RALEIGH — The State Farmers Market is looking for bakers and peach-cobbler makers for the peach dessert contest, which is part of the market’s annual Peach Day, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winning recipe will earn $100 in prize money. Second- and third-place recipes will earn $75 and $50, respectively. Winners will be announced during Peach Day at the market’s event area, located between the Farmers Building and the N.C. Seafood Restaurant. Visitors can enjoy free …
Category: Agriculture
N.C. State Fair announces 2014 Dorton Arena lineup
RALEIGH – The 2014 N.C. State Fair Dorton Arena lineup will feature performances by country, gospel, rock and contemporary Christian artists, along with a stand-up comedian. Vanilla Ice will kick off the series on Thursday, Oct. 16, with a “Throwback Thursday” show. The rapper and reality TV show personality became the first hip hop artist to top the Billboard pop singles chart with his hit “Ice Ice Baby” in 1990. Friday, Oct. 18, will feature gospel artist, Tamela Mann. Mann …
July is Got to Be NC Agriculture Month
RALEIGH — Farmers across North Carolina are in full swing, bringing their fresh fruits and vegetables to market. Those farmers are part of the state’s $78-billion agriculture industry. In recognition of agriculture’s importance as the state’s top industry, Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed July 2014 as Got to Be NC Agriculture Month. “We created the Got to Be NC marketing program almost a decade ago to help consumers identify local products no matter where they shop,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve …
NCDA&CS restaurant week promotion, Dig into Local, runs July 14-23
RALEIGH – Diners in eight Piedmont counties can enjoy special, locally sourced menu items at 42 participating restaurants as part of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Dig into Local” Restaurant Week July 14-23. “The promotion coincides with the peak of North Carolina’s summer harvest season, giving chefs lots of local options to incorporate into their menus,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With so much culinary talent and creativity in this state, combined with the freshest products, these …
Mari Miller: Farmer’s Market hosts a “Grand Opening”
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market hosted their “Grand Opening” Saturday, June 28th. I attended the first day of the market back on June 11th, visiting 9 vendors with a wide selection of items for attendees. This time the market was fuller with a total of 12 vendors. Six of the vendors that were there I met on my first trip, (Simple Luxuries, Kerr Lake Master Gardeners, JASM Farms, Franklin Brothers Nursery and Greenhouse, LouMag Enterprises, and Backroad Farm and …
N.C. peach season on tap to be a good one
RALEIGH – Homemade ice cream, cobbler or sliced fresh, no matter what way you enjoy peaches, this season is looking good for the crop. While an unusually cold winter did impact the crop, mid- to late-season peaches will be plentiful in much of the state. “North Carolina growers produce 70 varieties, each with its own unique flavor,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Peach season typically runs from late May to August, so consumers have time to sample many different varieties …
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Survey
In 2014, North Carolina Cooperative Extension celebrates 100 years of service, enhancing the lives, land and economy of North Carolina citizens. As we do so, we need your help to illustrate our impact and identify ways to better serve you during the next 100 years. To do this, Cooperative Extension has asked N.C. State’s Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services to administer a survey to ask you about what differences we have made in your lives, your businesses, and …
Greg’s Garden – June 16th, 2014
Greg’s Garden – June 16th, 2014 Written by Mari Miller Father’s Day Grilling Yesterday was Father’s Day and we celebrated quietly at our house. Our son lives in Maryland so he could not come to North Carolina to share his dad’s day. Instead Greg enjoyed himself by having grilled vegetables and the traditional Angus beef burgers smothered in all the fixings. We shared the day with laziness and quiet time on our yard swing. Greg has been promising to build …
Vance County Pesticide Container Recycling
The bin at the transfer station on NC39 has been emptied. Bring on the containers! Remember, they need to be triple rinsed or pressure rinsed and dry. Remove caps and any metal or string fasteners. If you visit and find the bin is at 2/3 capacity or greater, please let me know. Paul McKenzieAgricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren CountiesNC Cooperative Extension305 Young St., Henderson, NC 27536 158 Rafters Ln., Warrenton, NC 27589 http://www.ces.ncsu.edu252.438.8188
Farmers Market Opens in Henderson!
