Fumigation Training

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.

Farmers Market Manager Workshops

Registration is now open for NCDA&CS's annual farmers market managers workshops.  The workshops will be held:

Feb 22 - Wilmington, NC

Mar 8 - Smithfield, NC

Mar 13 - Fletcher, NC

The program costs $20, which includes lunch and materials. Pre-registration is required.

The agenda and registration form can be accessed here: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/growyourmarketinfoandRegistrationForm.pdf

NCDA&CS Workshop Helps Protect Your Produce Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5, 2012

CONTACT:

Annette Dunlap, food business specialist NCDA&CS Marketing Division 919-707-3117; annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov

NCDA&CS workshop geared toward produce businesses

RALEIGH -- The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a workshop Oct. 3 in Raleigh on protecting your produce business. The event, which will be held at the Donald W. Eaddy Agronomic Lab at 4300 Reedy Creek Road, is tailored for anyone who grows, packs or ships fresh produce.

“This workshop is especially timely as there have been a number of produce recalls around the country this summer,” said NCDA&CS food business specialist Annette Dunlap.  “We want to arm produce businesses with the information they need to hopefully avoid food recalls, but also help them be prepared if a recall happens.”

The workshop will feature presentations from retailers, food inspectors, extension specialists and NCDA&CS staff. Topics include the economics of a food recall, a retailer’s perspective, communicating a recall to your customers and the public, everyday produce safety, working with regulators, legal liability and recalls, rebuilding trust with vendors and NCDA&CS resources.

The cost for the workshop is $20, which includes lunch and materials. The registration deadline is Sept. 28. For more information or to register, go to www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/

, or call Annette Dunlap at 919-707-3117.

Organic Certification Cost-Share Deadline: Sept 30

From Heather Barnes at the NCDA & CS.

Any growers that are currently certified organic, please be aware that the deadline for submitting your Organic Certification Cost Share Program application is September 30th and includes all costs incurred between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012.

This federal program is administered by each state's Department of Agriculture, is non-competitive and offered on a first-come, first-served basis until all money is awarded.  Funds are awarded to cover 75% of organic certification costs up to $750.  Fill out the paperwork and get reimbursed! 

 

NC farmers can find more information and forms at: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/commodit/horticul/ncorganics/   (at the bottom of the page)

Links to forms (pdf):

Application -  http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/commodit/horticul/ncorganics/orgcostshareapp.pdf

W9 - http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/commodit/horticul/ncorganics/IRS%20W9%20form.pdf

SC farmers can find forms at:  http://agriculture.sc.gov/forms   (titled "Organic Application" and "Organic Application W-9 Form")

 

National Organic Program details on cost share:  http://1.usa.gov/quushM

In order to get a reimbursement, you must send a cost share application and the necessary W9 form, along with proof of certification and receipt of your various certification fees for the year to the following contacts:

North Carolina
Heather Barnes, Marketing Specialist
North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
1020 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1020
919-707-3127
Email: Heather.Barnes@ncagr.gov

South Carolina
Amy London & Fred Broughton
SC Dept of Agriculture
Wade Hampton Office Building, 5th Floor
1200 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-734-2235,  803-734-2224
E-mail: alondon@scda.sc.gov

fbrough@scda.sc.gov 

Organic Certification Cost-Share

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is providing cost share reimbursements for the costs of organic certification through September 2012. Last year they provided cost share assistance to 90 organic farmers in North Carolina for a total of $54,000. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get cost share assistance to help cover your certification fees!

What costs qualify? Allowable expenses include application fees, inspection costs, travel costs, user fees, sales assessments and postage. Late fees, materials and supplies, equipment and transitional certifications are not eligible.

How do I apply? Submit your application and supporting documentation to NCDA&CS by September 30, 2012. You can download the forms on the NCDA&CS Organics Website.

How much am I eligible for? Payments are limited to 75% of an individual producer’s or handler/processor’s certification costs up to a maximum of $750 per certification per year. Expenses related to the certification must have been incurred between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012.

Contact Heather Barnes with any questions at heather.barnes@ncagr.gov.

Managing water, fertility boosts tomato yields, eliminate blossom-end rot

From the North Carolina Department of Agriculture

Southeast Farm Press

09-20-2011

Clayton Garner Jr. has grown tomatoes for more than 20 years. For much of that time, blossom-end rot — a physiological disorder resulting from insufficient calcium — was a fact of life.

But today he has a finely tuned system of watering and fertilization that seems to be keeping the problem at bay and boosting yield as well.

Garner and his father were among the first in North Carolina to try growing crops on plastic to improve quality and manage resources. His goal is to provide his customers with delicious, red, ready-to-eat tomatoes.

