NCDA&CS announces upcoming deadline for Emergency Watershed Protection program
bladenonline 12/10/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH- The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has partnered with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to offer a federal program that is available to assist local governments with emergency watershed recovery projects. The last day to request assistance is Dec. 31. The department’s Soil and Water Conservation Division received $10 million in […]
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Farmers Markets offering baked goods, local produce for your holiday
bladenonline 12/06/2018 0 COMMENTSThe farmers markets in Bladen County are offering residents the opportunity to prepare for the Christmas holidays. You can find all manner of locally grown produce and hand-crafted items to complete your shopping list. The Bladenboro Farmers Market will be open on Friday and Saturday offering locally grown produce, pecans and honey. The Bladenboro Farmers […]
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$240 million agriculture disaster assistance available to farmers
bladenonline 12/04/2018 0 COMMENTSFarmers urged to sign up by the Dec. 10 deadline RALEIGH – Farmers with damage and agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael may be eligible for disaster assistance from the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018. The $240 million bill, signed today by Gov. Roy Cooper, will provide direct assistance to […]
READ MOREQuarantine area for the imported fire ant expanding to include all of Davidson, Orange and Vance Counties
bladenonline 11/28/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expanding a state quarantine for the imported fire ant (IFA) to include all of Davidson, Orange and Vance counties effective Jan. 1, 2019. With the expansion, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 75 counties. The quarantine continues efforts to monitor the […]
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The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued guidance to expedite application processing related to farm and forest land cleanup and recovery for agricultural producers and forest landowners in states with land impacted by Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael. The expedited application processing guidance is applicable to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), […]
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Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods Partner to Transform the Future of Sustainable Energy
bladenonline 11/27/2018 0 COMMENTSRICHMOND, Va. and SMITHFIELD, Va. — Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, Inc. are joining forces in an historic initiative to transform the future of sustainable energy and agriculture, announcing their first projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Utah. The companies are forming a joint venture called Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)℠ that will capture methane emissions […]
READ MORETwo weeks remain for farmers to sign up for Hurricane Florence agricultural disaster assistance
bladenonline 11/26/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – Farmers affected by Hurricane Florence have until December 10 to sign up for the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018. The program will directly assist farmers who suffered losses to commodities planted but not harvested before Sept. 13 and livestock. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will administer the program, […]
READ MOREThe Emergency Conservation Program sign-up period began Nov. 1, 2018 and will run through December 31, 2018. This program will assist farmers in debris clean up from cropland fields, and for shaping and leveling wash outs in cropland fields caused by Hurricane Florence. Roads cannot be considered in this program. At this time there will […]
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By Dr. Bobby Coats | Nov 19, 2018 Owners of a farm with generic base acres as of September 30, 2013, and recent planting history of covered commodities, have a one-time opportunity to allocate generic base acres. The process will be multi-step to allocate generic base acres to seed cotton base acres. Steps for implementing the allocation […]
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RALEIGH – Consumers looking for fresh N.C. pecans for their upcoming holiday meals will need to act fast. The 2018 N.C. pecan season will be a shorter season due to damage from Hurricane Florence. “There are fewer pecans available this season, but we are fortunate that we do not have the tree loss that we […]
READ MOREUSDA Designates 32 North Carolina Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
bladenonline 11/15/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 32 North Carolina counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to excessive flooding and wind caused by Hurricane Florence that occurred Sept. 14, 2018, and continuing, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The counties in the […]
READ MOREU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds Michigan producers who experienced losses from natural disasters during the 2017 and 2018 calendar years that they may be eligible for assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Tree Assistance […]
READ MOREUSDA Acreage Reporting Deadline for Perennial Forage Changes to July 15
bladenonline 11/13/2018 0 COMMENTSUSDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has established a new acreage reporting deadline for perennial forage for 2019 and subsequent years. Previously set in the fall, the new deadline is July 15 for all states, except for Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Timely and accurate acreage reports for all crops and land uses, including prevented planting or […]
