ROCKINGHAM – As part of the ongoing mission of the Richmond Observer to provide expansive coverage of current events, we offer the following links to allow ease of access to breaking news and/or items of immediate interest garnering attention across the state and/or nation. These particular links relate to items of agricultural interests.
1- Duplin County residents who support their local hog farmers went so far as to file a new petition stating their support in the hope that a judge considering the case against Smithfield Foods over a Duplin-based operation would take it into account. Some of those who signed the new petition signed another petition back in 1991 against the farm, but now say the farm has turned out to be a good neighbor and not a nuisance. North State Journal
2- The Energizing Rural North Carolina conference stirred conversation about the needs of rural communities, agriculture and statewide economics. WRAL TechWire
US trade, immigration and biofuel policies hit farmers hard Winston-Salem Journal
NC influencers want more jobs, skills training— but tariffs lurk over Raleigh News & Observer
3- Farm bill conference work sparks considerable disagreements to be settled over issues such as SNAP requirements and the Conservation Stewardship Program. Agriculture
Pre-conference committee farm bill discussions get heated in House SFN Today
4- A wet spring delayed harvest just a bit for some growers, but a number of popular summer crops like sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini and many more are now filling farmers market stands. Fayetteville Observer
5- North Carolina Farm Bureau is among those who have signed on to a letter asking FDA to act immediately to address proper labeling of milk. Ag Daily
6- The cyclospora parasite has sickened people in 5 states, with some of the ill reporting that they ate McDonald’s salads before falling ill. Food Safety News
Recalled Honey Smacks still on store shelves; more people sick Food Safety News
7- Rowan County 4-H recently planned a day for kids to learn about agriculture, and a columnist writes that many adults would benefit from a similar day spent meeting the local farmers and learning about agriculture. Salisbury Post
8- FDA has sent $32.5 million to North Carolina and other states with which it has cooperative agreements to help implement the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Food Safety News
9- The co-working space company WeWork is in Charlotte and has locations planned in the Triangle, and its cofounder said this week the company will no longer serve meat at company events or reimburse employees for meals that include red meat, poultry or pork. WRAL
10- Organic Cropping Systems Field Day was July 23 in Bailey. CES
11- Frank J. Louws, a faculty member, has been named the new head of the Department of Horticultural Science at N.C. State University. Morning Ag Clips
