North Carolina’s $111 billion agriculture sector is the backbone of the state’s economy
Good evening,
North Carolina’s $111 billion agriculture sector is the backbone of the state’s economy, and to stay competitive in a high-tech world, farms must embrace new tools.
Blockchain, a secure, decentralized ledger, offers practical solutions for strengthening supply chain trust, protecting land records, and fostering rural innovation. With a light regulatory touch, North Carolina can lead in applying this technology to agriculture.
Outbreaks like the 2018 romaine lettuce recall show how hard it is to track products through the supply chain. The quick identification of contaminated items via blockchain can save lives, reduce waste, and protect the reputation of North Carolina agricultural brands.
In an era when consumers demand transparency, a blockchain-backed “NC Grown” label could set our products apart.
Blockchain also offers practical fixes for everyday challenges like:
Food contamination - Immutable records let investigators isolate the source of a problem in seconds, sparing unaffected producers
Land title clarity - Digital, tamper-proof records reduce costly disputes and give farmers confidence in their most valuable asset
Organic certification - Transparent records of soil tests, seed sourcing, and inspections let small farmers prove compliance and access premium marketsPolicymakers should develop a regulatory toolbox for agricultural tech, similar to what’s already in place for financial and insurance tech, to encourage innovation rather than smother it.
Lawmakers could waive certain requirements for limited trials while maintaining core consumer protections. This would allow innovators to pilot new services under temporary, lighter regulation.
Entrepreneurs could refine their ideas, regulators could see the risks and rewards, and North Carolina would strengthen its reputation as a hub for agricultural innovation.
By connecting our agricultural heritage with future innovation, North Carolina can ensure its farms remain competitive and prosperous, the backbone of a healthy economy.
Davidson’s Fort in Old Fort, North Carolina, held a commemorative event on August 17 for a reenactment of a Cherokee raid
The original raid took place on July 11, 1776, and was led by Chief Old Abraham
King George III had established a boundary, known as the Proclamation Line of 1763, that made the land to its west officially off-limits for English settlers
This was done to appease Cherokee chiefs and avoid costly conflicts, but it angered white land speculators and settlers, who ignored the proclamation and continually encroached on Cherokee lands
British agents encouraged Cherokee chiefs to attack colonial settlements
Attacks were used as propaganda by the Patriots, convincing many neutral settlers to side with the Patriot cause out of fear
In response to the attacks, Brig. Gen. Griffith Rutherford gathered a force of 2,400 militiamen at Davidson’s Fort to launch an offensive against the Cherokee Nation, destroying more than 30 Indian towns
The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Program is a collaborative initiative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Forest Service, designed to address conservation challenges across public and private lands at a landscape scale
On Sept. 3, the USDA announced it would invest more than $8 million in 5 new projects across several states, including one in NC, to improve forest health by reducing wildfire risk and improving water quality
The "Uwharries to Sandhills, Phase 2" project focuses on Moore, Randolph, Richmond, and Stanly counties to reduce wildfire risks
The project will restore roughly 18,000 acres on Uwharrie National Forest land using prescribed fire and forestry treatments
These efforts aim to reduce fuel loads, enhance safety, protect communities, and improve water quality and quantity
North Carolina has a burn manager certification program and a Prescribed Burn Cost Share Program, which is funded by a $1 million recurring appropriation from the state
In Fiscal Year 2024, the cost share program reimbursed landowners for 170 burns on over 8,000 acres, with most burns on properties 100 acres or less
Public school students increased proficiency scores in reading and math compared to recent years, but the results still lag behind the high watermarks earned prior to COVID
The data, presented to the State Board of Education on Sept. 3rd, indicated improved performance in 12 out of 15 math and reading assessments
3rd-grade reading, English II, and NC Math I, were the only exceptions
The average composite score for 11th graders taking the ACT increased to 18.2
The 4-year cohort graduation rate climbed to 87.7%, the highest in a decade
English Language learners have also showed significant progress
Students meeting progress or exiting English Language learner status jumped from 27% to 35%
School performance ratings improved
About 71% of schools met or exceeded growth expectations in 2024-25, resulting in nearly 50 fewer schools labeled as low-performing
And 60 fewer continually low-performing, compared to last year
While the numbers offer some reasons to celebrate, the overall trajectory of test scores over the last few years has been concerning
Less than half of 8th graders demonstrate preparedness to be successful at the next grade level in math
And only 30% are on track to be prepared for college