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WECT: Clearing the air: the hog farm lawsuits http://www.wect.com/2018/11/ 12/clearing-air-hog-farm- lawsuits/ Related articles and information: New trial to start Another trial where lawyers are suing NC hog farms is about to begin. On November 13, jury selection will begin, with opening arguments potentially beginning on November 14 in Raleigh. Many have expressed an interest […]
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FSA Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections
bladenonline 11/11/2018 0 COMMENTSThe 2018 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections began on Nov. 5, when ballots were mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 3, 2018. County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. […]
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Contributed Ag’em Up Days, a two day annual Agricultural Field Day Adventure for Bladen County 3rd graders, was postponed this year until October 29, 30, and November 1, 2018. Normally, we set up at the Bladen County Recreation Park, but due to damages from the storm, we needed to keep our students in class. Our […]
READ MOREApplication period for Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018 opens Wednesday
bladenonline 11/05/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – Starting Wednesday, Nov. 7, farmers affected by Hurricane Florence will be able to sign up for the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018. The program will directly assist farmers who suffered losses to commodities planted but not harvested before Sept. 13 and livestock. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will […]
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By Erin Smith The next group of hog farm nuisance law suits is slated to begin in November. The lawsuits have been filed against Murphy-Brown, LLC and target hog farms owned by the company. The lawsuit is the fourth case of 26 nuisance lawsuits and is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 13th, in the […]
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Written by Matt Poore, Animal Science Departmental Extension Leader, NCSU Updated by Becky Spearman, Bladen County Livestock Extension Agent Hurricane Florence flooding had many impacts on agriculture and the loss of pasture and hay will impact us through this winter. Given that winter feed was lost, there will be the need to buy hay. It […]
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by Susan Randstrom Bruck Here’s a kid-friendly project that won’t send shivers down your spine. When autumn winds turn bone-chilling cold and children dream of becoming vampires, parents might want to have some crafty ideas in their bags of tricks. If you don’t feel like getting pumpkin slime all over the kitchen this year, try […]
READ MORESmithfield Addresses the Hog Industry’s Vulnerability to Climate Change
bladenonline 10/27/2018 0 COMMENTSContributed EDF welcomes new measures to improve resilience, reduce methane emissions (NEW YORK, NY) With North Carolina still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Florence, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, today committed to invest in infrastructure and provide farmer incentives to install manure lagoon covers and digesters on 90 percent of the total […]
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NCDA&CS announces fifth phase of voluntary floodplain swine buyout program
bladenonline 10/27/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH- The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has partnered with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to continue its program to purchase permanent conservation easements on swine operations within the 100-year floodplain. This will be the fifth time the state has offered this program which began in 2000 following devastating flooding from Hurricane […]
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Farmers, livestock interests need to prepare winter feeding plans
bladenonline 10/25/2018 0 COMMENTSBy Matt Poore Animal Science Departmental Extension Leader NCSU What a difference a month makes. This time last month things were going along very well, but we were cautiously watching a hurricane developing off the coast of Africa named Florence. As the days went by it became apparent to meteorologists that there was nothing in […]
READ MOREBy Erin Smith Motions have been filed and oral arguments were heard in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, regarding the multimilllion dollar verdicts in the first three hog farm lawsuits that took place earlier this year. No verdict has been announced in the appeal case. In the meantime, Mark Anderson, with […]
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RALEIGH – The 2018 N.C. State Fair ended it’s 10-day run with a final attendance of 977,256. This included two record days. Friday, Oct. 19, set an attendance day record of 109,396 and Sunday, Oct. 21, had record attendance of 130,319. “Despite having to delay our opening by a day, we have had some bright […]
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By Timothy J. Malinich Cacti (singular cactus) catch the eye of many hobbyists. They are easy and rewarding to grow, fun to display, and readily available. People are often hesitant to grow them because they fear the reputation of these desert denizens. Here are a few tips that will hopefully de-mystify the collecting of cacti. […]
READ MOREUSDA Issues Safety-Net and Conservation Payments to State Farmers
bladenonline 10/18/2018 0 COMMENTSUSDA State Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that approximately $1,524,159.00 will be paid to State farms that enrolled in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for 2017 market downturns. Additionally, State FSA will distribute $158,563.00 in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to landowners for their commitment to conservation stewardship. PLC payments […]
