Cooperative Extension to Hold Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference

If you are looking for ways to make a living or supplement your income off of your land, we invite you to attend the Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference on January 26, 2013 at the Gaston County Citizens Resource Center in Dallas, NC from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The goal of this conference is to encourage the success and viability of small farm operations through educational workshops, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities. You will be able to explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful producers, university personnel, and experts in the field who are already growing, producing, and researching various crops, livestock and field techniques to enhance production. Conference tracks include sessions on aquaculture, fruit production, pastured pork, pasture management, beef cattle production, parasite management for small ruminants, growing specialty crops, direct marketing of meats, forages for free range birds, importance of cover crops, and QuickBooks for farmers.

Class sessions will start promptly after registration. The program will include three breakout sessions, plus a special session on parasite management for small ruminants. Three to four topics will be discussed concurrently during each of these breakout sessions.

Pre-registration forms and a fee of $35 per person and $20 for each additional person are due by Monday, January 23. Checks made payable to Gaston County Cooperative Extension. To register go to: http://smallacres.eventbrite.com or call Gaston Co. Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112 for more information.

Fiber Animal Production Workshop in Silk Hope, NC

December 5, 2012

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on fiber animal production from 8:30 am-5:00 pm on Wednesday December 5 at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Center in Silk Hope, NC. We offer a full day of educational programs and exhibits, plus lots of opportunities for sharing and networking and show and tell

Program Agenda:

Introduction and Learning Resources – Debbie Roos, Chatham County Cooperative Extension

Animal Care - Dr. Barbara Walton, DVM, Third Street Veterinary Clinic

 How to Find a Veterinarian

 First Aid Kit for the Farm

 Preventative Care

 Common Ailments and Diseases

How to Control those Pesky Worms: Integrated Parasite Management for Small Ruminants – Dr. Niki Whitley, North Carolina A&T State University

Forage and Nutrition – Sam Groce, Chatham County Cooperative Extension, and Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, North Carolina State University

 How to Establish & Maintain Pasture

 Forage and Browse for the Piedmont Region

 NCSU Research on Lespedeza for Parasite Control

Animal Spotlights: Producers will discuss breeds, harvesting fiber, unique production needs, and more!

 Sheep - Ann Fay, Rising Meadow Farm

 Angora Goats and Rabbits - Elaina Kenyon, Avillion Farm

 Alpacas – Rosmarie Rosenbloom, Black Tulip Farms

 Cashmere Goats and Llamas – Laura Young, Dew Dance Farm

Producer Panel:

 Marketing Fiber (internet, farmers’ markets, fiber artist guilds, yarn shops, social media, etc. )

 Income Potential from Fiber Animal Production

Exhibitors: All the producers will have exhibits of their fiber products and tools and equipment for harvesting and processing fiber.

A local lunch will be catered by Celebrity Dairy.

Participants will receive handouts and a Resource CD. Cost of the workshop is $45 and includes breakfast, local lunch, and the CD. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is November 30. Space is limited so register early!

To register, visit Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website and download a registration form: http://bit.ly/GSFworkshops

Call 919-542-8202 or email Debbie Roos at debbie.roos@chathamnc.org for more information.

Property Tax Treatment for Small Farms

Dear NC farmers: The NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council is looking at an issue of great importance to local, sustainable food production: property tax treatment for small working farms.

As you may know, state law allows counties to tax farms at property tax rates based on their use as farms (known as Present Use Value, or PUV), instead of at higher residential tax rates.  However, to qualify for PUV based on farm use, a farm must have more than 5 acres in production in the case of horticultural crops, or more than 10 acres for any other crops. Thus many small farms are not able to take advantage of this preferential tax treatment.

The Council has set up a task force to investigate this situation and to propose changes that would allow small farms serving local food markets to reduce their property tax burdens, and task force members represent Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, NC Farm Bureau and NC Cooperative Extension, among others.  We are conducting a survey to collect more information from small farms about their experience with PUV. This is where we need help from farmers.  Please take 15 minutes to take the survey, which you can find here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PUV.  The information we collect will be crucial to proving to local and state government that small farms deserve more equitable property tax treatment.

So please help us make a difference and fill out the survey today!

Roland McReynolds

CFSA

RAFI Grants for Farmers

RAFI-USA's Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund to Distribute $180,000 in Grants to Innovative North Carolina Farmers in 2013.

