Enhancing Sustainability Workshops

Contact Debbie Roos for more information about these workshops.

Directions to the Workshops

April 7, 2008:
QuickBooks Pro for Farms:
How to Make it Work for Your Farm

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a workshop on QuickBooks Pro for Farms as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, April 7, 2008 from 5:00-9:00 pm at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC.

If you currently are using QuickBooks for your farm record-keeping and accounting but would like to learn new ways to simplify QuickBooks to provide better management information, then this workshop is for you! We will focus on how to get QuickBooks to provide you the information you want for your farm. To that end, we want you to let us know what you want – we will customize this workshop to meet your needs! Please send an email to Debbie Roos with your burning QuickBooks questions and we will do the best we can to address these during the workshop.

Note: this workshop is for people who already use QuickBooks – it is not for first-time users!

Topics:

• Account classification – how to make the Chart of Accounts and other means of classification work better for you

• Reports – how to customize financial and management reports to make them more useful for your farm
  
  
• Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable – accrual-based accounting and various methods for recording sales
  
  
• Assets and Depreciation – how to better manage and keep track of assets and depreciation
  
  
• Budgeting – how to create a budget for the farm
  
  
• Tax Reporting – year-end organization for taxes (i.e., 1099s)

We are allowing 4 hours for this workshop to provide plenty of time to demonstrate QuickBooks tips and solutions and to accommodate questions.

This workshop will be taught by two local treasures: Marty Hayes and Alex Hitt.

Marty Hayes has a degree in Corporate Finance and Business and has over 30 years of experience helping businesses of all sizes with their finances, from wholesale distribution, to large accounting firms, to national retail grocery stores (Whole Foods). She has also worked with small entrepreneurial businesses and non-profit organizations and has helped many local farmers get started on QuickBooks. She is currently working her own 30 acre farm in Chatham County with her husband and two dogs, tending to horses, pastured poultry, vegetables, and fruits.

Alex and Betsy Hitt have grown vegetables, cut flowers, small fruits, and pastured turkeys at Peregrine Farm for 27 years. Alex uses QuickBooks for all his record-keeping and finances and will share his tips for what works for them.

Having both Marty and Alex teaching this workshop will provide a dual perspective from both the accounting world and the farm world.

The cost of the workshop is $20 and the deadline for registration is April 2, 2008. Please bring a sandwich for dinner. We will provide drinks and light refreshments.

To register, download a registration form and mail with your check made payable to Chatham County Cooperative Extension to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Call 919-542-8202 for more information.

Please email Debbie Roos to send in your ideas for what topics you would like to see covered. The earlier you send in your suggestions, the more likely we will be able to address them. Please try and submit your questions by March 28 (registration deadline is April 2).

April 7 QuickBooks Registration Form

February 20-21, 2008:
QuickBooks Pro for Farms

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a two-day training on QuickBooks Pro for Farms as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on February 20-21, 2008 at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. This training will be for first-time users, or people who feel like they are first-time users!

QuickBooks computerized record-keeping systems have been put into service on many area farms over the last several years. To help demonstrate the use of this program in farm situations and to help answer questions in regards to the software, Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a two-day training of “hands-on, how-to” instruction. The workshop will be taught by Lara Worden, certified QuickBooks user and area agriculture agent. We will be setting up a computer lab in our auditorium, so each participant will have his/her own computer (provided by Chatham County) throughout the workshop.

Training topics:

• Setting up your company
• Setting up the chart of accounts
• Understanding the basics of accounting
• Entering everyday transactions
• Reconcile accounts
• Payroll
• Working with reports
• Account summaries for tax preparation and business analysis
• Prepare tax forms
• Special farm accounting transactions
• Tips & tricks on using the software

Note: This February training will be followed by another training on April 7 for intermediate users of QuickBooks Pro. This workshop will be from 5:00-9:00 pm and will be taught by Marty Hayes and farmer Alex Hitt. There will not be a computer lab set up for the April workshop but part of the workshop will be devoted to problem-solving specific questions that participants submit in advance. Details on the April workshop will be released later in February.

The training will go from 10:00 am-5:00 pm on Wednesday February 20, and from 9:00 am-4:00 pm on Thursday February 21.

The cost of the two-day training is $80 to cover reference materials and refreshments. Lunch will be on your own.

Registration space is limited and pre-registration is required. I expect this training to fill quickly. Preference will be given to Chatham County farmers. Other farmers will be admitted if space is available. We will return your check if the workshop is full.

The deadline for registration is February 14, 2008.

To register, download a registration form and mail with your check made payable to Chatham County Cooperative Extension to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 for more information.

QuickBooks Training Registration Form

January 28, 2008:
Heirloom Apple Production Workshop

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents an Heirloom Apple Production Workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series from 7:00-9:00 p.m.* at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Nationally known heirloom apple expert and author Lee Calhoun will share his decades' worth of experience producing heirloom apples in the North Carolina Piedmont.

Topics:

• Rewards and challenges of growing apples in central North Carolina
• Variety selection
• Semi-dwarf vs. full-size trees
• Sourcing trees
• Planting and early care of apple trees
• Long-term care of apple trees - pruning, fertilization, pollination, insect/disease/weed management
• Harvest and postharvest handling - cleaning, cooling, and storage

The cost of the workshop is $15. The deadline for registration is January 24. To register, download a registration form and mail with your check made payable to Chatham County Cooperative Extension to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 for more information.

* Please arrive between 6:30-6:45 pm to get signed in and to receive your handouts. The program will start promptly at 7:00 pm.

Registration Form

August 29, 2007:
Pastured Pork Production Workshop

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a Pastured Pork Production Workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. International Pig Production Consultants Keith Thornton and Lance Gegner will be the featured speakers at a workshop on outdoor pig production that includes a dinner catered by Chatham Marketplace featuring locally produced pastured pork.

