A meeting was held for agriculture and forest landowners on Tuesday, January 23rd, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Bladen County Extension Office…
Posts published in “Ag News”
Producers, Beat the Rush – Call Today to Make an Appointment WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 15, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers…
Supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development are key objectives for the 2020 NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) grant cycle.…
Smithfield Foods Generates Renewable Natural Gas from Wastewater to Power North Carolina Communities
Smithfield Foods Generates Renewable Natural Gas from Wastewater to Power North Carolina Communities
SMITHFIELD, Va., January 8, 2020 — Smithfield Foods, Inc., in partnership with Duke Energy and OptimaBio, LLC, is now producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from the wastewater treatment system at…
Becky Spearman, Bladen County Extension Director and Livestock Extension Agent announced upcoming events for the area. There will be an Agriculture and Forest Landowners Meeting…
A new decade is at the door and the year 2019 is running out of time. Before moving forward to the 2020s, here is a…
By Hannah Davis, WBHS FFA Reporter West Bladen’s FFA chapter received a grant from Cape Fear Farm Credit that allowed the agriculture students to plan,…
RALEIGH – Anyone planning to work with auxin herbicides, such as 2,4-D or dicamba, in North Carolina in 2020 will need to attend annual training,…
The West Bladen High School FFA and Yearbook Clubs worked together to produce a video under the leadership of their teacher, Mr. Autry. Miss Emily…
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced recipients of over $1.3 million in funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block…
The Bladen County Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently completed its 2019 County Committee Elections and Albert C. Beatty was elected to a three year term…
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 5, 2019 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is opening signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)…
USDA reminds producers in North Carolina that the nationwide deadline to sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) is Friday, Dec. 6. MFP payments…
Contributed RALEIGH – Harvest of crops across North Carolina has been ongoing for months and weather has generally been favorable for growers, unlike the wet…
RALEIGH – Farms across the state are opening their gates for travelers looking for ways to celebrate the season with unique and fun farm experiences.…
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today announced that USDA is investing…
Bladen County farmers may apply for emergency loans for physical and production losses caused by Hurricane Dorian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced. President Donald…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service…
VANDER – Jenell Young moved away from Cumberland County more than 30 years ago, but after her parents died she still wanted to preserve the…
Contributed RALEIGH – Starting Nov. 1, the Agronomic Services Division’s fee for nematode species identification through molecular diagnosis, will increase from $10 to $20. Even…
RALEIGH – The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative is seeking grant proposals focused on research and development of agricultural and forestry-based feedstocks for bioenergy production as…
Attorneys involved in the hog farm lawsuits against Murphy-Brown LLC, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, filed motions to allow appeals, however, the cases remain unresolved.…
New Signup Deadline for Dairy Margin Coverage is September 27 WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today extended the deadline…
Agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Sign-up…
Eastern North Carolina farmers may be eligible to receive part of a $3 billion disaster relief package from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers can…
Donations to North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Fund following Hurricane Florence have helped thousands of North Carolina families with housing, repairs and other needs in the…
Enrollment for 2020 Begins October 7 WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers that the…
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler released the following statement regarding Gov. Roy Cooper’s issuance of Executive Order 100 in preparation for Hurricane Dorian. “Due…
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 20, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is expanding its payment options to accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit. These paperless…
By Charlotte Smith Smithfield Foods, Dominion Energy (together Align Renewables) , and hog farmers are all working together to create renewable energy with biogas in Southeastern North Carolina.…
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2019 – Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate unanimously passed the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) to help family farms…
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. – Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr.; Mohamed Ahmedna, dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; and other leaders from North…
RALEIGH – A four-year-old, unvaccinated mare in Cumberland County was euthanized after contracting the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in North Carolina this year.…
Enrollment Now Open through Dec. 6 WASHINGTON, July 29, 2019 – Signup opens today for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture…
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2019 – A new online tool can help farmers and ranchers find information on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) farm loans that may…
RALEIGH – The N.C. Seed Board meeting scheduled for Friday has been canceled after a settlement involving a cotton seed complaint was reached. The N.C.…
RALEIGH – Women landowners and natural resource professionals interested in learning more about management and conservation of private lands are invited to attend one of…
Olivia Herring, a teacher at Emereau School in Elizabethtown, was awarded the North Carolina Farm Bureau 2019 Ag In The Classroom “Going Local” Grant by…
Olivia Barnes was awarded two scholarships by Farm Bureau recently. She plans to continue her education at UNC Pembroke and later transfer to N.C. State…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program on June 17 and has started issuing…
WASHINGTON – USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting nominations for county committee members through Aug. 1. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA…
RALEIGH The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Plant Industry Division is asking travelers to several northeastern states to take precautions against…
Chemours claims in a lawsuit that DuPont downplayed environmental liabilities at its Fayetteville Works plant in Bladen County, according to The Associated Press. DuPont has…
