Yesterday I had the honor of speaking at a ceremony commemorating the opening of the L.L. Polk House in Raleigh. Many North Carolinians probably don’t know much about Leonidas LaFayette Polk, but he was instrumental in standing up for agriculture in North Carolina during the latter half of the 19th century. Polk grew up in Anson [...]
For a while now, our staff has been working with the U.S. Marine Corps on a unique partnership. The Marine Corps is interested in creating buffers around its bases and training zones so that Marines can continue to train without bothering homes, businesses and schools. For example, Marine pilots have to practice a variety of [...]
Ambassador Ron Kirk, President Obama’s U.S. trade representative, paid a visit to North Carolina last week to tout the pending free trade agreement with South Korea. If enacted, the agreement could be a boon to North Carolina farmers by expanding a potentially lucrative export market. The president has instructed Kirk to complete the agreement by [...]
North Carolina has long been known as the Tobacco State. After all, we lead the nation in the production of flue-cured tobacco, producing nearly 77 percent of all flue-cured tobacco grown in the U.S. But the days when a farmer could make a comfortable living growing just a few acres of tobacco are gone. Changes [...]
Last week, I had the privilege of meeting Joe Thompson, who went from growing tobacco to growing freshwater prawns on his farm in northern Orange County. Thompson was honored March 24 with the 2010 Gilmer L. and Clara Y. Dudley Small Farmer of the Year Award from N.C. A&T State University. Joe is among a [...]
For decades the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. State University have partnered on agricultural research and various other programs and services. On Thursday, we’re launching our latest collaboration, a speaker series for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Like many of our partnerships, the goal of this series [...]
Shortly after I took office as commissioner of agriculture five years ago, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched a new marketing program called Got to Be NC. The purpose of the program was to raise awareness of food and agricultural products grown or produced right here in North Carolina. Over the past [...]
Note: If video doesn’t appear, try refreshing your browser. The lobby of the Agriculture Building is fragrant with the smell of a North Carolina-grown Fraser Fir. Watch the above video to check out the department’s Christmas tree, hear a holiday greeting from Commissioner Troxler and listen to Silent Night, sung by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Richard [...]
Thanksgiving is next week, and I always look forward to spending the holiday with my family (especially now that I have grandchildren to spoil). I’m very thankful for my family and the joy they bring me. Another thing I’m thankful for is the role North Carolina farmers play in putting food on our tables. Our [...]
I have always respected the dedication of the men and women in our nation’s military. My father and three uncles served in the Army during World War II, and I now have the honor of working with many veterans at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I am extremely grateful for everything the [...]
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