NC Cooperative Extension Updates

April 29, 2013 Agriculture

CFSA PIEDMONT FARM TOUR

This weekend! (Apr 27-28) This is an unparalleled opportunity to visit working farms and learn from successful growers. Details here: http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/

PESTICIDE DISPOSAL DAY, MAY 30, 10 am to 2 pm

City of Henderson Operations Center (Beckford Dr.). Bring ALL unused pesticides (e.g. herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, rat poison, etc.) for disposal FREE OF CHARGE. Clean out your shed! Clean out Grandpa’s old barn! Lawn weed killer? We’ll take it! DDT? We’ll take it! Please call in advance if you have large quantities (e.g. large drums). Let me know if you would like some tips on safe handling/transport of old product.
GARDEN SYMPOSIUM, SAT. MAY 18, HENDERSON
The Kerr Lake Extension Master Gardeners present GREAT GARDENING…GET IN GEAR, our first ever gardening symposium, 9 am to noon at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson. Advance registration is $5 (through May 1), or $7 at the door. Presentations on vegetable gardening, daylilies, and soil improvement. For more information:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/symposium2013.pdf
FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT
New rules have been proposed which, if enacted, will affect produce growers. Details here:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm334114.htm
WARREN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
Open for business! Saturday, 8 am to noon, downtown Warrenton. Interested in becoming a vendor? Here’s more info:
http://www.warrengrowers.com/farmers-market.html
DO YOU SELL PLANTS?
Anyone selling trees, shrubs or perennials (including at farmers markets) is required to have a nursery certificate. If your nursery is less than one acre and you only sell in NC, then the fee is only $20/year and the inspection is once every three years. If you sell only annuals (e.g. bedding plants, vegetable starts, hanging baskets) then you are exempt from this requirement. For more information, contact the NCDA&CS at 919-707-3753, or visit http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/nursery/lictbl.htm.
LUMBER MILL TOUR
Do you own timber land? If so, you may be interested in a landowner tour of Toney Lumber Co. in Franklin County. To be held on May 18, departing from Vance County Extension Center at 9:15 am. Call or e-mail to register.
WOMEN WORKING IN THE MEAT BUSINESS RETREAT
May 20-22, near Chapel Hill. Details at http://www.ncchoices.com/women-working-in-the-meat-business-retreat
CRP SIGNUP
USDA will conduct a four-week general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. This program pays an annual rent if you agree to plant fields with soil conserving plants (mostly pine trees for NC participants). For more information, contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at 252-438-3134.

USDA HISPANIC/WOMEN FARMER CLAIM DEADLINE
Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by May 1, 2013. For more information: www.farmerclaims.gov, 1-888-508-4429,  claims@hwfr.org WORKSHOP ON RENEWABLE ENERGY/FARM FINANCIALS, JUNE 1, RALEIGH
Risk Management Strategies through Renewable Energy & Farm Management for African American and Native American farmers in NC Workshop II.  Registration is free. This is a great opportunity for small farmers to participate and learn about renewable energy; such as, the development of small solar and biomass projects as well as vital information concerning strategic financial plans. These training workshops are made possible by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture, and workshop partners; Sociometrics, Inc. and 510nano. For more info: Charlene Reaume, 866-257-0739, charlene@ccsresource.com

SORGHUM UPDATES
Growers who intend to plant sorghum this year are encouraged to contact seed dealers to discuss needs so that your seed is in place when you are ready to plant. Also, there *may* still be cost-share funds available through USDA-NRCS. Contact Diana Lewis (Vance) or Brian Short (Warren) for details.

PESTICIDE DISPOSAL DAY, MAY 30, 10 am to 2 pm

City of Henderson Operations Center (Beckford Dr.). Bring ALL unused pesticides (e.g. herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, rat poison, etc.) for disposal FREE OF CHARGE. Clean out your shed! Clean out Grandpa’s old barn! Lawn weed killer? We’ll take it! DDT? We’ll take it! Please call in advance if you have larger quantities (e.g. large drums). Let me know if you would like some tips on safe handling/transport of old product.
GARDEN SYMPOSIUM, SAT. MAY 18, HENDERSON
The Kerr Lake Extension Master Gardeners present GREAT GARDENING…GET IN GEAR, our first ever gardening symposium, 9 am to noon at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson. Advance registration is $5 (through May 1), or $7 at the door. Presentations on vegetable gardening, daylilies, and soil improvement. For more information:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/symposium2013.pdf
2013 NC FIELD DAYS
If you grow it, there’s probably a field day for it somewhere in NC! Here’s the complete schedule for the year.
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/writing/Field_Days/

FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT
New rules have been proposed which, if enacted, will affect produce growers. Details here:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm334114.htmSMALL GRAIN PRODUCTION GUIDES

SMALL GRAIN FIELD DAYS, MONROE AND SALISBURY
May 16, Monroe, NC

May 14, Salisbury, NC
Let me know if you need details.
UPLAND GAZZETTE
This is a nice newsletter about small game published by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/UplandGazette.aspx
EFFECTIVENESS OF SOYBEAN FUNGICIDES
I have the latest information on soybean fungicides, available upon request.
PEST NEWS
Includes updates on cotton pests, aphids in wheat, SWD in berries, and more!
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/pest_news.html

STRIPE RUST IN WHEAT
Here is a link to a video by Dr. Randy Weisz, NCSU Small Grains Specialist, on identifying and managing this disease:
http://youtu.be/rz0FKXIEqUA
LUMBER MILL TOUR

Do you own timber land? If so, you may be interested in a landowner tour of Toney Lumber Co. in Franklin County. To be held on May 18, departing from Vance County Extension Center at 9:15 am. Call or e-mail to register.
WOMEN WORKING IN THE MEAT BUSINESS RETREAT
May 20-22, near Chapel Hill. Details at http://www.ncchoices.com/women-working-in-the-meat-business-retreat
CRP SIGNUP
USDA will conduct a four-week general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. This program pays an annual rent if you agree to plant fields with soil conserving plants (mostly pine trees for NC participants). For more information, contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at 252-438-3134.

USDA HISPANIC/WOMEN FARMER CLAIM DEADLINE
Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by May 1, 2013. For more information: www.farmerclaims.gov, 1-888-508-4429,  claims@hwfr.org

CategoriesAgriculture