In 2013, RAFI-USA will award $180,000 in grants to independent family farms in North Carolina for new farming enterprises that demonstrate innovative opportunities in production, processing and marketing.  (A press release is available online here:  http://rafiusa.org/tcrf/2013/pressrelease.pdf)     

  

This coming year, the program will award up to $8,000 to individual farmers and up to $10,000 for collaborative farmer projects.  

To be eligible for a grant, a farmer must earn at least 50% of their personal income from their farm operation.  Individuals who have received a previous grant from RAFI-USA or the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission are not eligible.   

The deadline to submit applications is December 5, 2012.       

To learn more about the program's guidelines or to download a grant application visit:  www.NCFarmGrants.org  

     

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a free informational workshop. We will be offering grant information workshops across the state of North Carolina.   

"How to Apply" Workshops  (all workshops will begin at 6:00 pm.):

• Rockingham County, Cooperative Extension Office, Oct.22, 2012

• Lincoln County, Cooperative Extension Office, Oct. 23, 2012

• Martin County, Cooperative Extension Office, Oct. 24, 2012

• Montgomery County, Cooperative Extension Office, Oct. 29, 2012                        

• Pender County, Cooperative Extension Office, Oct. 30, 2012

• Yadkin County, Cooperative Extension Office, Nov. 1, 2012

• Chatham County, RAFI-USA (274 Pittsboro Elementary School Rd, Pittsboro), Nov. 13, 2012

• Wayne County, Goldsboro Public Library (1001 E. Ash St. Goldsboro), Nov. 14, 2012                      

Grant applications and eligibility guidelines are available online at www.ncfarmgrants.org. Farmers located in the Mountain Regions are encouraged to visit www.wncagoptions.org for information regarding grants in their area.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call Joe Schroeder.

Joe Schroeder, Director

Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund

Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA)

Email: joe@rafiusa.org

Tel: (919) 542-1396, ext. 208

Connect with Us: 

Facebook.com/rafiusa

Twitter.com/rafiusa

New Resource for Farmers and Local Food Entrepreneurs

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association just released a new resource for farmers and local foods businesspeople called Growing your Local Food Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Laws and Regulations. The guide is designed to give a detailed introduction to the many federal and state laws and regulations that govern the production and sale of farm products (meat, poultry, dairy) and low-risk value-added foods such as jams and jellies. Where possible, the guide also contains information about how to obtain additional information on a topic.


The document can be found on the website at this link: http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/north-carolina-reg-guide/

NORTH CAROLINA CATTLE INDUSTRY ASSESSMENT REFERENDUM VOTE

FUQUAY-VARINA, NC -- The North Carolina Cattlemen's Association (NCCA) has announced that the N. C. Cattle Industry Assessment Referendum vote will take place on October 4, 2012. The North Carolina Cattlemen's Association requested permission from the N. C. Board of Agriculture to conduct a referendum to continue the N. C. Cattle Industry Assessment. Permission was granted by the Board of Agriculture and arrangements have been made with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service to facilitate the voting. The Extension offices in each county will be the polling places.

Bill Cameron, president of the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association, said that the referendum will be to assess all cattle sold and marketed in North Carolina one dollar per head for the purposes of advancing the cattle industry in the state. The money collected will be used to fund the following five areas: youth programs, cattle research, education, promotion of North Carolina cattle and beef, and issues management. The North Carolina dairy industry will also benefit from the funds collected, as a portion of the income will be allocated to the same areas within the dairy sector.

The referendum would continue the original state assessment program, which was first established in 1957. The national beef checkoff assessment of one dollar per head will still be collected and will be used according to the guidelines set forth in federal law. According to Mr. Cameron, "The national beef checkoff does a tremendous job of promoting beef and the beef industry, returning $5.50 per dollar invested; however, these funds cannot be used for many of the production and regulatory-oriented issues facing the industry today.

The N. C. Cattle Industry Assessment Referendum would allow producers to continue to provide funds that would be controlled totally by the North Carolina beef and dairy producers to promote our product, our youth, our industry, and to provide research and advocacy to protect their way of life." Since the assessment was reinstated on January 1, 2010, research and education projects have been funded to deal with production issues facing North Carolina cattlemen in the areas of management, forage production, feed efficiency, and general input reductions.

