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 news garnering attention across the state and/or nation. These particular links relate to items of interest in conjunction with Hurricane Florence and its effects on NC’s rural communities and agricultural developments over the past two weeks.
1- North Carolina farmers affected by Hurricane Florence have had help from farmers across town and across the country who have reached out to offer donations and support. Farms
Farm leader sees “billions of dollars” in Hurricane Florence damage Ag Insider
When it comes to incident response, it’s all about Brotherhood In the Field
FSA reporting by farmers NCFB
Hurricane Florence photos Flickr
2- Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says prospects are not good for a new farm bill, or even before the November elections. NCN21
Congress can and must complete the farm bill The Zipline
These farm bill programs will turn into pumpkins Sunday if Congress doesn’t act Roll Call
3- American Farm Bureau says U.S. farmers and ranchers will benefit greatly from the new U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. American Farm Bureau
Trump and Moon Jae-in sign trade agreement Farm Futures
4- On the other hand, things are not looking so promising for the North American Free Trade Agreement, as U.S. negotiators say Canada is not making concessions toward a deal. Reuters
#NEEDNAFTA campaign Twitter
Lighthizer says U.S. won’t wait for Canada in new NAFTA accord Southeast Farm Press
5- The White House Christmas tree will once again come from North Carolina! Avery County tree farm Smith’s Christmas Tree Farm has been chosen to provide a Fraser Fir to the president’s residence. WTVD
6- USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue is pleased with the Department of Justice’s decision to request a rehearing of a case that resulted in a directive to EPA to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos. Morning Ag Clips
7- Henderson County agritourism will have a new marketing tool with the new Crest of the Blue Ridge trademark. Hendersonville Times-News
8- This article comes from Indiana sources, but it applies here too this time of year—it’s harvest season, so motorists should take extra care as they encounter slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads. U.S. News & World Report
9- FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced today that the department will change its policy on disclosing retail information for products undergoing recalls, as appropriate. FDA
10- Some NCFB county annual meetings have been or could be rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence. Please check back in as we continue to update the county annual meetings list online. NC Field & Family
11- Nominations are being accepted through Friday, Sept. 28 for the 21st Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award. Morning Ag Clips
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.