READ MOREMoney goes to scholarships and winners RALEIGH – Junior winners in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows drew a record $190,000 for the top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the N.C. State Fair on Oct. 13. “The support of our junior livestock program is tremendous, and […]
READ MOREApplication deadline is Dec. 14 RALEIGH – County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects have until Dec. 14 to apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This year’s request for proposals includes statewide funding for conservation easements, agricultural development projects and agricultural plans. “The ADFP […]
READ MOREFarmers, Ranchers and Foresters Encouraged to Sign-In/Sign-Up RALEIGH, NC – Oct., 15, 2018 – Farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in North Carolina now have new online options to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Through USDA’s new streamlined process producers can now register, track and manage their applications for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) […]
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Contributed Bladen County residents of all ages love the NC State Fair as it is sure sign Fall has arrived. Many Bladen County residents enjoy entering the competitions the fair offers. Andrew Runion II, age 9, of Garland, grew watermelons this year for competition at the local fairs. He won the Cumberland County Fair and […]
READ MOREContributed (Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses potentially impacted by Hurricane Michael of programs to provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, State and county offices stand ready and eager to help. Additionally, USDA’s Operations Center will […]
READ MORETrump Administration Appoints Barry Bushue to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oregon
bladenonline 10/12/2018 0 COMMENTSContributed TUALATIN, Ore. – October 11, 2018- The Trump Administration recently appointed Barry Bushue as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Oregon Farm Service Agency (FSA). Bushue will join the Oregon FSA team on Tuesday, October 9. Bushue is a proven leader and advocate for agriculture and natural resources in Oregon with […]
READ MORENCDA&CS announces fifth phase of voluntary floodplain swine buyout program
bladenonline 10/11/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH- The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has partnered with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to continue its program to purchase permanent conservation easements on swine operations within the 100-year floodplain. This will be the fifth time the state has offered this program which began in 2000 following devastating flooding from Hurricane […]
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Contributed Stacie Kinlaw, 4-H Youth Development Agent with NC Cooperative Extension, was recognized for an achievement during the 2018 North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents Annual Conference held in Charlotte, NC. Kinlaw was awarded the prestigious TC Blalock Young Agent Award, 4-7 years, for her excellence in 4-H youth development. She received her award […]
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NCDA&CS declares an internal quarantine for all North Carolina counties for the Guava knot nematode
bladenonline 10/05/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has established an interior quarantine for all 100 counties for the Guava root knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Under the quarantine, regulated articles are prohibited from movement to non-quarantined states unless they meet the conditions specifically outlined in the official declaration. The quarantine is effective immediately, […]
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WASHINGTON – Johnston County Hams, a Smithfield, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 89,096 pounds of ready-to-eat ham products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The ready-to-eat deli-loaf ham items were produced from April 3, 2017 to Oct. 2, 2018. The following products are subject […]
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RALEIGH – Fall is one of the most anticipated times of year for agritourism operations, but the devastation from Hurricane Florence has left many farmers unsure if they will be able to offer pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other agritourism activities this year. “Agritourism farms in Eastern North Carolina were most affected, but we’ve received […]
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RALEIGH – Hurricane Florence inundated southeastern NC with record rainfall and left many fields saturated and flooded for days, while fields in other areas of the state received only a few inches of rain. Although storms like this have complex effects across the landscape, two general effects are most important to consider: 1) soil disturbance, […]
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Photos contributed by Don White Written by Erin Smith While businesses and residents begin the process of rebuilding, Boost the ‘Boro members have been working to repair flood damage to the Bladenboro Farmers Market. The local Farmer’s Market is the host of fresh produce, handmade crafts and so much more. Hurricane Florence caused record breaking […]
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USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for October 2018
bladenonline 10/01/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON, October 1, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation, today, announced interest rates for October 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for October is 2.500 percent, up from 2.375 percent in September. The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during October is […]
