The 34th Annual Small Farms Week hosted by Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is March 22-28, 2020. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Farmers, Sustaining Farms.” The kickoff event is March 20 in Cherokee County, home of the 2019 Small Farmer of the Year.
The Small Farmers’ Appreciation Luncheon is Wednesday, March 25, and will be on A&T’s campus at the Alumni-Foundations Events Center. During this event, the 2020 Small Farmer of the Year will be named.
Registration is $30; however, this fee is waived for NC small farmers. To register, click here.
A limited number of scholarships will be provided for small farmers from selected counties interested in attending the activities to be held on campus as part of Small Farms Week, March 22-27, 2020. Small Farms Week events are designed to provide educational opportunities as well as celebrate and recognize the contributions that small farmers make to this state. The scholarship will cover registration fees and two-nights lodging (double occupancy).
To apply for a scholarship, please complete and submit the application by March 2, 2020. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that your application submission for a scholarship is not a guarantee for approval.
Individuals awarded scholarships will be notified in writing by March 13, 2020. Please note that scholarship recipients must be at least 18 years of age. Children are ineligible for a scholarship and should not apply.
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North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Vance-Granville Community College leaders signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences.
The memorandum of understanding is part of North Carolina’s Pathways to Success program and sets up a streamlined process for graduates of Vance-Granville’s two-year bioprocess technology associate of applied sciences degree to transfer those credit hours to NCCU’s baccalaureate program, entering as juniors.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye and Vance-Granville Community College president Dr. Rachel Desmarais signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences. (VGCC photo)
“Training scientists for the pharmaceutical industry is vitally important for the region’s economy and a strong priority at the university’s Biomanufacturing Research and Technology Enterprise (BRITE),” said NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.
“By partnering with Vance-Granville Community College, we have increased the pipeline of top students entering NCCU who will complete their Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences. We hope that many stay on, as well, to earn a master’s or a doctorate in integrated biosciences.”
As part of the two-campus agreement, Vance-Granville students can get ahead by taking NCCU coursework prior to officially entering the university. Options include a summer lab-skills workshop, externships at BRITE, and Stackable Credentials to Strengthen the Pathway to Biopharma, an online certificate program offering instruction in regulatory sciences, project management and other knowledge specific to the biopharma industry.
Akinleye and Desmarais shake hands after signing an agreement furthering the partnership between NCCU and VGCC. (VGCC photo)
“We are delighted to enhance our current partnerships with NCCU by providing a new pathway for VGCC bioprocessing graduates to obtain a four-year degree in pharmaceutical science,” said Vance-Granville President Rachel Desmarais. “NCCU is a valuable partner in creating pathways to success for our students.”
The Stackable Credentials program, which has a number of components, receives funding from NIIMBL, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, which contributed more than $400,000 in 2018 to boost the university’s ability to train researchers, technicians and others for the life sciences field.
Biotechnology and life-sciences are among North Carolina’s fastest-growing industry segments, employing more than 75,000 workers with average annual salaries of $90,000, twice the state average. Since 2008, life-sciences employment has increased by more than 19% statewide and is expected to continue to grow as more biological products are used in drug research, development and production processes. A 2018 survey by Deloitte projects that as many as 60% of jobs in pharmaceutical manufacturing will be lacking qualified candidates to fill them by 2025.
“There are a number of career opportunities that our VGCC bioprocessing graduates will be exposed to while completing the degree in pharmaceutical science at NCCU,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement and Success at Vance-Granville.
BRITE Director Hernan Navarro said the institute’s workforce-development approach to education is part of its mission.
“Today’s agreement gives BRITE the opportunity to expand its student base and gives Vance-Granville Community College students a way to advance their careers, so it’s great for both,” he added.
