BACKYARD FARMERS MARKETING CLASS Whether you’re growing vegetables, raising chickens, harvesting fruit, or producing locally raised meats, marketing is never easy. Come ask our panel of marketing experts your burning questions and get tips on how to take your products to the next level! Thursday, April 23, 6:30-8:30pm at the Warren County Armory Civic Center (501 US HWY 158-Bus. East) and will cost $5. Seating is limited, so register either by calling the Warren County Extension Office: (252) 257-3640 or …
Category: Agriculture
N.C. strawberry growers expect strong season
RALEIGH – Despite a late cold snap, local strawberry growers are expecting a strong season that will last until the first part of June. “The winter was challenging, but local growers prevailed by using a combination of row covers and irrigation to preserve the crop with minimal loss,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Growers in the southeastern part of the state have already started picking. Consumers in the Piedmont can expect to find berries by early May. And those in …
Got to Be NC Festival offers food, entertainment, education May 15-17 at State Fairgrounds
RALEIGH – The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the N.C. State Fairgrounds with a full lineup of food, entertainment and family fun May 15-17. “The Got to Be NC Festival continues to get better and better each year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Last year more than 70,000 people attended, and I hope to see even more join us this May as we celebrate the best of North Carolina agriculture.” Lowes Foods is joining the festival as a …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
Although statistically speaking we use late April as our “frost free” date for Vance and Warren Counties, a peak at the ten-day forecast suggests we may be in the clear! No guarantees of course, but I would call it a low-risk bet. As you begin making your spring planting list, please consider your local nurseries and farmers markets for your shopping! Both the Warren and Vance markets will open THIS SATURDAY, April 18th and should have a selection of vegetable …
Greenhouses extend growing seasons for N.C. farmers
RALEIGH – For many, summer is not complete without the taste of a field-ripened tomato, sliced and placed between two pieces of bread, with a dash of salt and pepper and a helping of mayonnaise. Thanks to greenhouse technology, consumers don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy a fresh N.C. tomato sandwich. Consumers will have a chance to taste that freshness during Greenhouse Vegetable Day on Thursday, April 16, at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh or Friday, April …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
VANCE FARMERS MARKET OPENS APRIL 18 2015, VENDOR MEETING APRIL 14 2015 The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will open on Sat, Apr 18. We will operate on Saturdays only through the end of April, adding Wednesday hours starting May 6th. Hours will be 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. Vendor applications accepted on a continuous basis, but must be submitted three business days in advance of your first sale day. All prospective vendors are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend a pre-season …
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board Meeting April 9th, 2015
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board will meet Thursday, April 9th, 2 pm at the Market (210 Southpark Dr., Henderson). The meeting is open to the public.
NC Cooperative Extension Garden Events & Updates
PATIO GARDENING SEMINAR AT THE WARREN CO LIBRARY Saturday, April 11, noon. Join us for “Patio Gardening” presented by Master Gardener Dr. Merwin Dieckmann, at the Warren County Library. Bring a bag lunch, beverages provided, learn how to have a beautiful garden at your backdoor. EXTENSION GARDENER NEWSLETTER, SPRING EDITION Now available! Lots of great tips and articles. Download here: http://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/2015-spring-piedmont-edition/ COMPOSTING WORKSHOP Apr 9, 4-6 pm, Coley Springs Baptist Church in Warren County, presented by Compost Specialist Brian Rosa. For more info., …
Spring fire season is here; be careful when burning debris
RALEIGH – As crews fight two wildfires in Western North Carolina, the N.C. Forest Service is also urging residents across the state to exercise caution when burning debris during spring fire season, which typically lasts from March to May. Firefighters from the NCFS and the U.S. Forest Service are battling the 595-acre Weed Lane Fire in Buncombe County. One home has been destroyed and five more damaged. The NCFS is also assisting the USFS on the 150-acre Poplar Fire in …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates for Small Scale Farmers
BACKYARD POULTRY CLASS Are you interested in small-scale poultry production? Our Backyard Farmer School continues this Thursday evening, 4/2, with a session on raising chickens. The class will be taught by Kelsey Lichtenwalner, Warren County Livestock Extension Agent, 6:30 pm at the Warren County Extension Center (158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton). The cost is only $5 and you will receive a great set of resource materials. VENDOR APPLICATIONS FOR VANCE COUNTY REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET The Market opens on April 18th and …
Got to Be NC Festival seeks antique tractors, vendors, musicians May 15-17, 2015
