Calendar of Events

February 9, 2010: Pastured Poultry Conference from 8:15 am - 3:30 pm at the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Center Auditorium in Greensboro, NC. This conference is sponsored by North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Program Agenda:

9:00 - 9:45 am - Introduction to Raising Pastured Poultry – Jim Adkins, Center for Poultry, California

9:45 -10:30 am - Sources of Standard and Heritage Breeds of Poultry - Jeannette Beranger, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC)

10:30 -10:45 am - Break

10:45 -11:30 am - Brooding and Nutritional Needs of Young Poultry - Jim Adkins, Center for Poultry

11:30 am -12:15 pm -  Biosecurity and Small Flock Health - Donna Carver, DVM – NC State University

12:15 - 1:00 pm - Catered Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 pm - Range-type Housing - Jim Adkins, Center for Poultry

1:45 - 2:30 pm - Integrating Pastured Poultry with Other On-farm Enterprises - Judy Lessler, Harland's Creek Farm

2:30 - 3:00 pm - Processing, USDA Grading, Special Considerations - Abdul Chaudhry, Chaudhry Halal Poultry Processing Inc., Siler City

3:00 - 3:30 pm - Evaluations and Questions

Target Audience: Pasture and Small Flock Poultry Producers with beginning or intermediate skill levels.

Location: Guilford County Cooperative Extension Center Auditorium,  3309 Burlington Rd., Greensboro, NC 27405. Click here for directions.

Mandatory RSVP: To make sure we have enough food prepared for lunch, please call the Guilford County CES Center at 336-375-5876 by February 5 to sign up for the program and lunch. Cost is $20 per person - please pay at the door.  Checks, money orders or cash are fine. Please bring exact change. Registration includes educational handouts, snacks, locally prepared lunch. 

For more information, contact Area Poultry Agent Dan Campeau at 919-542-8202.

February 12, 2010: Blueberry & Blackberry Pruning Workshop from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in Goldsboro, NC. This is a collaborative workshop between Wayne County Cooperative Extension &the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. The workshop will consist of a one hour presentation on blueberry management followed by a blueberry and blackberry pruning demonstration. Participants will be responsible for travel to CEFS Small Farm Unit for the pruning portion. Directions will be provided at the beginning of the workshop. Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Registration Fee: FREE. Presenters: Dr. Bill Cline, Karen Blaedow, Steve Moore. Registration is limited to the first 35 participants. Registration required by February 10. Call Diane Lynch at 919-731-1525 to reserve a spot.

February 12, 2010: Toby Hemenway Reception, Book Signing, and Lecture: How Permaculture Can Save Humanity and the Earth, but Not Civilization at 5:30 pm at the Duke University Campus in Durham, NC. Toby Hemenway is the author of Gaia's Garden: a Guide to Home-scale Permaculture. Sponsored by Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Visit the event website for more information or contact Jan Little at 919-668-5309.

February 13-14, 2010: Toby Hemenway Workshops at Duke Gardens in Durham, NC. Full-day workshop on Developing Backyard Ecologies and Soils. Half-day workshop on Urban Sustainability and Permaculture. Sponsored by Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Visit the event website for more information or contact Jan Little at 919-668-5309.

March 3, 2010: Improving Your Animal Handling & Calving Management Skills from 1:00 – 5:00 pm in Goldsboro, NC at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). This workshop will start with classroom instruction on improving calving management and animal handling. Following the classroom session we will proceed to the beef unit where we will tour the farm to observe the new born calves and cows on various forage systems. We will also have hands-on instruction in managing calving difficulty, proper heifer development, and low-stress animal handling. Registration Fee: $10. Presenters: Dr. Matt Poore, Dr. Mark Alley, Dr. Steve Washburn, and Dr. Gary Hansen. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

March 5, 2010: Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in Roxboro, NC. The school is designed to explore the art and science of growing and marketing specialty crops and will feature many ideas for specialty crop growers to be successful in their ventures. This year’s school will feature growing in high tunnels to gain earliness in the spring and to extend the season in the fall. The talks will be given by leading experts in their fields.

