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Celebrate Small Farms Week Mar. 24-30
Small farmers from across the state are in the spotlight as N.C. A&T State University celebrates the 38th annual Small Farms Week. This year’s theme is “New Paths to Profits,” and small farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs will be able to take part in a variety of workshops and educational programs, panel discussions and tours at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion in Greensboro as part of the weeklong week paying tribute to small farmers.
On Tuesday, Mar. 26, Small Farms Week will focus on education for small farmers that cover topics ranging from small-scale animal production, plant production, natural resource management and to adapting to climate changes that could bring more droughts, severe storms and intense summer heat.
A goal of Small Farms week is to showcase and support limited-resource, small-scale, part-time, and alternative-enterprise farmers who provide their communities with fresh produce and locally sourced products.
“The agriculture landscape is changing,” stated Fletcher Barber, Ed. D., this year’s chair of Small Farms Week. Barber also is the Extension Service’s small farms recruiter and said in a press statement that consumers are interested in exploring multicultural food traditions and new niche products. “That interest offers opportunities for our farmers,” Barber said.
A highlight of the weeklong activities occurs Wednesday when the 2024 Small Farmer of the Year will be named.
Activities kicked off Monday in Wayne County, home to 2023 Small Farmers of the Year J & J Produce.
Since 2019, sisters Jeannette Martin Horn and Joyce Martin Bowden have grown a wide variety of produce – including green beans, mustard and turnip greens, squash, onions, tomatoes, pecans and their signature field peas – on 100 acres of their Century Farm. The sisters’ ancestor, a soldier in the 135th U.S. Colored Infantry, bought the land after the regiment was “mustered out” in 1865, making their land a Century Farm.
“The Martin sisters are a perfect example of the heart and soul of farming in North Carolina,” said M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D., Extension administrator and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. “Their land has been in the family for more than 150 years, and they not only grow, they give back to their community by hosting groups and encouraging them to learn about agriculture and farming.
“Our 2024 Small Farmer of the Year, whoever that may be, will exemplify these same characteristics that make family farms so important to our agricultural economy,” he added.
Thursday, Mar. 28 and Friday, Mar. 29 will offer more educational sessions and demonstrations, emanating from the university or other organizations within North Carolina that highlight farming best practices, research results or student-led agricultural and environmental activities benefitting small farmers.
“Our goal is to help small farmers make the most of new markets and crops while adopting sustainable practices that protect their land and their ability to adapt as our climate becomes more variable.”
Check here during the week for updates: www.itzy.io/sfw2024
Register For Warren Pasture Walk Oct. 5 In Norlina
Warren County Cooperative Extension is hosting a Pasture Field Evening next month to help property owners with a variety of issues that pertain to pasture management.
The event is scheduled to be held at Paschall Farms in Norlina on Thursday, Oct. 5 beginning at 6 p.m.
Among the topics to be addressed include pasture management, weed identification and types of temporary fencing for various species of animals.
Register at Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pasture-field-evening-tickets-699680191287
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
Granville Hosts Five-County Beef Tour July 21
Granville County is hosting the 2023 Five County Beef Tour on Friday, July 21. Participants will visit several spots across the county to learn about different aspects of cattle production.
Registration is open until July 14, according to information from Kim Woods, livestock agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Granville Center. The counties that rotate hosting the tour are Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Wake, but participants from other counties are welcome to attend.
The tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the Butner Bull Test Station, 8800 Cassam Rd., Butner. The second stop will be Mill Creek Farm, owned by Randy and Barbara Guthrie. The Guthries have a heifer development program.
The final stop will be High Rock Farm, owned by Beth and David Hollister. The Hollisters have a stocker/finisher operation.
The group will have lunch at High Rock, during which
Evan Davis with NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division is scheduled to discuss farmland preservation. The tour should conclude around 2 p.m.
Carpooling is encouraged.
Pre-registration is required. Contact Woods at kim_woods@ncsu.edu or 919.603.1350 to learn more.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-county-beef-tour-tickets-650768063797.
NC Cooperative Extensions Offer Pesticide Application Recertification Hours June 27
Anyone who needs recertification hours to stay certified for pesticide application can register to attend a class offered June 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Participants can earn two recertification hours for categories A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, T or X.
Class locations are listed below. Registration is required. Sign up by calling the Person County Extension Center 336-.599.1195 or by visiting https://go.ncsu.edu/2023multicredit.
This will be an in-person class only.
Be sure you have all your credit hours to remain certified for applying the pesticides you need. If you have any questions regarding this information or about requirements needed for your current licensure, contact Mikayla Berryhill at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or by email mikayla_berryhill@ncsu.edu.