Keith Thornton brings over 40 years of international swine production experience to the farmers of North Carolina. Keith has influenced swine production in the entire European community, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Chile, South Africa, Korea, Taiwan, Argentina, and the United States. He is the author of the book Outdoor Pig Production. Born in England, Keith now lives in Des Moines, Iowa. Lance Gegner was formerly the pastured pork specialist at ATTRA and authored several of their publications on outdoor pig production and marketing. Both Keith and Lance are currently consulting for the Animal Welfare Institute.

Jennifer Curtis of NC Choices will talk about processing and marketing options for pastured pork. NC Choices was developed by NC State University (NCSU), NC A&T State University, the NC. Department of Agriculture and others to help small and mid-sized hog farms find local markets for niche pork products. The program, funded through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is administered by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). NC Choices' mission is to promote locally-raised pork and help small- and mid-sized hog farms find local markets for their environmentally-friendly, all-natural pork products.

The workshop will conclude with a panel of experienced local growers describing how they integrated pastured pork into their diversified systems.

This workshop is intended to provide an overview of outdoor pig production for diversified farmers considering a new enterprise. However, given the speakers' world-renowned reputations, even experienced pastured pork producers will likely find this workshop useful!

Agenda:

5:00-5:15 pm
History of Pastured Pork Production in Chatham and Surrounding Counties
Resources for Pastured Pork Production
Debbie Roos and Sam Groce
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

5:15-6:00 pm
Processing and Marketing Pastured Pork
Jennifer Curtis
NC Choices

6:00-7:00 pm
Overview of Outdoor Pig Production
Keith Thornton and Lance Gegner
Animal Welfare Institute

7:00-7:45 pm
Dinner catered by Chatham Marketplace featuring locally produced pastured pork

7:45-8:15 pm
Overview of Outdoor Pig Production (continued)
Keith Thornton and Lance Gegner
Animal Welfare Institute

8:15-9:15 pm
Grower Panel: Integrating Pastured Pork into Small-Scale Diversified Production Systems
Eliza MacLean, Cane Creek Farm
Bailey Newton, Triple B Farms
Natalie Veres, Grateful Growers Farm
Clarence Durham, Clarence Durham Farm

The cost of the workshop is $18 and includes a catered dinner and a resource notebook. The deadline for registration is August 24. We must receive your registration fee by then to guarantee your spot. To register, download a registration form and mail to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Contact Debbie Roos or Sam Groce at 919-542-8202 for more information.

Download the Registration Form

March 21, 2007:
No-till Vegetable Production Conference

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a No-till Vegetable Production Conference as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Reap the benefits of several years of research in the North Carolina Piedmont on no-till vegetable production systems. Learn how no-till systems can improve soil quality and improve crop yields. No-till expert Dr. Ron Morse from Virginia Tech will share his many years of experience refining his system of using high-residue cover crops in no-till organic vegetable production systems. Dr. Morse has also developed a no-till planter appropriate for small farms that he will bring for display. NC A&T State University Specialists and farmer Alex Hitt will discuss the soil quality benefits of no-till systems and how farmers can design the best system for their farm.

Agenda:

9:00-9:10 am
Welcome
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

9:10-10:30 am
Improving Soil Quality and Crop Yields Using Cover Crops in No-till Vegetable Production Systems: Results from Three Years of Research in the North Carolina Piedmont
Dr. Charles Raczkowski
North Carolina A&T State University

10:30-10:45 am
Break

10:45-12:00 pm
High-residue Organic Cover Crop Systems
Dr. Ron Morse
Virginia Tech University

12:00-1:00 pm
Nuts and Bolts of Successful Cover Crop Systems for the North Carolina Piedmont (cool-season crops, warm-season crops, nutrient management, mechanical kill, "up and coming" cover crops, and more)
Dr. Keith Baldwin
North Carolina A&T State University

1:00-1:45 pm
Lunch catered by Chatham County's Celebrity Dairy

1:45-2:30 pm
Sustainable No-till Production of Summer Vegetables at Peregrine Farm
Alex Hitt
Peregrine Farm

2:30-3:15 pm
Equipment for Small-scale No-till Vegetable Production
Dr. Ron Morse
Virginia Tech University

3:15-3:30 pm
Break

3:30-4:00 pm
Improving Pest Management with No-till Systems
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

4:00-4:15 pm
Grower Resources
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

4:15-5:00 pm
Open Question and Answer Session

Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook. The cost of the conference is $25 and includes a catered lunch featuring locally grown food. The deadline for registration is March 16. We must receive your registration fee by then to guarantee your spot. To register, download a registration form and mail to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 for more information.

Registration Form

March 15, 2007:
Heirloom Tomato Grafting Workshop

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes for Disease Control and Improved Yields as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series from 12:45-5:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC.

Grafting vegetables to manage soilborne diseases is a common practice in commercial greenhouses in many other parts of the world and is only recently receiving attention here in the U.S. Grafted tomato transplants are able to combine the high quality fruit of heirloom cultivars with the disease resistance, stress tolerance, and vigor of modern rootstock cultivars.

This workshop will focus on the work of North Carolina State University's Dr. Frank Louws and his graduate student Cary Rivard, now conducting his PhD research on tomato grafting. Cary has done on-farm research on several local farms. Come learn about this exciting new area of applied research.

Agenda:

12:45-1:00 pm
Registration and Welcome
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch - drinks will be provided

1:00-2:15 pm
Biology and Diagnosis of Soilborne Diseases in Tomato
Dr. Frank Louws
North Carolina State University

2:15-2:30 pm
Break

2:30-3:30 pm
Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes for Disease Control and Improved Yields
Cary Rivard
North Carolina State University

3:30-4:00 pm
Grafting Demonstration and Hands-on Practice
Participants get a chance to practice grafting tomato seedlings!

