Central Region Greenhouse and Nursery News
COVID-19 Update
NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

The NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) has been approved to open under modified operations in order to serve clients while maintaining safe work practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please limit physical sample submissions to situations where significant damage is occurring or is likely to occur. If the issue at hand is causing only minor damage, or if you have any doubt about potential damage, feel free to submit it as a digital image sample for clinic personnel to assess remotely.

DHS and USDA Move to Protect American Farmers and Ensure Continued Flow of America’s Food Supply

The Department of Homeland Security, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. 

Discussion of the CARES Act
US Congressman Buddy Carter

Webinar discussion with U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter to learn more about the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

No Contact Sales:
A Discussion with Garden Center Retailers

AmericanHort held a webinar with three panelists to discuss how they are using social distancing in their retail garden center.

Holding Greenhouse Crops Over

Many greenhouse producers and retailers are having to hold onto spring crops longer than anticipated because of changes to shipping logistics and stay-at-home orders in place for COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. In this article, we summarize some options to hold plants and avoid discarding your crops. 

General COVID-19 Information
While these are not greenhouse and nursery specific topics, I thought they were important to share. I hope you and your family find them helpful.

Will the Coronavirus Pandemic Impact U.S. Food Supply Chain?

Much has been recently written about our nation’s food supply and consumer hoarding. I will not repeat what has been said, but rather offer additional perspectives during this trying time. This subject could be examined from numerous angles and fill many pages, but I will remain brief in this blog.


Safe Grocery Shopping Resources

The NC State Extension Food Safety team continues to develop resources to guide consumers and the food industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sampling of new materials provide guidance on minimizing risk while grocery shopping and facts and tips related to fresh produce and the coronavirus.

Stacey Jones | NC Cooperative Extension | 704-920-3310 | 704-920-3323 | stacey_jones@ncsu.edu | https://cabarrus.ces.ncsu.edu/profile/stacey-jones/ |