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Randolph County Horticulture News

Fall 2009

Photo source: M.H. Ferguson.  Taken at Timberwood Organics (Efland, NC).

From the Agent

Hi Folks!

We’re nearing the end of the 2009 and [what I hope will be] two of our biggest events of the year: the Local Food Networking Meeting (Thursday, October 29) and the Putting Small Acreage to Work Workshop (Saturday, November 14).  We also have a Pond Management Seminar coming up very soon (Tuesday, October 20).  

Read more about these below and under “Upcoming Events.”   

                                                                                    Regards,

   
                                                                                    Mary Helen Ferguson
                                                                                    Extension Agent


Local Food Networking Meeting

This is intended to provide a chance for farmers in Randolph County to get exposure to the public—including restaurant owners, produce retailers, public officials, and others—and thereby potentially find new sales opportunities.  Invitations have been sent directly to some public officials, restaurant owners, produce retailers, and other individuals, and the public will be invited through newspapers announcements.  Growers, come let people know what you offer!


Putting Small Acreage to Work

This workshop will be similar to last year’s series, in that several topics of potential interest to small [or large] farmers will be addressed, but they’ll be covered in one Saturday rather than multiple evening sessions.  Here is this year’s agenda:

•    Registration (8:15 – 8:30 a.m.)
•    Growing and Marketing Specialty Melons (Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, NCSU; 8:30 – 10:15 a.m.)
•    Break (10:15 – 10:30 a.m.)
•    Grafting Tomatoes for Disease Resistance and Vigor (Cary Rivard, NCSU; 10:30 a.m. – noon)
•    Lunch and Integrating Produce and Livestock (M.H. Ferguson, NC Cooperative Extension; noon – 1:00 p.m.)
•    Travel to Walker Farms in Franklinville (1:00 – 1:30 p.m.)
•    Equipment for the Small Farm (Troy Coggins, NC Cooperative Extension, and farmer Bill Walker; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.)
•    Return to office (3:00 – 3:30 p.m.)

See “Upcoming Events” for additional information about this event!

Upcoming Events – Randolph Co.

Pond Management Seminar
Oct. 20 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.), NC Cooperative Extension, Randolph Co. Center (112 W. Walker Ave., Asheboro).  Drs. Jim Rice and Rob Richardson, Extension Specialists with NC State University, will talk about general pond management and aquatic weed management. One hour of pesticide credits in categories A, N, D, and X is available.  Pre-register by Oct. 16.  $3 fee payable upon arrival.    

Local Food Networking Meeting
Oct. 29 (7:00 p.m., NOTE TIME CHANGE), NC Cooperative Extension, Randolph Co. Center.  Come meet people who are interested in buying Randolph County-produced foods.  Call 336-318-6000 to register by Oct. 27.   

Putting Small Acreage to Work Workshop
Nov. 14 (8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.), NC Cooperative Extension, Randolph Co. Center.  Come learn about growing specialty melons, grafting tomatoes, integrating produce and livestock, and equipment for the small farm.  Pre-registration and $8 (lunch included) due by Nov. 10.

For NC Cooperative Extension, Randolph County Center, events:  For accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Mary Helen Ferguson by phone, fax, e-mail (maryhelen_ferguson@ncsu.edu), or in person, no later than five business days before the event.


Upcoming Events – Statewide and Regional

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) Training
Oct. 29 – 30, Wrightsville Beach. Farmer scholarships available. More info: kbaldwin@ncat.edu or
336-334-7957.

Piedmont Biofarm Pepper Festival
Oct. 18, Pittsboro. More info: http://theabundancefoundation.org/pepper-festival/

USDA Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Hearing
Oct. 22, Charlotte. More info: click here.

Cut Flower Production Workshop
Oct. 22, Marion. More info: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/events/specialtyhort-events-calendar.html or 828-652-8104.

NC Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference
Oct. 27 – 28, Raleigh. More info: http://www.ncvga.com/ue.html or 919-334-0099.

Southeast Strawberry Expo
Nov. 8 - 10, Durham (RTP).  More info: http://www.ncstrawberry.com/docs/Registration%20BrochureforWeb.pdf or 919-542-4037.

Triangle Landscape Symposium
Nov. 11, Durham (Duke Gardens).  Approved for 3.5 hours of pesticide credits in categories L, N, D, and X. $45. More info: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=events&event_id=13264 or 919-560-0526.

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Annual Meeting
Nov. 13 - 14, Raleigh.  More info: http://albc-usa.org/Conference2009/ALBCconference2009.html or 919-545-0022.

Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Annual Conf. and Trade Show
Nov. 16 - 19, Myrtle Beach.  More info: http://www.cgcsa.org/ or 800-476-4272.

24th Annual Southeast Vegetable & Fruit Expo
Dec. 1 – 2, Myrtle Beach, SC. More info: www.ncvga.com or 919-334-0099.

NCSU 6th Annual NCSU Hands-On Cheese Making Course
Dec. 2 - 4, Raleigh. Registrations should be postmarked by Oct. 30 to avoid a late fee. More info:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/BrochureHandsOn2009.pdf or 919-513-2488.

ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certification Review and Exam
Dec. 9 – 11, Winston-Salem. More info: http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/41/ISA_Workshop_Agenda_2009.pdf or 336-375-5876.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.  The use of brand names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of the products or services named nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.