4:00-4:30 pm
North Carolina On-farm Research on Grafted Tomatoes
Cary Rivard
North Carolina State University

4:30-5:00 pm
Resources for Growers
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

Participants will receive a resource notebook. The cost of the workshop is $15 to cover materials. The deadline for registration is March 12. We must receive your registration fee by then to guarantee your spot. To register, download a registration form and mail to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 for more information.

Registration Form

January 8-February 26, 2007:
Beekeeping School

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers' Association will conduct an 8 week Beekeeping School to be held on Monday evenings from January 8-February 26, 2007. Classes will be from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. We have an excellent line-up of speakers for the program which will offer something for all levels of beekeepers. The school will also include hands-on activities and field days. We have a great group of local beekeepers who are always more than willing to help beginners.

View the complete agenda on the beekeeping section of the Growing Small Farms website.

December 1, 2006:
Pastured Poultry Production Conference

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a Pastured Poultry Production Conference from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. An expert team of experienced, successful producers and researchers will present the latest information on pastured poultry systems that work. Learn all about selecting appropriate breeds, and how to feed, house, water, and protect pastured flocks. We will also discuss how to design and implement a biosecurity plan for your farm and talk about record-keeping, economics and the bottom line.

Agenda:

8:30-9:00 am
Registration

9:00-9:10 am
Welcome and Introductions
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

9:10-9:40 am
Key Decisions: Species, Breeds, Scale, System
Ben Bergmann
Fickle Creek Farm

9:40-10:30 am
Breed Selection: Chickens
Don Schrider
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

10:30-10:40 am
Break

10:40-11:20 am
Brooder Management: Housing, Feeding, and Watering
Ben Bergmann
Fickle Creek Farm

11:20-12:30 pm
Post-brooder: Housing, Feeding, and Watering
Ben Bergmann
Fickle Creek Farm

12:30-1:15 pm
Lunch featuring locally grown foods prepared by Celebrity Dairy

1:15-1:45 pm
Predator Control
Ben Bergmann
Fickle Creek Farm

1:45-2:45 pm
How to Raise Standard Turkeys on Pasture
Alex Hitt
Peregrine Farm

2:45-3:00 pm
Break

3:00-4:00 pm
Biosecurity on Your Farm: Designing and Implementing a Plan
Don Schrider & Marjorie Bender
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

4:00-4:45 pm
Record-keeping and the Bottom Line
Ben Bergmann
Fickle Creek Farm

4:45-5:00 pm
Regulations and Resources for Pastured Poultry Producers
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

September 25, 2006:
Pastured Poultry Production Conference

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a Pastured Poultry Production Conference from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Learn all about forages for pastured poultry, sustainable pasture management, rotational grazing, and multispecies grazing. Get an update on the avian flu situation and how you can educate your customers proactively. We'll also talk about biosecurity strategies and marketing opportunities. A one hour open discussion period will provide opportunities to get your burning questions answered!

We will also be offering an all-day pastured poultry conference on December 1, 2006. The December conference will focus on the nuts and bolts of production including breed selection, brooder management, housing, fencing, predator control, feeding, watering, and much more. Details will be released in October.

Now is a great time to be preparing to plant forages for next year, and gearing up for 2007 production. The agenda for the September conference is below.

Agenda:

8:30-9:00 am
Registration

9:00-9:10 am
Welcome and Introductions
Debbie Roos
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

9:10-9:40 am
The Role of Forages in Pastured Poultry Systems
Noah Ranells
Orange County Agriculture Economic Development Coordinator
Fickle Creek Farm

9:40-10:00 am
Getting the Maximum Benefits from Pastured Poultry Manure
Ruth McDaniel
North Carolina State University, Soil Science Department
Forty Days Farm

10:00-10:10 am
Break

10:10-10:50 am
Pasture Management
Sam Groce
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

10:50-11:20 am
Cool-season Forages
Sam Groce

11:20-11:50 am
Warm-season Forages
Sam Groce

11:50-12:20 pm
Rotational Grazing
Sam Groce

12:20-1:00 pm
Lunch featuring locally grown foods prepared by Celebrity Dairy

1:00-1:30 pm
Multispecies Grazing
Noah Ranells

1:30-2:30 pm
Avian Influenza: What You Should Know
Dr. Donna Carver
Poultry Veterinarian Specialist, North Carolina State University

2:30-3:00 pm
Biosecurity Strategies on the Farm
Dr. Mary Ann McBride
Program Development Veterinarian, NCDA&CS Veterinary Division

3:00-3:15 pm
Break

3:15-3:45 pm
Marketing Opportunities for Pastured Poultry
Alex Hitt
Peregrine Farm
Growers’ Choice Cooperative

3:45-4:00 pm
Resources for Pastured Poultry Producers
Debbie Roos

4:00-5:00 pm
Open Questions & Answers

September 18, 2006:
Cut Flower Field Day

"Branching Out into Cut Flowers: Enhancing Sustainability through Diversification"

Have you been considering adding cut flowers to your crop mix? Or do you currently grow cut flowers but want to learn more about production and marketing?

If so, then you won’t want to miss this exciting event: on Monday, September 18, from 5:30-8:00 pm, we will have a Field Day at Perry-winkle Farm in northern Chatham County to talk about how growers can enhance sustainability by diversifying into cut flower production.

The field day will start at 5:30 pm and finish by 8:00 pm. Farmer Cathy Jones will talk about sustainable cut flower production, from seed to market. The field day will include a Twilight Tour of Perry-winkle Farm to give visitors an opportunity to see field production of cut flowers.

