RALEIGH – Beginning Oct. 1, farmers markets operators and local food hubs can apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Emergency Aid for Farmers Market Operators and Local Food Hubs program. A total of $750,000 will be available from federal COVID-19 funds earmarked for North Carolina. Funding is meant to assist with losses from reduced number of vendors, plus offset additional …
Troxler Announces $2 Million in Funds for Dairy Assistance Due to COVID-19 Losses
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services RALEIGH – Grade A dairy fluid milk producers in North Carolina who suffered losses because of COVID-19 disruptions in the milk supply chain can soon apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Dairy Aid Program 2020. A total of $2 million will be available, with limits on the amount paid to producers. “The …
NCDA&CS, WNC Communities Sign Proclamation to Continue Hemlock Restoration Initiative
RALEIGH – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today co-signed a proclamation with Jennifer Ferre, the executive director of WNC Communities, in which both leaders pledge continued support for the Hemlock Restoration Initiative. Troxler first announced the allocation of seed funding for the initiative in March of 2014. Since then, collaboration with WNC Communities has resulted in positive momentum in …
Gloomy Projections Remain for North Carolina Grapes
It is nearing harvest time for North Carolina grape producers. Unfortunately, original projections remain true for this year’s crop. It is expected to be a down year for grape farmers. “With the vinefera grapes for the wine industry in the western part because of all of the frost events we had in the spring, most vineyards are down at least …
USDA Announces More Eligible Commodities for CFAP
Application Deadline Extended to Sept. 11 (Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that additional commodities are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in response to public comments and data. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to apply for the program to Sept. 11, and producers …
Bringing Technology to Specialty Crops
United States Department of Agriculture Posted by Greg Astill, Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service and Suzanne Thornsbury, Senior Advisor for Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities, Office of the Chief Scientist in Research and Science Advances in technology, automation, and remote sensing is a cross-cutting, macro movement in science impacting agriculture outlined in the USDA Science Blueprint (PDF, …
North Carolina 2020 Grape Harvest Webinar Online
According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, North Carolina State small fruits Extension specialist Mark Hoffmann provided a webinar on the 2020 grape harvest. Click here for a link to the webinar. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, …
Flavorful Fruit Yields Sweet Results for Melon Farmers
Southeast watermelon growers delivered a flavorful crop this year that yielded a sweet price at the market, said Mark Arney, executive director of the National Watermelon Promotion Board.  “We’re happy, we’re happy for the guys. Obviously, the guys that didn’t have a crop, it doesn’t matter how hot the market is, they’re not going to make money. We feel terrible …
Actuality: One Reason not to Plant Unsolicited Seeds from Unknown Sources
United States Department of Agriculture Jacob Barney, invasive plant expert at Virginia Tech University, giving one of several reasons why we should not plant seeds that show up at our door unsolicited from unknown sources. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers …
Southeastern Farmer of Year Winner to be Named at ’21 Sunbelt Ag Expo
Contact: Becca Turner(229) 985-1968 x2228 Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo show, plans for the selection of the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Winner have been amended. Originally, this year’s judging tour was planned for August 10-14. Due to current health concerns, the tour has been postponed indefinitely. 2020 State Winners …