NC Dept of Agriculture

High Point Halal Meats Voluntarily Recalls Chicken, Lamb & Beef Products

/by

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

High Point Halal Meats in High Point is voluntarily recalling all production lots of chicken, lamb and beef products because they were produced without benefit of required inspections.

“Inspectors with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Meat and Poultry Inspection Division discovered uninspected meat and poultry products in commerce,” said Dr. Beth Yongue, director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division. This is a Class I recall where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Customers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them.”

The following products are subject to recall:

All chicken, lamb and beef products bearing a “High Point Halal Meats” label.

These items were shipped to retail stores within North Carolina. These products bear an NCDA inspection legend with the establishment number P-318.

Throw away these products or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions about High Point Halal Meats products can call the facility at 336-802-0620 during business hours.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

4-H Logo

Warren County 4-H Planning Ski Trip to Wintergreen, Space Limited

/by

-Information and flyer courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center

Back by Popular Demand…we had a BLAST last year…seats are limited!

When: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Where: Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, VA
Cost: $30 per person
Registration deadline: February 14; call 252-257-3640, or sign up via 4HOnline.
Who: Ages 9-18; children 5-8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20.

 

NC Coop Extension

Warren Co. Coop Extension Encourages Food Donations in Aftermath of Govt. Shutdown

/by

-Information courtesy the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office

The recent federal government shutdown left federal employees, and people on government assistance (SNAP, EBT, etc.), vulnerable. Due to the shutdown, the food stamps that were meant for the month of February were issued in January. There was confusion, and many utilized the food stamps in the month of January while they had to last through February.

With this situation, and the possibility of another shutdown on the horizon, the marginalized and food insecure citizens of our community are particularly vulnerable. We can predict a high need of resources from the food pantry towards the end of February.

Every year, North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension encourages its agents to host a food drive to celebrate Small Farms Week in March. While it is early, I believe that the need is more pertinent now, and the impact will be much greater if we began the food drive now.

If you are interested in making a donation, please bring it to the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office – 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton, contact (252) 257-3640 or email wllandis@ncsu.edu.

Thank you! We look forward to your donations.

– William Landis, Extension Agent

Oak Level Church of Christ Invites Public to ‘100 Women in Red’ Celebration

/by

-Information courtesy Katrina Reid, Christian Women Working Together of Oak Level United Church of Christ 

We extend an invitation to all churches to come join us in celebrating “100 Women In Red” (men and children are also welcome) on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 3 p.m., 5631 Jacksontown Road, Manson, NC 27553.

Theme: “Boldness Through The Blood of Jesus”

Guest Speaker: Reverend Natasha Lewis from Temple of Deliverance Church, Henderson, NC.

We pray that you will have an opportunity to fellowship with us on that Sunday. We thank you in advance for your presence.
For more information, please contact Sis. Rayenna Wimbush at (252) 915-6316.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Applications Being Accepted for Hurricane Florence Reforestation Fund

/by

-Information courtesy NCDA&CS

Woodland owners in 52 counties impacted by Hurricane Florence and recognized as federally-declared disaster areas can now apply for cost-share funding for reforestation efforts. The North Carolina General Assembly approved $2.5 million in time-limited funding for reforestation efforts that will be administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Forest Service.

“Hurricane Florence not only devastated agricultural crops, but the storm also caused considerable damage to our valuable forestlands. The Florence Reforestation Fund will help owners rebuild these natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  “I am grateful to legislators for providing funding that will help keep North Carolina green and growing.”

Qualifying property in designated counties will be eligible to apply for the program funding. However, funding requests should be for “shovel-ready” projects and practices that can be completed within short time periods. Funds will be administered similar to other NCFS cost-share programs such as the Timber Restoration Fund that was offered following Hurricane Matthew.

Approved practices include site preparation and tree planting as recommended in the applicant’s management plan. Afforestation of open fields or pastureland is also eligible, however, funding for forest stand improvement practices is not available through this program. To receive reimbursement, at least 4.5 acres of approved, completed work must be documented. The maximum funding allocation will be 100 acres per landowner per fiscal year.

Applications need to be submitted to the landowner’s local N.C. Forest Service office for initial review before they are sent to the NCFS Central Office for final approval. Applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been allocated. Projects should be completed by May 1, 2020.