Cathy mentored a group of cut flower growers this summer at Perry-winkle Farm as part of a Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring program supported by North Carolina A&T State University and the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The group of 20 growers from all over the Piedmont region came to Perry-winkle Farm for 7 three-hour classes starting in June. Participants learned about the nuts and bolts of cut flower production and marketing, including crop planning, supply sourcing, planting & harvesting, postharvest handling, record-keeping, marketing, tracking costs and profits, and much more.

Field Day participants will learn about the Mentoring Program and meet some of the farmer participants.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending by calling 919-542-8202 or email Debbie Roos.

This is BYOC – bring your own chair (or blanket)!

This field day will offer something for growers of all levels – and I suspect it will also be a great opportunity for networking and hobnobbing! We hope to see you there.

Directions to Perry-winkle Farm (but don’t forget to RSVP!):

From Chapel Hill/Carrboro: take Jones Ferry Rd. out of town, head south about 8 miles to Frosty's Store, take a right onto Crawford Dairy Rd, go 1/2 mile, take first right onto White Cross Rd., go 1 mile. Perry-winkle Farm is on your left. Look for plastic flowers on the mailbox.

From Pittsboro: take Hwy 87 north to Chicken Bridge Rd. (approx. 7-8 miles), go right onto Chicken Bridge Rd, cross the Haw River and go to the stop sign, go right onto Crawford Dairy Rd. and take first left onto White Cross Rd. Go 1 mile and Perry-winkle Farm is on your left. Look for plastic flowers on the mailbox.

March 27, 2006:
Producing for Chatham Marketplace

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will host a Producer Meeting to discuss Producing for Chatham Marketplace on Monday, March 27, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Agriculture Building auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Chatham Marketplace is Chatham County's locally owned co-op grocery store scheduled to open in spring 2006. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce Shiloh Avery, Chatham Marketplace's new produce manager, and to discuss types of produce, quality, volume, packaging, communication, handling, etc. We will also introduce Jeff Barney, the new Kitchen/Deli Manager at CM. Jeff is also interested in purchasing as much as possible from local producers. If you are a producer living in or near Chatham County and hope to supply Chatham Marketplace, you won't want to miss this meeting!

The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm with a potluck, so bring your favorite dish to share. Drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 if you plan on attending just so we will know how many to expect.

February 28, 2006:
Year-round Vegetable Production with High Tunnels

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Year-round Vegetable Production with High Tunnels as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, February 28, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Agriculture Building auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Steve Moore, NC A&T State University Research and Extension Specialist at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, will talk about his 30 years of experience farming and 15+ years growing in high tunnels in Pennsylvania. Steve came to North Carolina in November 2005 and will be involved with research and outreach with season extension, winter production of vegetables, and much more. Come to the workshop to learn where Steve has been and where he is going. He very much wants to communicate with farmers so he can prioritize his research agenda. Steve's work has been featured on Rodale's New Farm website - just do a keyword search for Steve Moore.

The main focus of the presentation and discussion will focus on operation in a year-round systems approach, including general planting schedules and maximizing production. Other topics include design, layout, nitrate uptake in low-light greenhouse production and pest problems and controls. The program will allow for plenty of time for an open Question and Answer session.

October 24, 2005:
Season Extension Workshop and Field Day

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with Central Carolina Community College's Sustainable Farming Program, will offer a Season Extension Field Day as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, October 24, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in Pittsboro. The first part of the program will be in the Agriculture Building Auditorium and then we will move outdoors to the CCCC Land Lab about a mile away. Doug Jones, Land Lab Manager at CCCC, and Debbie Roos, Chatham County Sustainable Agriculture Agent, will be the presenters.

Topics:

• Basic Principles of Season Extension
• Thermodynamics and Properties of Plants
• Cultural Practices for Season Extension
  • Site Selection
  • Variety Selection
  • Windbreaks
  • Row Covers
  • High Tunnels
  • Haygrove Tunnels
  • Plastic Mulch
  • Shade
  • Irrigation
• Planting Guide for Vegetable Crops in the Piedmont
• Spring Planting of Cool Season Crops – Considerations for the Piedmont
• Marketing Opportunities
• Field Examples of Season Extension Techniques
• Resources and Suppliers for Season Extension

August 8, 2005:
Cut Flowers

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a Cut Flower Workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, August 8, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro.

Agenda:

• Advances in Cut Flower Research from North Carolina State University
• Summer Bulbs and Favorite Unusual Cuts
• Postharvest Handling for Optimal Quality
• One Size Does Not Fit All: Tips for Determining the Best Postharvest Strategies for New Species and Cultivars You Try on Your Farm
• Growing Pains: Taking your Cut Flower Operation to the Next Level

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. John Dole, Cut Flower Specialist at North Carolina State University
• Frankie Fanelli, North Carolina State University
• David Huffman, Carmen's Greenhouse

The workshop will also feature a Grower Panel for an open Question and Answer session.

Grower Panel:

• Cathy Jones, Perry-winkle Farm
• Leah Cook, Wild Hare Farm
• David Huffman, Carmen's Greenhouse

John Dole teaches and conducts research on specialty cut flower production at North Carolina State University. He coordinates the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers National Seed Trial and Perennial Trial and is the Executive Advisor for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. He is co-author of the floriculture textbook Floriculture Principles and Species.

Frankie Fanelli teaches at North Carolina State University and Johnston Community College, and is Volunteer Coordinator at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. Frankie completed a M.S. in Horticulture under John Dole and worked with him to conduct postharvest trials on over 65 cut flower cultivars and species. Her research focus was summer flowering bulbs as cut flowers.

David Huffman owns Carmen’s Greenhouse in Hiddenite, NC. Carmen's Greenhouse has been producing cut flowers and bedding plants for florists since 1993. With 30,000 square feet of greenhouse and a little over one acre of field space, they produce a wide range of cuts from tulips to sunflowers to asters. David grew up in the cut flower business and is well-known for his greenhouse-grown snapdragons.

