Press Releases
WHO/WHAT: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division will hold a public hearing to hear any concerns regarding the recently proposed changes to the rules in Chapter 42 of the North Carolina Administrative Code. The proposed amendment currently being considered removes 02 NCAC 42.0201(b)4 to align the state’s required gasoline volatility specifications with those in the current version of American Society for Testing and Materials test method D4814-24a.
The N.C. Forest Service has confirmed that laurel wilt, a devastating disease of redbay and other plants in the laurel family, has been detected on private property in Beaufort and Greene counties, bringing the number of counties where the tree-killing disease has been detected to 21.Sassafras, redbay, swampbay, pondberry, pondspice and spicebush are in the laurel family and can be affected by this disease. Redbay trees infected with laurel wilt retain their leaves even after the tree has died allowing for easier detection during the winter months.
WHO/WHAT:The North Carolina Sentinel Landscape Committee will hold a meeting to hear committee member reports pertaining to Sentinel Landscape activities, a partner highlight on other Sentinel Landscape programs and any other Sentinel Landscape business. WHEN:Tuesday, June 9
The Reasonover Creek Trail at DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) is undergoing improvements that will result in temporary trail closures. Improvements to the 3.5-mile-long trail are part of the DSRF Master Recreation Plan that will accommodate a high level of recreational use while improving environmental sustainability, increasing longevity, reducing erosion and protecting the water quality of nearby streams.
WHO/WHAT:The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold an advisory committee meeting to:
Thirteen budding student artists were recently chosen as winners in the annual Farm to School Calendar Contest, sponsored by the North Carolina Grange. Each month depicts the art of a student and represents a different commodity. The calendar also includes daily facts about agriculture, giving students an understanding of agriculture's role in food production.
DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) has reopened the popular foot traffic only Triple Falls Trail following temporary repairs.“Hurricane Helene created a historic level of flooding across western North Carolina including the Little River watershed that contains well known waterfalls such as Triple Falls and High Falls,” said Jason Guidry, forest supervisor for DSRF. “The flooding extended into the lower section of Triple Falls Trail, causing severe and deep erosion.”
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed an established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Rockingham County.
RALEIGH – Thirty-one North Carolina students have been selected recipients of 2025 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced.
RALEIGH – The deadline for farmers to apply for the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program for losses in 2024 has been extended to May 19 by the N.C. General Assembly. Farmers who suffered crop losses from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby and drought and other weather-related conditions in 2024 are eligible to apply.