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Troxler announces availability of grants for bioenergy research and new and emerging crops
bladenonline 10/01/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – 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 well as new and emerging crops. “We are excited that the North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative will be offering $1 million in competitive grants for projects focused on bioenergy and […]
READ MORETrump Administration Appoints Brent Hampy to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Missouri
bladenonline 09/29/2018 0 COMMENTSSeptember 28, 2018- The Trump Administration recently appointed Brent Hampy as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA). Hampy will join the Missouri FSA team on Monday, Oct. 1. Hampy has extensive experience in production agriculture and public service. He has been a landowner since 1987 and has a […]
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Homeowners should review termite treatment agreements if flooding caused substantial damage
bladenonline 09/28/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – Hurricane Florence not only flooded many areas, knocked out power and destroyed the possessions of thousands of homeowners and businesses in North Carolina, it may have washed away household termite protection as well, Commissioner Steve Troxler said today. “If soil eroded from around the foundation of a house, or if more soil was […]
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By Nancy Olsen, Bladen County Cooperative Extension Do you get eaten up in the evenings by thousands of blood-sucking mosquitoes? Do you fear going deaf from all the buzzing mosquitoes, which eagerly await your arrival into the yard? Mosquitoes have been around more than 50 million years and live in every possible environment, from the […]
READ MOREUSDA Adds Shelled Almonds and Fresh Sweet Cherry to Market Facilitation Program
bladenonline 09/24/2018 0 COMMENTSDepartment Amends Timeline for Hogs Operations WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the addition of commodities to the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Starting Monday, Sept. 24, producers of shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries […]
READ MORENCDA&CS, NCSU to help farms divert crops to animal feed with proper testing RALEIGH – Farmers whose crops were flooded by Hurricane Florence face not only the prospect of lower yields and loss of quality, but also the reality that those crops cannot be used for human food. Crops and commodities exposed to floodwaters are […]
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County sees loss of livestock, crop damage due to Hurricane Florence
bladenonline 09/20/2018 0 COMMENTSBy Erin Smith Bladen County’s farmers have suffered severe losses of livestock and crop damage as a result of Hurricane Florence. Chris Tatum with the Farm Service Agency office in Bladen County said on Thursday he had no estimated dollar amount yet for the losses as there are still areas of the County which remain […]
READ MORENCDA&CS moving into communities to assess damage & assist in recovery
bladenonline 09/19/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is dispatching inspectors and field forces to begin assessing damage to the state’s agriculture industry and to ensure food is safe for consumers. Inspectors are waiting for flood waters to recede to safe levels before making site visits. In the meantime, they are contacting firms […]
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RALEIGH – Hurricane Florence has resulted in damaged and downed trees and branches. The N.C. Forest Service is encouraging homeowners and anyone else looking to clean up after a storm to exercise caution and think safety first. Unless a damaged tree is a safety risk, tree removal decisions can come later after the storm cleanup. […]
READ MORENCDA&CS activates hotline to help farmers impacted by Hurricane Florence
bladenonline 09/12/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Although this storm may change course, we are monitoring the situation closely,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We […]
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By Erin Smith Bladen County’s farmers have been busy this week preparing for the wrath of Hurricane Florence. Chris Tatum, with the Bladen County Farm Service Agency, said farmers are extremely busy right now. “Most of our farmers are going wide open with the State of Emergency in place, harvesting corn and tobacco,” said Tatum. […]
READ MOREStatement from Agriculture Commissioner Troxler on waiving of motor vehicle regulations to help farmers
bladenonline 09/08/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler released the following statement regarding Gov. Roy Cooper’s issuance of Executive Orders 51 and 52 in preparation for Tropical Storm Florence: “With the potential impact of Tropical Storm Florence next week and the threat of severe economic loss of livestock, poultry and crops, I appreciate Gov. Cooper issuing a […]
READ MORE(Washington, D.C., September 4, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), while USDA will also begin to purchase identified commodities […]
READ MOREMotions filed to allow appeal process to begin for third hog farm case
bladenonline 09/07/2018 0 COMMENTSBy Erin Smith Attorneys involved in the hog farm lawsuits against Murphy-Brown LLC have filed motions to allow an appeal to the verdict in the third case. The motions were filed in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon. The Plaintiffs’ attorney, Michael Kaeske, filed three motions. The first motion […]
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By Charlotte Smith Smithfield Foods announced plans to construct a new distribution center and expand its blast cell cold storage capabilities at its processing facility in Tar Heel back in August of 2017. The company announced yesterday the Distribution Center in Clayton will be moved to the pork processing plant in Bladen County. The new […]
