March 28, 2011
Carolina Farm Credit has more than $1.2 billion in loans outstanding to more than 8700 members and is controlled by a group of local directors who are also farmers. Carolina Farm Credit had 37 service centers serving 54 counties in Central and Western North Carolina. Carolina Farm Credit is part of the nationwide financial cooperative system created by Congress in 1916 to provide American Agriculture with a dependable source of credit. Carolina Farm Credit makes short, intermediate and long term loans to full and part time farmers for almost any farm or family need. Loans for homes, lots and home construction are also available. Like other financial institutions, Carolina Farm Credit charges a competitive interest rate; however, unlike other financial institutions, a majority of the profits are returned to the members in the form of a patronage refund, which reduces their effective rate. For more information or to apply for a loan online, visit our website at Or to learn more about Carolina Farm Credit, find us on Facebook.
WashingtonNEWS
Rep. Ellmers Presses Administration on ObamaCare Waivers: Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology, joined Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requesting a detailed explanation about the fairness and criteria process for granting waivers to some of the provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the law, Secretary Sebelius has handed out over 1,000 waivers from annual limit benefit requirements to select companies, unions and states. “The Health and Human Services waiver system unfairly impacts small businesses. Larger employers with more resources are more likely to be aware of, and apply for, the waivers than smaller firms with fewer resources,” said Chairwoman Ellmers.
NC Legislative NEWS
Republicans Look to Reduce DENR: The GOP-dominated Legislature is considering a measure to shrink the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources in an effort to make the department friendlier to business and trim the budget.. The move is causing concern among environmentalists. Hearings are being held across N.C. to review rules and regulations with a specific interest in environmental regulations. The first hearing was held last Monday with four others being held Mondays in April. Two bills that would move DENR divisions- forestry and soil and water conservation –under NCDA&CS are being considered in the Senate.
Gov. Perdue Formally Submits Consolidation Plan: Gov. Bev Perdue today signed Executive Order 85, which officially presents her government reorganization plan to the North Carolina General Assembly. The plan groups similar state functions, services and work, and consolidates 13 state agencies into eight. It eliminates hundreds of positions and streamlines services for citizens, creating real cost savings in the hundreds of millions over the coming years. By formally presenting the plan to the General Assembly by executive order, the governor asks legislators to either adopt her plan before they adjourn in 2012 or work with her to make changes. If the Legislature takes no action, the Governor’s Executive Order will become law at the end of the legislative session in 2012. The consolidation is already reflected in the governor’s budget proposal.
Campaign NEWS
GOP Ads Target Shuler’s Seat: The National Republican Congressional Committee has begun running a TV ad campaign that portrays Democratic U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler from N.C.’s District 11 as financially irresponsible. The early start from the Republicans is an indication that they plan to work hard in N.C. to win Democratic seats now that state Republicans are in charge of redrawing district maps. 13th District Democrat Brad Miller of Raleigh, 7th District Democrat Mike McIntyre of Lumberton, and 8th District Democrat Larry Kissell of Biscoe are likely targets.
McCrory Leads Perdue in Poll: A recent poll released by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling shows Republican Pat McCrory leading Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue 50 percent to 36 percent. McCrory also led when matched with other potential Democratic candidates. Of those polled 52 percent disapprove of Perdue’s job performance compared to 30 percent who approve. The poll had a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points.
Immigration NEWS
Immigration Enforcement in Effect Across N.C.: All 100 N.C. counties are now connected to the Secure Communities program, allowing local law enforcement to check the immigration status of individuals they arrest. N.C. is the 10th state to implement the program. The Obama administration hopes to have every state following the program within the next two years.
First Phase of E-Verify Self Check Begins: USCIS launched E-Verify Self Check, the first online E-Verify program offered directly to the U.S. workforce. E-Verify Self Check enables individuals to voluntarily check their own employment eligibility status. USCIS is releasing E-Verify Self Check in phases, with the first phase only accessible to users who maintain an address and are physically located in Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Click here to visit the E-Verify Self Check website.
Commodity NEWS
Russia, Japan Halt N.C. Poultry Imports:Russia and Japan will not accept poultry produced in N.C. due to low-pathogenic avian influenza. A single flock of turkeys initially tested positive for the disease. The birds are not showing clinical signs of the disease and additional testing has not isolated the virus, so it seems unlikely the virus is present according to a spokesperson for APHIS. Russia’s ban applies to meat produced on or after March 16 and Japan has stopped accepting imports regardless of the slaughter dates.
