NEW DATE FOR VEGETABLE INSECT PEST CLASS Tonight’s class has been postponed due to the winter weather. The new date is Monday, March 16, noon (bring your lunch!). GOOD VIDEO ON APPLE TREE PRUNING This video provides excellent instruction on the correct way to prune an apple tree: http://video.ca.uky.edu/videos/video/492/ BERMUDAGRASS & HORSE MANURE, QUESTIONS FROM A NEW GARDENER Check out my latest blog post where I answer the “Garden Question of the Day”. http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/starting-new-garden-questions-about.html HERBICIDE CARRYOVER IN MANURE & COMPOST …
Category: Agriculture
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
GARDEN SYMPOSIUM, MAR 28, VANCE FARMERS MARKET We will have a Gardening Symposium on March 28th with expert speakers on raising herbs, planting for birds, and much more! This event will take place at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Find all the details here: http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/2015-symposium-going-wild-in-garden.html FREE WORKSHOP ON VEGETABLE GARDENING BASICS! Feb 26th, 4-6 pm, Warren County Senior Center, 435 W. Franklin St. in Warrenton. The instructor will be yours truly and I will cover all the essentials to …
Workshop for farmers market managers postponed until March 27 , 2015
RALEIGH – This week’s blast of winter weather has caused the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to postpone its workshop for farmers market managers until March 27. It had been scheduled for Feb. 20. The workshop will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Office, 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro. The event includes sessions on legal protections, liability insurance, grant funding and event planning. Networking opportunities also will be available throughout …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
SOYBEAN/CORN/WHEAT MEETING, Mar 5, 6 pm Epsom Fire Dept. There will be a Soybean/Corn/Wheat production meeting held on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Epsom Fire Department. This meeting will provide you with an update on field crop management strategies for 2015, and we will spend some time discussing insect management in soybeans. Dr. Dominic Reisig, Dr. Wes Everman and Dr. Ron Heiniger will be on hand to give updates and answer questions. There will be a sponsored meal and …
NCDA&CS accepting proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting proposals from nonprofits and government agencies for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2014 farm bill. “Last year, the department awarded nearly $1.2 million to fund 15 projects statewide,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The Specialty Crop Block Grant …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
VANCE PESTICIDE CONTAINER BIN IS FULL If you have pesticide containers for recycling, please hold them for the time being. We have submitted the request to get the bin emptied, but it will probably be a few weeks. SOYBEAN VARIETY DATA AVAILABLE We have limited numbers of the “green books” available at the Extension offices, or you can download the information from http://www.ncovt.com TOBACCO ASSOCIATES 2015 MEETING Feb 27, Wilson County Ag Center. Details at 919-821-7670 or tar@tobaccoassociatesinc.org VANCE COMMUNITY RESOURCE …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
FEBRUARY ISSUE OF GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER The latest issue of our Garden Path newsletter is now available. Here’s the link: http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/february-2015-edition-of-garden-path.html GARDEN SYMPOSIUM ON MARCH 28TH: “GOING WILD IN THE GARDEN!” We will have a Gardening Symposium on March 28th at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Find all the details here: http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/2015-symposium-going-wild-in-garden.html COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR, MARCH 19, SOUTHERN VANCE H.S. For the second year, Vance County Cooperative Extension will hold a Community Resource Fair, in an effort to connect …
Troxler announces continued funding for hemlock restoration
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced additional funding for efforts to restore North Carolina’s hemlock trees to long-term health. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will use $250,000 from the state’s legal settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority to continue supporting the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, which began last year. Over the next three years, the investment will support direct interventions on state and private lands, coordination of resources, and increasing volunteer efforts to save hemlock stands …
2015 N.C. boll weevil assessment remains at $1 per acre
RALEIGH — The board of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of North Carolina has set the 2015 boll weevil assessment at $1 per acre of cotton, keeping the fee the same as in 2014. The fee supports the foundation’s efforts to monitor cotton acreage in North Carolina for any re-introduction of the boll weevil and to respond promptly with eradication treatments if necessary. “Cotton producers had a strong year in 2014, with record yields of 1,049 pounds per acre. The …
Miss Jenny’s Pickles named 2015 Exporter of the Year
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services named Miss Jenny’s Pickles as the 2015 N.C. Exporter of the Year. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recognized the Kernersville-based company for its achievements in exporting during the Ag Development Forum at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. “In less than five years, Miss Jenny’s Pickles has grown from a backyard operation into an international success story,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The company’s gourmet pickles can be found in retail stores in …
