60th Annual North Carolina Cattlemen's & Dairymen's Conference

Thursday, February 17 - Friday, February 18
Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC

This year's NC Cattlemen's Conference will be held in conjunction with the NC Dairymen's Conference in Hickory, NC. There will be some joint sessions with the two groups as well as programs specifically for dairy and beef producers. This conference also features an extensive trade show with over 70 vendors. For further info or to register for the conference go to: www.nccattle.com/Conference.html

Carolina Meat Conference

March 25 - 27, 2011 - If you are an independent meat producer, processor or butcher, retail grocer, chef or food service professional, Extension agent, or interested consumer, you WON'T WANT TO MISS this first-ever statewide conference at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center (www.cabarrusarena.com). Attendees:

• will engage in hands-on training sessions to improve carcass utilization, value-added product development & artisanal butchery techniques
• learn about innovative marketing alliances & regional processing initiatives
• discuss emerging trends, marketing standards, & regulatory issues
• explore how production practices impact meat quality, marketability and profitability

Check out the website and you won't be disappointed - the schedule offers 2 FULL days of information-rich, fun-filled activities for those interested in the growing market for local meats. Visit www.carolinameatconference.com for registration information and a link to register on-line.

Early registration rates run until February 18th. Some training sessions are limited to 25 participants and are available on a first-come, first-served basis so act now to make sure you secure a spot.

A Successful Season – 2011: Marketing Your Market

2nd Annual Farmers Market Managers Workshop
Presented by
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Division of Marketing

When: Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Where: Governor James Martin Building, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Can’t make this program? We will be offering it in Elizabeth City (March 11) and Monroe (March 18) – Registration will open for these programs in mid-February
Who should attend: Farmers market managers and board members
Cost: $20
Pre-registration is required – Registration Deadline is February 4, 2011

For further info and complete agenda, go to the following link: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/Successful_Season_2011_Agenda.pdf

For more information, contact:
Kevin Hardison, 919.707.3123, Kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov
or Annette Dunlap 919.707.3117, Annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov

Foothills Fresh New Growers Institute

Learn tips and information to help you grow vegetables better or get started in small-scale vegetable production. Topics include small fruits, season extension, tax issues, cut flowers, produce safety, organic production and marketing. Extension agents and an experienced grower from throughout the Foothills Fresh region of NC will present these topics. A $10 registration fee includes lunch and training materials. Follow the link to see the full agenda which includes a registration form to mail in: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=events&event_id=20235

Date: January 28th, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Gaston Citizens Resource Center, Dallas, NC