The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “There is still uncertainty about how Hurricane Irma will affect our state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We anticipate impacts to farms could include power outages, damage to crops and agricultural buildings, and animal health emergencies. We are prepared to work with our state …
Category: Agriculture
This Week At Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market
Free Zumba & Nutrition Class Thursdays @ 6:00 p.m. Join the party! Thursdays at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market meet certified nutritionist and Zumba Instructor Rodney Steverson. He will conduct a 30 minute nutrition class and a 30 minute Zumba class for an hour of fitness fun! Zumba fitness is exercise in disguise. It’s the most fun, energetic, feel good workout that you will ever come across. It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating. Every class will feel like a …
Irrigate Correctly to Keep Plants Healthy
As we progress into summer, it won’t be long before it’s time to pull out the irrigation equipment. Most plants, including turf, vegetable gardens, flowers and shrubs need about one inch of water each week (perhaps a bit more in late July and August). The most effective approach is to apply the whole amount in one day so the soil get saturated deeply (this encourages deep root growth). Soil applied irrigation (e.g. soaker hose or drip system) reduces disease incidence …
Farmers Market Weekly Update!
The VCRFM is now open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. and will feature a variety of locally grown spring and early summer produce, bedding plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and shrubs, pasture raised beef, eggs, pork and handmade crafts. There will also be baked goods, canned goods, jams, jellies, salsa & sauces. Knowledgeable farmers and nursery vendors will be on hand to answer spring and summer planting and growing questions. It’s NOT too late to start planting …
FARMERS MARKET SEASON IS HERE!
Your local farmers markets are now open! The Warren County Farmers Market operates on Saturdays, 8 am to noon, at the corner of Macon and Bragg in downtown Warrenton. The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, 7:30 am to 1 pm, and is located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson (just off S. Beckford). Look for a selection of early season produce, crafts, plants, baked goods and more. Looking for something specific, or want to find a …
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Opens April 22
VCRFM 2017 Sales Season Begins April 22 The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will begin its 2017 sales season Saturday, April 22. The Spring Fling Market will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will feature numerous craft vendors, bedding plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and shrubs and locally grown spring produce. There will also be baked goods, canned goods and pasture raised beef for sale. Knowledgeable farmers and nursery vendors will …
Horse Industry Promotion Referendum
Horse and other equine animal owners/lessors will vote across the state on March 08, 2017 to determine whether to continue to voluntarily assess themselves four dollars ($4.00) per ton of commercial horse feed in order to provide funds to promote the interests of the horse industry. Morris White, County Extension Director, says the vote in Vance County will take place in the County Extension Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Any North Carolina resident who has reached his/her 9th …
BEGINNING FARMERS SCHOOL STARTS MARCH 16TH
Would you like to learn the basics of raising fruits, vegetables, chickens, goats, pastures and more? Would you like to become more self-sufficient, or even think about marketing what you raise? Then the Beginning Farmers School is for you! The school will meet on Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30 at the Warren Extension Center for 7 weeks beginning 3/16. Register and get more details here.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER IN THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
Do you have an interest in serving the community? Would you like to learn more about gardening? Consider becoming a volunteer in the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener program. Training will be held this year on Tuesday mornings, 9 am to noon, beginning July 25th and continuing for 14 weeks. More details, including application information, coming soon.
