Top Agriculture News

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Officials in North Carolina say heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to flee their homes. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where floodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments. Chapel Hill officials said Monday that more than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. In Orange County, the possibility of the failure of the Lake Michael Dam prompted officials to issue a voluntary evacuation for areas downstream. In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson warned residents that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel. He says officials were searching for some missing persons.

America’s specialty crop growers often face challenges that are unique to their segment of agriculture. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says USDA has acknowledged these challenges through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program. “It is a program designed specifically to help specialty crop growers deal with […]

One day it’s off, and then the next it’s back on. That’s been President Trump’s stand on immigration enforcement on farms of late, confusing many farmworkers and their employers. But Washington Representative Dan Newhouse says being an undocumented foreign guestworker is against the law. “As a member of Congress, I can’t tell federal agencies to, […]

“Meat is having a moment.” Those are words from Dr. Glynn Tonsor at Kansas State University. Tonsor, a livestock market economist with Kansas State Extension, says it’s good news for U.S. livestock producers. “Meat is having a moment in the sense that we’re seeing a decline in the prevalence of vegan and vegetarian diets. We’re […]

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal has formed off the southeastern U.S. coast. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says tropical storm warnings have been issued for portions of the Carolinas. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the affected areas later Saturday. The NHC said the storm’s center was expected to move across the coast of South Carolina late Saturday or early Sunday. Some additional strengthening is expected before Chantal reaches the coast. Heavy rain will likely fall across portions of the coastal plain of the Carolinas through Monday. Storm total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts up to 6 inches, is expected. The rain could cause flash flooding.

You know, it may be hard to believe, but we are nine months out from Hurricane Helene impacting the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and other parts of the of the southeast. I’m talking with Corey Davis from the state climate office of North Carolina, and wow, I can’t believe that it has been that long, and […]

Cherries…this year’s crop of this summertime, Fourth of July treat is now being harvested. “They’re readily available in grocery stores here very soon. Anyway, I’m sure we’re starting to see some now.” Lance Honig of USDA is National Agricultural Statistics Service says harvest continues until about mid-July. You may know there are two types of […]

After enduring nearly 12 hours of House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries’ “Magic Minute” filibuster, the U.S. House passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Thursday afternoon. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall applauded the bill’s passage, now on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk for a final signature. Among key ag provisions, the bill […]

Oh, hey, doing some grilling for the July cookout. You know, nothing fancy, burgers, brats, hot dogs, chicken. Hey, hold on a few, over-the-fence shout out going out. Hey, Michael, what are you grilling up? “Burgers on the grill for me and my family. There’ll be some hot dogs and, most likely, some grilled chicken […]

There have been a host of questions about agricultural workers and immigration enforcement, leading to concerns, rumors, and fear. Jon DeVaney is president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. “The messages out of the White House in the last few days have been that they recognize that the agricultural workforce is critical to producing […]