By David Nivens, High Point Enterprise, N.C. Jul. 8--TRIAD -- While crops across the state are off to a good start, the experts are worrying about corn and other plantings as the drought lingers. Gov. Mike Easley warned last month that drought conditions are worse than last July.

By David Nivens, High Point Enterprise, N.C. Jul. 4--TRIAD -- Clyde Priddy, who gardens at his High Point residence, took a big bite out of a free tomato sandwich Thursday at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. A few minutes earlier, State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler did the same thing.

By Jason M. Rodriguez, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Mar. 15--Lynn Grissett's family has endured a lot of ups and downs to keep the family farm for nearly 120 years.

By MIKE BAKER By Mike Baker The Associated Press RALEIGH The record-setting drought that has forced the governor to plead for conservation, homeowners to shelve their lawn sprinklers and farmers to drain their ponds for irrigation is forecast to get only worse in the new year.

By Matthew Eisley and Jay Price, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. Dec. 18--This year's record drought will cost North Carolina at least half a billion dollars in farm losses, state officials say, and farmers are bracing for a potentially worse 2008.