Faculty and staff thanked for their work on the project were Vance-Granville’s Bioprocesses Program Director Stewart Lyon and Dean of Arts and Sciences Cecilia Wheeler, along with NCCU Pharmaceutical Science professors Kevin Williams and Andy Li, and BRITE academic recruiter Natacha Janvier-Derilus.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/NCCU-VGCC-Agreement.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-01-29 16:57:022020-01-29 16:57:02NCCU-VGCC Agreement Supports Growing Life Sciences Industry
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Warren County Government
Early voting for the March primary will open on February 13, 2020, and close on February 29, 2020. Operational hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Warren County Board of Elections will be open on Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the last Saturday, February 29, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
After the close of early voting, voters must report to their precinct on Election Day (March 3, 2020); the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
The last day to make party changes is February 7, 2020.
The March primary is a party primary; voters will only be issued the ballot of the party for which they are registered. Contact the Warren County Board of Elections at 252-257-2114 or visit the NC State Board of Elections website to view your voter information.
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-Press Release, NC Dept. of Public Safety
After 18 months of training dogs to become service dogs, a “leash” ceremony where the dogs will go to new owners will take place as part of an “At Both Ends of the Leash” (ABEL) Program at Warren Correctional Institution. The program will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at 1 p.m. in Warren Correctional’s visitation area.
The program, a partnership with nonprofit Eyes Ears Nose & Paws (EENP) of Carrboro, allows offenders to train service dogs, working with EENP to develop the training regimen. The program’s end goal is to place the dog in the home of an EENP client with assistance needs.
The ceremony will celebrate the accomplishments and skills of not only these amazing animals but their offender trainers as well. Demonstrations will show the dogs’ skills in life activities geared to assisting their new owners. Speakers will include EENP Program Director Deb Cunningham, as well as officials and dog trainers from Warren Correctional Institution.
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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Warren County Government
Warren County Economic Development will be filming local businesses in Warren County on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The footage will be used to market the companies within Warren County and to attract new businesses.
If you would like your business included, please email StacyWoodhouse@WarrenCountyNC.gov and put “filming” in the subject line. Please provide the name and address of your business and a phone number where you can be reached. If you do not hear from the EDC office within two business days, please call 252-257-3114 to confirm we have received your email.
For more information, contact Stacy Woodhouse, Director of Warren County Economic Development, at 252-257-3114 or at StacyWoodhouse@warrencountync.gov.
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-Press Release, Warren County Government
Lifelong Improvements Through Fitness Together (LIFT) is an evidence-based program that can help adults of all ages. The Expanded Foods and Nutritional Education Program (EFNEP) will sponsor LIFT sessions at the Healthy You Building located at 201 South Main Street, Warrenton on the last Friday of every month beginning at 2 p.m. The first session will be held on January 31, 2020.
In order to register for these classes, please call Nitasha Kearney at (252) 257-3640. The LIFT program can help develop relationships, improve functional fitness, and improve emotional health.
LIFT began with the members of the Physical Activity Leadership Team of Virginia Cooperative Extension and is a program developed for adults of all ages to use everyday activities in different exercises. These exercises allow busy adults to continue their daily routines while engaging in vigorous activities to keep the heart pumping freely and burn unwanted calories at the same time.
This program is free to all adults in the community. Please contact the Warren County Cooperative Extension office at (252) 257-3640 or email Nitasha Kearney, EFNEP.
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McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center is gearing up for its presentation of “Into the Woods,” a fully staged Broadway-style musical presented with a live, professional orchestra.
Evening performances include Sat., February 1, Fri., February 7 and Sat., February 8 at 8 p.m. Matinee performances will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sun., February 2 and Sun., February 9, 2020.
Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece “Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, entwining the classic stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood with an original story about a baker and his wife wishing to start a family and live a more wonderful life. The moral of this story? Be careful what you wish for!
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NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Folwell has served as the North Carolina State Treasurer since 2017 and is the former Speaker Pro Tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Overseeing the 26th largest public pool of money in the world, Folwell explained that his office manages retirement, healthcare and pharmaceutical benefits for 900,000 state and local employees in NC.
“At the end of the day, what I like to say is that we are in the check delivery business. Every 30 days we are spending nearly $750 million. We manage an amount of money eight times that of the state budget.”
Acknowledging that, statistically speaking, 2 out of 10 Town Talk listeners most likely have something to do with the State’s pension, health and/or pharmacy benefit plan, Folwell said those involved in the system can rest assured that employee retirement plans are secure.
