Farmer Coverage

Local farmers up early to protect crops from cold temperatures

Monday morning, farmers here at Page Farms are protecting their crops from these cold temperatures.

Transforming food systems with insect farms

British company Entocycle is exploring the potential of feeding livestock bugs instead of grains to address the climate crisis

Phillips Farm: Your one-stop fall adventure destination

Phillips Farm: Fall fun extravaganza! Family, thrills, haunts and delicious donuts await in Cary's ultimate autumn destination.

More states legalize sale of raw, unpasteurized milk

More states are beginning to legalize the sale raw milk -- taking milk from any animal without pasteurizing it or heating it up to kill germs. Advocates say it's a huge win for the so-called food justice movement but public health and industry experts? Not so much.

Farmer outraged after someone shot and killed his pregnant dairy cow

Todd Ward, a Franklin County dairy farmer, is heartbroken after his beloved pregnant dairy cow, Lib, was shot and killed.

Franklin County dairy farmer heartbroken after beloved pregnant cow shot and killed

Todd Ward, a Franklin County dairy farmer, is heartbroken after his beloved pregnant dairy cow, Lib, was shot and killed.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

USDA launches $2.2 Billion grant program to address farm subsidies discrimination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a $2.2 billion grant program to address discrimination in how farm subsidies were given out before 2021.

Keenan Willard, WRAL reporter

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

Alamance County farmer returns to work after bull attack

An injured dairy farmer in Alamance County is now back on his feet after severe injuries from an encounter with a bull.

Alamance County farmer back at work after bull attack

An Alamance County farmer is now back on his feet and has returned to work after being injured from a bull encounter weeks ago.

Ken Smith, WRAL anchor/reporter

Juneteenth panel of Black farmers focuses on keeping farming in the family

A special Juneteenth gathering in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) highlighted the need for more black farmers. A panel of growers came to discuss the need to inspire more generations of young black growers.

Juneteenth farmers panel discusses future of Black growers and their families

A special "Juneteenth" gathering in the Research Triangle Park highlighted the need for more Black farmers. A panel of growers came to discuss the need to inspire more generations of young Black growers.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL Enterprise Multimedia Journalist

Beloved NC farmer touched by community's love shown during hospital stay

Randy Lewis was attacked by a bull on his farm in Alamance County. Friends have compiled a GoFundMe that has amassed more than $165,000 in donations.

NC farmer attacked by bull says he's "deeply moved" by community support, as donations surpass $165,000

A dairy farmer viciously mauled by a bull says he is blown away by the outpouring of support from the community as he recovers at UNC Hospital. A GoFundMe page has raised more than $165,000, hundreds have signed up for volunteer shifts on the farm, and thousands have shared support online, including musician Willie Nelson.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Farmers adapt seasonal schedule to climate change

With shorter winters and warmer summers, farmers are planting earlier to adapt.

North Carolina farmers adjust planting, harvest schedule to adapt to climate change

With shorter winters and warmer summers, farmers are planting earlier to adapt.

Reyna Crooms, 2023 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow

'Food is love': Rustic Roots farmer-owned restaurant opens in Bunn

Rustic Roots uses lettuce greens and micro greens from JJ's Greens in Louisburg and fresh chicken from Joyce Farms chicken in Winston-Salem.

Family farmers show where Farm Aid money goes

The "Farm Aid" concert tour comes to Raleigh Saturday, September 24th to raise money for struggling family farms.

Farm Aid Fest returns to Raleigh with Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow

Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow are only a handful of artists performing at the Farm Aid Festival on Sept. 24 in Raleigh.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Farm bill sponsor denies claims bill would benefit him personally

The North Carolina Fire Marshals' Association sent a letter last week to Gov. Roy Cooper, asking him to veto the Farm Act, authored by Senate Agriculture chairman Brent Jackson, R-Sampson. Cooper signed the bill into law Friday over the group's objections.

Young Virginia entrepreneur created his own business with the goal of purchasing his dream horse

Every day, Brandon Reasor would wake up at the crack of dawn to take care of the animals in his backyard. He also started a business selling eggs and ice with the goal of buying a horse.

Wake County looks to launch new farmland preservation program to prevent developers from scooping up family farms

Wake County is rolling out a new program to save its farmland from future development.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Saving Wake County's farmland from explosive growth

Wake County is looking to launch a new program that will help give farmers extra support and preserve their family land.

NC farmers worry about combo of rising fuel-fertilizer costs

Some eastern North Carolina farmers are doing what they can to get by with diesel fuel and fertilizer costs surging.

Person County veteran could face charges if his cows escape again

Henry Pleasant says that he doesn't have enough money to build a fence around his property. He said it would cost him around $20,000 to build a fence around his 98-acre farm and he doesn't have that kind of money.