RALEIGH – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Western North Carolina wine, cider and mead industry is facing significant challenges as vineyards, tasting rooms and production facilities across the region grapple with damages and distribution disruptions. With the holiday season in full swing, farmers and producers are asking consumers to pour it forward and shop local as the industry continues to recover and rebuild.
Press Releases
RALEIGH – Following are winners in the 2024 N.C. State Fair livestock shows.Open Dairy Cattle – AyrshireGrand champion female and senior champion female shown by Kylie Ward of Lexington (Davidson)Reserve grand champion female, junior champion female, reserve junior champion female and reserve senior champion female shown by Russell Isley of Burlington (Alamance)Open Dairy Cattle – Brown Swiss
RALEIGH — N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler encourages communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance.
RALEIGH – Below is a summary of local interest stories that have recently been highlighted on the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ In the Field Blog. Please feel free to use any of this content or photos in your publications or contact us if you have any additional questions.
WHO/WHAT: The North Carolina Sentinel Landscape Committee will hold a meeting to hear committee member reports and conduct other Sentinel Landscape business. WHEN: Monday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m. WHERE: Hall of Fame Room, Agriculture Building, 2 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. The public may also join in on the meeting via conference number 984-204-1487. The conference ID is 489 346 810, followed by the # key.
WHO/WHAT: The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold an advisory committee meeting to:• Review the trust fund budget and open grantee contracts.• Hear trust fund reports on open conservation easement projects; county program maps and updates; grant monitoring and stewardship updates; and an easement status report involving recent and upcoming closings.
RALEIGH – Nothing ushers in the holiday season like seeing roadside Christmas tree lots pop up across the state or fresh trees outside grocery stores or retailers. The 940 farmers who grow the trees that bring you the nostalgic smell and feeling of a traditional North Carolina Christmas need your help. In a year where many saw the total devastation of the infrastructure around their farms and the loss of thousands of trees, the resiliency of our state’s growers is tremendous.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division fined four stores in Forsyth, Mecklenburg and Moore counties for price scanning errors.“Scanner errors cost consumers money,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With the holiday season approaching fast, our Standards Division remains vigilant in inspecting stores across the state to ensure consumers are not being taken advantage of.”
RALEIGH – Beginning Nov. 11, the N.C. Forest Service is offering a 20% discount on tree seedling orders placed by active, honorably discharged or retired military personnel throughout November. The discount applies to the first $500 of all new orders, up to a $100 discount.
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab is about to hit its busy season and growers and homeowners are encouraged to submit soil samples by Nov. 26 to avoid peak-season fees and to get results and recommendations sooner. Peak-season fees will be waived for the Western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.