To achieve it, he is always trying new varieties, fertility regimes, cultural practices, marketing and outreach strategies. He carefully selects the ones that work and makes them part of his routine. Even so, blossom-end rot persistently remained a problem.

“I was probably losing 10 percent of my crop each year,” Garner said. “I was looking for a solution.”

Dianne Farrer, a regional agronomist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, responded to Garner’s call. She visited his farm, and they talked about the problem.

“Blossom-end rot is basically a calcium deficiency, but its dynamics are somewhat complex,” Farrer said. “Even if sufficient lime has been applied and calcium is present in the soil, blossom-end rot can still occur, particularly in times of drought. A good watering regime is essential for plants to be able to take up the calcium they need.”

“Soil pH was something I had questions about,” Garner said. “My soil report said I didn’t need lime even though the pH was about 5.5 and my plants seemed to need calcium. To me, that didn’t make sense.”

As they discussed the issue, Farrer continued to emphasize the importance of steady water availability and appropriate fertilization in preventing blossom- end rot.

“Watering needs to be regulated and precise,” Farrer said. “Nutrients like nitrogen and potash should be applied in the correct amount and in a suitable form. They have an effect on calcium uptake.”

Nitrogen reduces calcium uptake

Nitrogen, especially in the ammonium form, reduces calcium uptake. When excess potassium or magnesium is present, the crop may take up these ions instead of calcium. Reduced calcium uptake due to a buildup of salts in the soil is more likely to occur with crops grown on plastic because fertilizer is applied through drip irrigation directly to a localized area.

Farrer collected leaf samples to get a snapshot of the nutrient status of Garner’s tomato crop. A few days later, the NCDA&CS Plant Analysis Report confirmed that levels of nitrogen and magnesium were high.

Even though Garner’s soil report showed levels of calcium to be adequate, Farrer advised Garner to put out a pre-plant application of gypsum (calcium sulfate) prior to his next crop to give it a boost.

“On mineral-organic soils like Garner has in his fields, gypsum works better than lime at providing needed calcium,” Farrer said. “It is quickly available and adds sulfur as well.”

Garner continued to consult regularly with Farrer while refining his strategies for watering and fertilization.

He used to water heavily, wait 10 hours and then water again. Now, he waters in smaller amounts more frequently throughout the day so moisture inputs remain steady.

Today Garner has a strategy he can use from year to year.

A pre-plant application of gypsum is routine. He broadcasts fertilizer; plants field tomatoes in plastic-covered rows; waters regularly but sparingly, until fruit are the size of dimes; and then begins to add potassium nitrate through the drip irrigation system.

During flower and fruit, he uses plant tissue analysis on a bi-weekly basis to monitor the crop’s need for boron and potassium since low levels of these nutrients can limit fruit quality and taste even when there is sufficient water and nitrogen.

Farrer said the soils in Garner’s fields have high buffering capacity and hold nutrients fairly well. “But even so, we don’t want to take the risk of something not being there when the crop needs it,” she said. “Tissue test results tell a grower whether crop nutrient needs are being met.”

Plant tissue analysis involves collecting representative plant leaves from random locations throughout a reasonably uniform field. The sample is sent to the NCDA&CS Agronomic Services laboratory, where plant-nutrient content is chemically measured. The test is so sensitive that it can detect nutrient deficiencies before plants display any visible symptoms.

For this reason, tissue analysis plays a key role in optimizing the potential yield of high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables and crops grown on plastic.

“Since I changed my approach to water and fertilizer about three years ago, my yield has at least doubled,” Garner said.

“And this year was the best ever. There was virtually no blossom-end rot. I’m confident of the recommendations I get back on my agronomic reports. With that information, I know I can grow No. 1, grade-A, marketable fruit.”

Tissue testing through the NCDA&CS lab costs $5 (in state) or $25 (out of state) per sample. A few crops require additional tests that cost an extra $2. Testing is complete within two business days, and results are posted online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi under the “Find Your Report (PALS)” option.

Source URL: http://southeastfarmpress.com/vegetables/managing-water-fertility-boosts-tomato-yields

Cost-Share for On-Farm Food Safety

RALEIGH -- Fruit and vegetable farmers can apply for two cost-share grants offered through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to assist with the costs for water analysis and independent certification of an operation’s good agricultural practices.

“Both of these grants help farmers with their on-farm food safety efforts, which are critical to marketing their farm products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I am glad we were able to secure these USDA funds to assist our growers. Farmers can apply for both grants, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.”

This is the third year for the Water Analysis Cost Share grant program, which will reimburse growers up to $200 for certified laboratory analysis of irrigation and/or packing house wash water for the presence of generic E.coli bacteria. Growers can be reimbursed for one water test or multiple tests throughout the year.

