The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that 16 specialty crop projects have received more than $2.9 million in USDA grants in 2021.Projects included new research on reusing old greenhouse structures for strawberry production, how to limit insecticide usage that can harm pollinators, addressing health and safety concerns for farmworkers, and consumer awareness campaigns to increase consumption of specialty crops.
Press Releases
WHO/WHAT:Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler plans to visit the N.C. Forest Service’s Incident Command Post at the Grindstone Fire at Pilot Mountain to get an update on efforts to control the fire. Following the briefing, Troxler will make a few remarks and take questions from the media.WHEN:Thursday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.
Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective at 5 p.m. today until further notice.“It is fall wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”
The holiday season offers great opportunities to explore agritourism activities on farms and across North Carolina. Visitors will find plenty of outdoor experiences from tours, trails, farmers markets, farm stands, holiday festivals and special events. The following is a sample of agritourism opportunities offered at North Carolina farms this season.
Following is a list of the N.C. State Fair cattle Supreme Champions, the Junior showmanship champions and winners in each open and Junior class:Open Beef Cattle– Supreme Champions
Winners in the N.C. State Fair’s junior sheep competitions have been announced. Following is a list of the winners in each class: Junior Ewe Meat Breed ChampionsSupreme Grand Champion and Grand Champion Got to be NC shown by Cynthia Connolly of Mount Ulla (Rowan)Supreme Reserve Grand Champion shown by Caley Mayo of Whitakers (Nash)Reserve Grand Champion Got to be NC shown by Abigail Wilson of China Grove (Rowan)Junior Ewe Meat Breeds – Southdown
Following is a list of the winners in the N.C. State Fair pig, goat and turkey shows:Breeding GiltGrand Champion shown by Floyd Davis of Richlands (Wilson)Reserve Grand Champion shown by Allison Stoner of Taneytown, Md.Junior Breeding GiltSupreme Champion shown by Gray Palmer of Hurdle Mills (Orange)Reserve Supreme Champion shown by Hannah Cooper of Hertford (Perquimans)Junior Market Barrow
Below is a summary of local interest stories that have recently been highlighted on the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ In the Field Blog. Please feel free to use any of this content or contact us if you have any additional questions.
More mental health support will be available to farmers and ranchers thanks to a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to expand the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network -NC.
In recognition of the service and sacrifice of veterans and members of the armed forces, the North Carolina 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.