The latest Census of Agriculture has been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These are done every five years, so the information reflects the 2017 growing season. Not a lot of surprises in this year’s census. While we would…
NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler
Commissioner Steve Troxler: 2019 Planting Intentions
We have gotten our first look at the 2019 planting intentions for North Carolina farms and it looks like we’ll be seeing more corn and cotton this year. Tobacco plantings look to be down 18 percent. The National Agricultural Statistics…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Agritourism is Springing up all across the State (Pun intended!)
It doesn’t take much encouragement to want to be outside enjoying the warm spring weather. Farms with agritourism activities have been busy making plans for guests this spring. You can find activities across the state from pick-your-own strawberry fields and…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Suspected Case of Equine Infectious Anemia
A recent suspected case of Equine Infectious Anemia in a mule in Transylvania County, NC is a reminder for equine owners to take steps to protect their equine from exposure to the disease. At the beginning of the month, we…
Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler: Iredell and Wilkes County Farmers now Eligible for Disaster Relief
Farmers in Iredell and Wilkes counties are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance from the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018. The General Assembly re-opened the filing period for those two counties only. The deadline to apply is…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Weights and Measures Week
Every March, Weights and Measures Week rolls around and likely many people don’t realize the connection they have to this annual event. This year’s theme is Ensuring Confidence in Every Transaction, which speaks to the role Standards Division inspectors have…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Calling All Tractor Enthusiasts!
The “Got to Be NC” Festival is coming up in May. Bring your best tractors and join in the fun! The annual “Got to Be NC” Festival is looking for farm equipment hobbyists and vendors to be part of the…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Deadline is March 1 to Apply for State Fair Livestock Scholarships.
Any youth who participated in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows are eligible to apply for scholarships for higher education costs. The deadline to apply is coming up — March 1. Nearly $225,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Ag Disaster Relief Checks are in the Mail (or Soon Will Be)
Over 2,000 applications for disaster relief has been processed and checks cut to cover those, but work is ongoing. The first round of checks has generated questions and calls about the program, and Commissioner Steve Troxler wants to go over…
Commissioner Steve Troxler: Woodland Owners Can Apply for $2.5 Million in Reforestation Funds
Landowners are also eligible for assistance to restore woodlands that were damage by Hurricane Florence. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated $2.5 million in time-limited, cost-share funding for 52 counties that were federally declared disaster areas. We’ve talked quite a…