RALEIGH – Event organizers are looking for farm-equipment hobbyists, musicians and vendors interested in participating in the 2015 Got to Be NC Festival May 15-17 at the State Fairgrounds. This celebration of N.C. agriculture is produced by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with Lowes Foods as the title sponsor. The festival features foods, wines and beers from across North Carolina, live music, a full carnival, and one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment …
New NCDA&CS restaurant contest to highlight best of North Carolina on local menus
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is launching a new contest for restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients on their menus. The “Dig into Local” Best Menu NC contest is part of an expanding array of foodservice programs offered by the department through its Got to Be NC and Savor NC marketing programs. “This promotion works well with the trends we see in restaurants today,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Locally sourced meats, seafood and produce …
Spring is ideal time for homeowners to submit soil samples
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service urges home gardeners and landscapers to prepare now to submit soil samples over the next few months to optimize growing conditions. Beginning in April and until the last of November, there is no charge for soil testing, and sample results are usually ready within about a week of submitting samples. Testing for soil pH is extremely important to determine the lime needs for flower beds, vegetable gardens and lawns, said …
VGCC to host workshop on Organic Crop certification
Vance-Granville Community College will host a one-day workshop to help local farmers understand the process of certifying their crops as “organic” according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. “Organic Crop Certification for Agricultural Small Businesses” is set to be held Friday, March 20, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Room 7107 of Building 7 on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Attendees will learn from regional experts, who will demystify the USDA Organic Certification process and crop …
NCDA&CS to hold dairy workshop March 25th, 2015
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is partnering with N.C. Dairy Advantage, N.C. Cooperative Extension and N.C. Farm Bureau to hold a dairy workshop on optimizing herd health and animal production through nutrition. The free workshop will be held Wednesday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Iredell County Center in Statesville. Lunch will be provided. “The dairy industry has a strong history in this state and we want to keep it that …
Organic Crop Certification for Agricultural Small Businesses
Vance-Granville Community College, Building 7, Room 7107 March 20, 2015, 8:30 AM – 3 PM Learn from regional experts as they demystify the USDA Organic Certification process and crop production requirements. Gain practical tips for soil and pest management, organic inputs and application completion. Connect with a certification agency and current certified organic grower to ask questions that are relevant to your agricultural small business. Workshop Cost: $8/person Pre-registration is required at the following link: http://bit.ly/ocvance For questions about registration, …
State Farmers Market’s Spring Craft Fair is March 13-15
RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market is kicking off its lineup of spring promotions with the Spring Craft Fair March 13-15. The annual event features dozens of local artisans selling their homemade products and handicrafts. Vendors will have an array of items including ornamental garden accessories, spring floral arrangements, woodworking, soaps and candles, quilted items, pottery and baked goods. Booths will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Farmers Building, Craft Shed and Market Shoppes. The …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
MARCH EDITION OF GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER Click the link for all the latest garden news from the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener Volunteers! http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-edition-of-garden-path-newsletter.html BACKYARD FARMER SCHOOL STARTS MARCH 12, REGISTER NOW! Starting Mar 12, 6:30p, six sessions on fruit, vegetables, poultry, soils and more. Sign up for one or all. Details here: http://warren.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Backyard-Farmers-Spr2015.pdf REGISTER NOW FOR “WILD IN THE GARDEN” SYMPOSIUM 3/28, Vance County Regional Farmers Market, details at: http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/2015-symposium-going-wild-in-garden.html VEGETABLE INSECT PEST ID & MANAGEMENT 3/16, 12p, bring your …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
The SNAP-EBT sign up event for farmers and farmers markets, originally scheduled for Thursday, 2/26, has been postponed due to weather. A new date will be set soon. Warren Sr Center garden workshop postponed. The event scheduled for Thursday, 2/26, 4 pm has been postponed due to weather. The new date is 3/4, 4 pm. We regret any inconvenience.
Food Business Conference in Burlington rescheduled for March 6, 2015
RALEIGH – Because of inclement weather, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has rescheduled its Food Business Conference in Burlington for March 6, 2015. The conference had been scheduled for Feb. 24. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alamance Cooperative Extension office, 209-C N. Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington. Titled “To Market, To Market,” the conference will include presentations on product promotion, market selection and building customer loyalty. Because of the postponement, …