Steve Moore, with the NC State University Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro, will start the program by discussing design, construction, and thermal performance of high tunnels. Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University Vegetable Specialist, will discuss growing tomatoes and specialty melons in high tunnels. Dr. Reza Rafie and Chris Mullins of Virginia State University will describe their experience with growing red raspberries and blackberries in high tunnels. Carl Cantaluppi will give a brief update of his variety trial results with asparagus and seedless table grapes.

The cost of the one-day school is $25.00 for the first person of a family or business and includes lunch. The cost is $15.00 for each additional family member or business associate, which also includes lunch. Pre-registration is needed to guarantee a seat and lunch. The program includes agenda, directions, pre-registration form, and a list of local motels. Download the program brochure.

Directions to Person County Extension Center

For more information, contact Carl Cantaluppi at 919-603-1350.

March 6-7, 2009: 17th Annual Organic Growers' School Spring Conference & Trade Show in Asheville, NC. Join us for the Southeast's largest sustainable living conference, with over 100 classes and workshops, a trade show, seed and plant exchange, silent auction, children's program, and more. NEW this year, OGS has partnered with local downtown businesses and active non profits to host a Salon Revival on the evening of March 6 -- discussions on hot topics in the world of sustainable agriculture and community food systems. For more information visit the conference website or contact Meredith Leigh McKissick at 828-450-2026.

March 18, 2010: Cultivating Connections: Web Marketing and Social Media for the Small Farm Workshop from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at the Agriculture Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Conducted by the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series. For details, visit the workshop section of this website.

March 31, 2009: Born and Bred in NC: Queen Rearing Workshop for Beekeepers at the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro, NC. Conducted by North Carolina State University. For more information, visit the program website or contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202. Details will be released in early 2010.

April 21, 2010: Small Ruminant Integrated Gastrointestinal Parasite Control, Smart Drenching & FAMACHA from 8:45 am – 12:00 pm in Goldsboro, NC at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). Controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in their animals represent the biggest challenge facing small ruminant producers worldwide. Participants will learn about the biology of the gastrointestinal nematodes, where we are and why, a quick review of dewormers, and how to integrate smart drenching, FAMACHA and pasture management for more effective control. New alternatives being researched will also be discussed. A hands-on session will be held to teach participants how to use the FAMACHA card as an effective tool. Registration Fee: $10 (Additional $10 for FAMACHA certification card). For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

April 24-25, 2010: 15th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour from 1:00-5:00 pm. Sponsored by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) and Weaver Street Market. The self-guided tour will feature dozens of small, sustainable farms in Orange/Chatham, NC and surrounding counties. 1:00-5:00 pm both days.  $25 per carload in advance.  Tickets now online.  Online and print maps will be available shortly. Farm and food enthusiasts from all over the Carolinas are invited to join us that weekend. Contact CFSA at 919-542-2402 for more information.

May 1, 2010: CEFS Spring Farm Festival from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This is a FREE FAMILY EVENT with lots of kid activities. Please join us at the CEFS Small Farm Unit as we celebrate sustainable agriculture and local food and farming in North Carolina. The Festival will include educational booths and activities, workshops, tours, kids activities, a farmers' market, local food and live music all day. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

May (date to be determined) 2010: Organic No-till Corn and Soybean Production from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. This on-farm workshop will demonstrate no-till/roll-kill practices that can be used in organic corn and soybean production. The technique for planting corn and soybeans into roll-killed cover crops will be discussed and potential follow-up weed control methods will be demonstrated. Crop yields, fertility, and crop management will also be discussed, as well as research results from the previous year. Instructors: Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, Dr. Julie Grossman, Mary Parr, George Place. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email Molly Hamilton or call 828-273-1041.

