Another opportunity for training and testing for the new fumigant labels. This training will be held on March 28th from 9 am - 3 pm at the WNC Regional Livestock Market in Canton. This training is a collaboration between the NCDA&CS and Cooperative Extension to provide live 'in person' training and testing to get growers in compliance with the new fumigation labels. To learn more about this opportunity click here.
As a reminder, you can take this training on-line on the EPA Soil Fumigation Toolbox.
Showing posts with label NC Cooperative Extension. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NC Cooperative Extension. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
NEWS RELEASE: 2013 WNC AGOPTIONS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
NEWS RELEASE: 2013 WNC AGOPTIONS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Program Contact: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 252-4783, admin@wncagoptions.org;
Or the local N.C. Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent
Grants boost farm profits, sustain businesses for future generations:
Projects include innovative hydroponic fodder system, micropropagation
lab and no-till equipment
MILLS RIVER, N.C.—Western North Carolina farmers received $148,500 in
WNC Agricultural Options grants to diversify their farm businesses in
the 2013 growing season. The 28 grant recipients celebrated Tuesday at
an event at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension
Center in Mills River. The goal of the farms' projects is to enhance
profitability.
The WNC AgOptions grant program has been funded exclusively by the
N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission since 2003. "The Commission is very
pleased to fund and support the WNC AgOptions program for another
year," said Bill Teague, Chairman of the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund
Commission. "We expect to see some unique projects, because mountain
farmers have shown they are resourceful, innovative and committed to
making their farms successful."
Six farm businesses received $3,000, one received $4,500, and 21
received $6,000. Many of the farmers are undertaking projects that are
unique to their counties, and some are leading the way in innovative
agriculture nationwide.
Tester Dairy Farm in Watauga County is creating a hydroponic fodder
system, which grows barley, rye and wheat from seed to sprouts in
eight days so that the farmers can feed their cattle high-protein
grasses daily. The fresh palatable feed is proven to enhance animals'
milk production, improve fertility and decrease respiratory issues.
Thomas and Margaret Tester said they are renovating the farm so that
their granddaughter Jessica Lawrence can take it over without the
worries of weather, lease agreements and costs associated with row
crops.
South Valley Nursery and Landscaping in Avery County is building a
micropropagation lab so that grant recipient Tyler Buchanan can mass
produce unique plants such as native orchids that are expensive to
propagate using traditional techniques. Tissue culture requires a
significant upfront investment, specialized training and a sterile
environment to be able to produce new plants in vitro (in a test
tube), but payoff can be significant since the demand for these rare
native plants is high.
Joe Ward in Jackson County is establishing a no-till planting system
in an area where few farmers use this method. In no-till fields, soil
erosion and runoff decrease as a network of fibrous and tap roots grow
throughout the soil profile, providing pathways for air and moisture.
This method also creates a good environment for earthworms and
beneficial bacteria, fungi and enzymes, all crucial for healthy crops.
The WNC AgOptions grants help sustain several significant farms, such
as a 65-acre Old Fort property that the ancestors of grant recipient
Alvin Lytle first acquired in the 1850's, as well as a Bethel Valley
farm that has been in the family of grant recipient Joseph Cathey for
more than 200 years. As profits increase, Reems Creek Nursery and
Landscaping will be able to boost employment beyond its current 25
employees while also continuing to preserve the rural quality of Reems
Creek Valley. With the help of the grant, Addison Vineyard, a part of
a fourth generation cattle farm in Leicester, will be on track to
reaching their goal of profitability by the eighth year of wine grape
production in 2016.
The grant projects help many of the grant recipients' achieve their
dreams of passing their farming operations to their children or
grandchildren. Rick Walker, who is building a poultry processing
facility in Cherokee County, named his farm after his four sons,
Ricky, Joseph, Daniel and Joshua, who are ages six and under. "4 Sons
Farm is the name I chose not only because I have four sons, but
because it is for my sons," Walker said. "I began farming to provide
wholesome food for our children, to teach them an ancient and
respected way of life, and to create a business legacy to hand down to
them."
N.C. Cooperative Extension implements the WNC AgOptions program and
works directly with farmers as they complete their projects. "As we
begin our ninth grant cycle, it is very rewarding to look back at all
the successful farm operations and creative enterprises that have
grown from the initial investments," said Ross Young, Madison County
Extension Director and WNC AgOptions steering committee leader. "The
farmers in western North Carolina are the most vital component of the
program. It is their ideas and their dedication to the success of
those ideas that make it all work."
In partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension, the non-profit
organization WNC Communities administers WNC AgOptions grants. WNC
Communities is dedicated to providing a unique forum for leaders in
western North Carolina to carry out innovative programs to improve the
quality of life for rural communities and to enhance the agriculture
economy.
