North Carolina State Extension will host a Fiber Hemp Field Day on July 19 at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, North Carolina. Highlighted topics will include information about a planting date and variety trial, a cover crop no-till weed management trial and new variety research. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. All individuals must register …
N.C. State’s Suchoff to Lead New Hemp Research Consortium
David Suchoff, North Carolina (N.C.) State assistant professor of alternative crops, was selected as the director of the new Hemp Research Consortium, initially funded by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) for up to $2.5 million. The consortium is a public-private partnership designed to align research-intensive and land grant universities’ research efforts with the hemp industry. The venture …
North Carolina Strawberry Season Underway
The arrival of spring means locally-grown strawberries are ready to be picked in North Carolina (N.C.). Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler discusses what consumers can expect from this year’s crop. “Growers have done a good job protecting the crop from recent cool temperatures and because of their hard work, this year’s strawberry crop looks to be plentiful,” said Troxler. Strawberry season …
N.C. Tomato Growers Association Offering Scholarship
The North Carolina (N.C.) Tomato Growers Association is offering a $1,000 merit/need-based scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Any North Carolina resident who pursues a horticulture or agribusiness undergraduate or graduate degree at a four-year North Carolina college or university is eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is May 31. The award will be based on a …
N.C. State Extension to Host Produce Safety Field Days
North Carolina State Extension will host two produce safety field days in April. One will be held at the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Faison on April 6. The other will be held at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River on April 13. Both programs are free and will be held from 10 a.m. to …
Dry Conditions Worsen in Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The abnormally dry conditions are sweltering across much of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The conditions are worse in the north-central part of Florida, in Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton counties and extending southward to Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In Georgia, …
Assistance Available for Farmers who Suffered Losses Due to Tropical Storm Fred
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has opened the application period for the Agricultural Crop Loss Program for farmers that suffered losses due to Tropical Storm Fred. The program will cover losses of crops, feed, livestock, aquaculture and farm infrastructure for farmers in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and …
North Carolina Strawberry Producers Be Prepared for Cold Temperatures
North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension reminds strawberry growers that while temperatures will be cold this weekend, not all need to apply row covers to their crop. Dormant plants that are acclimated to colder weather usually do fine without protection even when temperatures are in the teens. Plants that are in an advanced crop status, however, could be damaged at higher …
Weed Control in Peach Orchards
By Clint Thompson Weed control in peach orchards is an important management tactic. This is important for young and older orchards, says Wayne Mitchem, N.C. State Extension Associate and Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Coordinator. “The idea is to try to minimize competition so we can maximize that tree growth in those formative years of the orchard so we can …
Rainfall Alleviates Dry Conditions in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Much needed rainfall this past week alleviated much of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. In Florida, much of the Panhandle now has sufficient moisture. Escambia County and Santa Rose County are either abnormally dry or moderately dry. Okaloosa County is also abnormally dry. …