Tag Archive for: #cooperativeextensionwarren

Warren Seniors Can Get Coupons To Buy Fresh Produce At Local Farmers Market

– information courtesy of Warren County Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk Monique Hinton

The Warren County Senior Center and Warren County Cooperative Extension are teaming up to launch a program that will provide low-income senior adults with coupons that they can use to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at their local farmers’ markets.

Senior adults can visit the Warren County Senior Center on Mondays between 9 a.m. and 12 noon or Thursdays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to get coupons once during the growing season. The program kicked off last week, but there’s still plenty of time to stop in and get qualified.

In addition to getting healthy foods into the hands of older adults to improve their nutritional status, the program also helps local farmers increase their business and creates awareness of the local farmers market, said

A recipient must be a Warren County resident aged 60 years or older and meet certain self-declared monthly income eligibility requirements.  Monthly household income of no more than 185 percent of the 2024 federal guidelines; up to $2,322 for a one-person household or $3,142 for a two-person household.

The coupons are valid through Sept. 30, 2024, for use at the Warren County Farmers’ Market, located in the parking lot of the Warren County Health Department, at 544 West Ridgeway St., Warrenton.  The Warren County Farmers’ Market operates on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, April through mid-October.

Contact the Warren County Senior Center at 252.257.3111 to learn more.

Register Now For Upcoming Workshop About Growing Cover Crops July 28

Farmers all over the world grow cover crops for a variety of reasons: to protect the soil, increase yield, reduce erosion and much more. Come to a workshop next week on cover crops to learn how using a cover crop in your garden or fields could benefit you and your farm.

Dr. Chris Reberg Horton and Dr. Rodrick ReJesus will be the guest speakers at the workshop, which will be held Friday, July 28 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center in Oxford.

Horton will discuss choosing the proper cover crop to suit your conditions, as well as the overall benefits and management techniques.

Rejesus will discuss general cover crop economic principles, as well as “lessons learned” with regard to using cover crops. There also will be an overview of cost share program options.

The workshop begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Expo Center, located at 4185 US 15, Oxford.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cover-crop-workshop-tickets-650957650857

Warren 4-H Offers 8-Week Dairy Calf Project

The Warren County 4-H program is sponsoring an eight-week dairy calf project for interested individuals and their families. Come out to an informational meeting on Mar. 9 at 6:30 p.m. to learn more.

The 2023 Dairy Calf Project pairs Jersey calves with 4-Hers for weekly sessions in preparation for a couple of upcoming livestock shows, said Matthew Place, Warren County cooperative extension livestock agent.

The meeting will be held at the cooperative extension office, 158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton.

Contact Place at mbplace@ncsu.edu for more information or call the office at 252.257.3640.

Info Session On 4-H Poultry Project Set For Feb. 21

The spike in egg prices has gotten everyone’s attention lately. Just a couple of years ago, a dozen eggs cost less than $1. Today, that same dozen will set you back close to $5 – or more.

Inflation, coupled with avian flu outbreaks affecting the poultry industry, are the chief culprits, analysts say.

Could this price surge create more interest in backyard flocks? Maybe so. And that’s just fine with local 4-Hers, who are getting ready for the 2023 poultry show and sale.

Children ages 5-18 are invited – with their parents – to join a Zoom meeting on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. for an information session about the upcoming Four County Poultry Show and Sale.

Participants will get 10 birds to raise, show and then sell at auction. The auction proceeds go to the participant and the local 4-H group. Trophies and awards will be given.

Register at https://go.ncsu.edu/4countypoultry2023 or contact your county extension agent or 4-H agent.

NCDA Junior Livestock Scholarship Applications Due Mar. 1

Information from NCDA&CS Livestock Marketing Section

Up to 25 $2,000 scholarships are available, in addition to one $2,500 Farm Credit of N.C. Premier Scholarship.Youth who participated in N.C. State Fair junior livestock competitions are eligible to apply for N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 1.

All youth who exhibited a livestock animal at the State Fair are eligible regardless of species, class or show placement. Scholarships are good for institutes of higher learning, including community colleges and technical schools. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 course hours.

The scholarship money is raised through the State Fair’s annual Sale of Champions where grand and reserve grand champions are sold at auction. A percentage of the sale total goes into this youth livestock scholarship program.

“I am proud that this scholarship program has helped many young people and their parents pay for their college education,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Since the program started in 2015, we have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships.”

Students will need to submit the completed application, including their State Fair junior livestock experience, a 500-word essay, academic achievements and extracurricular activities they are involved in. Youth are eligible to receive the scholarship a maximum of four times.

Applications can be downloaded at www.ncstatefair.org. Completed application packets should be returned to N.C. State Fair, Attn: Livestock Office, 1010 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1010. For questions, contact Neil Bowman at by email at neil.bowman@ncagr.gov.