By Mari Miller At 7:30 am Wednesday morning, Henderson got their long awaited new Farmers Market. I arrived at 7:15 to watch the local farmers and merchants set up. Nine of the sixteen marketplace spots were filling up with merchandise from Vance, Warren, and Granville counties. The offerings ranged from home-made lye soap to fresh eggs. There were flowers and fresh bakery items that filled the large barn with the scents of summer. Prices were reasonable and selections were varied …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
VANCE COUNTY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET OPENS 6/11! The brand new farmers market, located just off Beckford Dr., opens this Wednesday, 6/11. Hours will be Wed & Sat, 7:30 am to 1 pm. Come join us! Complete details and a map are available at http://go.ncsu.edu/VCRFM WARREN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Open every Saturday, 8 am to noon in downtown Warrenton. Just look for the signs, you can’t miss it! GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER Another great issue of the Garden Path newsletter, written and …
Growers and Gardeners Urged to Submit Soil Sample Information Online
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is reminding growers and gardeners to get a head start on their planting projects by submitting soil samples now. There is no fee currently, and reports are available in one to two weeks. Also, sample information forms can now be completed and submitted online for more accurate and efficient processing. “As the weather warms up, homeowners start focusing more on yard and garden maintenance and landscaping projects, which could benefit …
Greg’s Garden – June 3rd, 2014
Greg’s Garden written by Greg and Mari Miller The First Harvests Are Done, What is Next? We ate the last of the fresh lettuce, spinach, and bok choy over the weekend. There remains barely one more meal of swiss chard in our garden plots. The cabbage are making their heads now, slowly curving their leaves to form the ball that will become a solid cabbage head in another 8 weeks. The cauliflower have just started to make small heads about …
Milk chugging contest part of Livestock Legislative Day June 3
RALEIGH – Representatives of North Carolina’s pork, beef and dairy industries will be at the General Assembly June 3 for Livestock Legislative Day. The event includes a full day of activities, including the annual legislative milk-chugging contest. “Pork, beef and dairy products make up nearly a quarter of the state’s agricultural cash receipts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Livestock Legislative Day gives us an opportunity to highlight the importance of the state’s $78 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.” At noon, …
NC blueberry crop looking good despite late freeze
RALEIGH — North Carolina blueberry growers have nothing to be blue about this year, as the state’s blueberry crop is shaping up to be one of the best in years. “The late freeze delayed budding by about two weeks, so this is the first real week of harvest for most growers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Fortunately, the cold snap did not damage the crop, and fresh North Carolina blueberries should be available into July.” North Carolina is the seventh-largest …
Troxler advises agribusinesses to prepare for hurricane season
RALEIGH – Hurricane season officially begins Sunday, with scientists predicting fewer storms than normal. But as Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says, it only takes one storm to ruin a farmer’s year. He is encouraging all farmers and agribusineses, such as food manufacturers, pesticide dealers and timber owners, to review their disaster plans now and to get ready for the season. “No county in this state is immune to possible damage from a hurricane,” Troxler said. “Preparing for a hurricane is …
NC Cooperative Extension: Small Farms Field Day plus Vendor Info for Vance Farmers Market
NC A&T SMALL FARMS FIELD DAY There is a great program lined up for this year’s Field Day at the NCA&T University Farm just outside Greensboro. The date is June 19, and more information can be found here: http://www.ag.ncat.edu/wp/index.php/natural-resources-and-environmental-design/small-farms-field-day-set-for-june-19/ VANCE COUNTY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET ACCEPTING VENDOR APPLICATIONS! All the information is available at the link below. We will also hold an informational meeting tomorrow, 5/22, 10 am at the Farmers Market. http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/vance-county-regional-farmers-market/
NC Cooperative Extension Tobacco Transplant Availability
If you are in need of transplants, NC Cooperative Extension can contact other Tobacco Extension Agents around the state on your behalf. If you have extra, we can communicate that as well. Contact Paul McKenzie at 252.438.8188
Greg’s Garden (May 19th, 2014)
Harvesting our “first fruits” We have been quite busy harvesting the first vegetables from our plot garden. Spinach, Swiss Chard, Bok Choi, and Lettuce have all been to the table in these past two weeks, along with just a few fresh strawberries. Greg and I love to eat from the garden. Savings on our food dollars makes it worthwhile to keep gardening each spring thru fall. With the cost of fresh spinach topping out at $2.00 a package it only …