News-Record.com

For those following the dust up over Agriculture Research Stations, there appears to be an agreement to play nice among all involved.
Rep. Dewey Hill, who chairs the House Ag Committee, sent out an e-mail this afternoon saying H 2450 wouldn't move forward:

House Agriculture Committee Members:

HB 2450 Study Ag. Research Stations/Develop Plan will not be moving forward. Commissioner Steven W. Troxler, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Dr. Johnny C. Wynne, Dean and Executive Director for Agricultural Programs, NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Dr. Alton Thompson, Dean, Agricultural Education/Economics and Rural Sociology, NC Agricultural and Technical State University have agreed to continue their work together and to jointly study and develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the management of agricultural research stations.

I am pleased these leaders in our thriving agricultural community will be working together to improve our way of life as we live and work in this great State of North Carolina. A common vision of an agricultural research system that is efficient and up to date is shared. Also shared is a continuing commitment to work together for the best future of North Carolina agriculture. Your ongoing support is most appreciated.

Sincerely,
Dewey Hill, Chair
House Agriculture Committee

That comes on the heels of this joint letter from the Ag Department, NCSU and NCA&T going out Tuesday along with this e-mail from Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler:

Dear Friend of Agriculture:

Many of you are aware of efforts recently undertaken by the General Assembly's Program Evaluation Division (PED) to study the agricultural research stations system in North Carolina. The goal of the PED's work was to find ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our research system. This is a laudable goal and one that all agricultural leaders agree is necessary as food prices climb and our population continues to grow.

I am pleased to report that NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Johnny Wynne, NCA&TSU School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Dean Alton Thompson, and I have collaborated on a joint letter that reaffirms our commitment to work together to improve our agricultural stations system. A copy of the letter is attached.

Dean Wynne, Dean Thompson, and I are looking forward to moving ahead with our efforts. We look forward to consulting with you as plans are developed, and appreciate your continued interest in our agricultural research system. I hope you will not hesitate to contact my office if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Steve W. Troxler
Commissioner of Agriculture

I'm not sure if or how this affects Rep. Nelson Cole's bid for horse facility money.

But it does seem to indicate that some of the tension between NCSU and the Ag Department might have eased.