agriculture

New technologies and a changing climate are altering the way apples are grown in places like New York's Hudson Valley and across the country.

National

A Few More Bad Apples: As The Climate Changes, Fruit Growing Does, Too

4:57pm August 02, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Apple growing is a ruthless business obsessed with good looks. Higher temperatures affect every part of of the fruit's life cycle, from more pests to changing color — and can even give them sunburn.

Queue Listen Now

As Trade War Continues, North Carolina Farmers Get Caught In The Middle

5:00am July 27, 2018

by Sean Bueter

North Carolina farmers are waiting to see what will happen as a trade war between the U.S. and the rest of the world plays out.

Queue Listen Now

Environment

State Agriculture Officials Work To Remove Toxic Hogweed In Watauga County

6:04am July 23, 2018

by Keri Brown

Dozens of toxic plants, known as hogweed, have been found in Watauga County.

Longhorned Tick – A Livestock Pest – Found In North Carolina

4:14pm July 12, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

A tick species that's new to North Carolina has been found in the western part of the state. The longhorned tick was discovered on an opossum in Polk County and reported to the U.S.

Business

Mocksville Chicken Plant Damaged By Fire Will Reopen With New Owner

4:11pm July 11, 2018

by Keri Brown

A chicken processing plant in Davie County that was closed after a major fire last year has been sold. The new owner will continue poultry production at the site.

Tens of thousands of people live in villages on the edge of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor rainforest in Madagascar. A government policy now bans cutting down trees to get more land for farming.

Is What's Good For The Lemurs Also Good For The Locals?

2:02pm July 11, 2018

by Paul Chisholm

To protect the ecosystem and its critters, Madagascar made it illegal to cut down rainforest land for agriculture — and promised to give farmers a new way to earn a living. How did that work out?

Cows stand in a pen at the Skyline Dairy farm near Grunthal, Manitoba, Canada, in March.

Why President Trump Hates Canadian Dairy — And Canada Insists On Protecting It

12:50pm July 10, 2018

by Jackie Northam

President Trump has railed against Canada when it comes to trade. A particular point of criticism is the dairy industry. Canada slaps steep tariffs on imports of milk, cheese and butter from the U.S.

The herbs for Sanctuary Herbs of Providence's teas are grown by first-generation immigrants.

Politics Planted The Seed For A Business In Herbs And Teas

8:02am July 10, 2018

by Jodi Helmer

The 2016 U.S. presidential election led two women to create a business steeped in changing how immigrants are viewed by celebrating their contributions to agriculture.

An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would lead to a decrease in the nutritional content of many foods, such as rice, seen here growing in Malaysia.

Health & Safety

How More Carbon Dioxide In The Air Could Lead To More Human Disease

4:02pm July 03, 2018

by Paul Chisholm

Nutrients in crops fall as carbon dioxide rises. People who don't get enough of the right nutrients are more likely to get sick. Researchers have now estimated the effects.

Politics & Government

NC Protects Pork Producers Against Nuisance Complaints

3:30pm June 27, 2018

North Carolina lawmakers are making it harder for neighbors of agribusinesses to file complaints about smells and other nuisances.