July 11, 2005:
Organic Pasture Management

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer an Organic Pasture Management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, July 11, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Sam Groce, Chatham County Livestock Agent, and Debbie Roos, Chatham County Sustainable Agriculture Agent, will be the presenters. This workshop should be applicable to beef, goat, sheep, horse, and poultry producers. The agenda is posted below:

Pasture Management

• Planning for the Pasture
• Preparing to Plant
• Preparing the Soil
• Fertilization Rates and Timing

Forage Selection

• Cool Season Grasses
• Warm Season Grasses
• Layout of the Farm

Common Weeds of Pastures

• Cool Season Weeds
• Perennial Weeds
• Poisonous Plants
• Weed Control Strategies

NOP Standard for Certified Organic Pastures

NC Examples of Organic Pastures

Resources for Organic Pasture Management

June 27, 2005:
Organic Pest Management in Vegetables and Cut Flowers

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, June 27, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Organic Pest Management in Vegetables and Cut Flowers will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators.

April 12, 2005:
Sheep Shearing Demonstration

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a Sheep Shearing Demonstration as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on April 12 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in Silk Hope, NC. John Clouse, expert shearer, long-time Chatham County resident and owner of Rocky Hill Farms, will conduct the demonstration/training at Singing Winds Farm in Silk Hope. Teresa Fischer is the owner of Singing Winds Farm, and she has graciously offered to host the training. Participants should bring a sack lunch. John will demonstrate proper shearing techniques, then participants will have the opportunity to practice on Teresa's sheep (brave, isn't she?). To maximize the effectiveness of this training, we will limit the size of the group to 12, so only those serious about shearing should plan to come.

February 23, 2005:
Pastured Poultry Production Conference

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and American Livestock Breeds Conservancy present a Pastured Poultry Production Conference from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Learn about pastured chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Approximately 12 speakers will discuss breeds, production, processing, marketing, and regulations.

Agenda:

8:30 am-9:00 am
Registration

9:00 am-9:15 am
Welcome and Introductions - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

9:15 am-10:45 am
How to Raise Laying Chickens and Broiler Chickens on Pasture - Charles Gupton, Shiloh Farm; Ben Bergmann, Fickle Creek Farm

10:45 am-11:30 am
Appropriate Genetics: Chickens - Don Schrider, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

11:30 am-11:45 am
Break

11:45 am-12:45 pm
Marketing Roundtable - Leigh Loraine, Nu Horizons Farm (marketing through CSA and farmers' markets); Bret Jennings, Chef Proprietor, Elaine's on Franklin (marketing to restaurants); Larry Benton, head of meat department, Weaver Street Market (marketing to retailers)

12:45 pm-1:30 pm
Lunch catered by Chatham County's Celebrity Dairy

Biosecurity - Dr. Joanna Quinn, Director of Poultry Health Programs, NCDA&CS

1:30 pm-1:50 pm
Research on Standard (Heritage Breed) Turkeys - Marjie Bender, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

1:50 pm-2:35 pm
How to Raise Standard Turkeys on Pasture - Alex Hitt, Peregrine Farm

2:35 pm- 2:50 pm
Break

2:50 pm-3:35 pm
How to Raise Ducks on Pasture - Ruth McDaniel, producer

3:35 pm-3:55 pm
Appropriate Genetics: Ducks - Marjie Bender, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

3:55 pm-4:10 pm
Using Geese for Weed Management - Marjie Bender, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

4:10 pm-4:25 pm
Poultry for Pest Management - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

4:25 pm-4:50 pm
Regulations - Percy Russell, NCDA&CS and Richard Hoyle, NCDA&CS

4:50 pm-5:20 pm
Processing - Andy Youngblood, Hickory Mountain Farm

5:20 pm-5:30 pm
Resources - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

January 13, 2005:
AGR-Lite Small Farm Insurance Program Workshop

Chatham County Cooperative Extension presents a workshop on the AGR-Lite Insurance Program for Small Farmers as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. This workshop will explain the new Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) Insurance program being offered in North Carolina with the support of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) in cooperation with the NCDA&CS. The workshop will provide details about the program, how to apply, and a discussion of the support documentation a farmer would need to apply and to file a claim.

January 12, 2005:
Blueberry Pruning Demonstration

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents a Blueberry Pruning Demonstration from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Pittsboro, NC on Wednesday January 12, 2005. The first part of the demonstration will be at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC, then we will move to Mystic Farm a few miles away for the pruning demonstration. This is a hands-on demonstration, so participants are encouraged to bring their own loppers! Presented by Matthew Holt of Mystic Farm and Debbie Roos, Chatham County Center of NC Cooperative Extension.

January 3, 2005:
Start of Six Week Chatham County Beekeeping School

The Chatham County Beekeepers Association and the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will be offering a six week Beekeeping School starting on January 3, 2005. The course will be on Monday nights from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro.

Week 1: January 3, 2005*

• History of Beekeeping - Jim Williams
• Parts of the Hive - Ken Pipes
• Choosing a Good Apiary Site - Mike Almond
• Beekeeper Tools/Equipment, Where to Obtain Them - Ken Pipes
• How to Order and Buy Supplies - Ken Pipes

* please arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the first class to get signed in

Week 2: January 10, 2005

• Race of Bees, Bees, Bee Parts and Life Cycle - Don Hopkins
• Installing Package Bees - Don Hopkins
• Feeding and Care of Bees

Week 3: January 17, 2005

• How Honey Bees Produce and Use: Nectar, Honey, Pollen, Propolis, Wax and Water - David Tarpy
• What Kind of Bee? Bee Characteristics - David Tarpy

Week 4: January 24, 2005

• Spring and Summer Management, Swarming, Supering for Honey - Bill Shepard
• Pollination, Moving Bees, Honey and Nectar Plants - Bill Shepard

Week 5: January 31, 2005

• Fall and Winter Management - Don Hopkins
• Bee Problems: Mites, Insects Disease and Pesticides - Don Hopkins

Week 6: February 7, 2005

• Extracting Honey, Cut Comb, Processing Honey, Marketing Honey - Don Moore
• Beekeeping Associations - Don Moore
• Beekeeping Program: Master Beekeeper Exam Info
• County Association Presidents Speak

Make-up dates in case of bad weather are Feb 17th and Feb. 24th. If a class is canceled we will have that class on the make-up date and not change the scheduled speakers or classes.