Strawberry Growers Keep Fingers Crossed: N.C. strawberry growers are hoping the hot weather will hold off. N.C.’s strawberry crop is expected to produce nearly 20 million pounds, and the crop is valued at just over $1 a pound. And the longer the cool temps linger, the longer the crop will last. N.C. sells more strawberries directly to consumers than any other state in the U.S.
Tobacco Industry Reports to FDA on Menthol: As the FDA considers tighter restrictions on menthol cigarettes, the tobacco industry presented a report that said that menthol cigarettes shouldn’t be regulated any differently than regular cigarettes. The report stated that the menthol flavoring doesn’t entice people to smoke, make it harder to quit, or increase the risk of disease. Industry experts don’t expect a ban on menthol flavoring. Lorillard would feel the biggest impact if a ban on menthol was passed because their Newport brand is the top-selling menthol cigarette in the United States. The FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee is set to present its findings on the impact of menthol cigarettes to the FDA on March 23.
Dairy Industry Advisory Committee Approves Final Report: The Dairy Industry Advisory Committee voted to approve a final report to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that offers recommendations concerning dairy farm profitability and milk prices. The vote, which was held during a public meeting via conference call, supports a report that offers 23 public policy recommendations. To view the report, click here.
People NEWS
Betty Black Dies: Betty Black died last week after battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. Betty was the wife of Jim Black, the former N.C. House Speaker.
Drought NEWS
Latest Drought Report: The latest report issued by the Drought Management Advisory Council on March 15, 2011 shows that 17 counties are experiencing severe drought conditions, 23 counties are experiencing moderate drought conditions, and 34 are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.To view the drought map, click here.
Business NEWS
Study Gives Green Light to Poultry Plant, Rezoning Request Denied: An environmental study said that Sanderson Farms has addressed all the environmental concerns and that the plant would not have any long-term negative effects on the proposed poultry plant site in NashCounty. New NC Jobs, a group in support of the plant, presented the study’s findings at a press conference last Wednesday. A day earlier, the Nash County Planning Board voted against rezoning the 150-acre parcel proposed for the plant and is recommending that the Board of Commissioners vote against the rezoning as well. The board is set to vote on April 4. Sanderson maintains its commitment to constructing the plant, which is slated to begin in February.
Krispy Kreme Cuts 25 Jobs: Krispy Kreme is cutting 25 jobs over the next two months. The cuts will complete the company’s move to outsource the remainder of its domestic supply chain. The Ivy Avenue plant in Winston-Salem will be losing the jobs, which will go to Sysco Corp. Krispy Kreme eliminated 125 to 130 jobs in February 2005 because of financial troubles. The company expects to post its first profits since 2004.
Fuel & Energy NEWS
Poultry Waste Plant to Sell Electricity in N.C.: Green Energy Partners filed an application with the N.C. Utilities Commission to sell energy from its proposed plant in Carnesville, GA to N.C. The company is based in Greer, S.C., and its new plant would turn woody biomass and poultry waste into electricity. The plant is expected to begin generating electricity in January 2013.
USDA NEWS
N.C. Receives Nearly $4 Million for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: USDA will expand assistance to state agencies for schools operating USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in the 2011/2012 school year. N.C. received $3,940,380 for the program. This year, USDA plans to provide $158 million in assistance to state agencies. States then select schools to participate based on criteria in the law, including the requirement that each student receives between $50 and $75 worth of fresh produce over the school year.
USDA Seeks Applications for Renewable Energy Funding: USDA is seeking applications to increase the production and use of renewable energy sources. Funding is available from three USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). USDA is accepting applications for loan guarantees in the Biorefinery Assistance Program, Repowering Assistance Program, and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. Details on how to apply are available in the March 11, 2011 Federal Register, page 13349 & 13351 & 13345. For FY 2011, there is only one round of competition. Applications must be received by May 10, 2011.
NCDA NEWS
NC Ag Commissioner: Flavors of Carolina Food Show Huge Success: N.C. Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler talks each week with Rhonda Garrison, Ag News Director with the Southern Farm Network, to discuss “Today’s Topic.”Click here for more.
Mark Your Calendar
To see all upcoming events - click here for the AgCalendar.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources will meet March 29 in Raleigh. Click here for more info.Spring Herb Days will be held April 8-10 at State Fairgrounds. Click here for more info.
Homefront to Heartland Women's Conference will be held April 29 in Tennessee. Click here for more info.