After the Storm: Effects of Florence and Michael on Livestock and Farms in North Carolina

In September 2018, Hurricane Florence, closely followed by Hurricane Michael, had a devastating impact on livestock and the environment in North Carolina.   Dr. Doug Meckes heads the Veterinary Division of the  North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and will speak to us about the effects of these storms.

Dr. Meckes currently serves as the Commissioner of Agriculture’s lead subject matter expert on all animal health issues.  He designs and administers programs that monitor and protect the state’s livestock, poultry, and equine industries as well as other species of interest.  He works in coordination with the USDA, APHIS, and Veterinary Services’ district office in the administration of federal cooperative agreement programs and funding.  Previous to this, under the administration of President Obama, Dr. Meckes led the Office of Health Affairs’ responsibilities to provide oversight and management of the Department’s implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive-9 Defense of United States Agriculture and Food.