May 25, 2010: Conservation Practices in Outdoor Hog Production from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This workshop will give agents and producers training on the environmental problems associated with outdoor hog production and conservation practices needed to address these issues. The group will tour and discuss the outdoor swine research sites at CEFS and nearby farms. Registration Fee: $20 (Includes Lunch). Presenters: Silvana Pietrosemoli and Lee Menius. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

June (date to be determined) 2010: Organic No-till Corn and Soybean Production from 5:00- 7:00 pm. This on-farm workshop will demonstrate no-till/roll-kill practices that can be used in organic corn and soybean production. The technique for planting corn and soybeans into roll-killed cover crops will be discussed and potential follow-up weed control methods will be demonstrated. Crop yields, fertility, and crop management will also be discussed, as well as research results from the previous year. Instructors: Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, Dr. Julie Grossman, Mary Parr, George Place. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email Molly Hamilton or call 828-273-1041.

June 5, 2010: Food System Assessments: Part I: Community-based Assessments from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. Community-based Food Assessments identify food access, availability, and demand questions but also provide an engaged mode of community outreach and education about the importance of healthy food and local economics, as well as community development possibilities based in good food projects. This workshop will help you understand the basics of community-driven food assessments, hear from youth and community members doing successful project in NC, and give you some tools for beginning or expanding in your own local assessments. In Part I, we'll cover different types of community-based assessments, examine ways that they help with outreach and education, and introduce youth-driven community food assessment activities. If you want an introduction to community-based food assessments or want to jump into exploring the baseline of your own area, we’ll offer the information and materials to get started!

Community-based food assessments can create the foundation for a comprehensive food system assessment.  See the workshop titled Food System Assessment Part II: Local, Regional and State Food Assessment for ways to leverage your community-based assessment. Presenters: Sidney Cruze & Tes Thraves. Registration Fee: $10. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

July 13, 2010: Food System Assessments: Part II: Local, Regional, and State Food Assessments from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This workshop offers an overview of Food System Assessments and outlines key steps for developing local and regional assessments. Comprehensive Food System Assessments often combine secondary data gathered from health departments, Ag Extension and the USDA Census of Agriculture with primary data gathered by professionals from community members. We will look at a variety of professional food assessment models—the data collected, plus how they are conducted and used as well as examples of some done in NC. We’ll cover one in detail as a case study and discuss concrete steps to getting a comprehensive county-wide or regional assessment in your area. If you want an introduction to food assessments or you want to explore the baseline data for your own food system, we’ll offer the information and materials to get started!

Comprehensive food system assessments can create the foundation for a community-based food assessment. See the workshop titled Food System Assessment Part I: Community-based Assessment for ways to leverage your food system assessment. Presenters: Sidney Cruze & Tes Thraves. Registration Fee: $10. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

July 14, 2010: Farmscaping for Pest and Wildlife Management from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This workshop will provide an overview of practices designed to enhance beneficial insects (predators, parasites, pollinators), as well as farmland wildlife. Field demonstrations will focus on establishment and maintenance of habitats to provide all the life cycle needs of the above organisms. Presenter: Dr. David Orr. Registration Fee: $20. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

July 27, 2010: Alternative Management Strategies for Dairy Grazing Systems (with Potential Application for Both Organic & Conventional Pasture-based Systems) from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This workshop will include observations on research using alfalfa-grass pasture mixtures being managed either organically or conventionally as well as other pasture management topics.  The workshop will include preliminary observations from alternative approaches in managing reproduction, udder health, and general herd health in pasture-based and organic dairy cows.  We will also observe the use of a vacuum system to physically remove horn flies from lactating cows as well as other novel strategies for parasite control. Presenters: Dr. Sue Ellen Johnson, Dr. Kevin Anderson, Dr. Mark Alley, Dr. Wes Watson, Dr. Steve Washburn, Eileen Balz &Keena Mullen. Registration Fee: $20. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954. Waste Management Credits & Pesticide Credits are available.

August 2-6, 2010: Eastern Apicultural Society Short Course and Conference in Boone, NC. Details will be released later. For more information, visit the EAS website.

