On the horizon
With approach of hurricane season, Troxler advises
farmers to review farm emergency plans and prepare
As the 2010 hurricane season opens. Agriculture Commissioner
Steve Troxler reminds farmers to take necessary steps to help protect
their farms, families and workers if a storm strikes.
“Planning now can help reduce the potential damage from hurricanes
and tropical storms later,” Troxler said. “I encourage all farmers to
review their plans and get ready for what could be an active storm
season.”
Hurricane season runs June 1-Nov. 30, and weather researchers at
N.C. State University have predicted 15 to 18 named storms forming
in the Atlantic this year, with as many as 1 1 becoming hurricanes.
Farmers need to make preparations for their families, workers,
equipment and buildings, and have backup plans for electricity and
drinkable water for their barns and other critical farm facilities, Troxler
said. In addition, livestock operations should maintain emergency
plans that address power needs and on-site feed capabilities.
Troxler said farmers should have a transfer switch properly
installed so they can use a generator. A properly installed transfer
switch is critical for the protection of farm facilities and utility
workers, he said.
Troxler offered the following tips for preparing farms for major
storms:
• Store or secure items or equipment that might blow away.
(See Hurricane Preparedness, pg. 3)
Farm to School program posts a record-setting year
Agriculture Commissioner
Steve Troxler talks about farmers
markets this month in his From
the Tractor column below.
Here’s a list of upcoming
events at the live state-operated
fanners markets operated by the
N.C. Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services.
VVNC Farmers Market in
Asheville
■ July 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Watermelon Day
Charlotte Farmers Market
■ July 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Watermelon Day
Piedmont Triad Farmers
Market, Greensboro
■ July 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Peach Day
Lumberton Farmers Market
■ July 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Watermelon Day
■ July 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Peach Day
State Farmers Market,
Raleigh
■ July 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Peach Day
■ Aug. 5, 1 1 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Watermelon Day
With increased orders for
North Carolina strawberries and
blueberries, the N.C. Farm to
School Program will end the year
with a new record for school sales
of North Carolina commodities.
In total, schools systems pur¬
chased $800,000 worth of North
Carolina commodities in 2009-
2010, easily outpacing 2008-2009
sales by $100,000.
School systems across the
state ordered 13,315 flats of
strawberries, more than 600 flats
above the 2009 totals. Orders for
blueberries more than doubled, to
a total of 1,738 flats this year.
“It is great to end the year
not only with record sales of
strawberries and blueberries,
but also the yearly record sales
for the Farm to School program.
In the end, our students and our
farmers are the big winners,” said
Agriculture Commissioner Steve
Troxler. “Each year the program
grows as word spreads about the
healthy and nutritious fruits and
vegetables being offered. I look
forward to topping $1 million in
sales in the near future.”
Strawberries were scheduled
for delivery to school systems
through the week of May 24.
Blueberry deliveries began May
24 and run through June 21. A
total of 46 schools are featuring
either red or blue berries on their
lunch menus.
The N.C. Department of
Agriculture and Consumer
Services’ Food Distribution and
Marketing divisions coordinate
the Farm to School Program. In
addition to strawberries, school
systems are able to purchase
other commodities, including
watermelons, cantaloupes,
tomatoes, apples, cabbage,
broccoli and sweet potatoes.
Food Distribution coordinates
(See Record year, pg. 3)
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From the tractor
by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler
Interest in farmers markets
is stronger than ever, thanks in
part to the momentum of the
buy-local food movement. More
and more people are interested
in knowing where their food
comes from and are looking to
connect with farmers in their
area, and farmers markets offer
a central location for buyers and
sellers.
This is welcome news to
farmers and has led to more
farmers markets sprouting up
across the state to meet the
demands of consumers.
North Carolina shoppers
are fortunate because the state
features a wide array of markets,
from smaller one-day venues to
larger regional markets that are
open year-round. Some markets
seem to specialize in organic
foods, while others may offer a
mix of conventionally produced
foods and organic fare.
The N.C. Department of
Agriculture and Consumer
Services operates five regional
markets in Asheville, Charlotte,
Greensboro, Lumberton and
Raleigh. But you can find
Commissioner Troxler
farmers markets from the
mountains to the coast, which is
handy if you are staying in the
state for your vacation.
One of the easiest ways
to locate a local market is by
going to the department’s N.C.
Farm Fresh website at www.
ncfarmfresh.com. Click on
the find farmers markets link,
which is searchable by county
or by market name. We have
more than 135 farmers markets
listed, many with links to their
(See Markets , pg. 2)