N.C.'s time to shine ... still

One of our favorite pastimes here is to gloat about the importance of North Carolina agriculture and "exports" during the holidays. It's hard to argue, after all. 

Think of your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and there's a very good chance a large part of it hails from our state. 

To wit:

1. N.C. ranks first in the nation in sweet potatoes/sweetpotatoes
2. We are second in turkey production
3. We rank third in pork production
4. We are also fourth in broilers (chickens)
5. When it comes to pecans, N.C. ranks fifth.

And though you can't eat them, Christmas tree production continues to be a major economic engine here, particularly in the western part of the state. North Carolina traditionally is among the top 2 states for trees. 

Speaking of ... if you can, by all means support WNC tree farmers this year and buy a real tree.  

Image courtesy of FeedtheDialogue.com

DYK? Sweetpotato is one word

One source of pride in our state is how integral the state's agricultural and food resources are to the holidays, as we have noted before. 

It's almost impossible to have a Thanksgiving meal without some part of North Carolina touching the dinner table. 

• Turkeys!
• Christmas trees!
• Ham!
• and ....
• SWEETPOTATOES.

What's that? We spelled that last one wrong? Not so fast, my friend.

According to John Hart with Southeast Farm Press, the one-word spelling is correct since the "industry says is not a potato, but a root vegetable. The one-word name sweetpotato, Hart tells us, is more scientifically correct."

In fact, the official NC Sweetpotato website states the same:

The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission deliberately spells sweetpotato  as one word unless directly quoting a source where it is spelled as two words  i.e., sweet potato).  The one-word spelling was officially adopted by the National Sweetpotato Collaborators in 1989.  Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) must not be confused in the minds of shippers, distributors, warehouse workers, and above all consumers with the equally unique and distinctive potato (Solanum tuberosum) or the yam (Dioscorea sp.) which are also grown and marketed commercially in the United States. Please join us in using the scientific one-word spelling of our state vegetable, the North Carolina Sweetpotato!

There ya have it. Enjoy that sweetpotato pie this Thanksgiving!

Happy holidays from N.C.!

Thanksgiving is this week, so now is as good a time as any to reflect on the many ways the Old North State impacts the holiday season ... namely through agriculture and forestry products.

It's almost impossible to have a Thanksgiving meal without some part of North Carolina touching the dinner table. To wit ...

In a streak that would make John Wooden's UCLA basketball run look "ok," North Carolina has dominated the production of sweet potatoes since ... 1971! This is mostly due to the "hot, moist climate and rich, fertile soil [that is] ideal for cultivating" sweet potatoes. According to USDA data, N.C. harvested nearly 95,000 acres of sweet potatoes in 2016, nearly 30,000 more acres than California, Louisiana and Mississippi combined!

North Carolina is the second largest turkey-producing state in the nation (behind Minnesota). Gobble gobble, y'all!

Maybe you prefer ham this holiday season? North Carolina is in the top four when it comes to pork production.

And, finally, some of y'all early birds already have your Christmas trees up. There's a great chance it came from North Carolina whether you live here or not. Nationally, N.C. ranks second (behind Oregon) in tree production; however, the Tar Heel State is first traditionally when it comes to Fraser firs. And as if that's not good enough, more White House Christmas Trees have come from our fair state than any other.


(Photo by Craig Adderly, Pexels.com)

Heat could be very bad for apple crop

A confession: I've always had this dream of having a large apple orchard in the mountains. It would be my ticket to the "Thomas Jefferson School of Gentlemen Farmers" (sans the other accomplishments, mind you). But now may not be the best time to take a stab at it, according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

“This heat has affected fruit, and a lot of growers are putting materials on to reduce sunburning,” said Marvin Owings, interim director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Henderson County office.

... Fred Hoots, owner of Fred Hoots Orchard, who has been growing apples full-time since 1966, said last year's and this year's summers are the worst he can remember with regard to hot and dry conditions.

Hoots just finished picking one of the earliest apple varieties of the year — the tasty, semi-sweet ginger gold — and he's been using a product that holds the fruit firm and prevents it from getting too ripe.

...

