Tag Archive for: #gottobenc

Visit Natural and Cultural Attractions for a NC Holiday Escape

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The holiday season is a great time to visit and also take relatives to see the vast array of venues that are within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. When the shopping, eating and watching football get to be too much, renew your spirit with a natural or cultural adventure.

The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington will be open every day, even noon to 5 p.m. Christmas Day. Most N.C. State Parks will be open every day except Christmas Day, offering wholesome, refreshing family fun. Grandfather Mountain State Park will be open Christmas day with a Photo Scavenger Hunt at 3 p.m, so you can test your new camera. Be sure to start the New Year off right also with a First Day hike Jan. 1, at a state park near you!

The N.C. Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores and Kure Beach, and N.C. Zoological Park at Asheboro, will be open every day except Christmas as well.

You’ll find the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences open except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24-25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. The N.C. Museum of History will be open except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Jan. 1 and 2.

The N.C. Museum of Art galleries will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24 and 25. The East Building and special “Rolling Sculpture” exhibition will be open Monday, Dec. 26. Both buildings will be open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The Museum Park is open daily dawn to dusk. The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem will be closed Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 31-Jan 2.

State Historic Sites will be closed Dec. 24-26, and Jan. 1-2. The Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City will be closed Dec. 23-26, and Jan. 1-2. Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 1-2.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2. The N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. The N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2. Roanoke Island Festival Park will be closed Dec. 23-27 and closed for the season January through Feb. 27.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

Agritourism farms hosting fun activities for the holidays

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Farms across the state are opening up to visitors for the holidays, offering choose-and-cut Christmas trees, winter hayrides, visits with Santa and other fun activities.

“Agritourism is a big part of North Carolina’s $84 billion agriculture economy,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While many people may think about visiting farms during the spring or summer, the holidays can be a wonderful time to visit local farms with family and friends.”

Christmas Trees and Poinsettias

North Carolina is the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the nation. Some choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms have already opened for the season, and even more are scheduled to open Thanksgiving weekend.

Almond Christmas Tree Farm (https://www.facebook.com/Almond-Christmas-Tree-Farm-887660978036003/) in Albemarle will open Nov. 25. The farm offers choose-and-cut trees, fresh-cut Fraser firs, wreaths, greenery and hayrides.

Hickory Creek Farm (https://hickorycreekfarmnc.com/index.html) in Greensboro also will open for the season on Nov. 25. On Dec. 3, the farm will have a Farm Antique Tag Sale with vintage items handpicked from N.C. farms available to buy.

Pardue Tree Farm (https://www.parduetreefarm.blogspots.com) in Sparta is open daily through Dec. 24. The third-generation family farm offers Fraser firs, handmade wreaths and garland.

On Dec. 4, Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse (https://www.mitchellsnursery.com) in King will have its Poinsettia Open House from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The nursery grows 81 varieties of poinsettias, and will have more than 9,000 plants to choose from.

Holiday Events

Many farms offer special holiday programming for families to enjoy. Cukabury Farms (https://www.cukaburyfarmsllc.com/) in Fairmont will hosts its annual Christmas Light Show with hayrides through the farm, Christmas music and more. The light show takes place Dec. 2-17 on Fridays and Saturdays, and daily Dec. 19-23.

Hubb’s Corn Maze (https://www.hubbscornmaze.com/Christmas.html) in Clinton will air “The Polar Express” on Nov. 25 and 26. The event also includes visits with Santa.

Raised in a Barn Farm (https://www.raisedinabarnfarm.com/) in Chocowinity will offer Storytime with Santa, Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and holiday hayrides through downtown Washington starting Nov. 26.

Trosly Farm (https://www.troslyfarm.com/) in Elk Park will open a Holiday Farm Store and Market on Saturdays through Dec. 17. The market features handmade chocolates, local honey and farm-raised meats among other items.

