Pete Radford has been a meat and poultry inspector for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for more than 18 years. His job is to ensure the meat products produced by companies on his watch meet USDA requirements.
Seven years ago, the emerald ash borer was first found in North Carolina. Its discovery was met with dread. This invasive beetle had already become notorious by devastating the forests in the Midwest and Northeast. We knew it killed trees
North Carolina is home to beautiful forests which encounter risks from various threats each year. The significance of native pests vary by year, but the threat from invasive pests is only increasing with time. The N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) Forest
Most southerners with any trace of agricultural roots are familiar with the New Year’s Day tradition of cooking and eating collard greens and black-eyed peas. An article in the January 2013 edition of “Our State” magazine explained “some say the
Poinsettias are a popular flower, especially during the holidays. Earlier this month, North Carolina State University hosted its annual poinsettia trials, co-sponsored by the N.C. Commercial Flower Growers Association. Each year, multiple private industry breeders come together to see who
Sweet potatoes experience a bit of a zenith during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when their popularity soars. Sweet potato pies and casseroles are pretty popular, and lots of folks also enjoy what many people may call “candied yams.” In
In 2019, a new outreach initiative brought together partners across North Carolina, including the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), to offer ForestHER NC. NCFS is proud to be a part of this effort as our mission is to assist forest
With colder weather closing in, making sure your home is well-heated is especially important right now. Many people across North Carolina rely on propane to heat their homes and power their appliances. Check out the video above to learn about
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” There seems to be some misinformation making the rounds about the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. A public relations campaign with a