N.C. Corn Growers Plan Referendum in February
February 22, 2017 is the date when corn growers will vote on continuation of the self assessment program for six years. The Board of Directors of the Corn Growers Association is asking that farmers assess themselves at a rate of 1.25 cents per bushel on all corn marketed in North Carolina. The campaign to continue the assessment was announced on January 13 by President Dennis Waller at the North Carolina Commodities Conference of Corn, Cotton, Soybeans and Small Grain Producers …
Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy Builds New Garden With Help from Karma for Cara Foundation
Administrators and students at the Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy have created a garden outside of the facility’s main entrance with funding from a special grant program. The grant funding, totaling about $170, came from the Karma for Cara Foundation which funds youth volunteer projects. Brian Schlessinger, a teacher at the Empowerment Academy, led efforts to apply for the grant and create the garden. He worked with his students and administrators at the academy to seek the grant funding and …
N.C. tomato growers plan referendum in March
The N.C. Tomato Growers Association will conduct a statewide referendum in March to continue the $20 per acre assessment on harvested commercial tomatoes. Funds generated by the assessment would support research, education and marketing to promote tomatoes grown in North Carolina. The proposed assessment term is six years, beginning with the 2017 crop. All N.C. farmers engaged in the production of tomatoes on a commercial basis, including owners of farms where tomatoes are produced, tenants and sharecroppers, are eligible to …
Ellington Farms recognized for safety
Ellington Farms in Vance County was recently recognized as a Certified Safe Farm by NC Cooperative Extension. The local Extension Center provides a voluntary and complementary safety review of all equipment and facilities used by the farming operation to identify potential hazards. Farms with a passing score are awarded Certified Safe Farm status and receive a sign to post on the farm. The program recognizes farmers who work hard to maintain safe equipment and a safe environment while doing one …
VGCC Bioprocess program moving to Franklin Campus
The Vance-Granville Community College Bioprocess Technology degree program will be based at the college’s Franklin County Campus, starting in January 2017. The program has been located at the college’s Main Campus in Vance County since its inception in January 2006. The biotechnology lab on Main Campus will now be used primarily by the new Histotechnology degree program instead. The Franklin Campus, located on N.C. 56 just outside of Louisburg, has actually had a biotech lab longer than the Main Campus …
N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission begins work
The N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission recently held its first meeting, officially beginning work to establish rules governing a pilot program for industrial hemp production in North Carolina. The commission’s first order of business was to elect Dr. Tom Melton, of N.C. State University as its chairman. Melton is deputy director of N.C. Cooperative Extension and leader of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program. The commission came about following congressional changes to U.S. farm policies that allowed institutions of higher education …
Steve Troxler urges farmers to prepare for Hurricane Matthew
With Hurricane Matthew looking more certain to affect North Carolina, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is urging farmers to have emergency plans in place for their farms and share those plans with workers in advance of landfall. Many crops are still in the field and recent rains from tropical storms have saturated parts of eastern North Carolina, said Troxler. “This creates a perfect condition for downed trees, flooded pastures and crops lost in the field. But farmers can take some steps …
$5.3 million awarded to NCDA&CS to establish produce safety program
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently received a five-year, $5.3 million grant from the Food and Drug Administration to enhance produce safety. The funding will be used to ensure that North Carolina farmers and producers are ready to comply with the stricter production and harvest requirements of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. “This funding will help our Food and Drug Protection Division support farmers and producers in getting their businesses ready to meet these new requirements,” …
Vance County Regional Farmers Market
At the market Saturday 10th, 2016 and Wednesday September 14th, 2016 check out our crafts and plants for fall decoration. While you are here, go ahead and stock up on the wonderful produce, beef, and baked goods! Wednesday & Saturday • 7:30am-1:00pm FRUIT & VEGETABLES: – Apples – Butter Beans – Canary Melons – Corn – Eggplant – Mixed Greens – Honey – Okra – Pears – Peas – Peaches – Peppers (Variety) – Potatoes – Squash (Yellow/Butternut/Spaghetti) – Tomatoes …
Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund awards more than $3.8 million for projects
The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded more than $3.87 million to help communities across the state protect farmland and promote agricultural enterprises. More than $2 million went towards obtaining conservation easements on lands that border military bases in Hyde and Bertie counties. This money was set aside by the General Assembly to maintain working lands as buffer zones around military bases. “I am excited that we have been able to assist with the funding of …
BeeCheck maps hives and protects pollinators
Recent reports of mosquito spraying for Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in other states have led to many N.C. residents asking what can they do to protect commercial and hobby beehives across the state. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages bee owners to use the BeeCheck mapping software to alert farmers and pesticide applicators to the location of their hives. “We have spent the past several months educating beekeepers and pesticide applicators about the program,” said …