Students from the Vance-Granville Community College NC REAL Professional Craft Artists Entrepreneurship program will be among the two dozen vendors participating in the Vance County Regional Farmers Market “Handcrafted Holiday Market,” to be held Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The holiday market will offer hands-on experience to those students who recently completed the seven-week VGCC Small Business Center course, which was designed specifically to help creative local residents with skills in arts and crafts to succeed …
Category: Agriculture
NCDA&CS reminds users to submit soil samples by Nov. 30 to avoid peak-season fees
RALEIGH — With harvest nearing completion, growers and some home gardeners are likely beginning to think about taking soil samples to prepare for the next growing season. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reminds growers that samples submitted by Nov. 30 will be processed for free. Processing for those arriving between Dec. 1 and March 31, 2016, will cost $4 per sample. This year the Agronomic Services Division is delaying the start of the peak-season fee until Dec. …
Registration open for One Medicine Symposium
RALEIGH – The medical link between humans and animals will be the focus next month at the One Medicine Symposium in Durham. The conference, which will take place at the Sheraton Imperial on Dec. 9 and 10, will focus on influenza preparedness and response activities for both human and animal medical teams. The annual conference provides professionals with current information and tools to improve awareness and understanding of influenza and related topics from a One Medicine perspective. The conference also …
Vance County Farmers Market Winter Hours
Though the 2015 season is winding down, you can still find a great selection of produce, crafts and other items. If you haven’t visited recently, note that we now have a paved parking lot and a heated sales area! Also, stay tuned for details on a special market day on Thanksgiving week so you can stock up on fresh ingredients for your Thanksgiving dinner! And our Handcrafted Holiday Market will be held on November 21, 8 am to 3 pm.
Farmland preservation grant applications are being accpeted
RALEIGH – County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects have until Dec. 18 to apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This year’s request for proposals includes statewide general appropriations of $1.6 million for traditional farm preservation projects and an additional $1 million to protect military base and training buffers. The fund’s purpose is to support projects that encourage the preservation of qualifying agricultural, horticultural and forest lands to foster the …
Forestry Field Day November 4th, 2015
On November 4th, the local Cooperative Extension office will hold a Forestry Field Day. Participants will have an opportunity to visit two local tree farms that are models of sound forest management. The tour will showcase forest management strategies such as thinning and prescribed burning which can help landowners maximize the growth and value of their trees. These practices also provide tremendous benefits to other natural resources such as wildlife and native plants. Whether you own 10 acres or 100 …
Pesticide Disposal Day November 18th, 2015
Do you have lawn, garden or farm chemicals you no longer need? Do you have products more than three years old? Protect your family, your pets and the environment by bringing unneeded chemicals to our pesticide disposal day. This event will be held on Wednesday, November 18th, 10 am to 2 pm at Warren County Cooperative Extension (158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton, NC). We will accept all pesticide products, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc. in original, labeled containers. Both liquids and …
Get into the N.C. State Fair for free Thursday with five cans of Food Lion brand food
RALEIGH – Get free admission to the N.C. State Fair on Thursday October 22, 2015 by bringing five cans of Food Lion brand food to the fairgrounds during Food Lion Hunger Relief Day. The collected food will benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The event is one of the largest single-day canned-food drives in the state, and since 1993, fairgoers have donated more than 4.3 million pounds of food to the food bank. “This is a …
Warren County Farm Tour October 17th, 2015
Register now for this great event while space is still available. For a price of only $5, you will get to tour four innovative Warren County farms, from large to tiny, representing a wide range of enterprises. The day begins at 8 am at the Warren County Extension Center, 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton. Transportation is provided as we visit the various farms, ending with a delicious boxed lunch. For more details, visit go.ncsu.edu/wcfarmtour. You can register at this link, and …
What You Will Find at the Market This Week
Fresh Fall Produce, Pumpkins, Mums and lots more awaits you this week at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market! APPLES BEANS – STRING & GREEN CAKES CABBAGE COLLARDS CUCUMBERS EGGPLANT GOURDS MIXED GREENS OKRA ONIONS PEAS PEPPERS (BELL & HOT) POTATOES – RED, WHITE, & SWEET PUMPKINS SQUASH – YELLOW & BUTTERNUT SUGAR BEETS TOMATOES – RED & GREEN ZUCCHINI In addition to our succulent produce you will also find: BAKED GOODS – Pies, Rolls, Sweet Breads, Small Cakes, Apple Fritters, …