For more information or to obtain an application for the Water Analysis Cost Share program, go to www.ncgradingservice.org, or contact Kevin Hardison at (919) 707-3123, or kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov.

The department has previously offered the Good Agricultural Practices Certification Assistance Program, which covers up to $600 for independent audits of a farm’s GAP or good handling practices.

To be eligible, growers must have a third-party audit from an approved government agency or company that verifies GAP or GHP efforts, the audit must be conducted in 2011 and the grower must submit an application to participate in the program prior to the audit. The audit can be for farm review, field harvest and field packing activities, packing house facility, storage and transportation, and traceback.

For more information or to obtain an application for the GAP Certification Assistance Program, go to www.ncgradingservice.org, or contact Shirley Nicholson at (919) 707-3126, or shirley.nicholson@ncagr.gov.

“Food safety is important at every level of the food chain,” Troxler said. “Produce buyers are demanding assurances from growers that their produce is safe. It’s going to become more difficult for farmers to market their fruits and vegetables if they don’t have a program in place to make sure their produce is free of contamination.”

Funding for both NCDA&CS-managed grants comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agritourism Workshops Scheduled

The NCDA&CS Agritourism Networking Association (ANA) has scheduled agritourism workshops across the state. Workshops are scheduled for:

• May 5 at WoodMill Vineyard in Lincoln County
  
• May 19 at Coston Farm in Henderson County
  
• June 2 at Shadow Springs Vineyard in Yadkin County

To learn more about the workshops, see an agenda or to register, visit the ANA website.

Two-Day Food Safety Course for Small Producers Interested in Marketing Rabbit Meat

Contact: Janna Spruill, regulatiry programs coordinator, Food and Drug Protection Division (919) 733-7366

RALEIGH -- A two-day course geared toward rabbit producers interested in selling rabbit meat will be held May 3 and 4 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River. The deadline to register for the course is April 27.

The NCSU Poultry Science Department and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are hosting the event to provide the basics for rabbit producers. Course topics include rabbit processing, the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, small business management, good manufacturing practices and sanitation standard operating procedures. Attendees will also participate in practical exercises as part of the course.

Cost for the workshop is $50 and includes lunch and printed materials. Registration information is available online at www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/. To register by mail, make checks payable to N.C. Ag Promotions and mail to NCDA&CS, 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1020, Attn. Ron Fish. For more information, contact Janna Spruill at (919) 733-7366 or janna.spruill@ncagr.gov, or Doug Smith at (919) 513-7157 or doug_smith@ncsu.edu.

To view the event flier click here.

Scale Calibration, Asheville March 9 & 16

When: March 9 & 16 from 9 am-noon

Where: Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 94 Coxe Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 (map and directions)

If you use a scale at your farm or tailgate market, it needs to be calibrated by the NCDA for Legal Trade.

This is a great and free opportunity to get your scale calibrated before the selling season.

Contact Melinda Roberts for more details, 828.255.5522, melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu

Friends of Ag Breakfast Feb 15

The first Buncombe County Friends of Ag Breakfast will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in the Virginia Boone Building at the WNC Ag Center. The breakfast begins at 7 am.

The event will be a time for farmers, legislators, governing officials, supporting organizations and all friends of agriculture to come together around the same table to share stories, experiences and available opportunities.

Our first speaker will be Bill Yarborough of NCDA & CS discussing the Next Generation of Farmers: Connecting Young and Old and updates on the New Livestock Market.

See the flier for the Friends of Ag Breakfast.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Melinda Roberts at the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office at (828) 255-5522 or melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu.

Agritourism: A Great Way to Diversify

View from Cataloochee Ranch taken at the Business Side of Agritourism Workshop on Jan 26

Check out the article from AgriNews, Agritourism Experiences Teach Valuable Lessons about farms in Indiana that incorporated agritourism activities.

From Christmas trees to dairy tours, 3-D archery, disc golf, bed & breakfasts, haunted corn mazes, pumpkins and hayrides these farmers have some great experience and advice. The article discusses the 'insurance issue' and minimizing risk. Here is another article from AgriNews addressing the very issue of liability, Agritourism Liability a Big Part of Doing Business.

Thanks to all who attended the Business-Side of Agritourism Conference we held last week at Cataloochee Ranch.

If your interested in some agritourism resources, be sure to visit the Agritourism Page on the blog.

If you want to learn even more about Agritourism, the NCDA & CS will hold their 5th Annual Winter Agritourism Conference "Taking Local Beyond the Farm". The conference will take place on February 17-18 in Cathage, NC. To learn more visit http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agritourism/