Meanwhile, Mark Williams, the county's new agri-business executive director, has been busy in his first month on the job, exploring opportunities for potential new markets for not only apples but other commodities as well, he said.

With the possibility of a couple of new buyers already that Williams has contacted, he's hoping Mother Nature will cooperate.

“The apple crop is looking good,” he said. “We've suffered through some hail storms — there are always those things to contend with, and other challenges that we face — but overall it looks like a good crop, and we're just trying to make it through until we get the apples picked and get them sold. Until that happens, you never know. There's always risk.”

The importance of agriculture

At different times over the years, we have highlighted some of North Carolina's agricultural successes. But it is easy to think that we are in a state of flux (literally); to look around, especially in the Triangle (where I live), one would think that North Carolina is primarily an urban state and that farms are disappearing.

Well, Congressman Larry Kissell* writes in the Richmond County Daily Journal that we must remember our agricultural roots. They do, after all, run very deep. And economically speaking, farming is still essential.

"What farmers provide to our nation is invaluable," writes Kissell. "They put food on our tables, clothes on our backs, provide world-class goods and raw materials for export, represent a significant part of the economy in every state in the Union, and soon may be a key component in lessening America’s dependence on foreign oil. No nation can truly be free and secure unless it can provide for its own food, clothing, fuel and economic stability. So it is no exaggeration when I say that farmers are vital to America’s maintaining its role as a world power.

"Yet, all too often, family farmers are taken for granted. As we enjoy the many benefits of a productive agricultural sector, we should never forget the hard work, and the risk, and the investment, and the skill required to bring these products to market. According to a 2007 study by the USDA, 98 percent of all farms are family farms. The agriculture and farming industry of our State is key to our economic recovery and viability. North Carolina remains in the top three states for the production of tobacco, sweet potatoes, Christmas trees, hogs, turkeys and cucumbers [emphasis mine].

Wow, I had no idea just invaluable agriculture is to the state -- particularly in cucumbers and (still) tobacco. As Kissell writes, farming "has been the backbone of America’s economy since Colonial times; and we must never lose sight of the fact that farms and farmers are an absolutely essential part of our nation’s economy, ecology, and security."

*The Dare Society does not endorse any political candidate.

(Image from AmericanFeast.com)

Do you like seafood? (Opens mouth)

Here's some good news on the economic/agricultural front: North Carolina's commercial seafood harvest increased by 13 percent last year.

"The state Division of Marine Fisheries said Monday that the seafood landings of 71.2 million pounds in 2008 marked the end of a five-year decline in the seafood industry," according to the Associated Press. "The division said more than 32 million pounds of the harvest was blue crab. The crab accounted for $25 million of the $87 million total value of seafood. That was an increase of $4 million over 2007. Division official Alan Bianchi said shrimp harvests were down 1 percent and that might be caused by last year's high fuel prices. North Carolina's oyster harvest was up 5 percent, to 88,008 bushels."

(Blue Crab image from NationalGeographic.com)

Quick hits: Food accolades and fall goings-on

N.C. eateries honored
"... For the second year, the N.C. Department of Agriculture sponsored the 'Best Dish in NC' contest for restaurants that serve products from North Carolina farms, markets and companies," writes the News & Observer. "Last week, before the Paula Deen show at the N.C. State Fair, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Deen handed out the awards to the winners. ..."

Welcome to fall in North Carolina
"Fall is the perfect time to visit North Carolina," says VisitNC.com. "Come for our brilliant fall foliage. Enjoy the refreshing outdoor climate and linger at a scenic overlook with breathtaking views along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Experience the abundant fall fishing at the coast or camp at one of our magnificent state parks.

"Enjoy our unique fall events, from woolly worm races to NASCAR . To help you plan your visit, catch the weekly reports from our leaf watchers across the state bringing you the latest updates on when our leaves are at their most spectacular. Discover unique ways to see the fall color, from a balloon adventure to a rafting trip on the Nantahala.

"The governor has proclaimed October as 'North Carolina Wine and Grape Appreciation Month' so relax and enjoy autumn with a plate of signature NC food and a glass of our delicious NC wine. ..."