In addition, we have been able to provide additional services in issues management to help the public have a better understanding of our industry and training for farmers to help them reduce stress on both them and the cattle in their care. Youth programs have been a huge beneficiary of the investments from the assessment as we were able to support livestock schools, judging contests, Skillathon contests, leadership development, and the very popular Youth Beef Industry Tour, among many others.

Bryan Blinson, executive director of the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association, states that, "The assessment will be for a period of six years with a recurring referendum if requested. Also, Mr. Blinson states that producers will be eligible for a full refund of their North Carolina assessment by request within 60 days of the sale of the animal with proof of sale. This is a provision that is not available in the national program due to federal law."

All cattle owners who are at least 18 years of age as of October 4, 2012, will be eligible to vote. Voting will take place at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension offices. All eligible voters must vote in their county. Absentee ballots may be obtained by contacting the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office. The North Carolina Cattlemen's Association can assist with directing you to your local office.

For additional details on voting procedures or funding information, please contact your local county office of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association.

Organic Broccoli Workshop

September 19, 2012

Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Come learn about organic broccoli production: insect management, post-harvest techniques, and marketing. View 28 varieties and help us rate which one is best. RSVP to reserve a lunch (you can still come regardless, just can't promise a lunch). Richard Boylan, Watauga County Extension Agent, Emily Bernstein, Research Specialist, and Jeanine Davis, Associate Professor will be presenting. The workshop is free and open to the public. Contact Emily at Emily_Bernstein@ncsu.edu or 828-684-3562 to reserve a lunch and indicate any dietary needs or preferences. The workshop will be held at the Mountain Research Station, 265 Test Farm Road, Waynesville, NC 28786. This workshop is free and open to the public. Directions. This project is led by Jeanine Davis in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University and funded by a grant from the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Cover Crop Workshop

 

A diverse discussion for homeowners, vegetable growers, farmers & landowners

Monday, September 24, 2012

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Registration Fee of $10/per person

(includes dinner & refreshments)

Gaston Citizens Resource Center

1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC

Join us as we explore the use of cover crops and to learn how specific crops can be used to improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, increase fertility, suppress weeds, control insects and the use of cover crops for wildlife food plots.

To register, please call

(704) 922-2112

2nd Annual Home Grown Gaston Event - Only 8 Days Left

"Home Grown Gaston" is Cooperative Extension’s celebration of Local Foods and Local Causes. This second annual event will be held at the Gastonia Farmer’s Market on May 22nd, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will showcase delicious foods grown and prepared in the Gaston County area. Festival attendees will also enjoy live music and have the opportunity to converse with the farmers and chefs who prepared the foods.

This annual event brings visibility to Gaston County’s local foods economy while raising funds for a great local cause.  Cooperative Extension has selected The Shelter of Gaston County as our 2012 partner. The Shelter of Gaston County fills a critical need in our community by providing a safe emergency residence where victims of domestic violence can seek shelter when faced with violent and dangerous situations. 

Check out the chefs for Home Grown Gaston! You don't want to miss this event and all the YUMMY food! Get your tickets now! Call 704-922-2112 or  704-852-6047 or order online at www.homegrowngaston.eventbrite.com.  Thanks to Encaptured & Co: Fine Art & Event Photography for the awesome picture!

Home Grown Gaston Menu

Lumpia Wrappers with Sweet Chili Sauce

Pancit

Tomato Caprese Salad

Marinated Lamb Skewers

Southern BBQ Pulled Pork with Coleslaw and Homemade Kaiser Rolls

Cucumber Spears in Spicy Vinaigrette

Chiles Rellenos (Stuffed Peppers)

Chicken & Beef Quesadillas with Homemade Salsa

Tomato Basil Soup

Chicken Salad stuff in Bread Horns

Zucchini wrapped Goate Cheese

Spicy Gazpacho Shooters

Steak Tartar with fruit glaze & Pomme Frites

Home Grown Gaston Tickets Now On Sale

The Gaston County Office of NC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce the second annual “Home Grown Gaston – Local Food – Local Causes” event. This annual Extension event brings visibility to the County’s local foods economy while raising funds for a great local cause. This year’s recipient is The Shelter of Gaston County. As this year’s partnering cause, The Shelter of Gaston County fills a critical need in our community by providing a safe emergency residence where victims of domestic violence can seek shelter when faced with violent and dangerous situations.

