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Author: Alice Manning Touchette

a couple working in a field

Feb 15, 2023

Finding Your Niche

On this episode of Farms, Food and You, Doris and Donald Kidd — some of the few producers of elephant garlic in the state — share what it means to be a niche farmer and how the Black Farmers Market helped them expand their scope. 

Two women standing next to a banner at a career fair

Jan 19, 2023

Product and People Development Has Sweet Reward

Mandy Taylor has had a sweet career. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumna is the current research and development early talent manager for Mars Wrigley. 

a community garden growing green plants

Jan 17, 2023

Building a Community Garden

In this episode of the Farms, Food and You podcast, Cheralyn Berry, Extension specialist and director of the Briggs Avenue Community Garden in East Durham, shares her perspective on the vital role of community gardens. 

Headshot of Erica Hanchey

Dec 19, 2022

Play with Your Food and Invest in People

“Plays well with food” isn’t officially on Erica B. Hanchey’s resume, but it should be. A food scientist with a penchant for mentoring and giving back, Hanchey earned her BS in Food Science from NC State in 2001 and has been playing with food ever since. The other tenet she learned at NC State: it’s worth it to invest in people and education. 

pink poinsettias in a greenhouse

Dec 14, 2022

‘Tis the Season for Poinsettias

This time of year, tabletops, lobbies and front doors are adorned with the rich red velvety leaves of the unofficial Christmas flower: the poinsettia. This episode of Farms, Food and You discusses the poinsettia's surprising history and its colorful future. 

two white broad-breasted turkeys on grass

Nov 29, 2022

Talk Turkey with Chocolate, the 2022 National Turkey

Chocolate, the National Thanksgiving Turkey, reminisces about the whirlwind week he and his brother, Chip, had before coming home to NC State. 

A dog and its trainers looking for truffles outside

Nov 16, 2022

This Truffle’s No Trifle

Man's best friend helps unearth a potentially lucrative crop in western North Carolina. NC State Extension's Katie Learn talks about these rare delicacies and what Extension is doing to help truffle growers. 

rabbit stew on a counter

Nov 15, 2022

Heritage Foods Make a Comeback

As chefs and foodies raise awareness of heritage foods, CALS research and extension work to make them more profitable for farmers and more readily available to consumers. 

Crowds at the N.C. State Fair

Oct 19, 2022

The North Carolina State Fair: Fall’s Favorite Tradition

The North Carolina State Fair celebrates a long history of showcasing and promoting the state’s agriculture, agribusiness, arts, crafts and culture. Discover the fair’s rich history and what’s new this year. 

An aerial shot of the North Carolina State Fair at night

Oct 12, 2022

The North Carolina State Fair, So Happy Together

Once again, it's time for the North Carolina State Fair. On this episode of Farms, Food and You, we’ll hear from North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner and NC State University alumnus Steve Troxler to talk all things State Fair.