Farm program vote Thursday
By Turner Walston
Published in News on May 23, 2006 1:45 PM
From staff reports
North Carolina feed and fertilizer consumers have the opportunity Thursday to vote on Nickels for Know-How, a 55-year-old voluntary assessment on feed and fertilizer purchased in the state. Feed and fertilizer manufacturers build the cost of the program, 15 cents per ton, into the cost of their products.
Money received through Nickels for Know-How is appropriated by the board of directors of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation, Inc.
Nickels for Know-How provides operating support for programs such as North Carolina Cooperative Extension, the N.C. 4-H Development Fun, the NC FFA Foundation, the N.C. Family & Consumer Sciences Foundation, the N.C. Dairy Foundation, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni & Friends Society and the J.C. Raulston Arboretum Board of Directors.
According to the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at N.C. State University, Nickels for Know-How raises about $1.2 million annually, or about $25 per farm. In 55 years of the program, Nickels for Know-How has also helped fund some of the state's research-based agricultural advances.
"It's a beneficial program," said Kevin Johnson, Wayne County crop extension agent. "It benefits every farmer -- and citizen -- in North Carolina."
The referendum requires a two-thirds vote. Feed and fertilizer consumers have an opportunity every six years to decided if they wish to continue the program.
Polling places in Wayne County are D.M. Price and Sons, Seven Springs; Southern States, Mount Olive; Pro Turf, Rosewood; Bartlett Milling, Goldsboro; Tractor Supply, Goldsboro; Coker Feed Mill, New Hope; Evans and Sons, Inc., Fremont; and the Farm Service Agency office.
In Duplin County, polling places are Harvey Fertilizer, Beulaville; Sholar Fertilizer, Pin Hook; Dixie, Warsaw; Southern States, Wallace; Southern States, Mount Olive; Royster Clark, Pink Hill; and the Duplin County Extension Center.