“Home Grown Gaston” is Cooperative Extension’s celebration of Local Foods and Local Causes. This second annual event will be held at the Gastonia Farmer’s Market on May 22nd, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will showcase delicious foods grown and prepared in the Gaston County area. Festival attendees will also enjoy live music and have the opportunity to meet and greet the local farmers and chefs who prepare the foods.

Tickets are $35.00 per person and can be purchased in advance at the Gaston County Extension office, at The Shelter of Gaston County or online at https://www.homegrowngaston.eventbrite.com.

We look forward to a great event in support of The Shelter of Gaston County and a wonderful evening to celebrate our local foods!

Sourcing Local Food for Home Grown Gaston

Gaston County Cooperative Extension in cooperation with The Shelter of Gaston County and the farmers market will host the 2nd Annual Home Grown Gaston: Local Food – Local Causes event on May 22, 2012.

This event will hopefully fulfill several goals: to support and showcase our local farms and chefs, to let the public see firsthand how to utilize the food they can buy at area markets, to promote and encourage shopping at area farmers markets, farms and restaurants; and raise funds for a local cause.

This event cannot be successful without the full participation of area farms! Thus, we are looking to secure the following local food products from area farms:

• Cabbage



• Green Onions



• Red Onions



• Yellow Onions



• Carrots



• Broccoli



• Garlic



• Cucumbers



• Roma or Plum Tomatoes



• Jalepenos



• Banana Peppers



• Eggs

We are prepared to pay a fair price for your local food products, but also wish to have your presence at this event. We are willing to do an equal trade in tickets for product and/or provide a discount on tickets to the event, in exchange for a discounted price on product. In addition, we will showcase and promote you and your farm before and during the event. This will be a great marketing opportunity for farms direct marketing food products to the public. In addition, area chefs interested in purchasing local foods will be at your fingertips if you attend!

If you think you will have any of the above items available for sale in May and you wish to be apart of this great event, please email or call Lara Worden at lara_worden@ncsu.edu or 704-922-2112.

2nd Annual Home Grown Gaston

NC Cooperative Extension Presents the 2nd Annual

HOME GROWN GASTON

TUESDAY, MAY 22nd

5 to 8 P.M.

GASTONIA FARMERS MARKET

410 E. LONG AVENUE

GASTONIA, NC

Come and enjoy delicious entrees prepared by local chefs who will showcase locally grown foods.

be sure to take the opportunity to talk with our farmers and chefs.

Your participation in this event will help to support domestic violence awareness.

Participating Restaurants:
36th Street Bakery
Alfred & Charlies Catering
Rodi's
Spindle City Cafe
Tequila's

Freeman's Pub

100% of the proceeds go to
The Shelter of Gaston County

Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance at:

http://www.homegrowngaston.eventbrite.com/
or

The Shelter of Gaston County

704.852.6047

or

Gaston County Cooperative Extension

704.922.2112

Winter Horse Owner Educational Opportunities

Local horse enthusiasts are invited to participate in a couple of educational programs on horse management. The sessions are sponsored by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Each individual program will last approximately 1.5 - 2 hours including time for question and answer sessions with presenters.

Program dates and topics are listed below:

Topic: Internal Parasites: Learning to Live With & Manage Equine Parasites with Lara Worden of NC Cooperative Extension. This workshop will focus on the latest information on deworming strategies and how you can help prevent resistance to current dewormers by knowing more about each horse’s parasite status and ultimately improve the parasite load of your herd and save money. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Date: February 29, 2012
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 W. Main St., Lincolnton
Registration: FREE, but must register at http://reins.eventbrite.com or by calling 704-922-2112.


Topic: The Fundamentals of Saddle Fit: Lecture and Demonstration with Jan & Tim Emore of Emore Leather. This workshop will focus on structural integrity of a saddle, placement/position of saddle, proper padding, and how rider’s position in the saddle affects the way the saddle fits the horse. They will address issues for both Western and English saddles. Note: Dinner and refreshments will be provided at this event. Bring your own chairs!
Date: March 7, 2012
Time: 6:00 to 8 p.m.
Location: Over The Hill Farm, 272 New Ground RD, Lincolnton, NC.
Registration Fee: $10.00. To register go to http://reins.eventbrite.com.


