Category: Agriculture

RALEIGH — The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements for respondents in Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Craven, Edgecombe, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Stanly, Wake and Wayne counties. Keith Lee Adcox of Lumberton agreed to pay $1,000 for applying herbicides Gramoxone Inteon and Envive in a manner inconsistent with the labeling to a wheat field in Lumberton. The herbicides damaged crops in an adjacent field, and the labels state not to apply under conditions favoring drift. Willis J. …

If you have ever considered raising produce for the wholesale market, you may have wondered about GAP Certification. In order to provide answers, I have invited Dr. Chris Gunter, NCSU Extension Vegetable Specialist to Warren County on Monday (3/18). He will be at the Warren County Extension office at 1 pm for an informal “Question and Answer” session. If you would like to attend, please contact me to let me know (213-6095 or e-mail). Also, note the following pesticide recertification …

RALEIGH — Space is still available for antique tractor and farm equipment hobbyists to display their machines at the Got to Be NC Festival at the State Fairgrounds May 17-19. “The display of more than 1,000 tractors and other antique farm machinery is a highlight of the festival, and we’ve got room for more,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Tractors in working order can also participate in the daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service is urging residents throughout the state to think about safety and exercise caution during the upcoming fire season, which typically lasts statewide mid-March through mid-May. The spring fire season coincides with when many people are getting back into their yards and doing spring cleanup that often includes burning leaves and yard debris. The N.C. Forest Service encourages anyone considering debris burning to contact the local county forest ranger. There are many factors to consider …

Here is a link to our latest issue of The Garden Path newsletter:http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/March-2013.pdf Also, here are a couple of upcoming 4-H activities that may be of interest. 4-H Spring Break Day Camp – http://warren.ces.ncsu.edu/event/5129989/vancewarren-4h-stem-day-camp/ 2013 Poultry Show and Sale – http://warren.ces.ncsu.edu/spotlight/2013-four-county-4-h-poultry-show-and-sale-info/ More upcoming 4-H events (Vance) – http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/03/upcoming-vance-county-4-h-events-and-registration-deadlines/ PLEASE TAKE A SHORT SURVEY (THREE QUESTIONS)We are trying to assess training needs for the local agricultural community. This short survey should take you less than two minutes! Here’s the link: http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/form.cfm?testID=15582 …

PLEASE TAKE THIS SHORT SURVEY (THREE QUESTIONS)We are trying to assess training needs for the local agricultural community. This short survey should take you less than two minutes! Here’s the link: http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/form.cfm?testID=15582 WELCOME BACK TOMMY BROOKS! We are pleased to report that Tommy Brooks will be joining us again part-time as the Field Crops Agent for Granville and Vance Counties for this growing season. I know you will be happy to tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience. I, …

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is partnering with N.C. State University Cooperative Extension to offer the N.C. cantaloupe pilot program. The two-pronged education and outreach program will consist of a seminar in the classroom and voluntary assessment on the farm. The goal is to help cantaloupe producers develop strategies for reducing the risk of food contamination and for handling such incidents if they occur. The NCDA&CS Food and Drug Protection Division, Marketing Division and N. …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer a seminar March 27 to help Triangle-area food processors develop strategies for reducing the risk of intentional food contamination and for handling such incidents if they occur. The department’s Food and Drug Protection Division will conduct the seminar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jim Graham Building at the State Fairgrounds. The program is free and includes lunch, but registration is required by March 20. Register …

RALEIGH – The first day of spring may be a few weeks away, but the State Farmers Market has already planned a full lineup of special events in March to kick off the spring growing season. The season starts with the Spring Craft Fair March 8-10. The annual event features vendors with a variety of floral arrangements and ornamental garden accessories, handmade baby blankets and quilts, jewelry and handbags, candles and soaps, as well as stained glass, woodworking and other …

RALEIGH — Local food businesses will have two opportunities to take part in the annual Food Business Conference sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The event, aimed at helping small-business owners grow their food businesses, has expanded to include two conference locations in Raleigh and Burnsville. Conference East will be held at the James G. Martin Building at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh April 11. The registration deadline is April 2. Conference West will be held …

RALEIGH — The board of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of North Carolina voted to keep the boll weevil assessment rate at 70 cents per acre of cotton for 2013. That amount is the same as it was for 2012. The fee supports the foundation’s efforts to monitor cotton acreage for any re-introduction of the boll weevil, which was eradicated in the state in 1986, and to respond promptly with eradication treatments if necessary. “Eradicating this pest was the first …

FUMIGANT TRAINING A Phase II requirement of the new fumigant regs is for applicators to receive product safety training and pass a test. You can do this on-line through the EPA website, or attend an in-person training/testing provided by NCDA&CS. We have scheduled an in-person option on 3/13, details to follow. Note that either option entitles you to 2hrs X & 2hrs V, which satisfies the Private Applicator recert requirements. If you do the on-line version, you have to present …

RALEIGH — Produce farmers and packers can learn more about the federal government’s proposed produce safety rule at a listening session Feb. 20 at the State Fairgrounds. Individuals also will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session, which will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Scott Building. “The produce safety rule could mean big changes for produce farmers and packers, so it’s critical that they learn everything they can about it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve …

KERR/TAR BEEKEEPERS Come and join this great group every 2nd Monday, 7 pm at the Vance County Extension Center. All are welcome! SMALL FARM ENTERPRISE SCHOOL IN OXFORD Monday is the last day to register for this multi-class series which begins on 2/5. You will learn about various small-scale enterprises, and also create a business plan step-by-step. To register, call 919-603-1350. FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP Learn how to properly prune your backyard fruit crops. Tues Feb 5, 10:30 am. From …

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services named Garner-based Butterball as the 2013 N.C. Exporter of the Year. “From 2009 to 2011, we saw turkey exports nearly double in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Butterball makes up a significant percentage of those exports and is deserving of this honor.” Company representatives were recognized at a presentation during the annual Ag Development Forum at the State Fairgrounds Jan. 31. The Exporter of the Year award acknowledges …

FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP Once again, we will hold our annual Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop at a home orchard near the Vance/Warren county line. This is scheduled for Feb 5th, 10:30 am to noon. You MUST register, at which time directions will be provided. In the event of inclement weather, we will have an indoor seminar at the Warren County Extension Center. BEE/CHICKEN CLASSES AT VGCC These look interesting!  http://www.vgcc.edu/News/newsarticle.cfm?recNo=3171 WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK (from the …

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host three workshops focusing on growing local farmers markets across North Carolina. The one-day trainings are scheduled for Wilmington, Smithfield and Fletcher. The workshops, geared toward market managers and their board members, will cover a range of topics such as food safety, effective promotional techniques and an overview of past and future marketing opportunities. “With more than 200 local and regional farmers markets across the state, it’s never been …

RALEIGH – The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will assist in hosting five workshops across the state for local governments interested in protecting their communities’ agricultural lands. The Voluntary Agricultural District workshops are for agricultural advisory board members, county representatives, program staff, farmers and anyone responsible for, or interested in, developing and administering voluntary and enhanced voluntary agricultural plans. Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates and locations: Feb. 4 …

RALEIGH – County governments and nonprofit conservation groups pursuing agricultural development and farmland preservation projects in 17 western N.C. counties can apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation-Tennessee Valley Authority grant program. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated a portion of the state’s TVA Settlement Fund to support this grant program, and legislators restricted use of the money to projects benefitting one or more of the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, …