To learn more about the Florence Reforestation Fund, landowners should call their local county ranger’s office.

NC Coop Extension

NC Coop. Extension to Hold Blueberry Workshop for New & Seasoned Growers Alike

/by

-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension

NC Cooperative Extension is conducting a blueberry workshop on Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 2292 US 158, Oxford, NC (watch for signs). This workshop will cover topics such as site analysis and soil preparation, variety selection, proper pruning techniques and other cultural practices used to grow blueberries.

You will have the opportunity to practice your blueberry pruning techniques, so bring your pruners. Bill Cline, NCSU Blueberry Specialist, will present the program and be available to answer any questions you have about blueberry production.

If you have any interest in growing this wonderful fruit in your home garden, do not miss this opportunity to learn how to get started correctly. If you already have blueberry plants, learn how to get the best fruit production. To register or for more information, please contact Johnny Coley (919) 603-1350 or Paul McKenzie (252) 438-8188.

NC Dept of Agriculture

First Round of State’s Agriculture Disaster Checks Headed to Farmers

/by

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the first round of checks from the state’s $240 million Agricultural Disaster Relief Program of 2018 have been sent to farmers.

“More than $15.2 million in payments were mailed today, and a second batch will go out Friday, Feb. 1,” Troxler said. “By week’s end, we anticipate having around 2,000 applications processed.”

Nearly 7,000 applications for assistance were submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the program. The N.C. General Assembly unanimously approved funding in response to more than $1.2 billion in estimated agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law.

The applications are being processed randomly and are not being done on a county-by-county basis. Complete applications, not missing any information or documentation, are being processed first. Applications missing information will require follow-up calls in order to be verified and approved.

“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” Troxler said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”

A total of 70 of the state’s 100 counties received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program.

The federal government shutdown created some delays in getting applications processed, but work is continuing to verify and approve the remaining applications.

Applicants had to submit the Farm Service Agency form 578 with their applications, which includes acreage being grown.

Other information considered in determining payments includes the five-year average price for commodities, the county average yield and the county estimated losses, which were determined by an ad-hoc committee made up of county FSA officials, cooperative extension agents, forest service staff and soil and water conservation district staff.

Checks will continue to be processed weekly as they are verified and approved.

Warren Co. to Hold High School Registration Meeting for 8th Graders & Parents

/by

-Information courtesy the Warren County Schools Facebook Page

ATTENTION 8th GRADE WARREN CO. PARENTS:

There will be a high school registration meeting for parents on Thursday, February 7, 2019. The meeting will be held at Warren County Middle School at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide information on each of Warren County’s High Schools and explain the process of selecting the high school that their students would like to attend as 9th graders.

Warren County School’s Central Office staff, high school principals and counselors will be present to provide information and answer questions. This meeting is designed to help parents and students obtain as much information as possible and fully understand their options before making their high school selection.

If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to call Ernie Conner at the Warren County Schools Central Office at 252-257-3184.

Two Wanted for Vehicle Breaking & Entering at Norlina Speedway

/by

-Information and photos courtesy the Norlina Police Department’s Facebook page 

The Norlina Police Department needs help identifying the male and female pictured below. Both subjects were at Speedway in Norlina on Sunday, January 27, 2019, in the silver vehicle pictured. Both are suspected of a vehicle breaking and entering and felonious larceny occurring in the Speedway parking lot.

If you have any information, please call the police department at (252) 456-3401 or email police@townofnorlina.com. The source of all information provided will be confidential.

PLEASE SHARE AND HELP US IDENTIFY THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS.

 

5th Dimension to Perform ‘Let the Sun Shine In,’ Other Classics at McGregor Hall

/by

-Information courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s website

“Classy” is the word used over and over to describe 5th Dimension, the group performing at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 8 p.m.

With over 20 million records sold worldwide, 22 Top 40 Hits, five No. 1 hits and six Grammys, the legendary 5th Dimension continues to awe sold-out audiences with their amazing harmonies, immaculate showmanship and exciting energy wherever they perform.

Their classic songs include “Up, Up, and Away, “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and the iconic “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In.”

Purchase tickets here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2678124/the-fifth-dimension-in-concert-henderson-mcgregor-hall-performing-arts-center

(This is not a paid advertisement)

5th Dimension will perform at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 8 p.m. (Photo courtesy McGregor Hall)