Pre-registration is required for all sessions.
To register, go to http://reins.eventbrite.com.
To get directions, contact Gaston County Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112. If we do not have a minimum of 10 people registered by the Tuesday before the event, the event will be canceled.

Flock Facts Field Day for Small Ruminants

March 17, 2012
Windy Wool Windings Farm
5247 Plateau Road, Vale, NC

Cooperative Extension will be providing a sheep and goat workshop on 06/11/2011 at Windy Wool Windings Farm, 5247 Plateau Road, Vale, NC. This training is for anyone who raises goats and/or sheep or anyone interested in raising these animals.

Pre-registration and a fee of $25/person and $15 for each additional person are due by Thursday, March 15. Checks made payable to Gaston County Cooperative Extension. To learn more about this event or to register go to: http://flockfacts.eventbrite.com or call Gaston Co. Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112 for more information.

Agenda

Registration
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Concurrent Session I
9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
1. FAMACHA Certification Training and Optional Fecal Egg Count Training with Roberto Franco & Dr. Keesla Moulton, NC A&T State University (If you participate in this session, please try to bring some fecal samples from your animals to look at.)

2. Ram Care with Allen Bruhin of Tranquility Farm in Sevierville, TN
&
a presentation by the American Sheep Industry

Lunch
12 noon - 1:00 p.m.

Concurrent Session II
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
1. General Health and Vaccinations with Dr. Steven Matthews of Vale Veterinary Hospital, PLLC

2. Marketing 101 with Lara Worden, Area Specialized Agent, Gaston County Cooperative Extension

Concurrent Session III
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1. Forages and Grazing with Jean Marie, Professor of Crop Science, NC State University

2. Breed Selection Panel for Sheep and Goat Producers
Meat Goats - Greg Traywick, County Extension Director - Cleveland County
Sheep for Meat & Fiber - Allen Hoyle


For accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact Lara Worden at 704.922.2112 no later than 5 business days before event.

NCDA&CS to help local farmers markets with advertising costs

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services will begin accepting applications March 1 from local farmers markets interested in grants for cooperative advertising assistance. The funding is made possible through a $125,000 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
“The state operates five farmers markets, but there are more than 200 farmers markets in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This cost-share program will help our smaller markets spread the word about the locally grown products available in their own backyard.”

Funding is available for cooperative advertising projects that promote North Carolina’s farmers markets across the state. The department will pay half of the total cost of advertising, up to $2,500. Farmers markets wishing to apply must meet the following requirements:

Must be located in North Carolina.
More than 50 percent of vendors must be N.C. residents.
Must complete a pre-project and post-project survey.
Must complete a pre-approval form.
Must use the “Got to Be NC Agriculture” and “N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission” logos in any sponsored advertising.
May use any type of media to promote markets except website design.

Funds are limited and will be allocated based on the order applications are received. For more information or to apply, contact NCDA&CS marketing specialist Kevin Hardison at 919-707-3123, or email at kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov.

More Resources from the Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference

Here are the last two presentations/resources for two of the sessions discussed at the Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference:

Field Grown Cut Flower Production: http://www.scribd.com/doc/80926558/Field-Grown-Cut-Flower-Production

Building Organic Soils & a Sustainable Farming System - Rivendell Farms:http://www.scribd.com/doc/80925000/Building-Organic-Soils-a-Sustainable-Farming-System

Lettuce

Here is a beautiful head of lettuce produced by Chris & Jeffie Hardin of Rivendell Farms. They were presenters at our Putting Small Acreage to Work conference.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Putting Small Acreage to Work Was a Huge Success!

Last Saturday's conference had 108 people pre-registered and attendees were given the option of choosing between 11 diferent topics that include: raising sheep for food & fiber, weed control for small acreage, field grown cut flower production, heirloom vegetable production, selling to restaurants, food preservation, pastured poultry & mobile processing units, rice production in the piedmont, building & managing a grade B goat diary, & marketing grass roots style. A local foods luncheon was provided with food supplied by the following farms: Ashe County Cheese, Barbee Farms, Ladybug Farms & Bakery, Cheval Farmstead Dairy, Clearview Farms, Coldwater Creek Farms, Davis & Son Orchard, Gilcrest Natural Farm, Lewis Farm, Lineberger's Maple Springs Farm, and Yum Yum Farms.

