RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced the promotion of Greg Hicks of Oxford to assistant commissioner overseeing operations of the North Carolina Forest Service. Hicks previously served as assistant state forester. He will replace current assistant commissioner Scott Bissette who is retiring. The promotion is effective Nov. 1.
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The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program are accepting grant proposals for 2023 that align with their respective missions."Agricultural research is an investment in our future. By supporting research today, we can help ensure a more productive and sustainable agriculture industry and maintain agriculture and agribusiness as the leading industry in our state," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I’m happy to see these programs once again offering up to $1 million in competitive grants.”
The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements related to cases in Johnston, Lenior and New Hanover counties. Each instance involved application of restricted-use pesticides without a valid license.Settlements are listed by county below:
RALEIGH – For the second year in a row, junior winners in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows drew a record amount of money in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions. The top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys earned $217,850 in the sale on Oct. 22. The figure surpasses the record of $212,500 set at the 2022 sale.
As we head into cooler weather, fall is the best time to amend your lawns, especially fescue lawns and landscape areas, with lime and fertilizer and to start fall vegetable gardens. Homeowners, gardeners, community gardeners, golf course superintendents, and turf consultants are encouraged to submit samples now to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services soil test to ensure faster turnaround time on results and avoid peak-season testing fees.
The 2023 N.C. State Fair ended its 11-day run with a strong final weekendthat pushed total attendance to 926,425. Other fair highlights included a new auction record forthe Livestock Sale of Champions and strong participation for Smithfield Foods Hunger ReliefDay and competitive entries.
John Tyler Moore of Durham wrapped up the State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge serieswith a first-place win for his Brunch Balls recipe in the Nahunta Pork Center’s Not Your Mama’s Sausage Balls Challenge. Moore won the opening day contest, too. He took home $500 prize for the win.Second place and a $300 prize went to Jill Moore of Chapel Hill for her Flaming Lime Sausage Balls. Third place and $200 went to Kimberly Howell of Raleigh for her for her Slap Yo Sweet Mama – Pineapple Jalapeno Sausage Balls recipe.The winning recipe follows:
Sarah Hester of Knightdale won the N.C. State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge titled the “Summer Salad of the South: Kickin’ Chicken Salad Challenge” presented by House of Raeford Farms. Hester’s Curry Chicken Salad earned $500 in prize money. This is the first year Hester has competed in the fair’s cooking competitions, and she also won this year’s “Make-Ahead Lunch” challenge.Lisa Brescia of Cary placed second, earning $300 for her “Thai Meets Indi Curry Salad.” Third place and $200 went to Pamela Cash of Youngsville for her traditional chicken salad.
Mother of four Kim Cooper of Carolina Beach earned a blue ribbon and a $500 prize in the Let's Get Cheesy: Mac-n-Cheese Challenge with her family recipe for Mema’s Mac & Cheese.Jessica Williams of Raleigh took second place and won $300 for her loaded seafood mac andcheese. Allison Wylie of Garner took third place and won $200 for her Korean fried chicken macand cheese.The winning recipe follows:Mema’s Mac & CheeseIngredients:
Savannah Ranson of Raleigh placed first in the Carnitas Street Taco Challengepresented by Smithfield Foods. Her Blue Corn Carnitas Street Tacos won her the blue ribbon anda prize of $500.Chelsie Rose Troxel of Angier won the second-place price and $300 with her Sweet CarnitaTacos. Aisha Barnes of Wake Forest won third place with her Carnitas Recipe, and was also thewinner of $200.The winning recipe follows:Blue Corn Carnitas Street TacosIngredients:Carnitas: