North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension airs a live broadcast every Tuesday from 4:30pm until 5:00pm and covers a variety of topics.

Check out their website https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=home
for more information.

NC Coop Extension

The Local Skinny! Farmers Market Vendor Courses

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This is the time of year when local gardeners are perusing seed catalogs or checking in with local nurseries about when the vegetable slips will be ready to purchase.  The April 15 frost date seems a long way off, but gardeners are planning now in order to reap the benefits – literally – when spinach, peas, beans and more are ready to harvest.

Vance County Cooperative Extension is hosting a series of vendor workshops during March for anyone interested in participating in farmers markets in Vance, Granville or other nearby counties.

Vance County Agriculture Agent Michael Ellington said the classes will be held on Saturday mornings beginning Mar. 8 and will continue on Mar. 15, 22 and 29. The first three sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the Mar. 29 session will last from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

All sessions will be held at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd., Oxford.

Each session has a different focus, Ellington explained.

  • 8 – the basics of business
  • 15 – marketing – product placement for optimum visibility on tables in the market
  • 22 – knowing your customers and follow-up to sales
  • 29 – basic food safety

Vendors often sell at more than one farmers market, Ellington said, so it just makes sense that these vendor trainings are offered to individuals from numerous counties throughout the area.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market may see a higher volume than some of the other area markets because of tourism – folks visiting Kerr Lake or traveling along I-85 may choose to stop in, he noted.

He would like to see the Vance market be an incubator market for others who are just getting started in growing produce or for those who are interested in expanding their existing production.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will have a new feature this year, if all goes according to plan.

Ellington said volunteers and others have been whacking away at kudzu to create a community garden on the campus of the farmers market.

More volunteers are needed at upcoming workdays, he said:

  • Mar. 21 – working on establishing garden borders – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mar. 29 – marking walkways and preparing for stone installation – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Apr. 11 – installing garden beds – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We want to have the community realize that this is their market, and the garden is theirs,” Ellington said. The community garden would be a perfect spot for those who want a garden but lack the space or the confidence to plant, tend and harvest on their own.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Supporting Your Partner

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Cooperative Extension

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

The Granville-Vance-Warren Beginner Beekeeping School will be on March 1st, at 9am at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will have their March Meeting on Monday, March 10th, at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The Growing The Spring Vegetable Garden Workshop will happen on Monday March 31st, 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. This event will be hosted by Wayne Rowland.

  • Pruning season is fast approaching, sharpen your pruning equipment,  Cooperative Extension has pruning publications that will show how to correctly prune fruit trees and grape vines.
  • Check the central Piedmont planting guide for vegetables that can be planted in each month.
  • Fertilize your fescue lawn if you haven’t already done so.
  • With warmer temperatures this week check for cool season broadleaf weeds in your lawn and spray them if needed. 
  • Continue planting trees and shrubs anytime soil is workable.
  • Organize seed packets according to planting date.
  • Do not till soil if it is wet.
  • Check seedlings daily for moisture.
  • Keep that garden journal up to date.
  • Treat sheds, lawn furniture, and wooden handled tools with wood preservative if needed.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: We Might Want to See Insects in Our Gardens

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report with Michael Ellington:

We explore a few reasons why we might want to see insects in our gardens.

Included are reminders for upcoming series designed to educate about backyard chickens and becoming a more successful market vendor:

Backyard Chicken Workshop – This course covers the basics of starting your backyard flock. Saturday, March 8 · 4 – 5pm EST at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr. Henderson, NC 27536. Link below for more information.

https://go.ncsu.edu/chicken101

 

Anatomy of a Market Vendor Education – Need help turning your farm dreams into reality? Come join us for our upcoming Anatomy of a Market series and learn about forming business plans, marketing, customer engagement, and in-depth details about food safety! Happening Saturdays from 10am-11am at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd, Oxford, NC 27565. Link below for more information.

https://go.ncsu.edu/anatomy

 

Community Garden Volunteer Form – The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is establishing a community garden in an effort to make gardening more accessible to everyone. To achieve our goals, we’re seeking volunteers to help plan, establish, and maintain the garden facilities. Volunteers with all levels of experience or ability are invited to join! Three workdays have been scheduled for initial planning and site preparation and we hope you’ll join us!

  • March 21st 1p.m. – 5p.m. – Establishing garden borders. Setting storage building, constructing building ramp.
  • March 29th 1p.m. – 5p.m. – Marking walkways, preparing for stone installation. Constructing first plant beds.
  • April 11th 2:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. – Installing soil, pathway stones, and creating punch list for remaining tasks before opening.

Link below for more information and the form to fill out!

https://go.ncsu.edu/vcrfmgarden

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Landscaping with Native Plants For Wildlife

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On Vance County Cooperative Extension Report with Wayne Rowland:

Landscape with Native Plants to save Native Plants and attract more wildlife.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: The Platinum Rule

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Cooperative Extension

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension With Michael Ellington: Upcoming Snow

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Cooperative Extension

Today’s show discusses upcoming snow in the forecast and why it might be just what you need for this season’s garden. Also shared were dates and registration information for events like market vendor trainings, backyard chicken workshops, and an opportunity to serve the community by gardening!

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension With Wayne Rowland: Consulting Forester

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Cooperative Extension

Today on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report, Wayne Rowland talks about Improving your forest by hiring a Consulting Forester.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Navigating the Teenage Years

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Cooperative Extension

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension With Michael Ellington: Egg Prices and Backyard Poultry

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Michael Ellington with Vance County Cooperative Extension examines a few factors driving egg prices and growing interest in backyard poultry. Also covered are reminders for three upcoming events including a series designed to help potential market vendors.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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