Viewing: Faces in the Field
N.C. military veteran helps others follow him into farming
The first week of March is “National Invest in Veterans Week” – an initiative launched in 2017 “to empower the public to invest in the veteran population.” Veterans make up about ten percent of owners in American agriculture, forestry and
Dupont State Recreational Forest bridge named in honor of Bill Yarborough
Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler honored longtime N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employee Bill Yarborough by naming the Dupont State Recreational Forest Little River Access Bridge in his honor. Yarborough recently retired after 35 years of service in Western
Rob Montague recognized as NCDA&CS Employee of the Year
Robert “Rob” Montague’s involvement in the local community and his commitment to respond to wildfire emergencies – plus many other local emergencies – are major reasons he was recently recognized as the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2020
Meet the face of our Stove Side Chat series: Chad Blackwelder
Many of you may recognize Chad Blackwelder from our Stove Side Chat series on Instagram each Wednesday at 2 p.m. Chad, however, is responsible for a variety of tasks and projects in his role as Food Service Marketing Specialist at
From pandemics to ‘Murder Hornets,’ Whitney Swink looks back on a wild 2020
Just as the year is ending, Whitney Swink’s phone has finally quieted down. In a year full of unprecedented international challenges, it might sound presumptuous to say that Swink, NCDA&CS State Regulatory Entomologist, has had a particularly wild year. From
Corbett ensures multiple farms have what they need to continue research
Managing a farm of any size is a tough job, so it’s hard to imagine the challenge of overseeing 18 different farms with around 90 different commodities across nearly 25,000 acres. Tommy Corbett in the N.C. Department of Agriculture doesn’t
North Carolina’s “Tomato Man” makes a mark saving and sharing heirloom tomatoes
Many North Carolinians may know Craig LeHoullier simply as “the Tomato Man” or maybe “the North Carolina Tomato Man” if they’re being specific. …but he never even ate a tomato until he was a teenager. It’s an odd fact in
Farmers Market Managers Recognized for COVID-19 Response
These days, the four NCDA&CS farmers markets are still operating with modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been three and a half months since the markets plunged into emergency response mode – having to make immediate adjustments for public
Promotion Amid Problems – N.C. Wine Month in the era of COVID-19
John Wright is delivering wine to doorsteps these days – a service his Sanctuary Vineyards has never offered in the past. It’s a direct result of the changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic response. “We’re typically busy with customers in our
Flower farmers & florists navigating uncertain time this Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day and flowers seem to go hand-in-hand. This year – despite COVID-19 – that doesn’t have to be any different. Flower farmers and florists are still working and depending on customers to help them stay in business. While the