Agriculture & Food

Extension and research at NC State address timely issues impacting our state. Extension delivers trusted information directly into the hands of farmers and agribusinesses, helping them translate knowledge into solutions that grow our economy and communities.

Basil Downy Mildew Confirmed in Pender County, NC, July 28, 2021

Basil downy mildew has been confirmed on the variety Genovese in a homeowner garden in Pender County, North Carolina. …

— 23 hours ago, Extension Plant Pathology

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Confirmed in Western NC, July 28, 2021

Cucumber downy mildew (CDM) has been confirmed on cucumber plant samples from a commercial grower in Haywood County, NC. …

— 23 hours ago, Extension Plant Pathology

Late Blight on Tomato Suspected in WNC Region --July 28, 2021

Late blight on tomato has been suspected near Macon County, NC on July 27, 2021. The disease has yet …

— 23 hours ago, Extension Plant Pathology

Organic Commodities Field Day | August 4, 2021 | Goldsboro, NC

Please share across your networks. The NC State University Organic Working Group will be holding an Organic Commodities Field Day …

— 7 days ago, Horticulture

Farm Visit Snapshots: In Good Heart Farm

I visited In Good Heart Farm outside Pittsboro in mid-May and again in mid-July. Ben Shields and Patricia Parker …

— 1 week ago, Growing Small Farms

Biochar Pros and Cons in Horticulture

The biggest handicap to growing crops in the Sandhills is the sandy soil. Acidic and low in organic matter, …

— 1 week ago, Horticulture

Portrait photo of Swarnalatha Moparthi and a tobacco field

The PDIC Welcomes a New Lab Member

The NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic is happy to announce the arrival of our newest lab member, …

— 2 weeks ago, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Enjoy a Virtual Tour of the Pollinator Paradise Garden From May and June!

Pollinator Paradise is a Demonstration Garden created by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center. Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos …

— 2 weeks ago, Growing Small Farms

Section 18 Label Renewal Approved for Use of Mertect (Thiabendazole) for Control of Sweetpotato Black Rot Postharvest in Domestic Markets

Written by Camilo H. Parada-Rojas and Dr. Lina M. Quesada-Ocampo The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed the …

— 2 weeks ago, Extension Plant Pathology

Mosquito Prevention After Tropical Storms

Although we were spared much of the brunt of Tropical Storm Elsa, parts of North Carolina were still pummeled …

— 2 weeks ago, Entomology

top colas of a cbd hemp plant in the field

Registration for the 2021 Piedmont Research Station Horticulture and Specialty Crops Field Day

7/8/2021 – Registration for the 2021 Piedmont Research Station Horticulture and Specialty Crops Field Day is live!! We are …

— 3 weeks ago, Hemp

Plant Disease and Insect Clinic to Resume Normal Operations

We are excited to announce the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) will be returning to normal …

— 4 weeks ago, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Agriculture Photo Contest Celebrates Chatham County's 250th Anniversary!

Chatham County is inviting residents to submit photos of local agriculture as part of a contest to celebrate Chatham …

— 4 weeks ago, Growing Small Farms

Podcast: Why NC Farmers Need Good Internet

The NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Farms Food and You Podcast recently covered the topic …

— 1 month ago, Community Development

Farm Visit Snapshots: Perry-Winkle Farm to Market!

From Chatham County Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos: In early June I got to spend time with our two Extension interns …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Register Now for Virtual Pollinator Field Day June 22

The North Carolina Pollinator Conservation Alliance invites you to kick off National Pollinator Week 2021 and join us for our fourth …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Register Now for July CCP Meeting About Community Conservation

The July Chatham Conservation Partnership (CCP) meeting will focus on Community Conservation. Please join us on July 15, 2021, from 9–11:30 a.m. …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Moles and Voles, Oh My! — Written By Rob Hawk and updated by Melissa Vaughn and Chumper Walker Woodland or Pine Vole rodent Voles eat roots from garden vegetables, bulbs, and bark. You most likely deal with pine and meadow voles. Meadow voles spend most of their time above ground while pine/woodland voles are more burrow dwelling and usually have an extensive subsurface trail system that is excavated about 1 to 2 inches deep. These burrows open to the surface and often connect to above-ground runways. These burrows are small since voles are the size of plump mice. They can be a serious outdoor pest, damaging the root system on many landscape and garden plants or even girdling trees when feeding on their bark. The best way to control a vole epidemic is to set large spring loaded mice traps baited with apple slices or peanut butter near the tunnels. You can also discourage voles from invading your yard by keeping the grass mowed short and reducing the amount of thatch in the lawn. There are also poisons that can be used to kill voles but one must consider potential risks with pets, children, or non-target animals. Read the label in its entirety before using any vole poison products to avoid illegal usage and/or unintended harms. Mole Moles have large paddle-like forefeet used for digging. Image by Michael David Hill, Wikimedia Moles eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates living in your soil. Moles are not considered rodents. The tell-tale sign of moles is the visible ridges that are seen as a result of tunneling in the lawn. There is a tendency to try to control moles by applying grub killer to your lawn. Sometimes this isn’t a recommended approach since moles eat more than just grubs. The star-nosed mole, found mostly in the mountains and coastal plains, is listed as a NC Special Concern Specie and is protected by law. Reference NC law 15A NCAC 10B .0106 WILDLIFE TAKEN FOR DEPREDATIONS, found on the NCDA website for more info. The eastern mole and the hairy-tailed mole are under consideration for designation as pests. Currently, the use of poison is not labeled for moles in North Carolina. A easy control method is to simply put on your heavy boots and stomp on the ridge tunnels to flatten them. In the meantime, trapping is the recommended avenue for mole control. Article submitted by Chumper Walker, EBCI NC Cooperative Extension Director Original Article by Rob Hawk, Swain and Jackson County NCCE Director

June 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

Here is the June edition of our Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter! See the images …

— 1 month ago

Leaf with cucumber downy mildew symptoms

Cucumber Downy Mildew Found in North Carolina

Written by Mariana Prieto-Torres, Mike Adams, Dr. Savithri Purayannur, and Dr. Lina M. Quesada-Ocampo Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the causal agent of cucurbit …

— 1 month ago, Extension Plant Pathology