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Jordan Phasey, Founder of Phinite, Inc. has created the first full scale Sludge Treatment Wetland in Tar Heel, NC and it could be the answer hog farmers are looking for when dealing with disposal issues of their hog waste. Becky Spearman with the Bladen County Department of Soil and Water Conservation District linked Phasey with […]
READ MORERALEIGH – Wineries, grape growers, restauranteurs and state officials gathered in Raleigh Tuesday to officially kick-off N.C. Wine and Grape Month, which is held each September during the peak of the local grape harvest. “North Carolina has a lot to celebrate when it comes to our wine and grape industry,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The wine […]
READ MORERALEIGH – From pumpkin patches and apple picking to wine tastings and farm stays, there is something every member of the family can enjoy this fall in North Carolina. More than 1,000 farms in the state offer agritourism activities, and many will be opening their gates for visitors this fall. Following is a selection of […]
READ MOREState environmental officials seek public input on draft swine waste management permit
bladenonline 09/04/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting on Oct. 4 in Greenville to obtain input on the state’s draft swine waste management system general permit (AWG100000), which nearly all North Carolina hog farms are required to comply with. Information shared at the event will include a summary of a technical […]
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Contributed A Bladen County resident has earned first place at the Cumberland County Fair. Andrew Runion’s prize winning watermelon weighed in at 167 pounds. His father, Andy Runion, said Andrew has more watermelons growing and he plans to enter the competition at the NC State Fair in Raleigh in October. Share:
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USDA Announces Details of Assistance for Farmers Impacted by Unjustified Retaliation
bladenonline 08/30/2018 0 COMMENTS(Washington, D.C., August 27, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of actions the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation by foreign nations. President Donald J. Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a short-term relief strategy to protect agricultural producers […]
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The sun rises again on the farm industry. Captured in this photo is the industrial park in Bladenboro. The park houses different farming industries and their operations. Share:
READ MOREBy Erin Smith The first of the appeals of the verdicts in the first three hog farm lawsuits against Murphy Brown, LLC may soon be moving forward after the plaintiffs filed a motion Wednesday afternoon withdrawing their opposition to the appeal. The Plaintiffs’ attorney, Michael Kaeske, filed three motions on Wednesday afternoon in the United […]
READ MOREUSDA Announces Assistance to Pecan Growers Affected by 2017 Weather Events
bladenonline 08/28/2018 0 COMMENTSWashington, D.C.– The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that additional assistance has been made available for pecan growers to replant and replace trees through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) as they recover from the impacts of 2017 weather events, which was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. “Pecan orchards were hard hit […]
READ MOREUSDA Announces Details of Assistance for Farmers Impacted by Unjustified Retaliation
bladenonline 08/28/2018 0 COMMENTSWashington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of actions the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation by foreign nations. President Donald J. Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a short-term relief strategy to protect agricultural producers while the […]
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Contributed Southern Belle Organics, Bladenboro, N.C., has hired Vince Ferrante to help the blueberry company expand into organic and conventional vegetables. Ferrante, executive vice president at Southern Belle, has a background in vegetables and berries, according to a news release. For 20 years, he helped manage Teixeira Farms, a Santa Maria, Calif., operation owned by his wife’s family. […]
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West Bladen High School FFA officers participate in officer training camp
bladenonline 08/22/2018 0 COMMENTSBy Olivia Sholar, West Bladen High School FFA Secretary West Bladen High School’s 2018-2019 FFA officers participated in officer training camp on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 7 and 8, 2018. The first day was spent focused on discussion of the upcoming year for the club. Teams designed t-shirts for the club members and practiced team […]
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Doing a few winter chores now will assure you of extra time come spring. Come to class to find out what needs to be done and how best to take care of the lawn, vegetable garden, house plants, perennials and other outdoor spaces prior to the cold season. When: October 10, 6:00 pm to 8:00 […]
READ MOREA fun little project using a small straw bale and three empty wine bottles. I will provide a straw bale and hot glue. You will need to bring three wine bottles, one string of 100 white Christmas lights and flowers or whatever you are using to decorate. This would be beautiful at the front door, […]
READ MOREA great holiday activity to make a wreath for the front door, inside the house or back gate. I will provide the green wreath and hot glue. You will need to bring ribbon, flowers, seeds, pods, glitz and whatever you are decorating with. Think outside the box and design a fantastic holiday wreath. When: […]
READ MORENCDA&CS declares sweet potato weevil quarantine for Berkeley and Jasper counties in South Carolina
