Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced that the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will activate its toll-free weather emergency hotline Friday to help farmers affected by the winter storm connect with resources. “Farmers who have an agricultural emergency can call 1-866-645-9403,” said Troxler. “We are ready to help connect farmers with local resources right away.” Farmers can call the hotline to connect with resources to help with recovery from ice, snow or wind damage and power outages. The hotline …
Category: Agriculture
Vance County Cooperative Extension Updates
MASTER GARDENER SYMPOSIUM, MARCH 19 Make plans to attend the 3rd Annual Master Gardener Symposium on March 19th at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Advanced registration is required and all the details can be found at http://go.ncsu.edu. GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER, DECEMBER EDITION Yes, I realize we are already in January, but the December edition of our newsletter is now available here. Enjoy!
NCDA&CS to host fifth annual Food Business Conference in Greensboro April 5
Registration is open for the fifth annual Food Business Conference, which will be held April 5 in Greensboro. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Greensboro-High Point Airport Marriott. It is geared for people interested in expanding their food business in North Carolina. “Value-added products, high-quality processed foods and other food-related businesses are vital to the success and growth of North Carolina’s $76-billion agriculture industry,” said Agriculture …
NC Cooperative Extension Garden Symposium to be held March 19th 2016
Ideas for smaller gardens will be featured in a “Backyard Gardening: Big Ideas for Smaller Gardens” symposium scheduled for March 19th by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers for Vance and Warren Counties. Will Hooker, NC State Emeritus Professor, Sculptor, Permaculture Designer, and Landscape Architect will be the keynote speaker during lunch. The symposium begins with an 8:30 registration and coffee at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson. The program includes four diverse topics and speakers. All …
N.C. tobacco growers to vote on export assessment Jan. 27
Flue-cured tobacco growers in North Carolina will have a chance to vote Jan. 27 on whether to continue their self-assessment to support export promotion and expansion programs conducted by Tobacco Associates for the next three crop marketing years. The exact assessment will be approved by the N.C. Tobacco Associates Board of Directors, but the amount will not exceed one-fifth of 1 cent per pound of tobacco sold. The assessment would be in effect for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Ballots will …
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler releases ban on poultry shows and sales
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the suspension of live poultry shows and sales has been lifted, a week earlier than when the ban was set to expire. Troxler also released the registration requirements for small flock owners. “I promised at the beginning that we would review the ban in January, and now it looks as if it is safe to go ahead and lift the restrictions,” said Troxler. The suspension and registration requirements were originally put in place …
2016 Grain Production Meeting Wednesday February 3rd, 2016
The 2016 Grain Production Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 4:00PM-6:00PM at the Vance County Farmers Market (210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC). A sponsored meal will be provided after presentation from NCSU Specialists. Register online HERE or by calling your local Extension Office by 5:00PM Wednesday, January 27 to reserve your meal. Franklin County – (919) 496-3344 Granville County – (919) 603-1350 Vance County – (252) 438-8188 Warren County – (252) 257-3640
NC Farm School: An educational value for new and transitioning farmers
NC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce the launch of the Eastern Piedmont NC Farm School for new and transitioning farmers in Franklin, Nash, Wake, and Warren Counties as well as surrounding areas! The program was developed to provide a resource to the numerous people visiting the local Cooperative Extension offices seeking help to grow crops, raise livestock, sell to local markets, handle employees, learn regulations, follow restrictions and generate revenues. The NC Farm School is not like any other …
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative announces grant recipients
The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $1 million in grants for 12 research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state. “Exciting and promising work is happening in North Carolina in terms of bioenergy research, study and development, and I am pleased this grant funding is helping advance bioenergy opportunities and potential for farmers, agribusinesses, forestry industries and entrepreneurs,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Below is a list of grant recipients and projects: $61,123 to N.C. State …
NCDA&CS offers risk-management classes for farmers
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 in marketing agricultural commodities. 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 …