"WNC Communities is delighted to serve as fiscal agent in bringing
these funds to creative and innovative farmers throughout western
North Carolina," said L.T. Ward, Vice President of WNC Communities.
"We are extremely appreciative to N. C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
for their long standing and continuing commitment to WNC AgOptions and
the farmers of this region."
Members of the WNC AgOptions steering committee include:
representatives from N.C. Cooperative Extension, WNC Communities, N.C.
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services–Marketing Division,
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and other leaders in
agriculture. For more information, see the following: WNC Agricultural
Options: www.wncagoptions.org; N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers:
www.ces.ncsu.edu; N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission:
www.tobaccotrustfund.org; WNC Communities: www.wnccommunities.org.
FOR A FULL LIST OF RECIPIENTS SEE:
http://www.wncagoptions.org/
Program Contact: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 252-4783, admin@wncagoptions.org;
Or the local N.C. Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent
Grants boost farm profits, sustain businesses for future generations:
Projects include innovative hydroponic fodder system, micropropagation
lab and no-till equipment
MILLS RIVER, N.C.—Western North Carolina farmers received $148,500 in
WNC Agricultural Options grants to diversify their farm businesses in
the 2013 growing season. The 28 grant recipients celebrated Tuesday at
an event at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension
Center in Mills River. The goal of the farms' projects is to enhance
profitability.
The WNC AgOptions grant program has been funded exclusively by the
N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission since 2003. "The Commission is very
pleased to fund and support the WNC AgOptions program for another
year," said Bill Teague, Chairman of the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund
Commission. "We expect to see some unique projects, because mountain
farmers have shown they are resourceful, innovative and committed to
making their farms successful."
Six farm businesses received $3,000, one received $4,500, and 21
received $6,000. Many of the farmers are undertaking projects that are
unique to their counties, and some are leading the way in innovative
agriculture nationwide.
Tester Dairy Farm in Watauga County is creating a hydroponic fodder
system, which grows barley, rye and wheat from seed to sprouts in
eight days so that the farmers can feed their cattle high-protein
grasses daily. The fresh palatable feed is proven to enhance animals'
milk production, improve fertility and decrease respiratory issues.
Thomas and Margaret Tester said they are renovating the farm so that
their granddaughter Jessica Lawrence can take it over without the
worries of weather, lease agreements and costs associated with row
crops.
South Valley Nursery and Landscaping in Avery County is building a
micropropagation lab so that grant recipient Tyler Buchanan can mass
produce unique plants such as native orchids that are expensive to
propagate using traditional techniques. Tissue culture requires a
significant upfront investment, specialized training and a sterile
environment to be able to produce new plants in vitro (in a test
tube), but payoff can be significant since the demand for these rare
native plants is high.
Joe Ward in Jackson County is establishing a no-till planting system
in an area where few farmers use this method. In no-till fields, soil
erosion and runoff decrease as a network of fibrous and tap roots grow
throughout the soil profile, providing pathways for air and moisture.
This method also creates a good environment for earthworms and
beneficial bacteria, fungi and enzymes, all crucial for healthy crops.
The WNC AgOptions grants help sustain several significant farms, such
as a 65-acre Old Fort property that the ancestors of grant recipient
Alvin Lytle first acquired in the 1850's, as well as a Bethel Valley
farm that has been in the family of grant recipient Joseph Cathey for
more than 200 years. As profits increase, Reems Creek Nursery and
Landscaping will be able to boost employment beyond its current 25
employees while also continuing to preserve the rural quality of Reems
Creek Valley. With the help of the grant, Addison Vineyard, a part of
a fourth generation cattle farm in Leicester, will be on track to
reaching their goal of profitability by the eighth year of wine grape
production in 2016.
The grant projects help many of the grant recipients' achieve their
dreams of passing their farming operations to their children or
grandchildren. Rick Walker, who is building a poultry processing
facility in Cherokee County, named his farm after his four sons,
Ricky, Joseph, Daniel and Joshua, who are ages six and under. "4 Sons
Farm is the name I chose not only because I have four sons, but
because it is for my sons," Walker said. "I began farming to provide
wholesome food for our children, to teach them an ancient and
respected way of life, and to create a business legacy to hand down to
them."
N.C. Cooperative Extension implements the WNC AgOptions program and
works directly with farmers as they complete their projects. "As we
begin our ninth grant cycle, it is very rewarding to look back at all
the successful farm operations and creative enterprises that have
grown from the initial investments," said Ross Young, Madison County
Extension Director and WNC AgOptions steering committee leader. "The
farmers in western North Carolina are the most vital component of the
program. It is their ideas and their dedication to the success of
those ideas that make it all work."
In partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension, the non-profit
organization WNC Communities administers WNC AgOptions grants. WNC
Communities is dedicated to providing a unique forum for leaders in
western North Carolina to carry out innovative programs to improve the
quality of life for rural communities and to enhance the agriculture
economy.
"WNC Communities is delighted to serve as fiscal agent in bringing
these funds to creative and innovative farmers throughout western
North Carolina," said L.T. Ward, Vice President of WNC Communities.
"We are extremely appreciative to N. C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
for their long standing and continuing commitment to WNC AgOptions and
the farmers of this region."
Members of the WNC AgOptions steering committee include:
representatives from N.C. Cooperative Extension, WNC Communities, N.C.
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services–Marketing Division,
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and other leaders in
agriculture. For more information, see the following: WNC Agricultural
Options: www.wncagoptions.org; N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers:
www.ces.ncsu.edu; N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission:
www.tobaccotrustfund.org; WNC Communities: www.wnccommunities.org.
FOR A FULL LIST OF RECIPIENTS SEE:
http://www.wncagoptions.org/
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Packaged Foods Manufacturing Short-Course Feb 11, Raleigh
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems, NC Cooperative Extension
and NC State University are excited to offer a short-course on Packaged
Foods Manufacturing!
This fast-paced workshop is geared towards entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, farmers market vendors and those thinking about getting started in packaged foods but don't quite know where to begin. There are a myriad of rules and regulations to follow, including, completion of the Acidified Foods Processing and Packaging Better Process Control School. While this this short-course will not certify you to sell acidified foods, it will give you a better understanding of the process and how you can get started!
Packaged Foods Manufacturing Short-Course
Date: Monday, February 11
Time: 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Registration Fee: $20
Location: TBA, Raleigh, NC
Organizers: CEFS, Wake County Cooperative Extension, and NC State University
Featured Speakers: Dr. Fletcher Arritt, Food Safety and Processing Extension Specialist, NCSU, Dr. Benjamin Chapman, Assistant Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist, and Allison Smathers, NCSU, Entrepreneurial Food Program Assistant
Thinking about selling fermented, acidified (pickled), or other packaged foods at restaurants, farmers' markets or retail vendors? There are a myriad of stringent guidelines that must be followed in order to do so, including keeping certain records or perhaps acquiring a label, getting a process authority letter and taking the multiday Acidified Foods GMP School for Pickle Manufacturers course or others offered by NCSU.
This workshop is designed to give participants a VERY general idea of what is expected by regulators to manufacture and sell packaged food products and about the Pickling School, briefly covering such topics as: basic food safety, supervisory skills, pH levels in your products, sample submission process, labeling, kitchen certification, record keeping and more. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a VERY BRIEF outline of the processes you will need to go through in order to sell your products.
THIS COURSE WILL NOT CERTIFY YOU TO SELL ACIDIFIED FOODS OR ANY OTHERS TO THE PUBLIC.
For more information or to register, please visit the CEFS website.
For more information contact Lisa Forehand at 919-513-0954 or lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu
This fast-paced workshop is geared towards entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, farmers market vendors and those thinking about getting started in packaged foods but don't quite know where to begin. There are a myriad of rules and regulations to follow, including, completion of the Acidified Foods Processing and Packaging Better Process Control School. While this this short-course will not certify you to sell acidified foods, it will give you a better understanding of the process and how you can get started!
Packaged Foods Manufacturing Short-Course
Date: Monday, February 11
Time: 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Registration Fee: $20
Location: TBA, Raleigh, NC
Organizers: CEFS, Wake County Cooperative Extension, and NC State University
Featured Speakers: Dr. Fletcher Arritt, Food Safety and Processing Extension Specialist, NCSU, Dr. Benjamin Chapman, Assistant Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist, and Allison Smathers, NCSU, Entrepreneurial Food Program Assistant
Thinking about selling fermented, acidified (pickled), or other packaged foods at restaurants, farmers' markets or retail vendors? There are a myriad of stringent guidelines that must be followed in order to do so, including keeping certain records or perhaps acquiring a label, getting a process authority letter and taking the multiday Acidified Foods GMP School for Pickle Manufacturers course or others offered by NCSU.
This workshop is designed to give participants a VERY general idea of what is expected by regulators to manufacture and sell packaged food products and about the Pickling School, briefly covering such topics as: basic food safety, supervisory skills, pH levels in your products, sample submission process, labeling, kitchen certification, record keeping and more. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a VERY BRIEF outline of the processes you will need to go through in order to sell your products.
