RALEIGH, NC, May 26, 2020 – Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts…
Posts published in “Ag News”
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2020– USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will broaden the use of the Disaster Set-Aside (DSA) loan provision, normally used in the wake…
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 19, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up…
RALEIGH — With students out of school and families cooking more meals at home than usual, here are five kid-friendly blueberry recipes from the N.C.…
RALEIGH, NC, May 12, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting new or modified proposals from state governments…
Payments Have Started for Producers Impacted by Drought, Excess Moisture The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started making payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane…
WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Administrator Chad Rupe requesting the Rural…
Contributed RALEIGH — North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and N.C. Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding met Wednesday to discuss the importance of agriculture and…
Contributed RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced Edwin (Eddie) Woodhouse as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency…
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2020 – Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss…
By Charlotte Smith BladenOnline.com reached out to Smithfield Foods’ representatives and Bladen County Health Director, Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan this week about the status of…
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services lab has scaled back its testing to a few core services, making home…
RALEIGH – North Carolina’s strawberry season kicked off around the same time the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the state. Now, local strawberry…
Tillis Led Bipartisan Effort Urging the Trump Administration to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) applauded the U.S.…
RALEIGH, NC, March 26, 2020 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve…
Small farms play a vital role in supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of United States rural and farm economies and in protecting and enhancing its…
Across the country, county and state Farm Bureaus are making safety a priority through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. As part of ASAP, March 1-7…
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced updates to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and…
By Charlotte Smith Farms must ensure an abundant food supply for consumers to help nourish the population that is expected to grow up to 10…
Contributed RALEIGH — The board of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of North Carolina has set the 2020 boll weevil assessment at 75 cents per…
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 10 Virginia counties as primary…
By Charlotte Smith On the last Friday in January, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia made up of a three-judge panel heard…
RALEIGH — Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently approved an updated quarantine which amended regulations pertaining to the production and sales of sweet potato seed in…
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s hog and pork processing industry continues to be an economic powerhouse, generating more than $10 billion in economic output for the…
RALEIGH – The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program recently awarded $1 million in grants for 15 projects aimed at…
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…
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…