Tag Archive for: #ncda

NC Dept of Agriculture

Grants Up To $25K Available To Help Eligible Large-Animal Vets

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— From the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Large animal veterinarians in North Carolina are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in funding to help support their large animal practices.

The Large Animal Healthcare Enhancement funding opportunity is available to veterinarians who practice in one of the 70 North Carolina counties with a population of 100,000 or fewer and who spend at least 30 percent of their patient care providing large animal veterinary services.

“Large animal veterinarians are essential to North Carolina agriculture, but too many rural communities continue to face shortages of these critical professionals,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This program helps veterinarians invest in their practices, reduce educational debt and continue serving the livestock producers who depend on them.”

Grant funds may be used for repayment of educational loans related to the recipient’s veterinary degree, the purchase of equipment or technology for use in the recipient’s large animal veterinary practice or other uses approved by the advisory committee to promote and develop large animal veterinary practice in eligible counties.

The application period opens Aug. 14 and closes Oct. 14. Applicants who received funding during both of the two most recent funding rounds are not eligible to apply this year but may reapply in a future funding cycle. Other previous recipients remain eligible to apply.

Applications are available online at ncagr.gov/grants by clicking on the Large Animal Healthcare Enhancement Fund link. More information about the grant program is available on the program’s frequently asked questions page at ncagr.gov/large-animal-health-enhancement-fund-faq/download?attachment or by emailing LargeAnimalVetGrants@ncagr.gov.

The Large Animal Health Enhancement Advisory Committee will determine grant awards based on eligible applications. The committee includes the N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture, the State Veterinarian of North Carolina, the chief executive officer of the N.C. Agricultural Finance Authority, one designee from the Food Animal Scholars Program at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, two practicing large animal veterinarians, two representatives of the livestock industry, one designee appointed by Troxler and one designee appointed by the state veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin.

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDA Announces Specialty Crops Grant Application

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— Information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant proposal applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. Nonprofits, commodity associations, state and local government agencies, colleges and universities wishing to apply have until March 10 at 5 p.m.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is managed by the department and is subject to funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Traditionally, the program has received about $1.2 million to fund proposals.

A list of eligible crops can be found at What is a Specialty Crop? | Agricultural Marketing Service (https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop )

“We are fortunate in North Carolina that our farmers can grow just about any crop, which means specialty crops are a significant part of North Carolina’s $100 billion farm economy and one that we want to continue to see grow,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We are looking for strong proposals that focus on boosting specialty crop production.”

The department will accept grant requests of up to $200,000 from the eligible groups listed above. Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Applicants can submit a draft application by Wednesday, Jan. 28, for review and feedback. Reviews offer no guarantee of funding and may be limited due to time and the number of requests.

For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncspecialtycrops.com/apply/  For questions, contact Jenni Keith at 919.707.3158 or by email at jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Grant Funding Available To Preserve Farmland Through Agricultural Easements

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Landowners interested in preserving farmland through agricultural conservation easements can apply for grants through a state trust fund. The application period is open now and ends Jan. 17, 2025.

County governments and conservation nonprofit groups can apply for farmland preservation grants from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund; property owners work with county governments or land trusts to apply for the funding, according to information from the office of N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“A growing population and increased development continue to put pressure on family farms,” Troxler stated. “Agricultural conservation easements are the best tool to preserve farmland. I encourage farmers and landowners across the state to work with local partners and apply for grant funding to become North Carolina Forever Farms.”

Grants are available for agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests; to support public-private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; to develop agricultural plans; and to create Agricultural Growth Zones that enhance local investments in farmland preservation.

If awarded a grant in which the application requests funds for the conservation easement purchase value, landowners will be compensated for the purchase of the development rights.

During the most recent grant cycle, the N.C. ADFP Trust Fund awarded $18.2 million to protect working farms and forests, support county farmland preservation efforts and promote agricultural enterprises.

Agricultural conservation easements not funded in the previous grant cycle are encouraged to reapply for funding. Reapplications must notify the Farmland Preservation Division via online form.

A new online grant portal will be used for Cycle 18 applications. Grant applications, rules and information packets are available online at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/applicants. For more information, call the Farmland Preservation office at 919.707.3074.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Pool Side Pests Can Be Nonnative and Invasive and Wreak Havoc

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Now that Memorial Day has passed, many homeowners with in-ground or above-ground backyard pools have turned their attention to getting conditions right for summertime water fun. N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging pool owners to conduct a little “citizen science” to help identify certain invasive, nonnative pests that can wreak havoc on agricultural systems and forests.

“Two more nonnative invasive pests are at North Carolina’s doorstep – the Asian longhorned beetle recently found in South Carolina and the spotted lanternfly recently found in Virginia,” Troxler said in a press release. “Both insects could cause devastating losses to North Carolina’s forests, agriculture and landscapes.”

‘Poolside Pests’ is a program aimed at increasing awareness of Asian longhorned beetle and spotted lanternfly and is so named because these pests are attracted to water and may be found in pools and pool filters. Pools across the state can serve as traps for these pests and North Carolinians are encouraged to report the pests if they see them. Early detection is critical because management tactics are most successful when a new invasion is detected and reported quickly.

While the ‘Poolside Pests’ program targets pool owners and managers, it’s important that everyone keeps an eye out because these insects can be found anywhere.

The Asian longhorned beetle is native to Asia and was first found in the U.S. in the mid-‘90s in New York. It has recently been found in the South for the first time and is much closer to North Carolina than ever before. It attacks many species of hardwood trees but prefers maple.

The spotted lanternfly is native to Southeast Asia and was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014. It is quickly expanding its range and, in 2018, was detected in Virginia and continues to spread toward North Carolina. It is a significant nuisance pest and a major pest of agriculture, specifically grapevines, fruit trees, hops, and many tree species.

All North Carolinians are encouraged to learn how to recognize and report these pests, by going to https://www.poolsidepests.com/. If you suspect you have found one of these pests, click on the Report a Pest link on the page.

‘Poolside Pests’ is a collaborative effort between the Plant Industry Division, N.C. Forest Service and N.C. State University Cooperative Extension.