As promised we will be placing many of the presentations/resources from the conference for those that wanted access to them within the next few days.

Resources/presentations from conference:

Marketing Grass Roots Style:http://www.scribd.com/doc/80926994/Marketing-Grass-Roots-Style

Pastured Poultry & Mobile Processing Units:http://www.scribd.com/doc/80926866/Pasture-Poultry-Mobile-Processing-Units

Marketing to Restaurants & Institutions: http://www.scribd.com/doc/80927122/Restaurant-and-Institution-Sales

Raising Sheep for Food & Fiber: http://www.scribd.com/doc/80928716/Sheep-Breeds

http://www.scribd.com/doc/80928935/Sheep-Resources

Kudzu Kollege Workshop - “The How-to on Kudzu Removal”

February 4, 2012
Kudzu Kollege Workshop
"The How-to on Kudzu Removal"
9 AM – 12 PM
Citizens Resource Center
1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy., Dallas, NC 28034

Kudzu, sometimes known as "the vine that ate the South", is one of our most legendary invasive species. It thrives in areas experiencing mild winters and humid summers. Kudzu scrambles over the ground killing native plants and trees, prevents productive use of land, presents a fire hazard for trees and can damage power lines and buildings. Kudzu vines can grow up to 1 ft. per day, and, in the 6 month frostless period in the Southeast, one root can send out 30 vines and each vine can reach 100 feet in length. Some sources estimate the kudzu infestation in the United States involves up to 7,000,000 acres!

The purpose of this workshop is to teach participants how to remove this severely invasive species without the use of herbicides. The Kudzu Coalition of Spartanburg, SC will conduct the workshop. The organization began in 2004 and became a 501(c) 3 non-profit in 2005. They specialize in evaluating methods of eradicating kudzu without chemical treatment. For information about the organization go to their website at: http://kokudzu.com/default.aspx

The workshop will include presentations on the history of kudzu, the Kudzu Coalition, kudzu identification and kudzu removal techniques. Following the classroom presentation, and weather permitting, participants will get the opportunity to apply the techniques they’ve learned to a kudzu patch here in Dallas Park.

Who Should Attend?
• Land owners
• Master Gardeners
• Groups interested in performing community service
• Scout troops
• Friends of Crowders Mountain
• Land Conservancy personnel
• Landscapers
• Anyone interested in becoming a "kudzu killer"

Please dress appropriately for the outdoor portion of the workshop. You will get dirty. Wear boots or work shoes and bring work gloves. You are welcome to bring folding saws and picks if you own them. We will have some tools at the workshop. We will also provide bottled water.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but pre-registration is required. Please call (704) 922-2112 or 922-2119 by February 2nd to register.

For accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact Jim Burke, (704) 922-2119 no later than 5 business days before event.

N.C. MarketReady Announces 2012 Equipment Funding Cycle for Agricultural Operations

The North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program, administered by N.C. MarketReady, is now accepting applications for the 2012 equipment cost share funding cycle. The program, funded by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, provides up to $50,000 to agricultural producers and processors seeking to purchase specialized equipment to start or grow a value-added operation.

A value-added agricultural product is a raw, agricultural commodity that has been changed in some manner so that it no longer can be returned to its original state. This change results in increased market value, allowing the producer to receive a higher price for these value-added products compared to the original commodity. Cheese (from milk), wine (from grapes) and bread (from grains) are a few examples.

The NCVACS program works hand-in-hand with the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) by reducing the costs of equipment purchases that are not funded by the USDA grant. The 2012 cost share cycle allows value-added producers and processors to apply for funding to purchase new or used equipment. Equipment cost share awards will vary from 25 to 50 percent of the total cost of the equipment, up to a maximum of $50,000.

"The NCVACS program supports the development of North Carolina value-added agricultural operations," said Brittany Whitmire, program coordinator for NCVACS. "NCVACS is one of the few cost share funding sources for equipment, and we’ve seen many recipients grow their businesses and become more successful after being awarded the funds." (Award Recipient Bios)
Continuing from the 2011 funding cycle, the program’s expanded guidelines for value-added products include non-standard production methods (such as organic), physical product segregation – keeping genetically modified (GM) corn separate from non-GM corn, farm-based renewable energy and some locally produced food products.

