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.

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