VGCC to offer Agricultural Entrepreneurship program in Vance & Granville counties
With partners at the local and state levels, the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will soon offer the “NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship” program in Henderson and in Oxford. The seven-week course is designed specifically to help local farmers and budding entrepreneurs succeed in developing profitable, environmentally-sound small farms or agricultural businesses. The class will be offered at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (210 Southpark Drive, Henderson) on Saturdays, Jan. 23 through March 5, from 8 until 11 a.m. …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK SURVEYThe survey at the link below will take less than 5 minutes of your time and provides us with invaluable input on our educational efforts. Please submit your feedback by Wed, 12/16. Here’s the link: http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/form.cfm?testID=29601 2016 TOBACCO SHORT COURSEApplications are now available for the popular and comprehensive Tobacco Short Course, sponsored by NCSU. For application information, contact the County Extension Center. Applications due Jan 4, 2016. NC PUBLIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SEMINARFeb 17 & 18, NC …
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Open Saturday
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will hold its last sales day of the 2015 season this Saturday, December 5, 2015. The market will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Quarantine area for the imported fire ant expanding to include Graham, Halifax and Macon counties
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expanding a state quarantine for the imported fire ant to include all of Graham, Halifax and Macon counties effective Jan. 1, 2016. With the expansion, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 74 counties. The quarantine continues efforts to monitor the spread of this pest and address mitigation or control measures. Under quarantine rules, residents and business owners in these counties will need to obtain a permit …
NCDA&CS offers tips to care for fresh Christmas trees
Because Thanksgiving falls late this year, many Christmas tree growers are opening up early for the season. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages consumers to use proper techniques to care for their fresh trees. “Real Christmas trees offer a great addition to your holiday decorations, but they do need a little extra attention,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With proper care, a real tree can last up to two months, providing your home with a wonderful aroma …
Vance County Farm-City Week: Our Aging Farmers: A Looming Crisis For Our Nation?
If you happen to be a farmer, I have some important information for you: You’re not getting any younger. Sorry, don’t mean to get personal, but the 2007 Census of Agriculture reports that the average age for farmers in Vance County is almost 60. Nor is this phenomenon limited to our own community. For North Carolina as a whole, the average age is a hair over 57, while the figure is just over 58 for our nation (2012 Census of …
Vance County Farm-City Week: Soil Health: The Foundation Of Food Production
What’s the difference between dirt and soil? The simple answer, dirt is dead and soil is alive! Soil is comprised of air, water, decayed plant residue, organic matter (living and dead organisms), and mineral matter (sand, silt, clay). Healthy functioning soil needs to be able to sustain and nourish plants, soil microbes, and beneficial insects. Healthy soils are porous, allowing air and water to move freely through them, and are often home to earthworms. A balance between the chemical and …
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Handcrafted Holiday Market, This Saturday!
Come out this Saturday to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market November 21st, 2015 for our second annual Handcrafted Holiday Market! We will have a wide variety of craft vendors showcasing unique handmade products. Take care of your holiday shopping and support local businesses. Produce vendors will also be on hand so you can purchase some fresh and local products for your Thanksgiving feast.
State Farmers Market hosting seasonal events
RALEIGH – The year may be winding down, but the State Farmers Market is ramping up with several special events planned between now and the end of the year. “We want to remind everyone that the State Farmers Market is open seven days a week, year-round. The only day it closes is Christmas,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “There is no better place to find fresh ingredients for your holiday meals, or locally grown Christmas trees, poinsettias and wreaths for …
Vance County Farm-City Week: Urban Agriculture: A Farm And City Mashup
Vance County has joined the ranks of many cities across the United States to begin reviewing local land use permit codes to include urban agriculture and allow locally grown, year round production of fresh foods within city limits. On November 3, 2015, the Henderson Zoning Board unanimously granted a Special Use Permit to two of our city homeowners that will be transitioning into Organic production of vegetables. Local governments throughout the US and NC in cities such as Seattle, Baltimore, …