August 26, 2010: Organic Certification from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. This workshop will help you understand what you need to know and do to get your farm certified under the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP). Find out what the standards are, how to get certified, how to fill out an organic certification application, and how to find and choose a certifier. You’ll receive an extensive notebook with record-keeping templates, mock applications, resources, approved materials lists and more. If you are thinking about getting certified organic, this is the place to start! Presenter: Tony Kleese. Registration Fee: $50 (includes lunch). For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

August 25, 2010: WEBINAR: High Tunnel Enhancements: Using Inner Covers to Increase Production from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Are you getting the most out of your high tunnels?  This short webinar will focus on the use of low-cost inner tunnels in cool weather to increase microclimate temperatures.  These microclimate enhancements have provided significant increases in plant growth and production capacity.  There will be a significant portion of time for high tunnel questions. Instructor: Steve Moore. Registration Fee: TBA. For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

October 13, 2010: Fall Tomato Production from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. In North Carolina, the traditional “direct marketing season” for small-scale vegetable producers is from April to October.  Successful North Carolina growers who sell primarily at tailgate markets attempt to have quality produce for sale every week during that period.  Getting the best price for product brought to market involves production planning.  As often as possible, smart growers will want to bring product to market when supply is low so that they can charge high prices.  One such production strategy is referred to as “season extension.” 
Season extension provides producers with a competitive advantage, because it enables them to produce, harvest and sell crops when they are not typically available to consumers.  For example, growers can make “early” spring specialty lettuces or “late” fall tomatoes available to consumers when demand is high at market and supply is low. Having produce available for sale at market when other growers do not, can boost farm income and establish customer loyalty.

A common season extension strategy employed by growers is to plant a crop at a non-traditional time.  For example, tomatoes are normally planted as soon as the danger of spring frost is past.  However, tomatoes can be planted much later in the growing season for market sales beginning in September and ending with the first fall frost.  Having tomatoes for sale in the fall, when spring-planted tomatoes have “played out” and supply in the marketplace is limited, is a recipe for increasing sales and making money.  This Extension workshop will focus on the production of high quality tomatoes that can be sold at market from September until the first fall frost. Presenters: Dr. Keith Baldwin, Rickie Holness. Registration Fee: $20 (includes lunch). For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

October 21, 2010: Use of Riparian Buffers to Mitigate Nutrient Runoff from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. Riparian buffers are a technology in sustainable agriculture used to reduce excess amount of sediment, organic materials, nutrients and pesticides in surface run-off.  Riparian buffers consist of grass, shrubs and/or trees grown alongside water sources (streams, rivers, ditches, etc.). This workshop will describe the design and maintenance of riparian buffers and the potential additional benefits of creating them, including the use of specialty crops within the buffer such as fruit shrubs or trees, nut trees and herbs.  The workshop will include a classroom section with pictures and educational materials followed by a tour of CEFS areas with riparian buffers. Presenters: Joshua Idassi. Registration fee: $20 (includes lunch). For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

November 16, 2010: Managing Nutrients & Pests in Pasture-based Livestock Production from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. Riparian buffers are a technology in sustainable agriculture used to reduce excess amount of sediment, organic materials, nutrients and pesticides in surface run-off.  Riparian buffers consist of grass, shrubs and/or trees grown alongside water sources (streams, rivers, ditches, etc.). This workshop will describe the design and maintenance of riparian buffers and the potential additional benefits of creating them, including the use of specialty crops within the buffer such as fruit shrubs or trees, nut trees and herbs.  The workshop will include a classroom section with pictures and educational materials followed by a tour of CEFS areas with riparian buffers. Presenters: Dr. Matt Poore, Dr. Mark Alley, Dr. Steve Washburn, and Dr. Gary Hansen. Registration fee: $20 (includes lunch). For more information please visit the CEFS website, email CEFS_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954.

December 3-5, 2010: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) Sustainable Agriculture Conference in downtown Winston-Salem, NC.

This page last updated February 1, 2010.

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