Press Releases

RALEIGH – March will officially cue the start of spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and the N.C. Forest Service is urging residents to use caution with all outdoor fires, especially yard debris burns.The N.C. Forest Service responded to more than 5,300 wildfires across North Carolina in 2023, with escaped debris burns as the leading cause. 

MEDIA ADVISORYEDITORS’ NOTE: Media are welcome to attend this sold-out national raspberry and blackberry industry conference. For press passes and updates about the 2024 NARBA annual conference, please contact Darcy Kochis at info@raspberryblackberry.com. 

RALEIGH – A commercial turkey operation in Duplin County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. HPAI was first detected by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh at the end of last week, and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa on Feb. 20.This is the second case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina this month.

RALEIGH – Plans are underway for the Got to Be NC Festival May 17-19 at the State Fairgrounds and organizers are looking for vendors, Got to Be NC member companies, and antique tractors and farm-equipment owners to be part of the activities. Collectors of antique tractors and farm equipment and collector clubs can join a display of more than 1,000 pieces of farm machinery at the festival. Tractors in working order also can participate in the daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required.

The board of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of North Carolina has set the 2024 boll weevil assessment at 75 cents per acre of cotton. The amount remains the same as in 2023.The fee supports the foundation’s efforts to monitor cotton acreage in North Carolina for any reintroduction of the boll weevil and to respond promptly with eradication treatments if necessary.

RALEIGH – The review and comment period is open through March 4 for guidelines concerning a new N.C. Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative to address the lack of capacity for value-added processing of agricultural commodities. The new initiative was established by the N.C. General Assembly in the 2023 session and will be administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.The program is intended to:

     RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced plans to add a year-round food venue at the State Fairgrounds that will be able to offer new food options for the growing West Raleigh area. 

WHO/WHAT:    Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will discuss the vision behind the State Fairgrounds next building project – the Midway Event Center – and improvements the new facility will offer fairgoers, event attendees and neighboring businesses and communities.WHEN/WHERE:        

RALEIGH – A commercial turkey operation in Lenoir County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa. This is the first case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina since 2022 when HPAI was found at nine poultry farms in Johnston and Wayne counties.