TheFirstFurrow

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 NC Agriculture by the Numbers

The North Carolina Legislative “Short Session” is underway! As legislators settle in for the session, the timing is perfect to talk about the significant role agriculture plays in North Carolina. Today, we’ll highlight a few key facts about North Carolina agriculture and try to make some interesting comparisons along the way.

Download PDF: NC Farm Bureau – NC Agriculture by the Numbers

Sources: NCDA&CS, USDA NASS, NCSU CALS

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 2016 Legislative “Short” Session Preview

The North Carolina General Assembly opens its 2016 “short” session in five days. We’re going to look ahead to the session in a moment, but first it’s important to establish some background by reviewing some of the legislature’s recent work to benefit North Carolina farmers.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Tax Day on the Farm

Tax Day is right around the corner, and people from all across the country and from all walks of life are working through the complex and confusing process of filing their taxes. Like everyone else, farmers (and their tax professionals) have to work through a maze of rules and regulations to complete their returns. As Tax Day approaches, let’s take a moment to make some observations about farmers and taxes.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Life after Scalia: Finding Boundaries and Balance in Environmental Regulations

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in US Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes Co., Inc. The case is significant for a number of reasons: it could have major implications on how landowners are allowed to use their property; it could strike a blow to regulatory overreach by government bureaucrats; and it could provide insight into how the Court will view environmental regulation in future cases.