agriculture - Randolph Record

12 Apr

Growing state, shrinking farmland: American Farmland Trust experts talk about agriculture

Randolph RecordNews, Stateagriculture, NC Ag Leads

Randolph County's conversion rate projected CARY — Regional and state agricultural leaders gathered recently for NC Ag Leads: Imagine Agriculture Day at the SAS campus in Cary, to talk about agriculture, challenges and how to move the industry forward. Cris Coffin, National Ag Land Network Director and Senior Policy Advisor and Dr. Courtney Owens, Southeast Regional Director, both with American Farmland Trust were among the speakers who engaged participants in a thought-provoking conversation about the shrinking agricultural land base in North Carolina. “We are doing a lot more work in the regenerative agriculture space and keeping farmers on the land…

16 Feb

Randolph County’s agricultural center receives $1 million grant funding

Bob SuttonNewsagriculture, Golden LEAF Foundation, Kenneth Sherin, randolph county, Randolph County Extension

ASHEBORO – The construction project for the new agricultural center in Randolph County is in its infancy, but some key funding has been secured to assist in the programing. The Golden LEAF Foundation announced a $1 million grant for equipment to support training for farmers at the agricultural center in Randolph County. “It’s part of the funding we’re seeking for this project,” said Kenneth Sherin, director of the Randolph County Extension. “We were going to be seeking money through grants. The timing on this was a little earlier than we had anticipated, but it’s going to be good to have.”…

14 Feb

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

Matt MercerNewsagriculture, rep. richard hudson, rural

SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City. In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina. “Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hudson told North State Journal. “I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal…

01 Jun

Strawberry season brings joy, strong harvest in Randolph County

Bob SuttonFeaturesagriculture, family fun, farm, north carolina agriculture, strawberry season

Strawberry season is a time for reunions for Sarah Beal of Kildee Farm in Ramseur. “I get to see a lot of people I haven’t seen since last year,” Beal said. Beal is the mother of Kildee Farm owner Michael Beal, but she pretty much runs the operation on site. “We’ve had a good six weeks and that’s normal,” Sarah Beal said. “It has been OK. We haven’t lost a lot because of the rain.” Kildee Farm, which has about 2 ½ acres of strawberries, had its last day for sales Monday. For the final days, strawberries were only available…

09 Mar

Randolph County Farmers Market Alliance

Annie Mills, for the Randolph RecordFeaturesagriculture, farmers market, local, randolph county farmers market alliance

ASHEBORO — The pandemic has strained many aspects of life in the last few years, disrupting supply chain issues in the food system and exacerbating preexisting food security challenges to name a few. According to the 2021 Piedmont Triad Regional Food Assessment between 2019 and 2020 15% of adults fell below the poverty rate in Randolph County, there was a 12% increase in food nutrition services needed and a 9% increase in child food insecurity. However, Randolph County is home to 620 food businesses that bring in $2.9 billion in annual sales with $199 million in food sales staying in…

30 Dec

A big year for agriculture in Randolph County

Jeannie M. LeonardFeaturesagriculture, corn, gardening, livestock, randolph county

ASHEBORO — Whole COVID continued to impact indoor and outdoor activities in 2021, one outdoor activity maintained its normal pace — farming. As one of North Carolina’s most productive livestock counties, Randolph County’s agriculture industry plays an important role in feeding our state and nation. In 2013, North Carolina had its highest average corn yields on record, with 142 bushels per acre. While the numbers from 2021 are not finalized, surveys say this year will be the new record year. Corn yields in Randolph County were spectacular this year and — based on preliminary data — the country will exceed…

17 Dec

Feral swine program starting in Randolph County

Blake SzilvayNewsagriculture, feral swine

ASHEBORO — For years, feral swine populations have been growing across the United States and can now be found across North Carolina. Randolph County will play a critical role in helping eliminate feral swine in N.C. thanks to a new program targeting the animals in Randolph and five other counties. The destruction feral swine cause is a significant threat to agriculture and the environment and costs $1.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. Known as feral swine, feral hogs, or wild hogs — these animals have few natural predators, which allows them to spread unfettered without human intervention. While…

15 Dec

Another agriculture center proposal coming to Randolph

Bob SuttonBusinessagriculture, Asheboro, economy

ASHEBORO — County leaders will again be considering an agriculture center proposal which could bring development to a county-owned parcel on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro. The county bought land in 2016 with a potential agriculture center in mind. Plans for that facility were presented and considered after the land was acquired with costs estimates at $58 million. That earlier proposal would have resulted in tax increases to fund both the construction and operation of the facility. The county commissioners passed a resolution in 2019 asking the state for up to $10 million in funding to support a “first phase”…

22 Sep

Planting Native Trees and Shrubs

Annie MillsBusiness, Entertainmentagriculture, Annie Mills

Late fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs in the south. Cooler fall days are a pleasant time for us work outdoors, plus a fall planting gives roots time to establish, giving you a better performing plant next summer than one planted in the spring. More frequent gentle rains also mean you will not have to spend as much time and labor watering new plants. Woody plants provide a multitude of functions in your landscape, so take some time to think about what purpose you might want your new tree or shrub to serve before planting. Trees…

09 Sep

Safely sharing the road with farm equipment

Blake Szilvay | For the Randolph RecordBusiness, Governmentagriculture, farming, NC State

ASHEBORO — During the Spring and Fall, the volume of farm equipment appearing on the road increases significantly. In the Fall, farmers are working hard to harvest crops in a narrow window of time with unpredictable weather. They rely on large equipment designed to aid them in these tasks, equipment that is not designed to match the speed of a common automobile on the road. Generally, this equipment will be travelling no more than 30 mph. Public roads are dangerous with passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles interacting. Adding farm equipment increases accident risks for farmers and for motorists. Studies in…