The cost of the school will be $20 and includes a book and resource notebook. Pre-registration by December 20 is required. To register, complete a registration form and mail with your check to Debbie Roos at P.O. Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312. For more information contact Leslie Fesperman at 919-960-5892 or Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202.

December 9, 2004:
Website Development for Farms

Chatham County Cooperative Extension presents a workshop entitled Website Development for Farms as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. A web presence can increase your income, even if you don't sell products online.

Learn everything you need to consider in designing a website for your farm:

• the elements that make an effective website
• the basics of web page construction
• resources for building your own website
• how to work with web developers: costs, what you need to provide, advantages and disadvantages, etc.
• how to find a domain name and website host
• how to maintain your site
• how to publicize your site

The primary presenter will be Debbie Roos, Agricultural Agent for the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, who developed the Growing Small Farms website. Debbie will actually design and upload a simple website during the workshop, and also demonstrate how to maintain a website that was developed by a web designer.

The workshop will also feature a farmer and web designer team that worked together to build an effective website: Charles Gupton from Shiloh Farm & Retreat, and Kent Swecker from A New Machine. Charles and Kent will give tips about working with a web designer.

November 30, 2004:
Slow Food and Local Agriculture

Chatham County Cooperative Extension presents a Slow Food and Local Agriculture workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Area farmers will present slide shows describing their farms and will talk about their recent trip to Italy for the International Slow Food event "Terra Madre". Learn about the concept of Slow Food and what it means to consumers and farmers. Celebrity Dairy will be catering the meal made from locally grown ingredients.

Program Agenda

October 18, 2004:
Beneficial Insect Habitat for Crop Pest Management

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will present a workshop on Beneficial Insect Habitat for Crop Pest Management on Monday, October 18, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Pittsboro. This will be a great opportunity to interact with researchers and learn about the beneficials you already have working for you on your farm and how to attract more. You will also have the opportunity to provide input on the future direction of research at NCSU.

Program Agenda

Participants will be able to get an up close and personal look at the beneficial insects inhabiting their farms in the hands-on component of this workshop. The course is approved for 2 continuing certification credits for pesticide applicators in sub-classes N, O, D, and X.

August 23, 2004:
Business Aspects of Mushroom Farming

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, in conjunction with North Carolina A&T State University, presents a workshop entitled Business Aspects of Mushroom Farming from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. This workshop will provide farmers with instruction in the area of marketing strategies for mushroom farmers, developing a marketing plan, issues and activities and the need for North Carolina Association (Cooperative) of Mushroom Growers.

August 16, 2004:
Pittsboro Poultry Processing Plant Informational Meeting

There will be a Pittsboro Poultry Processing Plant Informational Meeting from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Building auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Andy & Heather Youngblood, owners of the Rose Hill Poultry Processing Plant, have recently partnered with Joyce Foods, Inc. of Winston-Salem, NC to form the Hickory Mountain Poultry Processing Plant. The plant will continue to provide services to independent producers. Many producers, however, remain concerned about having possible changes to both the processing procedure and future access. Mr. Joyce & Mr. Youngblood have graciously agreed to participate in an informational meeting to address producers' questions or concerns. This meeting has been organized by Marjorie Bender, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Debbie Roos, Chatham County Cooperative Extension, and Mike Lanier, Orange County Cooperative Extension.

All producers who have any plans to use the plant for processing should should contact Andy Youngblood at 919/548-4448 (mobile phone) or Jerry Blizard, Operations Manger for Joyce Foods, at 336/766-9900 extension 4707, as soon as possible. This is particularly true of farmers who have turkeys they are producing for the holiday season. Plant use is anticipated to increase. The sooner you schedule your processing, the more likely you'll be able to schedule the time you need.

May 17, 2004: Micro-irrigation Workshop

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a micro-irrigation workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, May 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro.

Joe and Jonathan Davidson from Berry Hill Irrigation will talk about design and equipment needed for vegetable and cut flower drip systems, propagation systems, pasture irrigation, containers, greenhouses, permanent drip, traditional tape, mini-sprinklers, and more. Both beginning growers and established growers should learn useful tips and alternative uses for irrigation such as for cooling crops.

March 30, 2004: Truffle Production Workshop

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a truffle production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, March 30, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Franklin Garland will give a presentation on cultivating truffles that will include a slide show. Soil types, preparation for planting, orchard maintenance, harvesting, and selling truffles will be discussed. A question and answer session will follow. Information on the truffle grants program will be provided. Refreshments will be available. This is a free workshop.

March 8, 2004: Sustainable Soils Conference

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer an all-day soil management conference as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, March 8, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. The program is described below. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook.

