South Carolina Farmers’ Market Sees $1M Budget Cut

Wildlife Groups Suing NC over Coyote Hunting Regulations

Wildlife and environmental groups are asking a North Carolina court to block a new rule allowing coyotes to be hunted at night with spotlights after the shooting death of a similar-looking but endangered red wolf. About 100 red wolves live wild in a five-county region in northeast North Carolina, where scientists are trying to restore one of the two wolf breeds native to North America.
The groups expect to face state attorneys representing the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at a hearing next week where a judge could decide whether to freeze the statewide hunting rule that took effect in August.
 

SC Farmers’ Market Budget Cut
 

South Carolina's agricultural agency has found another way to promote the State Farmers Market after losing $1 million from the state budget.
The agency asked the Joint Bond Review Committee on Wednesday for permission to use $760,000 in accrued interest to advertise and direct drivers to the market that opened in West Columbia in 2010. The interest comes from the University of South Carolina's $15 million purchase in 2008 of the market's former location across the street from Williams-Brice Stadium.
 

Application Process Has Begun for NC Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
 

County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects can apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, NCDA announced earlier this week. Grants can be awarded to secure agricultural conservation easements on lands used for agricultural production; to support public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; and for the development of agricultural plans. Applications and guidelines for the current funding cycle are available online at www.ncadfp.org or by calling 919-707-3071. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 17.
 

South Carolina Actively Enforcing New Immigration Law
 

A special unit devoted to investigating illegal immigration cases in South Carolina says it's been successful in its first few months.
Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith said Wednesday an eight-person unit focused on making cases against illegal immigrants who are suspected of breaking laws in the state has made numerous arrests since it started in June.
The federal government has sued, challenging the constitutionality of South Carolina's new immigration law.

Panama FTA Good for Soybean Growers
 

The American Soybean Association says the enactment of the free trade agreement with Panama next week is a big win for the nation’s soybean farmers. Alan Kemper is ASA Chairman…

“This is going to be huge because it takes the tariffs off of soybeans and crude vegetable oil. We had been assessed at tax of about $2 per bushel so these will come in cheaper and hopefully we will get some market share back.”

The U.S. exported 65-million dollars in soybean products to Panama in 2010 – that fell to around 53-million dollars last year.