Examples of equipment previously funded include an aging cooler for meats, pasteurizing machinery for goat milk, a seasoning applicator for roasted soybeans and fermentation tanks for producing wines.

Applications for the NCVACS 2012 equipment cost share are available online at http://plantsforhumanhealth.ncsu.edu/extension/cost-share. Applications are due by March 1, 2012. Guidelines and a list of frequently asked questions can be found on the website.
NCVACS is coordinated by N.C. MarketReady, the Cooperative Extension outreach of the N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute, located at the N.C. Research Campus. Funded by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the cost share program was launched in 2009 and will have provided nearly $1 million in direct cost share assistance to value-added producers and processors throughout North Carolina by the end of 2012. Learn more at http://plantsforhumanhealth.ncsu.edu.

Foothills Pilot Plant is Open for Business!

Foothills Pilot Plant, the first community-administered, non-profit meat processing facility in the US, is open for fully-inspected poultry and rabbit processing as of January 15, 2012. A collaborative effort of state & local governments, small-scale meat animal producers, and grant-making agencies, this facility is operated under joint USDA/FDA authority to provide regional growers with the opportunity to market their meat products to a broader consumer base. Products processed at this facility can be transported and sold across state lines. Foothills Pilot Plant is the only USDA-inspected facility serving independent poultry growers in the Southern Appalachian region.

Additionally, the plant is working to become certified “Animal Welfare Approved,” demonstrating a commitment to low-stress, humane handling of the food animals in their care. Project leaders have spent five years bringing this resource to the community; plant oversight is provided by the McDowell County Economic Development Association (MEDA) and an Advisory Board comprised of professionals with related expertise.

Chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and other specialty fowl are processed on a fee-for-service basis into retail-ready, custom-labeled packages according to the clients’ needs. The facility is operated as a processing service to independent growers in the region and does not take possession of animals or meat products.

In addition to its processing services, Foothills Pilot Plant will work with the producers it serves to develop best practices for small-scale meat animal production and share this information with the community. This facility is an integral step in building resilient, sustainable local food systems. Please contact Dr. Paljinder Manhiani, Plant Manager, with questions or to schedule your processing at 828-803-2717 or by email at foothillspilotplant@gmail.com. Pricing information is available at our website, www.foothillspilotplant.com.

Putting Small Acreage to Work - Registration Deadline is Jan. 23

Date: January 28, 2012
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Gaston Citizens Resource Center, Dallas, NC

You will be able to explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful producers, university personnel, and experts in the field who are already growing, producing, and researching various crops, livestock and field techniques to enhance production. They can give you the practical, no-nonsense advice you will need when considering business planning, crop & livestock production, market development, etc. Topics to be discussed include: raising sheep for food & fiber, weed control for small acreage, field grown cut flower production, heirloom vegetable production, selling to restaurants, food preservation, pastured poultry & mobile processing units, rice production in the piedmont, building & managing a grade B goat diary, & marketing grass roots style.

Class sessions will start promptly after registration. The program will include three breakout sessions. Three to four topics will be discussed concurrently during each of these breakout sessions.

To Register Go To:
http://smallacreage.eventbrite.com/

For additional information on this conference, contact Gaston County Cooperative Extension at 704.922.2112.

Small Flock Poultry Workshop

Date: January 19, 2012
Time: 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Location: Harnett County Cooperative Extension office in Lillington, NC

Agenda:
9:30 am - Registration

10:15 am - Forage Species, Management - Dan Campeau, NCSU

11:00 am - Alternative Poultry Species - Jeannette Beranger, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Noon - Lunch
1:00 pm - Multi-species Farming Systems - Steve Moize, Farmer & Poultry Producer

1:45 pm - Egg Rules, Private Labeling - Richard Hoyle, NCDA

2:15 pm - Processing Concerns, Inspection Process, Expected Yields - Abdul Chaudhry, Chaudhry Halal Processing

2:45 pm - Center for Environmental Farming Systems Ongoing Research - Lisa Forehand, NCSU

3:00 pm - Questions and Answers3:30 pmAdjourn

Registration details for this workshop are on the Growing Small Farms website calendar at http://bit.ly/19Y7lt

If you have questions about this workshop please contact Poultry Agent Dan Campeau at 919-548-9895 or dan_campeau@ncsu.edu.