Winery Events

North Carolina is home to more than 180 wineries, and several of them will host special events during the holidays. In Leicester, Addison Farms Vineyards (https://www.addisonfarms.net/handcrafted-christmas) will be hosting its annual Handcrafted Christmas event on Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features local crafters and artisans. Complimentary wine tastings also will be offered in exchange for a $10 donation to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

Also on Dec. 3, Cypress Bend Vineyards (https://www.cypressbendvineyards.com) in Wagram will host a Christmas Open House. Guests can enjoy live music, Christmas treats and special merchandise from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Farm Animals

Through Dec. 18, Apple Hill Farm (https://www.applehillfarmnc.com) in Banner Elk will offer guided walking tours of its working alpaca farm Fridays through Sundays. Tours will run every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is also a farm store with alpaca socks, yarns, hats, gloves, and other items.

Helpers of Our Farm (https://www.hoofnc.org), an educational farm animal sanctuary in Bolivia, will hold its Frosty Hooves fundraiser on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds will help feed and care for the sanctuary animals through the winter.

Other Events

Plum Granny Farm (https:// www.plumgrannyfarm.com) and Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery (https://www.buffalocreekfarmandcreamery.com), both located north of Winston-Salem, are teaming up for a Small Business Saturday Holiday Market on Nov. 26. More than a dozen vendors will offer a variety of gift items, from goat cheese and truffle butter to handmade jewelry and baskets.

On Dec. 10, Two Sisters Farmstead (https://www.twosistersfarmstead.org) in Candler will host its monthly Family Discovery Day. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and allows families to experience farm life firsthand.

North Carolina is home to more than 700 agritourism farms. To find a complete listing of farms near you, go to www.visitncfarms.com.

Feeding NC Livestock could be an Issue this winter

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Flooding in eastern North Carolina and drought in western counties has state agricultural officials concerned about feeding livestock and horses this winter. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is utilizing a website, www.ncagr.gov/hayalert, to help livestock and horse owners in sourcing hay.

The Hay Alert website was first launched during the drought in 2002 and used again in 2007. It is similar to Craigslist, in which users can post hay for sale or hay wanted ads. The department will not be involved in the transaction beyond hosting the website.

“We’re trying to help farmers meet the needs for livestock and horses this winter,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Earlier this fall, we expected to have eastern hay to fill the void in the west, but the flood has ruined so much of the eastern crop. We encourage farmers to go ahead and start securing their hay for the winter.”

Farmers are encouraged to work with their local cooperative extension agent to set up a winter feed plan. They are also reminded that many areas of North Carolina are under quarantine for plant pests and care should be taken to not introduce pests into new areas. Check with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division for guidance if moving hay from a quarantine area to a non-quarantine area.

Hurricane Matthew inflicts significant damage on N.C. agriculture

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The flood water hasn’t receded yet, but initial reports show that North Carolina’s agricultural industries took a beating from Hurricane Matthew. State ag officials do not have damage estimates, but the 48 counties affected by the storm are some of North Carolina’s largest ag counties.

“The eastern counties represent 71 percent of the state’s total farm cash receipts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While lots of crops were harvested before the storm, many crops, such as soybeans, sweet potatoes, peanuts and cotton, were just in the early stages of harvest.”

The 48 counties accounted for more than $9.6 billion of the $13.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2014.

In addition to crops, Eastern North Carolina also has a large poultry and swine population. Initial reports show that 1.9 million birds, mostly broiler chickens, have died as a result of the storm. However, considering the extent of the flooding, State Veterinarian Doug Meckes expects that number to rise. North Carolina growers raise more than 800 million birds each year.

Veterinary officials and the department’s Environmental Programs Division staff are working with growers on proper disposal of the birds. Troxler requested and was granted a $6 million grant from FEMA to purchase carbon material to compost the carcasses and mitigate the potential public health risk. Composting is the preferred method of disposal as it reduces leeching of farm waste, reduces pest and disease issues and prevents odor issues. The finished compost can then be used for agricultural purposes. Farms have begun requesting carbon materials and deliveries began today.

The hog industry did a good job preparing for this event and taking proactive measures to reduce populations or move hogs to higher ground. As of press time, there are limited reports of swine deaths and no known hog lagoon breaches. NCDA&CS is not the regulatory agency that oversees hog lagoons.

“The industry learned a lot since Hurricane Floyd in 1999,” said Troxler. Many hog farms in the 100-year flood plain were closed through a swine buyout program overseen by our Soil and Water Conservation Division.”

Farmers needing assistance can call the Ag Emergency Hotline at 1-866-645-9403. The department is operating the hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.