NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is welcoming news that China has pledged to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans, calling the development a major boost for farmers who have struggled with low prices and limited export opportunities. In an interview, Troxler said the announcement could help strengthen international trade and provide long-term […]

TRYON – The wine industry in North Carolina celebrates a significant milestone as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the establishment of the state’s seventh American Viticulture Area (AVA). The Tryon Foothills AVA, which spans around 176 square miles in Polk County and accounts for over 77 acres of quality winegrapes, provides […]

A backyard flock in Rutherford County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.  This is the first confirmed positive in Rutherford County. In the last 30 days, there have been three backyard flocks with […]

The Maple Hill Loopers continued their winning streak in the N.C. State Fair’s Tobacco Stringing Contest Friday, Oct. 17, notching the team’s fifth straight win. The team is made up of husband and wife Sandy and Ken Jones of Maple Hill and Michael Sunday of Hendersonville. Over the contest’s 21-year history, in addition to 11 […]

RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler released the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Stein’s issuance of Executive Order 26 in advance of potential tropical storms and heavy rains moving across North Carolina: “Storm activity is high with the potential to cause localized flooding depending on the ultimate track of these storms in the Atlantic. I […]

RALEIGH – As North Carolina’s fall wildfire season approaches, the N.C. Forest Service is urging the public to protect homes and neighborhoods by taking action to reduce wildfire risk and using recommended best practices to prevent wildfires. “Wildfire prevention and risk reduction are two important areas that each of us have the ability to directly impact,” […]

The 2025 N.C. Mountain State Fair concluded this past weekend under clear skies and warm temperatures, providing a picture-perfect backdrop for the annual event. Fair Manager Sean McKeon announced Monday that 161,059 people attended this year’s fair — an increase of 9.3%, or 11,709 visitors, over last year’s total. “There are a lot of ways […]

The North Carolina State Fair announced in a press release Monday that its popular “Farm Family of the Day” program will return for 2025 to recognize the hard work and dedication of farm families across the state. Now in its fifth year, the program highlights the contributions of families involved in North Carolina’s $111.1 billion […]

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted two longtime North Carolina farmers to the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame over the weekend. The two inductees, longtime dairy goat exhibitor Marjorie Burton and veteran dairy farmer Mike Corn, came during the fair’s opening weekend festivities. The induction was in recognition of their decades of support […]

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden announced on Friday the approval of a $221.2 million disaster assistance grants for North Carolina farmers recovering from Hurricane Helene. The grant is part of a broader federal effort to support agricultural producers impacted by recent natural disasters. During a visit to Asheville, Vaden signed a block grant […]