South Carolina Saw Light Precipitation in Most Areas Last Week

Precipitation for most areas of South Carolina was light during the week allowing producers to continue to harvest crops, and plant small grains. Crop conditions were little changed, and still remained mostly good for the week ended October 21st. The state’s soils continued to dry out and were rated at 8% very short, 30% short, and 62% adequate. There was a State average of 6.6 days that were suitable for fieldwork. The cotton crop has 90 percent open bolls, soybeans are being reported as having 100 percent pod set with 72 percent turning color, and 34 percent dropping leaves. 63 percent of the winter wheat crop has been planted and 9 percent has emerged.

To see the rest of the regions crop reports click here.

NCSU & Extension Offering Workshops to Help Meet Produce Safety Guidelines
 

North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension are partnering with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association to deliver workshops across the state that help N.C. farmers meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) fresh produce safety standards. Workshops will be held at four Cooperative Extension centers across the state in November and December and will focus on prevention and risk identification across all commodities from farm to fork. Wholesalers, community supported agriculture (CSA), educational institutions and retail establishments increasingly want to know what risk-reduction practices are in place on the farm. The four workshops are scheduled for Pender County on Monday, November 19, the in Richmond County on Friday, November 30, followed by Buncombe County onTuesday, December 4, then wrapping up in Chatham County on Wednesday, December 12th.  

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Organic Produce Not Necessarily Healthier
 

Parents who want to reduce their kids' exposure to pesticides may seek out organic fruits and vegetables, but they aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious than conventional foods, the nation's leading pediatricians group says in its first advice on organics.

Science hasn't proven that eating pesticide-free food makes people any healthier, the American Academy of Pediatrics said.
 

FFA Introduces First Official Mascot
 

For the first time in its 85-year history, the National FFA Organization has an official mascot – an adorable, approachable, feathery and highly playful great horned owl.
 

Flyte the Owl is the chief brand ambassador of the National FFA Organization and arrives in town tomorrow to help kick off the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo.
 

The seven-foot-tall character was created to serve as a head-turning champion for FFA and agricultural education.