Press Releases

A backyard chicken flock in Union County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.This is the first confirmed positive in Union County. In late spring and early summer, HPAI was found at nine poultry farms in Johnston and Wayne counties and in mid-October HPAI was found in a single backyard flock in Wake County.

WHO/WHAT:The Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs will host a groundbreaking on Friday for a new Christmas Tree Improvement Center. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will join station superintendent Tracy Taylor, researchers, cooperative extension staff, growers and funders for the milestone event.WHEN/WHERE:Friday, Nov. 1810 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.(Lunch will follow with additional information and networking.)

The busy season has begun for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic soil testing lab and growers, gardeners and homeowners are reminded to submit their samples before Dec. 1 to ensure faster turnaround on results and avoid peak-season testing fees.The peak season is anticipated to run from Dec. 1 to March 31, 2023. During that time, there is a $4 fee per sample. Testing outside the peak season is free.

To show its appreciation for the service and sacrifice made by veterans and current military members, the N.C. Forest Service is offering a 25% discount on tree seedling orders placed by active, honorably discharged or retired military personnel during the month of November. The discount applies to the first $500 of all new orders, up to a $125 discount.

The Raleigh Market reopens Saturday, Nov. 5, after a monthlong break for the N.C. State Fair. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays except during October, when the annual State Fair is held.The Raleigh Market is one of the largest flea markets in the Southeast, offering everything from antiques to handicrafts, furniture and homemade goods. Parking is free. For more information about the market, go to www.theraleighmarket.com.

Emoni Jennings of Knightdale won first place and $500 in the Ultimate Brownie Showdown presented by Humana for her Salted 2 Way Brownie recipe. Second place and $300 went to Michelle Hyatt of McLeansville for her Campfire Brownies. Sharon Schwinger of Raleigh won third place and $200 for The Best Brownie recipe.The winning recipe follows:Salted Two Way BrownieYields 12 servingsIngredients

Gail Fuller of Raleigh took first place honors and $500 in the adult category of the Bacontastic Fair Food Challenge presented by the N.C. Pork Council. Christian Davis of Knightdale won first place and $500 in the youth category for his Pizza Bacon Bagel, besting his mom Yvonne Payton Davis who took home third-place honors and $200 in the adult category for her Bacon Stuffed French Toast Sticks.

A Raleigh woman took home first place for her Peach Cobbler Cheesecake Cones on Sunday, October 23 in the fair’s Home Chef Quirky Cobbler Challenge, presented by the N.C. State Fair. Gail Fuller of Raleigh won $500 for the winning recipe.Virginia Kase of Fuquay-Varina took home second place and $300 for her Apple Cranberry Cobbler. Taylor Weber of Raleigh won $200 and third place for her Tomato and Goat Cheese Cobbler.The winning recipe follows:Peach Cobbler Cheesecake ConesMakes 12 servingsFor the cones:

A recipe for Cajun Chicken Casserole took first place in the N.C. State Fair’s Home Chef Not Your Mama’s Chicken Casserole Challenge, presented by House of Raeford. Julie Truelove of Raleigh won $500 for the winning recipe.Harriet Carter of Durham took home second place and $300 for her Aunt Eula’s Mexican Chicken Casserole. Gail Fuller of Raleigh won $200 and third place for her Southern Country Chicken Casserole.The winning recipe follows:Cajun Chicken Casseroleserves 6

Junior winners in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows drew a record $212,500 for the top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions Oct. 23.