The N.C. Department of Agriculture’s Research Stations Division recently awarded $1.5 million in grants for agricultural research. The funded projects aim to boost new crop production or involve innovative research to advance the agricultural economy in the state.Since 2013, the General Assembly has allocated funding for special agricultural research – first through the Bioenergy Research Initiative and then later with an expansion to include the New and Emerging Crops Program in 2018.
Press Releases
RALEIGH - The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division fined 14 stores in 12 counties for price scanning errors during the final quarter of 2024.“Our Standards Division remained committed to protecting consumers across the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our inspectors continue to find errors among price scanners at stores in the state, and consumers should be mindful. Take time to check your receipts and notify store managers if you find an error.”
A commercial layer operation in Hyde County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The disease was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and then confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. This is the first case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina since February 2024. Prior to this case, North Carolina has had 11 affected commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks.
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 – 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 – 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 – 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.