N.C. Forest Service offers advice to landowners interested in treating ash trees for emerald ash borers
RALEIGH – In two years, the emerald ash borer has become a notorious pest in North Carolina. From its first appearance in the state in 2013, it has already left a trail of dead ash trees in its wake, and it continues to spread, prompting a statewide quarantine in September. But, there are options for homeowners and landowners or land managers interested in protecting individual trees. “Treatment options are available, but because of the cost and accessibility of trees in …
Farms are great destinations for family fun this fall
RALEIGH – From corn mazes and pick-your-own pumpkin patches to harvest festivals and farm-to-table dinners, agritourism farms across the state are gearing up for family-friendly activities this fall. “Agritourism is a great way for families to learn more about agriculture, the state’s top industry, in a very interactive way,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With about 600 agritourism farms across the state, there are a variety of options for families this fall.” On Oct. 11, Addison Farms Vineyard in Leicester …
State Farmers Market to host 30th annual Decorated Pumpkin Contest Thursday
RALEIGH — Young artists can aim for pumpkin perfection during the 30th annual Decorated Pumpkin Contest at the State Farmers Market Thursday. The contest is divided into three age groups: 8 and under, 9 to 15, and 16 and older. Contestants can carve, paint or use other art media to decorate their entries. Decorated pumpkins will be judged on use of color and shape, the quality of the pumpkin used and creativity. Artificial pumpkins will not be accepted. Entries can …
Farmers urged to prepare for several days of heavy rain to be followed by possible hurricane conditions
RALEIGH – Farmers across the state are urged to clear drainage ditches, secure signage and loose objects, stock up on fuel and feed to be prepared for days of wet weather that may be followed by hurricane conditions. The state has already seen almost a week of rain that has saturated the ground. If Hurricane Joaquin tracks close to the coast, it could cause trees to topple and create widespread power outages, something that can be especially devastating to poultry …
With fall fire season approaching, N.C. Forest Service offers tips to prevent wildfires
RALEIGH – As fall wildfire season approaches, the N.C. Forest Service encourages North Carolinians to heed the call of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, and take steps to ensure careful burning of leaves and yard debris. Fall wildfire season typically lasts from mid-October until mid-December, the time of year when people do a lot of yard work that may include burning leaves and yard debris. These fires sometimes escape and start wildfires. There are many factors to consider before …
Troxler announces availability of bioenergy research grants
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. The N.C. General Assembly approved $1 million in funding for the 2015-2016 budget cycle, with $500,000 approved from the TVA Settlement Fund for projects specific to Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties. The remaining $500,000 will be available …
Registration open for November 5th food-business workshop
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is offering a free workshop for food-business owners November 5, 2015. The workshop, “Growing Your Food Business,” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wake County Center, 4001-E Carya Drive. “North Carolina has a wealth of food entrepreneurs who are ready to take that next step in growing their business,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our goal with this workshop is to provide these early-stage business …
Farmers Market Advisory Board meeting October 1st canceled
Please be advised that the previously announced October 1 meeting of the Advisory Board for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market has been canceled. We will send a notice as soon as a new date has been set.
VGCC abuzz over Beekeeping class
Vance-Granville Community College will soon offer a Beekeeping course taught by Warren County farmer and VGCC graduate Mike Holland. The class will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 until 8 p.m., Oct. 6 through Nov. 12, in room 7104 (Building 7) on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Holland welcomes both beginner and intermediate-level beekeepers, or those who just want to learn more about what it takes to keep bees. He will teach students about the value …
Warren County Farm Tour October 17th, 2015
Are you a farmer who wants to learn about innovative crops and production methods? Or someone who owns an acre or three of land and wants to make it more productive? Or simply someone who loves food and wants to know more about the farms where it’s produced? If you fit into any of these categories, then the Warren County Farm Tour is the place to be. On October 17th participants will meet at the Warren County Extension Center at …