Contributed WASHINGTON DC – The 2018 Farm Bill mandated changes to the treatment of cover crops for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, which add…
Cost Share assistance is available to landowners and tenants in North Carolina to help fund the cost of installing conservation practices to improve the state’s…
WASHINGTON, June 21, 2019 – Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible,…
By: Cheryl Hemric / James Sprunt Community College Driving down a dirt road, you can almost miss one of the newest farms in Bladen County,…
Nominations for candidates to run for county committee election representing Local Administrative Area 3. This LAA consists of the White Oak, Turnbull, Cypress Creek, Colly,…
Christine Seme, left, member of the Scholarship Committee, presenting the Bladen County MASTER GARDNER Volunteers’ 2019 Scholarship to Callie Lewis. Anna Smith was not available.…
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler’s annual plea for farmers to prepare for hurricane season is especially poignant this year, in light of Hurricane Florence’s…
May 31 Deadline for Feed Grains, Upland Cotton, Soybeans and Minor Oilseeds WASHINGTON, May 24, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator…
May 31 Deadline for Feed Grains, Upland Cotton, Soybeans and Minor Oilseeds WASHINGTON, May 24, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA)…
RALEIGH — Soils in our humid southern climate are naturally acidic and some old-timers often referred to soil needing to be “sweet” for good plant…
RALEIGH – Summer is peak rabies season and State Veterinarian Doug Meckes is encouraging livestock owners to consider having their animals vaccinated against the disease.…
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications beginning June 3, 2019, for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve…
Contributed WASHINGTON, May 6, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with…
The Farm Credit Association of North Carolina announced that two Bladen County youths have been presented awards by their organization. Oliva Barnes of Elizabethtown and…
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that soybean producers may request a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order, as authorized under the…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP)…
Contributed RALEIGH — As the weather turns warmer and many North Carolinians make travel plans for the Summer months, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture…
Changes apply Beginning April 8, 2019 WASHINGTON, April 8, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that higher levels of coverage will be…
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2019 — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the February 2019 income over feed cost margin was $8.22 per…
Contributed WASHINGTON, April XX, 2019 — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the February 2019 income over feed cost margin was $8.22…
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency…
Mosquito-borne diseases can be deadly to horses, donkeys, mules RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against…
Bladen County Extension Master Gardeners annual Spring Plant Sale will be on Saturday, April 27th, and Saturday, May 4th, at the Cape Fear Farmers Market…
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster…
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2019 – Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating…
WASHINGTON, DC – Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating expenses.…
RALEIGH -This year, farmers can add CropCheck, a pilot program offered by Field Watch, that allows growers to map small grain/commodity crops by herbicide-resident traits.…
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster…
WASHINGTON, DC – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program…
Contributed RALEIGH – Commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization. The best way to decide how much fertilizer to apply is to collect leaf…
RALEIGH — As the weather warms up, garden enthusiasts, community gardeners and landscapers gear up for the spring and summer growing seasons. Whether it’s a…
Contributed RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service is urging North Carolina residents to think safety and exercise extra caution when burning materials during the spring…
Contributed RALEIGH — As the weather warms up, garden enthusiasts, community gardeners and landscapers gear up for the spring and summer growing seasons. Whether it’s…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched two new features on farmers.gov to help customers…
RALEIGH – April signals the start of strawberry season in North Carolina, and local growers are expecting a very good crop that should last through…
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy…
RALEIGH – Six North Carolina hog farmers – and one allied company – were honored at an awards luncheon on Thursday, Mar. 21 at the…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that producers who purchased or plan to purchase the 2019 Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) policy should report…
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced this week that producers who purchased or plan to purchase…
By Erin Smith The hog farm nuisance lawsuits were the subject of the evening at the Sampson County Friends of Agriculture’s 18th annual Rally for…
READ MORE Share:
By Erin Smith A Wake County jury has ruled against Murphy Brown LLC in the fifth hog farm nuisance to be held in federal court in…
Contributed WASHINGTON, March 6, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the January 2019 income over feed…
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the January 2019 income over feed cost margin was…
RALEIGH – Travelers looking for unique farm experiences will have plenty of options this spring as farms across the state open their gates to welcome…
https://www.agriculture.com/livestock/pork-powerhouses/meet-the-man-who-built-the-modern-pig-business Share:
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a meeting on three general permits for animal operations on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Statesville…
Contributed Register by February 22! USDA 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a listening session on Feb. 26…
RALEIGH — The board of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of North Carolina has set the 2019 boll weevil assessment at 75 cents per acre…
By Charlotte Smith Recent court trials have left the hog industry in the headlines. The fifth hog industry lawsuit is being held in Raleigh, NC…
For farmers who want to offer feedback on the state’s new Swine General Permit, time is running out. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)…
Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan programs require that applicants have a satisfactory credit history. A credit report is requested for all FSA direct farm…
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced that USDA is hosting a listening session…
Today is the last day to comment on Swine Permit
Contributed Today is the last day to submit your comments for the statewide general swine permit that regulates swine waste. Almost all of North Carolina’s…