CLASS LOCATIONS:
- Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Granville County Center, 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Person County Center, 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Warren County Center, 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton
N.C. Cooperative Extension Scholarship Open For Those In Business-Related Field Of Study
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association is accepting applications for the 2023 Herter-O’Neal Scholarship. This scholarship is open to students pursuing an associate’s and/or bachelor’s degree in a business-related field of study or who are enrolled in a diploma program that results in a degree. The statewide winner will be awarded $1,000 for tuition and/or books. District finalists will receive $250.
The Herter-O’Neal Scholarship is awarded each year to honor the work and dedication of Edith Herter and Frances O’Neal, founding members of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association. NCCEAPA membership is comprised of North Carolina Cooperative Extension administrative assistants in 100 counties, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University.
The application deadline is Mar. 10, 2023. All questions can be addressed to Granville County Cooperative Extension Administrative Assistant Gwen Rubio at gwen_rubio@ncsu.edu or 919-603-1350. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off – with ATTN: Gwen Rubio written on the envelope – at the Granville Cooperative Extension and mailed or hand delivered to the Granville County Cooperative Extension Office located at 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford, NC 27565.
Learn To Construct Livestock Fence During Oct. 25 Workshop
The old saying that “fences make good neighbors” could be amended to “good fences make neighbors happy” to describe an upcoming hands-on workshop that involves creating a safe fencing plan for livestock.
The day-long class will be held on Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butner Beef Cattle field lab, located at 8800 Cassam Rd. in Bahama, NC 27503.
Whether you want to create new fenced pastures or just want to hone skills needed to keep fences in good order, this workshop is for you.
“A good fence is a critical component of a successful livestock operation no matter what species of animals,” according to a press release from Kim Woods and Matthew Place, livestock agents in Granville, Person and Warren counties, respectively.
The $40 cost per person includes lunch and all materials, and participants should dress appropriately for the weather and bring gloves and eye protection. There will be some indoor classroom work to discuss the economics of fencing and construction materials, as well as state laws regarding fencing. The group will then head outside and actually build a fence.
The event is sponsored by several fence product companies.
Fences keep animals in the safety of their pasture while – hopefully – keeping predators out. “Building a good fence that will last a long time is not near as easy as making the decision that you need a fence,” however. Come to the class to learn more about proper design and construction.
Visit https://person.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-Fencing-School-Reg-8.pdf?fwd=no to find the registration page. Mail it, along with your payment, to
Granville County Cooperative Extension,
Attn: Kim Woods
125 Oxford Loop Rd. Oxford, NC 27565.
Make check payable to Granville County, with “Fencing School” in the subject line. Registration is limited to the first 30 people in order for everyone to have adequate hands-on time with tools and materials.
To learn more, contact Kim Woods at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or Matthew Place at 252.257.3640.
Equine Nutrition Workshop May 3 At Granville Livestock Arena
Area horse owners are invited to attend a workshop next week to learn more about what equines need to eat to maintain good health.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 at the Granville livestock arena, 4200 Cannady Mill Rd.
Topics that will be discussed include understanding hay analyses and various supplements that are on the market to improve everything from a horse’s coat to strong hooves as well as reducing stress and improving gut health.
Feeding horses is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Just like people, different types of horses require different types of nutrition. Athletic horses that compete in events may require feed that is totally different from other equines that may be used for the occasional trail ride. Learn more about equine nutrition at the workshop, hosted by the cooperative extension agencies in Warren and Granville counties.
Registration is required by Sunday, May 1.
To register, CLICK HERE.
Or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-your-horse-really-need-tickets-292592440867
NCDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Period Open Now Through Mar. 4 At Noon
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofits and government agencies have until noon on Mar. 4 to submit applications.
Applicants can submit a draft application for staff review by Jan. 26 to gain feedback on their grant proposals. A .pdf of the draft application should be sent to jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department, through funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“In 2021, we awarded $2.9 million for 16 projects across the state, which included one-time funds of $1.6 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. We anticipate $1.2 million in funding this year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The success and growth of specialty crops are important as North Carolina agriculture continues to diversify and as the industry inches closer to the $100 billion mark in economic impact.”
The department will accept grant requests up to $200,000 from nonprofit organizations, academia, commodity associations, state and local government agencies, colleges and universities. Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual.
Eligible projects must involve fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants, nursery, floriculture or horticulture crops.
For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncspecialtycrops.com. For questions, contact Jenni Keith at 919.707.3158 or jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.