Category: Agriculture

RALEIGH – Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or for recertification through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Growers who are certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2014, can apply for assistance through the program. The program will pay 75 percent of the cost of certification up to a total of $750. Under the grant, operations can be certified and …

RECYCLING DAY/PESTICIDE DISPOSAL, 9/27, 9 am to noon Come to the City of Henderson Operations Center, 900 S. Beckford Dr. for a FREE recycling event! Bring records for shredding, electronics, metal and more. Also welcome is furniture in good condition, and items that can be used in home construction/repair. Pesticides will also be accepted (including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), but please call in advance if you have larger quantities (252-213-6095). Note that other household hazardous waste (paints, solvents, etc.) will …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources are seeking input from the public about any local ordinances that might interfere with the state agencies’ own regulations. The Regulatory Reform Act of 2014, passed by the General Assembly in August, requires both departments to report on “any local ordinances that impinge on or interfere with any area subject to regulation by the Department(s)” by Nov. 1. The legislation also …

RALEIGH — Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging farmers to have their corn tested for aflatoxin to prevent contamination of feeds and food. Aflatoxin is a byproduct of the mold Aspergillus flavus, and can be harmful to both humans and livestock. “We have six drop-off locations at research stations across the state to make it easy for farmers to submit samples,” Troxler said. “I encourage farmers to take advantage of our testing service to protect feed and food against this …

RALEIGH – North Carolina poultry growers who want to join the National Poultry Improvement Plan and receive a registration number will have to pay a $50 registration fee plus 10 cents per bird tested beginning Oct. 1. Growers with an existing registration number will need to pay a $10 annual recertification fee and pay 10 cents per bird tested to maintain their status. The fees were set by the General Assembly this summer to help cover costs incurred by the …

RALEIGH – On Thursday, Sept. 11, the State Farmers Market will host its first-ever Seafood Day, highlighting the state’s seafood and aquaculture industries. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature cooking demonstrations, free samples and information. The state’s seafood and aquaculture industries have a significant impact on local economies. According to data on wild catch from the Division of Marine Fisheries and aquaculture figures from N.C. State Univeristy, the combined value of the industry is …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative is seeking grant proposals focused on research and development of agricultural and forestry-based feedstocks for bioenergy production, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today. “A total of $1 million in competitive grants is available, with funding coming from the N.C. General Assembly and a portion of the state’s TVA Settlement Fund,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have a great opportunity in North Carolina with our agricultural know-how and our forestry resources to develop …

THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN 1. Mushrooms are generally not harmful to lawn. Simply remove them or mow them. 2. Tall fescue sowing season starts NOW! Reseeding or overseeding should be completed by mid-September for best results. 3. There is still a lot you can plan in the fall garden! Beets, broccoli, collards, swiss chard, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, onions, spinach, radish, turnips. 4. Get ready to compost! Prepare your compost bin for fall leaves. 5. Spray peach & plum …

Warren County Cooperative Extension will offer a “Backyard Farmer School” this fall! The class will meet every Tuesday, September 30 through November 4th, starting at 6:30 pm. For a cost of only $20, students will learn about all aspects of farming a small acreage, including soil preparation, goats and chickens, fruit production and vegetables. We will also cover marketing options for those who want to sell what they grow! The instructors will be yours truly (Paul McKenzie, Horticulture Extension Agent) …

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services’ State and Federal Market News Service is launching a series of new reports focusing on locally produced agricultural products. Reports for the state-operated farmers markets in Raleigh and Asheville, which list current wholesale prices, are now online, as is Farm to School information, which provides total produce sales delivered plus unit prices. In addition to these reports, Market News plans to develop reports for direct-to-consumer sales, which will capture the …

The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Vance & Warren Counties are pleased to present the FREE seminars listed below. All will take place at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market in Henderson (210 Southpark Dr., details at http://go.ncsu.edu/VCRFM). Registration is not required, but will help with plans for seating and handouts. Preparing Your Garden for Fall & Winter, Saturday, August 30 at 10:00 am. Presented by Master Gardener Marty Finkel. Inviting Mason Bees to Your Garden, Wednesday, September 10, noon …

HUGE SHOPPING CART AT WARREN FARMERS MARKET ON SATURDAY! Thirteen feet tall! Powered by a Chevy 396 V-8! Big enough to hold all the delicious food products made in North Carolina! Come on out to the Warren County Farmers Market this Saturday, 8/23, to see this amazing vehicle, and also pick up some of the best produce in the area! Located in downtown Warrenton just off Main St., open from 8 am to noon GARDEN TIPS BY WAYNE & PAUL …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Board of Agriculture recently approved fees for woodland management plans, following a directive from the state General Assembly. The state budget approved by the General Assembly directed the N.C. Forest Service to start charging for woodland plans, commonly referred to as forest management plans. The budget bill also allowed the Board of Agriculture to review and approve the fees. “The North Carolina Forest Service has been helping protect, manage and promote North Carolina’s forests for nearly …

Please be advised that we have a suspected case of cucurbit downy mildew in Warren County. Anyone raising pumpkins, melons, squash etc. should be aware and may want to take preventative measures. More information is available here: http://fsg.ces.ncsu.edu/publication/cucurbit-downy-mildew/ NC Cooperative Extension

Come on out to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market today, Aug 13 at noon, to learn all about growing lavender. Our presenter is Kay Nutt, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. There is no cost and no registration required. No food is provided, but feel free to bring a bag lunch.

RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market will host Honey Bee Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first-ever event will feature presentations on bees, beekeeping, pollination and honey. Locally made honey also will be available for sample and purchase. “Bees may be small in size, but their impact on agriculture is enormous,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Many of North Carolina’s crops rely heavily on the state’s nearly 25,000 honey bee colonies.” The N.C. Department …

AUGUST ISSUE OF “THE GARDEN PATH” Another fine issue of the Garden Path newsletter, written and published by the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, is available at http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/thegardenpath/ .  You’ll find lots of timely tips! AT THE FARMERS MARKETS What might you find this week? Look for beets, cantaloupe, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, honey, okra, onions, peaches, peas, peppers (bell & hot), potatoes, squash, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini and more! Note, selection may vary. UPCOMING EVENTS Pressure Canner Testing, Vance Farmers Market, Aug 13, 10 am to …