News

Feb 24, 2011

Workshops on farmers' market management planned

N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer day-long workshops on farmers' market management in Union and Pasquotank counties in March. 

Feb 24, 2011

Some improvement in the housing market

There were some big smiles among workers in the housing industry when the latest sales numbers were released. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden talks about the source of that optimism? 

Feb 23, 2011

Extension unveils latest "Showstopper Plants" at upcoming garden shows

Cooperative Extension will debut the 2011 “Showstopper Plants” at two garden shows this spring. Look for the Extension Gardener display at the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show, March 2-6, at the Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, and at the Southern Ideal Home Show, April 1-3, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. 

Feb 23, 2011

CEFS' Creamer to speak at USDA forum

Nancy Creamer, director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, will participate Thursday in the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum 2011 in Washington, D.C. In a session titled Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Through Regional Food Sheds, Creamer will speak about North Carolina’s leadership in building local food economies. 

Feb 23, 2011

Atchley awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

One of the the most prestigious awards granted by the governor of North Carolina, the order is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. 

Feb 23, 2011

How did we do?

As the economy slowly begins to turn for the better, maybe it is valuable to look back and see how North Carolina did economically speaking in recent years. Some say we made very little progress at all. Did we? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 22, 2011

Impacts of China’s currency

China’s president recently made a state visit to the United States, and there were numerous headlines about China’s currency and its impact on world trade. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 22, 2011

Anne Edwards is new Carteret director

Anne Edwards, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension horticulture agent for Carteret County, has been named to direct the county’s extension program. 

Feb 21, 2011

The economy and demographics

Sometimes we try to make simple things more complicated than they need to be. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says economists do this sometimes, too, and as a result tend to overlook a simple factor related to economic improvement. 

Feb 21, 2011

New info sheet explains easy-to-overlook tax deduction

For the 2010 tax year, some individuals -- including self-employed farmers -- are able to deduct health insurance premiums from net income subject to the self-employment tax. To answer questions that are cropping up about the deduction, the national Rural Tax Education project has issued an online fact sheet (PDF).