Rathbone hired for state ag role
Waynesville resident Kaleb Rathbone is now serving as an assistant commissioner to N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, overseeing Western N.C. agricultural programs and small farms.
Rathbone most recently served as director of the Research Stations Division, leading the state’s 18 research stations scattered from the mountains to the coasts. Prior to that he was superintendent of the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville for nearly eight years and served as that station’s research specialist for more than five years. He replaces Bill Yarborough, who recently retired as special assistant to the commissioner and will assume additional duties and oversight as an assistant commissioner.
RALEIGH â AgCarolina Farm Credit has extended $33,850 in grants to 14 organizations through its corporate-giving program. The grants will aid recipients in carrying out programs specifically benefiting farmers and rural residents in eastern North Carolina.
Grants up to $5,000 each were awarded in one of the four focus areas of Education, Environment, Technology, or Quality of Rural Life to the following organizations:
⢠Bear Grass Charter Future Farmers of America: Purchase wooden storage building to house greenhouse/chicken coop supplies.
⢠Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina: Offset meal costs for after school programs.
⢠Corinth Holders High School FFA: Equipment/materials to continue barn expansion.