Conference Agenda:

8:00-8:30
Registration

8:30-8:40
Welcome

8:40-10:00
Targeting your Soil's Potential: Managing for Changes in Soil Health that Really Make a Difference - Joel Gruver, North Carolina State University

10:00-10:10
Break

10:10-11:40
The What, Why, Which, When, and How of Cover Crops for North Carolina - Keith Baldwin, North Carolina A&T State University

11:40-12:30
Increasing Water Infiltration and Retention through Soil Management - Charles Raczkowski, North Carolina A&T State University

12:30-1:15
Lunch catered by Chatham County's Celebrity Dairy

1:15-2:45
Getting the Most from your Soil Test Report - Joel Gruver, North Carolina State University

2:45-3:45
Cover Crops for No-till Vegetable Production - Greg Hoyt, Fletcher Research Center, NCSU

3:45-3:55
Break

3:55-4:20
North Carolina Soil Management Grower Profiles and Cover Crop Seed Sources - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

4:20-5:00
Open Discussion - Ask the Experts

February 4, 2004:
Tax Tips and Management Strategies for Farmers

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a tax workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, February 4, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. North Carolina State University Agricultural Economist Guido van der Hoeven will present a variety of topics pertinent to farmers and other small business entrepreneurs, including record-keeping, collecting/paying sales taxes, deductions, depreciation, changes in the 2003/2004 tax law, and much more. Participants will be guided through a Schedule F form. There will also be an open question and answer period.

January 12, 2004:
Crop Rotations for Enhancing Sustainability

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will present a crop production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series on Monday, January 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Crop Rotations for Enhancing Sustainability" will be presented by Peregrine Farm's Alex Hitt and Debbie Roos, Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent.

December 1, 2003:
Managing Cover Crops and Organic Inputs
to Improve Cash Crop Quality and Yield

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will present a crop production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series on Monday, December 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Managing Cover Crops and Organic Inputs to Improve Cash Crop Quality and Yield" will be presented by Dr. Sieglinde Snapp, a Research and Extension Specialist at Michigan State University. Dr. Snapp will discuss her research with manure, compost, and cover crops in vegetable systems.

November 12-13, 2003:
Serious Answers for Food Entrepreneurs in North Carolina:
a Resource-Focused Approach

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will host a food entrepreneur workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series on November 12-13 in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "We will introduce the basics of planning and starting a food business, emphasizing the resources available to the entrepreneur," said Dr. John Rushing, from NC State University's Department of Food Science. The two-day workshop will feature presentations by technical experts, business advisors and successful entrepreneurs. Major topics include business planning, marketing, promotion, operations, regulatory considerations, and packaging considerations. "All the details associated with starting a food business certainly can't be covered in two days, but this course should give the entrepreneur a two month head-start," said Rushing. The workshops are part of an expanded program intended to guide entrepreneurs through the myriad steps in getting a food product to market. North Carolina Cooperative Extension is partnering with Agribusiness Innovation Alliance, NC Department of Agriculture, and the GoldenLEAF Foundation to conduct this workshop.

Day 1 Program:

Day 2 Program:

October 20, 2003:
Compost Teas, Compost, and On-farm Beneficial Microbe Extracts

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will present a crop production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series on Monday, October 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Compost Teas, Compost, and On-farm Beneficial Microbe Extracts" will be presented by Steve Diver, a Program Specialist from ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas), the USDA-funded national sustainable agriculture information service of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) based in Arkansas; Dr. Frank Louws, NCSU Researcher and Extension Plant Pathologist specializing in sustainable disease management for NC growers; and Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension in Chatham County.

Compost, Humus, and the Living Soil

North Carolina Research on Disease-suppressive Compost

Compost Teas

• History of Compost Teas
• Types of Compost Teas and Extracts
• Components of Compost Teas
• Use and Benefits of Compost Teas
• Rhizosphere and Phyllosphere Target Sites
• Rhizosphere Benefits for Microorganisms
• Compost Teas for Disease Suppression
• Mechanisms and Target Pathogens
• Compost Tea Production Methods
• Brewing Compost Teas
• Compost Tea Recipes
• Compost Tea Brewing Equipment: Commercial-scale and Home-made
• Minimum Standards for Compost
• Pathogen Risk Reduction
• Compost Tea Use in North Carolina - What Are Farmers Doing?
  

Parallel On-farm Extracts and Beneficial Microbe Inoculation Systems

• CT=Compost Teas
• BD=Biodynamic Preparations
• EM=Effective Microorganisms
• IM=Indigenous Microorganisms
• CPP=Cow Patty Pit
• FPE=Fermented Plant Extracts
• MYCO=Mycorrhizal Inoculant
• Purchased Inputs and On-farm Inputs
• Alternative Farming Systems Tools: Nature Farming, Biodynamics, BioOrganics
• Substrate and Microbial Culture
• Benefits of Plant and Compost Extracts

 

August 4, 2003:
Organic Disease Management for Vegetables

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will present a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series on Monday, August 4, from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Take a break from the mid-day sun to participate in this special workshop! I scheduled this workshop outside of our normal time slot (7:00-9:00 pm) to allow more time and also to give farmers time to work in the fields before and after the workshop when it is coolest. "Organic Disease Management for Vegetables" will be presented by Dr. Frank Louws, NCSU Researcher and Extension Plant Pathologist specializing in sustainable disease management for NC organic growers; Dr. Rose Koenig, a Florida organic farmer and plant pathologist and member of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) crop review panel; and Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension in Chatham County. We will talk about the principles and strategies for disease management in organic systems, diagnosing plant diseases (with actual specimens), and the primary NC vegetable diseases and their management.

 

June 9-10, 2003: Acidified Foods Processing and Packaging School

On June 9-10, the Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will host an Acidified Foods School at the Extension Agricultural Building Auditorium here in Pittsboro. This program is intended for those persons with an interest in acidified foods processing and packaging. Entrepreneurs must attend this school to be able to produce and sell their acidified food products (pickles, pickled peppers, salsa, pickled eggs, etc.). Instruction will emphasize the technology associated with acidified foods packaged in glass or rigid plastic containers.

This will be a very intense, two-day school with a packed program. Class begins at 8:00 a.m. and will end around 9:00 p.m. on the first day (help sessions and demonstrations may be scheduled for evening hours the first night, depending on need, so students should make themselves available). The school will adjourn at 5:00 p.m. on the second day.

