The N.C. Board of Agriculture will hold a meeting Monday, Aug. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center Training Room, 4400 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh.The board will take up the following items:
Press Releases
As of Aug. 6, 2026, the Quarry Road Fire in Shallotte is 283 acres in size and 100% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters.
The N.C. Mountain State Fair is still accepting competition entries, and residents in Western North Carolina can utilize the free Pony Express program to save themselves a trip to the fairgrounds in Fletcher.
RALEIGH – Large animal veterinarians in North Carolina are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in funding to help support their large animal practices.The Large Animal Healthcare Enhancement funding opportunity is available to veterinarians who practice in one of the 70 North Carolina counties with a population of 100,000 or fewer and who spend at least 30% of their patient care providing large animal veterinary services.
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced the promotion of Hunter Barrier of Clinton and Salisbury to director of the Research Stations Division and named Tim Baumgartner of Clayton as director of the Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Jeff Barham of Asheville was promoted to general manager of the Western N.C. Ag Center and N.C. Mountain State Fair in Fletcher.
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is requesting proposals for research projects through the North Carolina Agriculture Innovations & Research (NCAIR) grant program. Around $1 million in grant funding is available to support innovative research that strengthens agriculture and the agricultural economy across North Carolina.Individual research projects are limited to $100,000 each and should address challenges or opportunities facing North Carolina agriculture while demonstrating the potential to create meaningful economic impact.
RALEIGH – Chefs are invited to put their cooking skills to the test in daily competitions at the 2026 N.C. State Fair. This year’s fair features 11 new cooking competitions including the Delightful Dips challenge, Bless Your Tart! challenge, and the Layer It Up Lasagna challenge. Registration is now open.
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed the first established presence of the invasive yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in the state, in Matthews.
COLFAX – Enjoying the sweet taste of watermelon on a hot summer day is a favorite activity for many North Carolinians. Shoppers at the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market are invited to celebrate that summer tradition during N.C. Watermelon Day on Friday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. The N.C. Watermelon Association, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Got to Be NC program are hosting the event.
RALEIGH – Celebrate one of the state's favorite summer traditions during North Carolina Watermelon Day on Thursday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. The event is hosted by the N.C. Watermelon Association, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the Got to Be NC marketing program.