Press Releases
WHO/WHAT: The N.C. Plant Conservation Board will meet jointly with the Scientific Committee to discuss items related to land conservation, stewardship efforts of the N.C. Plant Conservation Program and regulatory matters.WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.WHERE: N.C. Botanical Garden, Joslin classroom (C106/107)100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517Attendees can join virtually by Microsoft Teams
With about 280 projects approved across the state, the new year will bring visible on-the-ground progress in the effort to reduce flooding in North Carolina communities. The projects remove stream debris and sediment, restore eroding stream banks and repair dams and other flood-control structures through the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP), which is overseen by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced the second round of awards from the North Carolina Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative. These $6.6 million in awards focus on the expansion of current operations to use more North Carolina farm products and reduce costs and burdens for North Carolina farmers and growers. These six projects benefit peanut, rice, barley, and cucumber farmers and livestock growers.These awards bring the total of NCAMPI grants awarded to $19 million, exhausting funds available for the program.
RALEIGH – State Veterinarian Mike Martin has granted entry into North Carolina to Santa Claus and his magical reindeer. This ensures that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and yes, even Rudolph will be allowed into the state on Christmas Eve. Reindeer are part of the cervid family that include deer, elk, moose and caribou. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides oversight of the movement of captive cervid into the state.
RALEIGH – This holiday season, give the gift of local flavor. The N.C. Specialty Foods Association’s 2024 ‘Best in Taste’ award winners showcase the best of N.C. handcrafted goods perfect for gift-giving. From savory sauces to artisanal sweets, the competition celebrates small-batch producers from across the state for top honors.
RALEIGH – Effective at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, the N.C. Forest Service reinstates the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. The requirement for open burning permits was waived Oct. 12 through the authorization of House Bill 149, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024.
RALEIGH – In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Western North Carolina wine, cider and mead industry is facing significant challenges as vineyards, tasting rooms and production facilities across the region grapple with damages and distribution disruptions. With the holiday season in full swing, farmers and producers are asking consumers to pour it forward and shop local as the industry continues to recover and rebuild.
RALEIGH – Following are winners in the 2024 N.C. State Fair livestock shows.Open Dairy Cattle – AyrshireGrand champion female and senior champion female shown by Kylie Ward of Lexington (Davidson)Reserve grand champion female, junior champion female, reserve junior champion female and reserve senior champion female shown by Russell Isley of Burlington (Alamance)Open Dairy Cattle – Brown Swiss
RALEIGH — N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler encourages communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance.
RALEIGH – 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. Please feel free to use any of this content or photos in your publications or contact us if you have any additional questions.