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.
Press Releases
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.
The Quarry Road Fire has been burning in Shallotte since Friday, July 10. The cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike.Wildland firefighters continue mop-up operations and reinforcing fire lines. There are 21 personnel resources from the N.C. Forest Service, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and N.C. State Parks assigned to the incident.---------------Acreage and Containment: The fire is 283 acres in size and 75% contained.
Application & Nomination period now open for the 2026 N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day Program
The Farmland Preservation Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have reached a significant milestone with the closing of their 100th jointly funded agricultural conservation easement. The easement was recorded Wednesday, July 15, in Johnston County.
The Quarry Road Fire has been burning in Shallotte since Friday, July 10. The cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike.Wildland firefighting personnel are continuing mop-up operations across the fire area. Mop-up is a critical phase during suppression because remaining burning debris may rekindle and threaten the integrity of a containment line. Mop-up is highly labor intensive. Wildland firefighters target areas of heat or hot spots, expose them to mineral soil and extinguish them to prevent the fire from escaping containment lines.