bladenonline 08/17/2018 0 COMMENTSRALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has established Berkeley and Jasper counties in South Carolina as quarantine areas for the sweet potato weevil after the highly destructive pest was trapped on wild morning glory by South Carolina regulatory officials. The quarantine is effective immediately. Under the quarantine, the movement of […]
READ MOREFarmers, industry leaders and others participate in On Farm Readiness Review Demonstration
bladenonline 08/10/2018 0 COMMENTSWHO/WHAT: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and North Carolina Farm Bureau will kick off a two-day On Farm Readiness Review demonstration. The program is geared to assess farmers’ readiness to comply with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Part […]
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Troxler encourages horse owners to vaccinate against EEE Cases on the rise; mosquito-borne disease usually deadly to equine
bladenonline 08/09/2018 0 COMMENTSThe N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently confirmed a sixth positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis for 2018. In the last month there have been confirmed cases in Richmond, Onslow, Duplin, Craven and Carteret counties. In all cases, the equines had no records of vaccinations or were not vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. […]
READ MOREDeadline Approaches for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment
bladenonline 08/08/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON — Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce reminded producers today that the deadline to sign up for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. “Any agricultural producer that has eligible land should review the benefits of this program,” said Fordyce. “It removes from production marginal, erodible land and, […]
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Pollinator Field Day to be held Sept. 8 at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury
bladenonline 08/08/2018 0 COMMENTSSALISBURY – The Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury will host Pollinator Field Day on Saturday, September 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. “Because pollinators play such a vital role in crop production, it is important to protect and promote their health,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This field day is designed to help farmers, beekeepers, […]
READ MORERALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a stop-sale order for tractor hydraulic fluid products labeled, claimed or implied as meeting THF 303, which has no known specifications available. This specification was discontinued in 1974 and it was subsequently replaced with the current JDM-J20C or D specifications. Manufacturers and distributors […]
READ MOREDeadline Approaches for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment
bladenonline 08/07/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON, August 7, 2018 — Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce reminded producers today that the deadline to sign up for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. “Any agricultural producer that has eligible land should review the benefits of this program,” said Fordyce. “It removes from production […]
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Van Oriental Foods Inc., a Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 10,385 pounds of heat treated but not fully cooked and not shelf stable pork egg rolls that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The pork egg rolls were […]
READ MOREAgriculture Commissioner Troxler calls on FDA to take quick action to enforce truth in labeling on milk products
bladenonline 08/02/2018 0 COMMENTSAgriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has called on the Food and Drug Administration to enforce the standard of identity for milk and require proper labeling of plant-based beverages as part of comments made recently at FDA’s Nutrition Innovation Strategy Public Meeting. Assistant Commissioner for Consumer Protection Joe Reardon made comments on behalf of the department at […]
READ MOREUSDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for August 2018
bladenonline 08/01/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON, August 1, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation, today, announced interest rates for August 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for August is 2.375 percent, up from 2.250 percent in July. The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during August is […]
READ MORENearly $2 Billion Now Available for Eligible Producers Affected by 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires
bladenonline 08/01/2018 0 COMMENTSAgriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup began July 16, 2018, and continues through Nov. 16, 2018. “Hurricanes and wildfires caused billions of dollars in losses to America’s farmers last year. Our objective […]
READ MOREWASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that seed cotton producers, who want to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2018 crop year, may now submit applications. The signup period begins today and ends on Dec. 7, 2018. In accordance with changes to […]
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia as well as the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) are warning consumers not to purchase any packages of Kelloggs Honey Smacks Cereal. Retailers have been asked to stop selling the products after more than […]
READ MORERALEIGH – Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or for recertification through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Growers who are certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018, can apply for assistance through the program. “Applicants […]
