Press Releases

RALEIGH – Thirteen budding artists were recently chosen to represent agriculture in the annual farm to School calendar.

RALEIGH – The N.C. Pesticide Board approved the following settlement agreement at its recent meeting.

The Farmland Preservation Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced new initiatives to celebrate farmland preservation efforts across the state.NC Forever Farms is a program that recognizes family farms that have taken the ultimate step in protecting precious working lands that are vital to the future of agriculture in North Carolina. Through permanent agricultural conservation easements, these NC Forever Farms will always be protected from development and the threat of conversion.

 Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced that for the first time the economic impact of North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industry has topped $100 billion, reaching a new record of $103.2 billion. 

WHO/WHAT:Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will make a significant announcement regarding agriculture’s economic impact in North Carolina. Sen. Brent Jackson and Rep. Jimmy Dixon are also slated to speak.WHEN/WHERE:9:30 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2023Tobacco Pavilion at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, RaleighBACKGROUND

North Carolina’s current most famous fowl will be on display during the annual Got to Be NC Festival in Raleigh. The event runs May 19-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.  Visitors to the festival can meet Chocolate and Chip, the two North Carolina turkeys pardoned this past Thanksgiving at the White House. The birds, as well as the other animals, will be on display during the festival.

The Got to Be NC Festival has added even more family friendly activities to its lineup this year, making the festival a can’t miss event May 19-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. New activities include a Butterfly Barn, Lil Ducky Water Racing game, a guest appearance by Chocolate and Chip the White House pardoned turkeys from North Carolina, a cast iron skillet skee ball competition presented by Carolina Cooker, egg candling demonstrations and new food vendors.   

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market will be hosting Strawberry Day, Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the sweet and tasty fruit. The day features free activities for children, recipes for adults and a visit from Suzy Strawberry for selfies. Visitors will also be able to sample North Carolina strawberry varieties and vote on their favorites. 

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will soon start treating for spongy moth, formerly known as gypsy moth, infestations in several areas across North Carolina. Treatments are weather dependent and may start as early as May 31 and could continue through June 20. The areas to be treated include:

Thirty-one North Carolina students have been named recipients of 2023 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced.The scholarships are designed for high school seniors and students currently enrolled in an institute of higher education who have participated in the junior livestock or market turkey shows at the N.C. State Fair.