Press Releases

           RALEIGH – Three of North Carolina’s state-operated farmers markets will begin serving as drop-off locations for hurricane relief supplies starting today through Sunday, Oct. 6. Times are as follows:
RALEIGH – The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements. Settlements involved improper sales and use of pesticides in Buncombe/Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, New Hanover and Yadkin counties.Settlements are listed by county below:
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today issued an urgent plea for donations of fencing supplies for livestock producers in Western North Carolina.    
WHO/WHAT:           Press availability with Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and U.S. Representatives David Rouzer, Greg Murphy and Chuck Edwards to talk about ongoing relief efforts, storm damage and community needs.WHEN/WHERE:      Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m.WNC Farmers Market570 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806          -aea-1
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will activate its hotline Saturday, Sept. 28, to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.            
           North Carolina’s longest tradition is just around the corner – the N.C. State Fair. This weekend will be the last weekend for the flea market before the fairgrounds close to the public to allow for fair preparations.
RALEIGH – North Carolina agriculture’s fall bounty will be on full display at the State Farmers Market’s fall Harvest Festival on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. From pumpkins to apples and sweet potatoes to peanuts, the garden center area located just behind the State Farmers Market Restaurant will be a hub of activity.The Harvest Festival is free to the public and will incorporate games, information and fun for both the young and the young at heart.
RALEIGH -The N.C. Department of Agriculture plans to award up to $1.5 million in grants for research projects that aim to advance agriculture and the agricultural economy in North Carolina. With that goal in mind, the department is requesting grant proposals that fit into any of the following programs:
FLETCHER – Great weather and strong community support delivered strong attendance numbers for the 2024 N.C. Mountain State Fair sponsored by Ingles Markets. Total attendance was 149,334, besting last year’s attendance by 2,056.
Over $1,600 was awarded and bragging rights settled in the first four special cooking contests at the N.C. Mountain State Fair. Carole Carter of Mountain Home took first-place honors and earned $100 for her Fresh Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage recipe in the N.C. Tomato Growers Association’s North Carolina’s Fresh Tomatoes Contest. Her recipe used fresh tomatoes from Johnson Farm.