Press Releases
WHO/WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold a work session to review cycle XIV RFPs.
With continued regional drought conditions and high fire potential across southeastern North Carolina, the N.C. Forest Service has mobilized a state incident management team in Lumberton to provide logistical support for any needed fire response.
Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits for the following North Carolina counties: Anson, Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland and Wayne.The burning ban goes into effect at noon Monday, May 24, and will remain in effect until further notice.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced the promotion of Christina “Chrissy” Waggett of Durham to assistant commissioner for consumer protection. She currently serves as an agricultural program specialist and federal liaison for the department and will replace longtime assistant commissioner Joe Reardon who is retiring June 30. The promotion is effective July 1.
N.C. Forest Service officials urge the public to postpone any outdoor burning through early June. During the next two weeks as warmer, drier weather patterns continue across the state, fire danger will be high, and in some cases, extreme, especially in the Coastal Plain and portions of the Sandhills.
WHO/WHAT:The N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission will hold a public meeting to review and approve research pilot program applications.WHEN/WHERE:Tuesday, June 110 a.m.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expected to start treatments June 3 for a gypsy moth infestation in a 2,080-acre block near the Lamsburg community in Surry County. Bryant Road goes through the middle, with Interstate-77 running along the eastern edge of this block. There are 163 residences in the area. In 2019, a male moth was captured in this block. In 2020, 25 gypsy moths were captured, signifying that a reproducing population is present. One application of mating disruption is planned.
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 and social media sites. Please feel free to use any of this content or contact us if you have any additional questions.
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently named Walter Beal of Kittrell as the new director of the Food Distribution Division in the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Beal replaces Gary Gay, who retired at the end of April after 36 years with the department.
In 2020, 83 North Carolina communities earned Tree City USA designations, and 12 college and university campuses earned Tree Campus Higher Education designations. Five utilities earned Tree Line USA designations for 2021, based on activities completed in 2020. The N.C. Forest Service is proud to celebrate these communities, colleges and universities, and public and private utilities that make the commitment to improving care of city trees critical for protecting urban tree canopy cover.