READ MOREBladen County Producers Have Until Aug. 1 to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations
bladenonline 07/25/2018 0 COMMENTSElizabethtown, NC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director for BladenCounty, Chris Tatum, today reminded farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1, 2018, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees. County committees are made up of farmers and ranchers elected by other producers […]
READ MORENearly $2 Billion Now Available for Eligible Producers Affected by 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires
bladenonline 07/16/2018 0 COMMENTSWASHINGTON, July 16, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup begins July 16, 2018, and continues through November 16, 2018. “Hurricanes and wildfires caused billions of dollars in losses to […]
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Everything is going along fine, then your favorite tree’s leaves begin to drop. What caused this and will the tree die? Here is a list of factors that could lead to mid-summer leaf drop. 1. In droughts, a tree may shed up to 10 percent of its leaves. This helps, because then it loses less […]
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OPINION: Hog trial misleading; living high on the hog isn’t for everyone
bladenonline 07/14/2018 0 COMMENTSBy Charlotte Smith Some would agree country living is worth millions, maybe even priceless. Jurors in two landmark trials have awarded multi-millions of dollars to country neighbors in the recent months. Bladen County farmers are in the midst of the third lawsuit in a series of more than 20 cases over the nuisances from smells […]
READ MORERALEIGH — With the growing season for summer agronomic crops underway and many landscapes actively growing, it is an excellent time to utilize diagnostic testing to identify existing abnormal growth problems. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services Division offers a range of services to help optimize crops and yards. Soil testing, […]
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Jury to decide country smell or collateral damage in hog industry law suit
bladenonline 07/12/2018 1 COMMENTBy Charlotte Smith The United States District Court in Raleigh was packed full Wednesday for the opening arguments during the third lawsuit involving hog farms and their neighbors. Two prior lawsuits against the hog industry has resulted in millions of dollars in fines effecting Bladen County farmers since April of this year. A jury of […]
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Today begins another lawsuit case involving the hog industry. We are in Raleigh and will bring you the latest. Share:
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Rural Bladen County offers many beautiful views to those who drive through it. The sunrise above was captured near Tar Heel on Wednesday morning as the sun made its appearance above a pasture. The peaceful scene beckons one to stop and sit for a while. Share:
READ MOREEquine owners encouraged to vaccinate animals RALEIGH – A four-year-old quarter horse stallion in Richmond County was euthanized after contracting the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in North Carolina this year. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination. EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord […]
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By Erin Smith The Bladen County Board of Commissioners learned about a planned expansion of the facilities at the FFA Camp located at White Lake.North Carolina FFA Foundation Director of Development Alycia Thornton told the board there will be a groundbreaking on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, for a new dormitory and male bath house. Thornton […]
READ MOREAgriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Educational Tool Available for Farms who planted seed cotton
bladenonline 07/09/2018 0 COMMENTSThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is notifying farmers with generic base acres that planted seed cotton that a new tool is available to assist them in understanding how the new seed cotton program may affect their FSA payments. It helps a producer make decisions on how to allocate generic base […]
READ MOREAgriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Educational Tool Available for Farms with Generic Base Acres that Planted Seed Cotton
bladenonline 07/06/2018 0 COMMENTSJuly 5, 2018 —The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is notifying farmers with generic base acres that planted seed cotton that a new tool is available to assist them in understanding how the new seed cotton program may affect their FSA payments. It helps a producer make decisions on how to allocate […]
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By Charlotte Smith Bladen County farmers along with pork companies in the mother county are grasping for help after a multi-million dollar lawsuit. The verdict handed down in one case resulted in a Bladen County farmer losing all his hogs according to witnesses. There are over 20 more similar pork industry lawsuits set to take […]
READ MOREBladen County Farm Service Agency Acreage Reporting Dates for 2018
bladenonline 07/05/2018 0 COMMENTSElizabethtown, N.C. , July 5, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Chris Tatum in Bladen County today announced that producers who file accurate and timely reports for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits. Please pay close attention […]
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by Jacqueline DiGiovanni With scares over contaminated, big-ag produce the last few years, consumers have become more interested in where their food comes from, how it is grown and how far it traveled to get to their tables. People have become more interested in growing their own vegetables and herbs, or when space and time […]
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