Hurricane Florence and Associated Rural and Agricultural Interests

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 garnering attention across the state and/or nation.  These particular links relate to items of interest that were in the news the past few days in conjunction with Hurricane Florence and its effects on NC’s rural communities.

1- The crop and livestock loss picture from Hurricane Florence is coming into focus, with the tobacco sector hit hard, poultry losses in the millions and hog losses in the thousands. CNBC 

            North Carolina ag hit hard Progressive Farmer 

            NCFB President discusses storm aftermath, farmers’ resilience Southeast Farm Press 

            Statement- Sept. 18 at 9:30 PM NC Pork Council 

            Hurricane Florence resources and information USDA 

2- President Trump wais in the state to survey Hurricane Florence’s devastation, landing this morning at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. New Bern Sun Journal 

            Trump, in NC, says ‘a lot of money’ coming to NC for recovery Charlotte Observer 

            Florence brought over 8 trillion gallons of rain to NC: National Weather Service WFMY 

            How North Carolina Florence victims can get federal assistance WTVD 

            Remember safety first on storm debris cleanup Morning Ag Clips 

            Understanding river basin flooding in the Carolinas NC Sea Grant 

3- Farm bill negotiators are now talking about the possibility that it could take until December to reach a deal, and that farmers wouldn’t really feel the impact of not having a bill before the current bill expires at the end of this month. SFN Today 

            Senator Stabenow confident of farm bill solution WSJM 

4- With so many pressing issues at the forefront, let’s not forget that WOTUS is still in play and still needs farmers’ attention, says AFBF President Zippy Duvall. American Farm Bureau 

5- In the latest trade volley, China has retaliated against U.S. actions by imposing another $60 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods. Wall Street Journal 

6- USDA has announced $102.7 million to expand investment through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and other grant programs. USDA 

7- Farmers talk about how their using app technology to increase their yields by up to $100 per acre. AgWeb 

            Can technology actually change our food systems? Saveur 

8- People are still falling ill after eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that many people probably already had the recalled boxes in their pantries. Bakery and Snacks 

9- Dr. J. Scott Angle of Alabama has been nominated to lead USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a six-year term. Southeast Farm Press 

10- NCDA & CS has extended the deadline for private pesticide applicator recertification until Nov. 30 due to the impact of Hurricane Florence. NCDA & CS 

11- The North Carolina Aquaculture Association Eastern Producer Meeting that was planned for Friday in New Bern has been canceled, and organizers say they’ll try to reschedule for October.

Editor’s note:  It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format, as it was received, with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.