Upcoming hearings for General Permits
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced two meetings and a 30-day comment period on three general permits for animal operations. The three permits are the Swine General Permit, the Cattle General Permit, and the Wet Poultry General Permit.
 
The first meeting on the three permits will be held Tuesday, February 19 at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville at 6 p.m. The second will be held on February 26 at Statesville Civic Center in Statesville, NC at 6 p.m.
 
Nearly all North Carolina swine farms, as well as wet poultry and cattle, are subject to the requirements of their respective state general permits. Comments obtained through the comment period and meetings will inform the final permit language.
 
The comment period will last until March 4, 2019, and public comments may be submitted several ways:
 
  • In person at the meetings listed below

 
  • By mail:       Animal Farm Operations,
           NC Division of Water Resources
           1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh,
           NC 27699-1636
 
The draft permits, examples of annual reports, and related fact sheets and information are available for review on the DEQ website at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-regional-operations/afo .
 
Meeting dates, time and locations:
 
      WHEN:   February 19, 2019 at 6 p.m. (Registration begins at 5:30)
      WHERE: James Sprunt Community College
                  133 James Sprunt Dr.
                  Kenansville, NC

      WHEN:   February 26, 2019 at 6 p.m. (Registration begins at 5:30)
      WHERE: Statesville Civic Center
                  300 S. Center St.
                   Statesville, NC
NCPork is here to help!
Talking points/additional information about the general permit and/or assistance preparing for the public hearing are available upon request.

Contact Angie Maier via email or by phone 919-781-0361.
Dates at a glance
Keep reading for more details
Smithfield Vendor Expo returns Feb. 26; be sure to visit the NC Pork Council booth
Smithfield Hog Production & MB Grain will co-host the 2019 Smithfield Hog Production Vendor Expo on February 26, at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.

This event will feature multiple vendors from all over the United States and World. Expo admission is free, and includes a complimentary lunch. Educational classes will also be held throughout the day. Check the website for updates on educational opportunities.

The NC Pork Council will offer a virtual farm tour and offer giveaways as well.

This Expo will offer tremendous opportunities for interaction between swine growers, grain producers, and vendors. The vendors will be displaying the latest equipment and technology used for swine and grain production, as well as being available to answer questions.
Annual conference deadlines approaching
If you are planning to come to Bacon Bash and conference, you need to book your room at the Raleigh Hilton North Hills by February 25 to get the group rate.
Rooms in the room block are $159.
Reserve your room now  online or by calling  919-872-2323  and use the the group code PORK to receive the group rate.

The 2019 Annual Conference will be held at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills on March 20 & 21. This two-day event will be filled with informative sessions. Planned topics include what we’ve learned from natural disasters, foreign animal disease updates and an economic impact update, plus more! OIC credits will be available as well. Register today !

Wednesday, March 20*
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ag Day Rally Downtown Raleigh
1 p.m. Registration opens at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills
2 p.m. General Session #1
3 p.m. General Session #2
5 p.m. Registration opens for Bacon Bash
5:30-10:00 pm Bacon Bash
Members-only  Bacon Bash  event to raise money for the NCPC Political Action Committee. (Get tickets from a board member or online sales starting soon.)

Thursday, March 21*
7:00 a.m. Registration starts
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
7:45 a.m. Annual Meeting
8:30 a.m. State and National updates
10 a.m.   Break out Session #1 (Choose from two sessions – TBA)
11 a.m.   Break
11:15 a.m. Breakout Session #2 (Choose from two sessions – TBA)
12:15 p.m. Awards luncheon
2 p.m     General Session #3
3 p.m.    Adjourn
*Schedule subject to change. Please check back for updates!
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