Source:  NCDA&CS, 4/20/10

North Carolina’s transition from primarily a tobacco-state to a more diverse, yet profitable, agricultural state will be explored on UNC-TV April 29 at 9:30 p.m. North Carolina Farm Fresh: Spring Harvest will highlight the role farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism, roadside stands and pick-your-own farms are playing in the state’s new agricultural economic structure.

In the half-hour special, reporter Rick Sullivan takes viewers to locations across North Carolina to explore these direct-to-consumer efforts. A second special will highlight cold-season commodities later this year. The two-part series is being broadcast to increase consumer awareness of the availability of North Carolina farm products and how to source them through www.ncfarmfresh.com.

“I hope this special gets people thinking more about local foods and the important role that agriculture plays in our state’s economy,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We are proud of our diversity and the access that N.C. residents have to wholesome, safe and fresh produce.”

Agriculture and agribusiness represent the state’s leading industry, contributing more than $70 billion to the economy. This program is a cooperative project between UNC-TV and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and was made possible with funding by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund.

For more information about the program, visit www.unctv.org/ncfarmfresh/.