to have Eurasian H5 HPAI since 2016. The positive samples were collected by USDA as part of its ongoing surveillance program for early detection of HPAI in collaboration with state wildlife agencies.
A total of $38 million is now available for a new program in North Carolina that aims to reduce flooding across the state’s waterways. The N.C. General Assembly approved the money to create the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP). It allocates money for projects that protect and restore the integrity of drainage infrastructure.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking input from residents and other interested parties in Currituck and Dare counties concerning planned treatment activities for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth. The meeting to discuss treatment options for three proposed treatment blocks will be held Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall, 1200 Duck Road, Duck.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking input from residents and other interested parties in Surry County concerning planned treatment activities for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth.
Youth who participated in N.C. State Fair junior livestock competitions are eligible to apply for N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 1.Up to 25 $2,000 scholarships are available, in addition to one $2,500 Farm Credit of N.C. Premier Scholarship.“I am proud that this scholarship program has helped many young people and their parents pay for their college education,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Since the program started in 2015, we have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships.”
A wild bird has tested positive for high path avian influenza in Hyde County, prompting reminders for commercial and hobby poultry growers to increase their biosecurity measures.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofits and government agencies wishing to apply have until March 4 at noon.Applicants can submit a draft application for staff review by Jan. 26 to gain feedback on their grant proposals. A pdf of the draft application should be sent to jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.