Timeline: 1990-2000

 

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1990 ? Emergency Response

The Food Distribution Division role in disaster relief increased in the early 1990?s with a fleet of trucks and refrigerated trailers. The Division was called on to respond to disasters not only in North Carolina but also in the southeastern part of the United States. The ability to move food quickly and efficiently positioned the Division as a major player with the State Emergency Response Team.

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August 1, 1990 ? North Carolina Declared Free of Swine Brucellosis

North Carolina was declared free of swine brucellosis on August 1, 1990, thus improving interstate and international commerce opportunities and reducing potential human infections.

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1991 ? State Noxious Weed Regulations Established

The State Noxious Weed Regulations, as established in 1991, provide the necessary regulatory authority to prevent the introduction and spread of listed noxious weeds into and within North Carolina. The North Carolina Noxious Weed List incorporates all Federal noxious weeds and 13 state noxious weeds.

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February, 1994 – Center for Environmental Farming Systems

The Cherry Farm Unit in Goldsboro was established as the first environmental research center of its kind in the United States. This facility examines all areas of agriculture production and practices (including no-till methods and organic farming), and how they effect soil, water, and air quality. A major conference and learning center is being planned on this site.

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September 7, 1994 ? North Carolina Mountain State Fair

Attendance for the first year of the North Carolina Mountain State Fair was 45,286 over a five day run. In 1998, the fair expanded to ten days. Attendance climbed to a record high of 159,960 in 1999 with free entertainment occurring nightly.

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1995 ? Witchweed Eradication Project

Witchweed, a semi-parasitic plant, was first detected in Columbus and Robeson Counties.

In the early 1960?s, extensive herbicide applications were applied to control witchweed. By 1970, the focus had shifted from control to eradication.

In 1995, the responsibility for administering and implementing the witchweed project in North Carolina was delegated from USDA to NCDA & CS. Acreage infested with witchweed within the state has been reduced from 21,686 to 5,416 at the end of 1999.


April 14, 1995 ? North Carolina Declared Free of Tuberculosis in Cattle

North Carolina was declared free of tuberculosis in cattle on April 14, 1995. This reduced the possibility of human infections and reduced test restrictions for interstate movement.

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July, 1995 ? Agronomic Division Implements Laboratory Information Management System

All data generated in the laboratories of the newly constructed Eaddy Building are collected and transferred electronically. The division analyzed about 250,000 samples during fiscal year 1995.

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1996 ? Society of St. Andrew

The Food Distribution Division formed a partnership with the Society of St. Andrew to promote gleaning of North Carolina produce. The Society of St. Andrew organized volunteer work forces to glean fields where some food was being left due to low market demand, labor cost or over supply. The Society, through volunteers, provided give away food to low income areas. The Food Distribution Division provided transportation.

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April, 1996 ? Agronomic Reports Available On-line

The Agronomic Division makes all its reports available on-line via the internet. Clients can also download data electronically and store in spreadsheet format.

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1997 ? Partnership

The Food Distribution Division formed a partnership with the Department of Defense. This helped schools get a better price and higher quality of produce. It also provided for more North Carolina produce in schools. Delivery of the commodities was the number one problem for small farmer. The Department of Defense purchased from the small farmer and then delivered to the schools.

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1997 – Second Harvest Food Bank

The Food Distribution Division joined in partnership with the Food Bank of North Carolina to distribute USDA commodities to needy families in all 100 counties. Due to the declining ability of some counties to continue the Emergency Food Assistance Program, Food Distribution joined forces with the Food Bank of North Carolina. This enabled North Carolina to continue receiving all federally donated commodities.

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1997 ? Expansion of the Apiary Inspection Program

In 1997, funds were approved for the Apiary Inspection Program for the purpose of conserving and enhancing honeybees and other beneficial insects by protecting the industry from the introduction of injurious bee pathogens and pests. North Carolina has approximately 14,000 beekeepers managing approximately 140,000 colonies of bees for honey production.

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January, 1997 – Market News Goes On Line

Market News collects, analyzes and disseminates accurate, unbiased price and trend data for major NC agricultural commodities. Daily reports cover the livestock, grain, poultry, fruit and vegetable markets. In addition to TV, radio, newspaper outlets, Market News launched its web site in January of 1997. Today, www.ncagprices.org is the agency's most highly visited site.

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March, 1998 ? Agronomic Laboratory Acquires DWQ Certification

Soil testing and waste analysis laboratories receive DEHR-DWQ certification to provide testing for animal waste compliance purposes, reflecting the division?s increasing role in environmental stewardship.

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June 9, 1998 ? Mechanical Balance Retired

The last mechanical balance in use at the Standards Laboratory is retired. This lab became the first state metrology laboratory to switch entirely to electronic balances.

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September, 1998 – Bilingual Pesticide Specialist

The Food and Drug Protection Division hired its first bilingual pesticide specialist to enhance the North Carolina Worker Protection Program.

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May, 1999 ? Farm to School Program

The Farm to School Program started by the Food Distribution Division allowed schools to buy North Carolina grown produce from local farmers. Because of the trust schools demonstrated in the ability of the Food Distribution Division to help raise the standards for farm produce, the program was successful.

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June, 1999 ? Agronomic Division Sets All-Time Record

The division analyzes more than 312,000 soil samples; 27,896 plant, waste, and solution samples; and almost 34,000 nematode samples?an all-time record.

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October 1, 1999 ? Quarantines for Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) Released

The effort towards the elimination of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) from the state?s swine herds approached completion, as the last quarantines were released. Eradication will allow free shipment of swine and pork products domestically and internationally. It will reduce mortality and productivity losses for swine farmers.

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October 1, 1999 ? Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Legislation

On October 1, 1999, legislation became effective requiring all horses and other equine over six months of age, to test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) prior to sale, show, exhibition or assembly.

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January, 2000 ? Associate Membership

Commissioner Graham?s support for Soil and Water Conservation District Programs was recognized in January, 2000 when he received the first designation as an associate member of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.