N.C. restaurants featuring sweet potatoes in February for Sweet Potato Month
RALEIGH – February is Sweet Potato Month in North Carolina, and restaurants across the state are celebrating by offering sweet-potato dishes on their menus. It’s all part of the “Signature Sweets” promotion, sponsored by the N.C. SweetPotato Commission. About 50 restaurants are participating in the promotion, which asks chefs to create a signature dish using N.C. sweet potatoes. Dishes can be appetizers, entrees, sides or desserts. A list of participating restaurants is available on the N.C. SweetPotato Commission’s website at …
NCDA&CS to host fifth annual workshop for farmers market managers Feb. 20
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host its fifth annual workshop for managers of local farmers markets Friday, Feb. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Greensboro. The workshop will be held at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Office, 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro. The event includes sessions on legal protections, liability, grant funding and event planning. Networking opportunities also will be available throughout the day. “When it comes to farmers markets, North Carolina …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
AG ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLASS FROM VGCC For anyone who has an interest in starting an ag-related business, this class is a “must”! Over the course of seven classes, students will learn many important skills to help your business succeed (e.g. marketing, planning, financials, etc.). Tuition scholarships are available. All the details can be found at: https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530340046 FOOD SAFETY FOR FARMERS MARKET VENDORS At this seminar, you will learn measures you can take to continue bringing healthy and safe products to the …
NCDA&CS to host farmer meeting with Harris Teeter in Raleigh February 20th 2015
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a meeting Feb. 20 for N.C. farmers interested in selling fresh produce and greenery to Harris Teeter. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Martin Building at the State Fairgrounds. “This meeting will offer local growers a chance to meet with major retailers one-on-one in a way they may not otherwise get,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It is one of the …
Ag Forum on Feb. 5 will highlight importance of partnerships between agriculture, military
RALEIGH – The potential for North Carolina’s two largest industries – agriculture and the military – to work together will be highlighted at the 10th annual Ag Development Forum on Feb. 5 at the State Fairgrounds. The forum will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Holshouser Building. It is being held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show. Admission is free and lunch will be provided, but registration is requested by Jan. 30. Register online at …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
BACKYARD FARMER SCHOOL This spring, Warren Cooperative Extension will offer another session of our popular Backyard Farmer School! We are shooting for Thursday evenings starting sometime in March, registration details will be available soon. VANCE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET WELCOMES NEW PRODUCE VENDORS The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will soon be accepting vendor applications for the 2015 season, and we will especially welcome new produce vendors! As you begin to make planting plans for your farm (large or small!) please …
NCDA&CS to host farmer meeting with Harris Teeter Feb. 12 in Concord
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a meeting Feb. 12 in Concord for N.C. farmers interested in selling fresh produce and greenery to Harris Teeter. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord. “The department is committed to helping farmers find new markets for their products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This meeting will offer local growers a chance …
Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program to be offered again at VGCC beginning February 3
The Small Business Center and the Project Skill-UP Departments of Vance-Granville Community College are pleased to announce another offering of the NC REAL AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM. Date: Tuesdays, February 3 – March 17, 2015; 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Instructor: Carrie Harvey Location: Oxford Recreational Complex Hix Gym Classroom Tuition: $70 Textbook – $25 Tuition scholarships available to those who qualify. Do not delay, register today. The program is limited to the first 20 students. You may register here. The …
NCDA&CS offers risk-management classes for farmers
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer a series of risk- management workshops across the state in January through March. The workshops will focus on managing price volatility and identifying macro indicators. The following topics will be covered: Introduction to grain hedging, basis trading, cost of carry, cotton futures, option trading on futures and equities, and macro forces. The principles of options, spreading strategies, using options to manage financial risk, and energy derivatives and how …
Vance County Farmers Market Advisory Board December 11, 2014
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will have a short meeting this Thursday, 12/11/14, at 11:30 am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a possible heating system project. Meetings of the Farmers Market Advisory Board are open to the public.