Calendar of Events

November 9, 2009: CEFS Sustainable Agriculture Lecturer: Will Allen, Founder & CEO of Growing Power, Inc. from 7:00-8:30 pm at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. In 1995, while assisting neighborhood children with a gardening project, Allen began developing the farming methods and educational programs that are now the hallmark of the non-profit organization Growing Power, which he directs and co-founded. Guiding all his efforts is the recognition that the unhealthy diets of low-income, urban populations, and such related health problems as obesity and diabetes, largely are attributable to limited access to safe and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. Will Allen was awarded a 2008 MacArthur Fellows "Genius Fellowship". For more information visit the CEFS website.

November 12, 2009: Beef Cow Wintering Management Workshop from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at CEFS in Goldsboro, NC. For more information visit the CEFS website.

November 13-14, 2009: American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Conference: Crucial Cuisine©: Putting Rare Breeds Back on the Table in Raleigh, NC.

Pre-conference Clinics:

• Hog Husbandry–The Key to Healthy, Productive Hogs
• Breeding Rare Breed Rabbits for Productivity
• Selecting Heritage Chicken Breeding Stock for Productivity
• The Lost Art of Last Cuts –Taking Advantage of Underutilized Cuts of Meat
• Introduction to Microdairying with Cattle, Sheep, and Goats
• Breed Association Clinic

Conference Sessions:

• The Kentucky Hamburger Alliance–Finding an Outlet for the Rest of the Beef
• Poultry Incubation–Hatching for Success
• Incorporating Rare Breeds Into Your Farm Plan
• Emergency Preparedness for Responsible Endangered Breed Stewardship
• Introduction to Rare Meat Rabbit Breeds
• New Genetics Technologies for Breed Conservation–DNA Analysis & Interpretation
• Pork: The Other Red Meat
• How to Work Productively with Your Processor
• Because They Taste Better–The Competitive Edge of Heritage Breeds in Grass-Based Production Systems
• Demystifying Farm Economics
• Direct Marketing Rare Breed Sheep
• Marketing 101–A Closer Look at Marketing Strategies for Independent Producers
• New Tools and Strategies for Rare Breed Producers

Early bird registration ends Sept. 30. Visit the ALBC website for complete conference details.

November 14, 2009: Putting Small Acreage to Work Workshop conducted by NC Cooperative Extension from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Asheboro, NC. Are you looking for new options for your farm or garden?  Are you new to farming and interested in knowing more about the "tools of the trade"? Dr. Jonathan Schultheis of North Carolina State University will talk about "Growing and Marketing Specialty Melons."  Cary Rivard, also of NC State University, will speak about "Grafting Tomatoes for Disease Resistance and Vigor."  He will then demonstrate this exciting technique that can be used to manage soilborne diseases or to increase tomato production on low-vigor varieties.  During lunch, Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson will talk about "Integrating Produce and Livestock."  Afterward, we will travel to Walker Farms in Franklinville to learn from Extension Agent Troy Coggins and farmer Bill Walker about "Equipment for the Small Farm."  

Pre-registration and a fee of $8 (lunch included) are due by Nov. 10.  Checks, made out to NC Cooperative Extension - Randolph County, can be sent to 112 W. Walker Ave., Asheboro, NC, 27203. For more information contact Mary Helen Ferguson at 336-318-6000.
      
For accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Mary Helen Ferguson at 336-318-6000 no later than five business days before the event.

November 16, 2009: Workshop entitled Facebook for Farmers: a Great Marketing and Educational Tool from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Conducted by the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. For more information click here or contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202.

November 18, 2009: Food Safety: From Production to Sales from 9:00 am-3:30 pm at CEFS in Goldsboro, NC. For more information visit the CEFS website.

November 19, 2009: Direct Marketing Meats Workshop from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Orange Cooperative Extension office in Hillsborough, NC. Sponsored by NC Choices and Orange County CES. Dr. Harry Wilson from NCDA&CS MPIS will be presenting on direct marketing meats from the farm.  Dr. Wilson will discuss best management practices that you can implement to reduce the chance of food-borne illness, what you need to know about working with your processor, and what you need to know about label claims for direct marketing. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. This is a free event. RSVP to Lee Menius if you plan on attending. Directions to the Orange County Extension office.

December 2-4, 2009: 6th Annual NCSU Hands-on Cheesemaking Short Course in Raleigh, NC. For more information on the course contact Gary Cartwright at 919-513-2488. Download the brochure and registration form.

December 4-6, 2009: 24th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Black Mountain, NC. For more information visit the CFSA website.

December 12, 2009: Cattle Artificial Insemination Workshop from 9:00 am-3:30 pm at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC. The Cooperative Extension Program at NC State University and NC A&T State University will be presenting a cattle artificial insemination (AI) workshop hosted by the NCDA&CS at the Cherry Research Farm/CEFS in Goldsboro, NC.  Dr. Gary Hansen (NCSU) will be conducting the workshop in collaboration with Dr. Ralph Noble (NCA&TSU) and Dr. Niki Whitley (NCA&TSU).  Producers and extension field staff who would like to learn more about this useful breeding tool are invited to join us. Sign-in starts at 8:30 am, the program begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm.  Please register soon – space is limited in order to accommodate everyone for the “hands-on” portion of the program (deadline to register is Dec. 9th).  Cost is $20 for the first person from a family or farm and $15 for additional family/farm members (check payable to NCA&TSU Extension).  Extension staff should register on LMS. To register, please contact Andrea Brooks at 336-334-7956.

For more information contact:

• Dr. Gary Hansen, NCSU Extension Livestock Specialist, at 252-793-4428 x137
• Dr. Niki Whitley, NC A&T SU Extension Livestock Specialist, at 336-334-7956 x 2102  

January 20-23, 2010: Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG) Conference in Chattanooga, TN. For more information visit the Southern SAWG website.

This page last updated November 3, 2009.

URL: www.growingsmallfarms.org

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is an educational partnership helping people put research-based
knowledge to work for economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and an improved quality of life.