Recent Posts

Putting the Pieces Together: Sequencing the Blueberry Genome

<p>Watch a video outlining how Dr. Allan Brown is leading a team that is sequencing the blueberry genome. The work is a major step toward understanding the genetic information of the blueberry and is expected to yield new discoveries in both medical and agricultural research.</p>

Blackberry and Raspberry Research with Dr. Perkins-Veazie

Dr. Penelope Perkins-Veazie discusses research that is under way to develop a rating system for the firmness of blackberries and raspberries. When finalized, this system will help growers determine what variety of blackberry or raspberry is best suited for their operation.

10 Tips for Getting Children to Eat Fresh Produce

This slide show from The Produce Lady includes photos and tips to help you incorporate more nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables into children's diets. A PDF version is available for use in presentations, handing out at markets or other needs.

The Produce Lady Launches E-newsletter

The Produce Lady’s new monthly e-newsletter encourages N.C. families to eat healthy fruits and vegetables purchased at local farmers markets. Each issue will focus on a seasonal crop and will assist consumers with selection and preparation tips. The newsletter is also an educational tool that growers and agents can share with clientele.

N.C. Extension Agent an Advocate for Asparagus

Carl Canaluppi stands before an asparagus field in the fern-growth stage. N.C. isn’t known (yet) for its asparagus production. In fact, it’s a relatively new introduction to Southern cuisine. That doesn’t deter Carl Cantaluppi, an N.C. Cooperative Extension area horticulture agent with the Granville and Person County Centers. He has been evaluating asparagus trials in North Carolina since 1994 and suggests that N.C. farmers will find asparagus to be a high-value, low-input specialty crop ideal for direct market.

NCVACS and Cooperative Development Pages Launched

The Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture recently launched two new sections on this Website. These online resources for the North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share program (NCVACS) and Cooperative Development provide agricultural producers with information about a new funding opportunity for value-added enterprises and outline the steps for creating an agricultural cooperative.

The Produce Lady Extols Virtues of Local Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The Produce Lady video series tells farmers and consumers the wonders of locally grown fruits and vegetables – the nutrition they provide, the delicious meals or snacks families can enjoy with each vegetable or fruit and how to prepare them as tasty meals and snacks or freeze them to use throughout the year.

Business Development Tools for Producers & Growers

Interested in building or expanding an agricultural business? A series of seven tools for assessing new agricultural business ideas has been developed to help evaluate your business endeavor.

The Produce Lady Has A New Blog!

The Produce Lady’s blog provides a personal look at locally grown foods, healthy recipes, N.C. farmers markets, produce videos and food safety practices.