 On Friday, the 5th Annual Got to Be NC Festival gets underway at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. NC AG Commissioner Steve Troxler:
“It’s FUN! That’s the main thing. We have designed this festival around the products that we produce in North Carolina. It will be a great time for people of all ages to come out and enjoy the things that we have to offer.”
North Carolina’s agricultural heritage will be on display, as well as lots of North Carolina foods, and other special events, according to Troxler:
“It includes not only food, but wine will also be showcased. On Friday afternoon the Food and Wine expo will feature signings by several North Carolina cook book authors.”
The Got to Be NC Festival gets underway at noon on Friday, and runs through 10:00 pm Sunday. Admission and parking are free at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
For more information visit their website.
 Small Grains Field Days Conclude this Afternoon
The third of three small grain field days gets underway this afternoon at the Piedmont Research Station near Salisbury. Registration starts at 4:00 pm with the tours starting at 4:30, concluding about 6:30. Dan Weathington, Executive Director of the NC Small Grains Association says the first two, at Rowland and Aurora have been informative:
“It’s been a good show and tell to see these plots. These farmers have the opportunity to demonstrate what’s happening, what we need to look for at what time of the year and then any damage that might happen to the crop.”
The field day is rain-or-shine according to Weathington. They will still have the program and informative discussions no matter the weather.
For more information and directions, visit our Calendar.
NC State’s Internationally Known Expert moving to Kansas State
Kansas State University has hired away from NC State an internationally known pharmacology expert to direct a center at the university involved with improving animal health and food safety. Jim Riviere, director of the Center for Chemical Toxicology Research and Pharmacokinetics at North Carolina State University, starts at Kansas State on Aug. 1.
Kansas State also has hired Riviere's wife, Nancy Monteiro-Riviere, a leading nanotoxicologist.
 USDA Celebrating 150 Years
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will commemorate USDA’s 150th anniversary Tuesday (May 15). President Abraham Lincoln founded the department in 1862 and called it “the People’s Department.” With a diverse portfolio that boasts strong support for American agriculture and local and regional food systems - as well as critical nutrition assistance, food safety, conservation, rural development and research programs - and more - it is said that sentiment still rings true today. As USDA commemorates 150 years of accomplishments - the department also looks to the future. Continued work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and other issues will ensure USDA still fulfills the vision of President Lincoln - touching the lives of every American, every day.
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