THIS COURSE WILL NOT CERTIFY YOU TO SELL ACIDIFIED FOODS OR ANY OTHERS TO THE PUBLIC.
For more information or to register, please visit the CEFS website.
For more information contact Lisa Forehand at 919-513-0954 or lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Listening Sessions
Share
your voice. Share your vision: N.C. State University’s College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences is developing a strategic plan to guide
the College’s future, and we hope to hear from you. Alumni, donors,
students, parents, faculty and staff members – indeed, all people with
an interest in the College – are invited to attend listening sessions
that are being held across the state. During these sessions, you’ll
talk, and we’ll listen. Your participation will help us as we build an
exciting and dynamic future for our College and for the people we serve.
Please make note of the dates below and register using the following link http://go.ncsu.edu/2013_cals_
| Date | Time | Location |
| Thursday, January 24 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Duplin County Extension Office 165 Agriculture Drive, Kenansville, NC 28349 |
| Thursday, January 24 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
and Extension Center
207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC |
| Wednesday, February 6 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Union County Extension 3230-D Presson Road, Monroe, NC |
| Thursday, February 7 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Iredell County Extension 444 Bristol Dr., Room 110, Statesville, NC |
| Friday, February 8 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Western North Carolina Agricultural Center 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC |
| Friday, February 8 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Madison County Extension 258 Carolina Lane, Marshall, NC 28753 |
We also encourage you to go to the CALS Strategic Planning Web Site (http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/
Thanks for your past and future support of the College. We look forward to your involvement.
Rich Linton
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference
My colleagues in Gaston County have put together a great conference called Putting Small Acreage to Work.
This conference will take place on Saturday January 26, 2013 at the Gaston County Cooperative Extension office in Dallas, NC.
Here is the press release.
This conference will take place on Saturday January 26, 2013 at the Gaston County Cooperative Extension office in Dallas, NC.
Here is the press release.
Media Contact:
Lara Worden
704-922-2112
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
If you are looking for ways to make a living or supplement
your income off of your land, we invite you to attend the Putting Small Acreage to Work
Conference on January 26, 2013 at
the Gaston County Citizens Resource Center in Dallas, NC from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. The goal of this conference is to encourage the success and viability of
small farm operations through educational workshops, roundtable discussions,
and networking opportunities. You will
be able to explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful
producers, university personnel, and experts in the field who are already
growing, producing, and researching various crops, livestock and field techniques
to enhance production. Conference tracks include sessions on aquaculture, fruit
production, pastured pork, pasture management, beef cattle production, parasite
management for small ruminants, growing specialty crops, direct marketing of
meats, forages for free range birds, importance of cover crops, and QuickBooks
for farmers.
Class sessions will start promptly after registration. The
program will include three breakout sessions, plus a special session on
parasite management for small ruminants. Three to four topics will be discussed
concurrently during each of these breakout sessions.
Pre-registration forms and a fee of $35 per person and $20
for each additional person are due by Monday, January 23. Checks made payable
to Gaston County Cooperative Extension. To register go to: http://smallacres.eventbrite.com or
call Gaston Co. Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112 for more information.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Prepping for Your GAPs Audit: Dec 4th
Are you thinking about getting your Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) certification? This process can be overwhelming and intimidating, but we are here to help. On Dec. 4th, Cooperative Extension in collaboration with Carolina Farm Stewardship Association will be holding a training on "Food Safety Audit Trainings for Diversified Farmers".
What: "Food Safety Audit Trainings for Diversified Farmers"
When: Tuesday, Dec. 4th from 1-5 pm
Where: Mountain Horticultural Crop Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Dr. Mills River, NC
How Much: Free but you must pre-register!
Registration: Call the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Office at 828-697-4891 or email me at sue_colucci@ncsu.edu
Tentative Agenda:
What: "Food Safety Audit Trainings for Diversified Farmers"
When: Tuesday, Dec. 4th from 1-5 pm
Where: Mountain Horticultural Crop Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Dr. Mills River, NC
How Much: Free but you must pre-register!
Registration: Call the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Office at 828-697-4891 or email me at sue_colucci@ncsu.edu
Tentative Agenda:
1:00 pm Introductions
1:30 pm USDA GAP
& GHP Audit Preparation and Scheduling
2:15 pm General
Section
3:00 pm 15
Minute Break
3:15 pm Part One
– Farm Review
4:00 pm Part Two
– Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities
4:45 pm Wrap Up
& Questions
The RAFI-Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund & NC
Specialty Crop
Block Grant funded the development of this curriculum.
For more
information, contact Dr. Audrey Kreske, Food Safety Extension
Assoc., at
ackreske@ncsu.edu.
Learn more at http://gapsmallfarmsnc.wordpress.com.
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