Agricultural Development Forum is Feb. 4

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting two events aimed at farmers and agribusinesses on Feb. 4 in the Holshouser Building at the State Fairgrounds.

The 11th annual Agricultural Development Forum will focus on N.C. farm families’ preparation for the future and innovative solutions to hunger and food insecurity. It will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., the department will host an information session about new federal food safety rules.

Admission to both events is free and lunch will be provided. For information, visit www.ncagr.gov/agforum. Individuals with questions may contact Christina Waggett at 919-707-3008. The forum is sponsored by Publix. Both events are being held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show.

“This year’s forum will include a panel of farmers discussing how farm families prepare for and deal with opportunities and challenges,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “A second panel – featuring representatives of food banks, supermarkets and hunger-relief groups – will focus on ways that North Carolina is addressing hunger and food insecurity in the state.”

The program also will include an update on the state’s Food Manufacturing Task Force, and Troxler will wrap up the forum with his annual State of Agriculture address.

At 1:30 p.m., officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold an information session about new federal rules developed under the Food Safety Modernization Act.

“The session will cover compliance dates and other aspects of the rules, which govern produce safety and preventive controls for human food and animal food,” Troxler said.

Speakers will include Michael Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, and representatives from the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the rules, which FDA finalized last year.