Press Releases

Troxler promotes Greg Hicks to Assistant Commissioner overseeing operations of the N.C. Forest Service

RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced the promotion of Greg Hicks of Oxford to assistant commissioner overseeing operations of the North Carolina Forest Service.  Hicks previously served as assistant state forester.

NCDA&CS invites researchers to submit grant proposals for bioenergy and new crops research in North Carolina

The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program are accepting grant proposals for 2023 that align with their respective missions.

N.C. Pesticide Board announces case settlements

The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements related to cases in Johnston, Lenior and New Hanover counties. Each instance involved application of restricted-use pesticides without a valid license.

Settlements are listed by county below:

Junior Livestock Sale of Champions sets record for second consecutive year with $217,850 for youth

RALEIGH – For the second year in a row, junior winners in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows drew a record amount of money in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions. The top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys earned $217,850 in the sale on Oct. 22.

Submit soil samples now to avoid delays and peak-season fees

As we head into cooler weather, fall is the best time to amend your lawns, especially fescue lawns and landscape areas, with lime and fertilizer and to start fall vegetable gardens. 

926,425 people attended the 2023 N.C. State Fair

The 2023 N.C. State Fair ended its 11-day run with a strong final weekend
that pushed total attendance to 926,425. Other fair highlights included a new auction record for
the Livestock Sale of Champions and strong participation for Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief

Durham man bookends wins in the State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge, with top prize in the Nahunta Pork Center’s Not Your Mama’s Sausage Ball Challenge

John Tyler Moore of Durham wrapped up the State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge series
with a first-place win for his Brunch Balls recipe in the Nahunta Pork Center’s Not Your Mama’s Sausage Balls Challenge. Moore won the opening day contest, too. He took home $500 prize for the win.

Triangle woman’s Curry Chicken Salad wins “Summer Salad of the South: Kickin' Chicken Salad Challenge” at the N.C. State Fair

Sarah Hester of Knightdale won the N.C. State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge titled the “Summer Salad of the South: Kickin’ Chicken Salad Challenge” presented by House of Raeford Farms. Hester’s Curry Chicken Salad earned $500 in prize money.

Carolina Beach woman wins Let’s Get Cheesy: Mac-n-Cheese Challenge with Mema’s Mac & Cheese

Mother of four Kim Cooper of Carolina Beach earned a blue ribbon and a $500 prize in the Let's Get Cheesy: Mac-n-Cheese Challenge with her family recipe for Mema’s Mac & Cheese.

Savannah Ranson wins Carnitas Street Taco Challenge with her Blue Corn Carnitas Street Tacos

Savannah Ranson of Raleigh placed first in the Carnitas Street Taco Challenge
presented by Smithfield Foods. Her Blue Corn Carnitas Street Tacos won her the blue ribbon and
a prize of $500.