Agriculture Coverage

Atlantic Fish Co develops cultivated black sea bass

Raleigh sustainable food startup Atlantic Fish Co has developed and tested a cultivated black sea bass prototype, the company’s latest milestone in the production of sustainable seafood made from harvested fish cells.

Regenerative farming taking root in Mount Olive

An old soil-rich farming practice called regenerative farming is making a comeback and having a positive impact on a family farm in Mount Olive.

Regenerative farming: Old soil-focused practice saves Mount Olive family farm

An old soil-rich farming practice called regenerative farming is making a comeback and having a positive impact on a family farm in Mount Olive.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Warmer weather stunts local food supply

The El Niño climate pattern has caused above normal temperatures throughout the 2023-2024 winter season.

Derrah Getter, 2024 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow

The history of daylight saving time & why some are advocating for its end

When asked about the origins of daylight saving time, you may imagine farmers in the distant past getting an extra hour of sun to tend to animals and crops. If you do, you're not alone. The myth that farmers are at the root of daylight saving time has proliferated a common understanding of the practice for a long time.

Eliza Siegel

Troxler: NC farms under threat from rapid growth

North Carolina could lose as much as a fifth of its farmland to development by 2040. That was the warning Thursday from state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who said the state needs to do more to preserve farmland now.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Chickens, tobacco, Christmas trees: Top products raised and grown in North Carolina

North Carolina remains one of the most productive states in the U.S. when it comes to agriculture and crop production. Tobacco, sweet potatoes and livestock are North Carolina's top agricultural drivers.

Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

National security, food security or knee-jerk reaction? WRAL Investigates push to protect NC farmland from foreign buyers

Federal and state lawmakers are debating legislation that would keep some foreign countries from buying farmland in the United States. The laws also aim to protect land near U.S. military bases.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Investigates reporter

Fact check: Biden compares lost farmland to 'the size of Minnesota, North and South Dakota combined'

"Over the past four decades, we've lost over 400,000 farms in America (and) over 140 million acres of farmland. And that's an area roughly equal to the size of Minnesota, North and South Dakota combined," President Joe Biden said on Nov. 1.

Louis Jacobson and Renee Romo, PolitiFact reporters

New effort aims to give a boost to ag industry, Business NC reports

North Carolina’s $103 billion agriculture industry has a new backer in the form of a strategic planning effort supported by key industry forces. Here are details.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Nov. 2

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Sept. 28

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

'Macho' pest display: N.C. State researchers identify male moth aphrodisiac

North Carolina State University researchers have identified the specific blend of pheromone chemicals – including a newly revealed aphrodisiac – used by male moths during courtship as they attempt to entice females to mate. Check out their findings.

Recent heat impact on agricultural industry

Farmers at the State Farmer's Market told Eric Miller the weather has been particularly tough on corn and okra this year.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending July 27

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

Abandoned horses a growing problem in NC as food, medicine prices rise

When people think of adoption centers or animal shelters they think of cats and dogs. However, the abandoned horse population is growing at an alarming rate.

WECT

Horses found neglected, abandoned as owners struggle to afford food and medicine

When people think of adoption centers or animal shelters they think of cats and dogs. However, the abandoned horse population is growing at an alarming rate.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending July 13

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

NC Farm Act closer to becoming law as Senate overrides veto by Gov. Roy Cooper

The state's annual farm bill could become law this week, following a vote by the state Senate on Monday to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of the bill. The bill will become law if the veto override also passes in the House, which could happen as soon as Tuesday.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Tar Heel Traveler: The Dewberry Capital of the World

That was the nickname for the town of Cameron in Moore County. Our Tar Heel Traveler made his way to Cameron to learn more about the dewberry, and how one man is trying to bring them back.

NC agribusiness reaches record $103 billion

North Carolina's agriculture and agribusiness has reached a new record. Friday morning Commissioner Steve Troxler announced the economic impact reached $103 billion -- nearly double the amount from when he took office in 2005.

WRAL Investigates: Animal parts litter NC roads

Animal waste dumped on public roads... images to disturbing to show you! "You see the roadway, the carcasses, the parts all over the place and the smell is absolutely horrendous. WRAL Investigates why small towns are left cleaning up the mess left behind by big agriculture, and plea for help from a local mayor. Viewers may find the footage graphic.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending April 27

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

NC farm bill tinkers with hog waste, water rules

The bill, likely to move this week, also forbids surprise inspections at veterinary clinics, offers new protections for trout streams and requires schools to offer muscadine juice.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

How they voted: North Carolina congressional votes for the week ending March 30

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service