By phhi_adminNorth Carolina is among the top 10 states in the country for production of 13 different crops. The state's fertile and diverse terrain, industry-leading resources and a rich tradition of agriculture keep North Carolina at the forefront of the industry. As a result, North Carolina is among the top 10 states in the country for production of sweet potatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, peanuts, blueberries, cabbage, snap beans, tomatoes, apples, bell peppers, squash, watermelons and grapes. N.C. MarketReady provides resources on this site, such as the Growers Information Portals, to help N.C. farmers continue to grow their operations. |Events
By phhi_adminFebruary 17-18, 2010
The Winter Vegetable Conference and Trade Show of the N.C. Tomato Growers Association (NCTGA) offers educational opportunities and supports research efforts beneficial to all western North Carolina vegetable growers. |Events
By phhi_adminJoin Dr. Chris Gunter, N.C. State vegetable production specialist, and other tomato experts at N.C. State University for a “virtual tour” of the Tomato Growers Information Portal, a new Web portal designed specifically for N.C. tomato growers and Extension agents. Online resources include business management tools, the latest production guidelines, links to weather and climate data and much more.
|Features
By phhi_adminCarl 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. |Events
By phhi_adminNovember 8-10, 2009
Expo attendees may attend educational sessions, workshops and an industry trade show at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. They will also have the opportunity to tour Vollmer Farm in Bunn, N.C., and several Raleigh sites including the N.C. State Micropropagation Unit, the NCDA&CS Agronomics Lab and the N.C. State Farmers Market.
|Did You Know?
By phhi_adminOctober is National Apple Month! North Carolina typically ranks seventh in apple production in the United States, with more than 300 commercial apple operations. The four major varieties, which make up the bulk of N.C.'s production, are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty and Galas. N.C. apple production areas, centered in the western part of the state, are within 24 freight hours of 65 percent of the U.S. population. More apple health facts, recipes and variety identification charts are available on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and U.S. Apple Web sites.
|Events
By phhi_adminSeptember 28, 2009, 8 to 11 a.m.
The N.C. Fresh Produce Safety Task Force will host representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2009, in Raleigh, for a Small Farm Produce Safety Listening Session. Several dozen small farm produce growers are expected to participate in this meeting to share concerns about produce safety regulations. |Institute News
By phhi_adminN.C. Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the N.C. Fresh Produce Safety Task Force, is leading an initiative to educate fruit and vegetable growers and consumers about measures that can minimize food safety risks. The organization has received more than $250,000 in grant funding to support the statewide Extension and research effort.