Examinations will be given after each session. Students must pass with 70% correct. Make-up exams will be allowed for all sections the following morning. Any student who has failed three exams may not participate in make-ups. To be certified, students must attend ALL sessions and pass ALL exams.

 

May 19, 2003:
Postharvest Handling for Small, Diversified Growers

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a post-harvest workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, May 19, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. North Carolina State University Agricultural Engineer Mike Boyette will talk about quality maintenance, handling, cooling, packaging, drying, and much more. The talk will be geared towards small farmers. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook.

 

April 28, 2003: Organic Pest Management in Vegetables

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, April 28, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Organic Pest Management in Vegetables and Cut Flowers" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators.

 

March 24, 2003: Tax Issues for Small Farmers

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a tax workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, March 24, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. North Carolina State University Agricultural Economist Guido van der Hoeven will present a variety of topics pertinent to farmers and other small business entrepreneurs, including Schedule F forms, record-keeping, collecting/paying sales taxes, deductions, depreciation, and much more. There will also be an open question and answer period.

 

February 27, 2003: Sustainable Soils Conference

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer an all-day soil management conference as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, February 27, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. The program is described below. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook.

Conference Program:

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

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Soil Organic Matter - Joel Gruver, North Carolina State University
  
• The Soil Food Web - Mary Barbercheck, Penn State University
  
• Nutrient Cycles and Flows - Noah Ranells, North Carolina State University
  
• Organic Fertilizers, Compost, and Amendments - Keith Baldwin, North Carolina A&T State University
  
• Managing Soils to Reduce Erosion and Compaction - Charles Raczkowski, North Carolina A&T State University

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch

12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Cover Crop Fundamentals - Michael Wagger, North Carolina State University
  
• Summer Cover Crops - Keith Baldwin, North Carolina A&T State University
  
• Winter Cover Crops - Greg Hoyt, Fletcher Research Center, NCSU
  
• Getting the Most from Your Soil Test - Joel Gruver, North Carolina State University
  
• Research on Sustainable Soil Management in NC - All Presenters
  
• Soil Resources - Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center
  
• Open Discussion - Ask the Experts
  
• Wrap-up and Evaluation
  

 

October 21, 2002: Hands-on Crop Pest Identification, Part 2

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, October 21, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Hands-on Crop Pest Identification, Part 2" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. This will be a hands-on workshop where participants will view slides and actual specimens of vegetable and cut flower insect pests. Participants will receive a notebook of color photos and a hand lens for identification. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators.

 

September 16, 2002: Hands-on Crop Pest Identification, Part 2

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, September 16, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Hands-on Crop Pest Identification, Part 1" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. This will be a hands-on workshop where participants will view slides and actual specimens of vegetable and cut flower insect pests. Participants will receive a notebook of color photos and a hand lens for identification. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for commercial pesticide applicators.

 

August 12, 2002: Cover Crop Field Day

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a field day as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, August 12, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Pittsboro. A "Cover Crop Field Day" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos, North Carolina A&T State University Specialist Keith Baldwin, and North Carolina State University graduate student Joel Gruver. The evening will begin at the Agricultural Building, where participants will learn about winter cover crop species for North Carolina. Then the program will move to the Central Carolina Community College Land Lab about 1 mile away, where participants will view over 16 different summer cover crop legumes and grasses planted in June.

July 15, 2002: Marketing Through Community Supported Agriculture

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a marketing workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, July 15, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Marketing Through Community Supported Agriculture" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos and UNC-Greensboro Professor Dr. Susan Andreatta. A panel of farmers who operate CSAs will describe their operations and answer questions. Presenters will discuss the history and philosophy of the CSA movement, present strategies for designing a CSA and recruiting and retaining members, discuss the pros and cons of CSAs, and share information on resources.

 

June 17, 2002:
Asparagus Production, Management, and Marketing

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a crop production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, June 17, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Asparagus Production, Management, and Marketing" will be presented by Granville County Agricultural Extension Agent Carl Cantaluppi and Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Cantaluppi is recognized throughout the eastern half of the U.S. as an asparagus expert, having worked with the crop as an Extension agent in Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina for approximately 20 years. He is the author of an asparagus production guide that is used throughout the region. Cantaluppi is currently conducting on-farm variety trials in Granville county. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from North Carolina's asparagus expert! Organic production will be emphasized.

 

April 15, 2002: Biological Control to Manage Pests

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, April 15, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Augmentation and Conservation of Biological Control Agents to Manage Pests" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos and NCSU Biological Control Specialist Dr. David Orr. Participants will learn about effective strategies for purchasing and releasing beneficial insects and other biological control agents. We will also discuss strategies for conserving native populations of predators and parasitoids.

 

March 18, 2002: Beneficial Insect Identification and Use

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, March 18, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Beneficial Insect Identification and Use" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. This will be a hands-on workshop where participants will view slides and actual specimens of beneficial insects and learn what pests they control. Participants will receive a notebook of color photos and a hand lens for identification. A follow-up workshop on April 15 will cover "Augmentation and Conservation of Beneficial Insects to Manage Pests".

 

February 22, 2002: Connecting NC Farmers to NC Consumers

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will host a NCDA&CS Food Policy Council Information Conference on Friday, February 22, from 9:00-3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro.

The conference theme is "Connecting North Carolina Farmers to North Carolina Consumers" and is targeted to Piedmont area farmers and buyers.

Topics:

• Institutional Buying: Farm-to-School Program and Dept. of Defense Buying, Selling to Government Agencies
• Value-Added Processing: Facility Design and Regulations, Certified Kitchens, Value-Added Products
• Farmer Cooperatives
• Direct Marketing to Corporations
• Financing Opportunities: Government-Backed and Commercial Loans, Capital Resources for Farm Enterprises, NCDA Grant and Cost-Share