April signals the start of strawberry season in North Carolina, and local growers are optimistic about the 2021 season and anticipate a crop that should last through Memorial Day.
Press Releases
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus.“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. But, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.”Last year, North Carolina saw its first case of EEE in late July. There were nine recorded cases of EEE in 2020.
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.
The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements for cases in Granville and Sampson counties. Settlements are listed by county below:
WHO/WHAT:The N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission will hold a public meeting to review and approve research pilot program applications.WHEN/WHERE:Thursday, April 110 a.m.
North Carolina farms across the state will have plenty of outdoor experiences and local food options this spring as they open their gates to welcome visitors. Farms are offering small group, reservation only and timed-ticketed events this spring.
Spring is in the air and many growers are already in the field preparing for the 2021 growing season. Similarly, gardeners are preparing beds either for planting vegetables or spring or summer landscape plants, which often includes applying lime to lower excessive soil acidity.By applying lime according to soil test recommendations, you achieve an optimum pH for your soil and provide balanced availability of plant essential nutrients. It also enhances the chemistry of the soil for roots and important soil organisms to flourish.
The N.C. Board of Agriculture will hold its quarterly meeting Wednesday, March 17, at 2 p.m. via a Microsoft Teams meeting. To access the meeting, log in using this link PUBLIC LINK, or call 984-204-1487, then enter access code 297-749-399#.The board will take up the following items:
As North Carolina’s urban tree canopy declines, the need to continue to plant trees becomes even more important as the state joins in the recognition of Arbor Day.Established in 1872 as a tree-planting holiday, more than a million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Today, all 50 states, including North Carolina, and numerous countries around the globe recognize Arbor Day and its celebration of the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees.
The N.C. Agricultural Finance Authority Board of Directors selected Robert Hosford to serve as the finance agency’s executive director. Hosford replaces Stephanie Oxley, who has served in that role since 2015 and retired on March 1.“Robert understands North Carolina’s agricultural community, as well as agriculture on a national scale,” Troxler said. “This knowledge and experience will be a benefit to the Agricultural Finance Authority and the farmers that benefit from its services.”