Heather Overton
A North Carolina native, Heather Overton started interning for the N.C. State Fair while finishing up her degree in Communications at N.C. State University. She then worked full time from 2000 to 2006 as a public information officer for the N.C. State Fair division. She returned to work for the agriculture department in July of 2013 in the Public Affairs division.
Disaster assistance program remains open for poultry and livestock, plasticulture and forestry producers who suffered damage from Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Dorian. The deadline to apply has been extended until Dec. 31.
Summary: Back in June we announced this $79.6 million disaster assistance program to assist poultry, livestock and plasticulture producers and woodland owners in 90 counties who suffered losses in 2018-2019 from Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Dorian. The application deadline has
Two couples inducted into N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame
FLETCHER – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted two couples into the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame during the fair’s opening weekend. Troxler recognized Randy and Debbie Trantham of Candler and James and Wanda Dobbins of Rutherfordton for
NASS releases its September update on crops. Yields are looking up from the August forecast.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released its September crop production estimates and yield is projected up from the August forecast for corn and cotton. Yields of tobacco, corn, cotton, soybeans and peanuts are projected to be above 2020 numbers
Five questions with State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin
On Aug. 1, 2021, Dr. Mike Martin stepped into his new role as State Veterinarian. Previously, he served as the Poultry Section Head for the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division. In that role he had oversight of all poultry program operations within
NCDA&CS offers organic certification cost-share assistance
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is once again offering an organic cost-share program that reimburses growers for up to 50 percent of the cost for a farm to be USDA certified or recertified organic. The funds are
Farm Family of the Day at NC State Fair
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Each day of the N.C. State Fair, the fair will recognize one farm family as its Farm Family of the Day presented
Spring Water in His Veins, Red Wine in His Soul
The following is a guest blog by Caitlyn Randall. Caitlyn is a Communications Specialist with the NCDA&CS Marketing Section. In honor of National Red Wine Day, taking place on Aug. 28, Caitlyn, along with other marketing division staff, interviewed Preston
Western N.C. sees damage from Tropical Storm Fred. Ag Emergency Hotline activated.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic. Summary: Farms in several Western N.C. counties have been severely damaged from flooding from Tropical Storm Fred. Commissioner Troxler recently toured several
Equine owners reminded to get their animals vaccinated against EEE and WNV. State sees first cases of both this year.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Summary: The state has recently seen its first cases of Triple E (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis) and West Nile Virus. Both of these
Advanced tickets on sale for two fairs.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Summary: Plans are coming together, and advanced tickets are now on sale for the N.C. Mountain State Fair, Sept. 10-19 and the