“The pension plan is one of the five most solvent and secure pension plans in the United States, if not the world,” said Folwell. “A rating agency just posted us as number one in the country in terms of the ability to fund the pension plan during an economic downtown.”
Reminding listeners that economic downturns are historically “when not if” occurrences, Folwell said he was confident in the strength of the State’s pension system.
On the other end of the spectrum, Folwell said the State’s health plan is “one of the most insolvent in the US. All of our efforts right now are on state healthcare costs.”
Despite rising costs, Folwell said the State is committed to keeping insurance rates as affordable as possible for employees and retirees. “We have frozen all premiums for the second straight year even in light of the fact that costs are increasing at a faster pace than the governor’s budget and legislature’s budget appropriates money to us.”
Folwell said listeners may also be interested to know that the State currently has $700 million in unclaimed property, mostly in stocks and bonds, that can be viewed at any time, by first and last name free of charge at www.nccash.com. To learn more about the Treasurer’s Office, visit www.nctreasurer.com.
To hear the interview with Folwell in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Folwell-State-Treasurer.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2020-01-23 17:00:262020-01-23 17:00:26Town Talk 01/23/20: NC Treasurer Folwell Assures State Pension is Secure
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Harvey Holmes, family caregiver resource specialist, and Michele Brigandi, aging projects coordinator – both with the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Holmes discussed the formation of a new social group for caregivers affectionately referred to as “The Caregiver’s Cup.” The name is a play on the actual meeting location – Sadie’s Coffee Corner in downtown Henderson – and the metaphorical filling of one’s social cup. The group will meet on the second Friday of every month from 12 until 1:30 p.m. at Sadie’s. All family caregivers are welcome.
Citing statistics that caregivers tend to self-isolate from outside activities and interactions, Holmes said the intent of the group is to promote socialization and, in turn, mental health.
“It’s very easy for caregivers to isolate themselves because caregiving is a 24/7, exhausting job,” explained Holmes. “Everyone struggles and moves in and out of loneliness during their lifetime; this group is here to help ease that loneliness.”
Promoting another great activity to encourage socialization as well as physical health, Brigandi discussed the upcoming Kerr Tar Senior Games that will be held in Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren and Person counties March through May 2020. Competitive athletic events ranging from basketball to horseshoes will be offered.
“This is essentially the Olympics for active adults 50 and better,” explained Brigandi. “There is something for everyone and it is a lot of fun.”
According to Brigandi, awards are given, and those who place first, second and third in their respective event have the opportunity to compete in the state finals in Raleigh. Those that place on the state level will move on to the national competition.
New on the list of local athletic events offered this year is mini-golf, which will be held at Adventure Island in Henderson on April 28.
For those with mobility issues and/or for those with an interest in the arts, the Senior Games also offers “SilverArts” competitions with a variety of mediums including heritage arts, basket weaving, quilting, painting, photography, dance, comedy, drama, poetry readings and storytelling.
To register for local games or for more information on the SilverArts sessions, please visit the North Carolina Senior Games website by clicking here.
For more information on the Caregivers Cup group, please contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging at (252) 436-2040 or email Holmes directly at hholmes@kerrtarcog.org.
To hear the interview with Holmes and Brigandi in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Caregivers-Cup.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2020-01-22 16:56:002020-01-22 16:56:00Town Talk 01/22/20: Caregiver’s Cup at Sadie’s & Local Senior Games
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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension
While there is much excitement in North Carolina about the prospects for industrial hemp, there are still many unknowns. Raising a new crop in an environment with numerous uncertainties around production methods, markets, regulations and other variables presents considerable risk.
NC Cooperative Extension encourages prospective growers to learn as much as possible about this emerging industry before breaking ground and thus is offering an educational program to meet that need.
The program will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at the Warren County Armory Civic Center, and prospective growers are encouraged to attend. This event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. and will feature updates about legal aspects, production, markets, pest management and more.
Presenters include representatives of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC State University and NC A&T State University.
This is a free event, but registration is requested. For more information and to register, visit https://go.ncsu.edu/warrenhemp or call 252-257-3640.
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