Growing Small Farms: Enhancing Sustainability Workshops

Workshops are listed with the most recent one on top.
Please scroll down to view the complete list.

March 28, 2012:
Using Smart Phones and Tablet Computers
in Direct Marketing Workshop

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on using smart phones and tablet computers in direct marketing as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, March 28, from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Center in Silk Hope, NC. Smart phones and tablets are great tools and can be used to process debit card and credit card payments and aid with recordkeeping at farmers' markets, on-farm stands, and other direct marketing outlets.

Farmer Noah Ranells of Fickle Creek Farm will be the presenter. Details of this workshop will be released by early February.

March 7, 2012:
Galangal and Turmeric Production Workshop
(with Ginger Growers' Roundtable)

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a galangal and turmeric production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, March 7, from 1:00-5:00 pm at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Center in Silk Hope, NC. Presenter Susan Anderson of East Branch Ginger will give a thorough overview of galangal (Thai ginger) and turmeric production and talk about their potential as specialty crops for North Carolina growers.

The workshop will conclude with a roundtable for ginger growers (folks who grew ginger in 2011). Susan will present observations from the 2011 season in North Carolina and discuss strategies to improve crop performance with input and Q&A with growers.

Susan Anderson is the owner of Chatham County-based East Branch Ginger which offers certified organic, certified disease-free ginger, turmeric, and galangal seed pieces. Susan has a degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and has worked as a research technician for Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

The cost for the workshop is $20 and includes handouts plus one pound (total) of certified organic galangal and turmeric seed. The deadline for registration is February 24. We must receive your registration by Feb. 24 in order for you to be registered so we can procure the seed from Hawaii in time for the workshop. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a ginger production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, February 29, from 1:00-5:00 pm at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Center in Silk Hope, NC. Presenter Susan Anderson of East Branch Ginger will give a thorough overview of edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) production and talk about its growth as a specialty crop for North Carolina growers. This workshop is for first-time ginger growers.

The cost for the workshop is $20 and includes handouts plus plus one pound of certified organic ginger seed. The deadline for registration is February 17. We must receive your registration by Feb. 17 in order for you to be registered so we can procure the seed from Hawaii in time for the workshop. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a Natural Beekeeping workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:00 am-4:30 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro.

This course is intended for beekeepers who want to learn more about how to manage their hives naturally. The national Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) organization recently developed a Natural Beekeeping (Apiculture) Standard. The primary focus of Natural Beekeeping is the health of the honey bees and the sustainability of beekeeping.

Beekeepers may choose to have their apiary Certified Naturally Grown to show their commitment to natural beekeeping. Whether or not you are interested in becoming a CNG-certified beekeeper, the workshop will be helpful if you are interested in learning more about natural beekeeping methods.

Master Beekeeper Dr. Buddy Marterre, lead author of the Certified Naturally Grown Apiculture Standard, will be the instructor for this workshop.

Participants will receive Certified Naturally Grown's Handbook for Natural Beekeeping.

Note: This is NOT an introductory beekeeping workshop. The instructor will assume participants have at least some basic knowledge of beekeeping.

10:00 am-noon
Principles of Natural Beekeeping and How they Are Applied

Tips and Techniques for Dealing with Pests and Diseases

Overview of the Certified Naturally Grown Apiary Certification

Noon-1:00 pm
Local lunch catered by Angelina's Kitchen

1:00-2:30 pm
Demonstration and Q & A

Dr. Buddy Marterre is a Past President of the Forsyth County Beekeepers' Association (FCBA). He is a Past Director, 2nd Vice President and Membership Secretary of the North Carolina Beekeepers' Association (NCSBA). He has also served as Chairperson of the NCSBA Long-Term Planning Committee and Constitution and By-Laws Committee, and is the current Chairperson of the NCSBA Association Management Software Committee. He is the lead author and instigator of Certified Naturally Grown’s Natural Beekeeping Standards. He has taught bee school to over 500 students in his county since developing the FCBA curriculum in 2004. He is both an NCSBA Master Beekeeper and an EAS Master Beekeeper. He has kept bees since 2003; he has had as many as 16 colonies and rears his own queens on a small scale. He enjoys keeping turtles, gardening, woodworking, nature photography, biking, and operating on patients with cancer when he's not with his bees.

The cost for the workshop is $20 and includes a local lunch by Angelina's Kitchen and the Certified Naturally Grown Handbook for Natural Beekeeping. The deadline for registration is January 24. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Greenhorns documentary explores the lives of America’s young farming community and captures its spirit, practices, and needs. The film is inspirational and is meant to expose young people to the world of farming and entice them into considering agriculture as a career.

New York-based Director Severine von Tscharner Fleming will be in Silk Hope to answer questions about the film and the Greenhorns' organization and movement. Read her Director's Statement to become familiar with her perspective. You will recognize much of the spirit of our NC sustainable farming community in her words!

We have invited a panel of young and/or beginner farmers representing our diverse community to talk about their experiences and answer questions from the audience.

Advance registration is required for this event. The cost is $8.00 and the deadline to register is September 14 (registrations must be postmarked by this date). Please fill out the registration form and mail along with your check to reserve your seat. We hope to see you there!

Address for the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Center:
4221 Silk Hope Rd.
Siler City, NC 27344

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pollinator conservation workshop and garden tour as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, August 29, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. starting in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos will give an overview of North Carolina pollinators and discuss the role of native bees and managed bees in crop pollination. Participants will learn about the principles of planting a pollinator garden and - just in time for fall planting - how to select trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, herbs, vines, and grasses to attract a diversity of pollinators. The workshop will conclude with a tour of Cooperative Extension's pollinator garden at Chatham Marketplace, about half a mile from the Agriculture Building.

Advance registration is required by August 24. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes a CD of resources. Call 919-542-8202 or email Debbie Roos for more information. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pollinator conservation workshop and garden tour as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. starting in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos will give an overview of North Carolina pollinators and discuss the role of native bees and managed bees in crop pollination. Participants will learn about the principles of planting a pollinator garden and - just in time for fall planting - how to select trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, herbs, vines, and grasses to attract a diversity of pollinators. The workshop will conclude with a tour of Cooperative Extension's pollinator garden at Chatham Marketplace, about half a mile from the Agriculture Building.

Advance registration is required by August 22. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes a CD of resources. Call 919-542-8202 or email Debbie Roos for more information. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, April 25, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Organic Pest Management for Vegetables and Cut Flowers" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. We will discuss cultural, physical, and biological controls as well as organic pesticides. Participants will learn about effective control strategies for the primary vegetable and cut flower pests.

Participants will receive a CD-ROM with handouts and resources and a hand lens for insect identification. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators in classes L, N, O, D, and X.

The cost for the workshop is $10. The deadline for registration is April 18. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer an insect ID workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, March 24, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Beneficial Insect Identification" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Participants will learn how to identify the different life stages of the major beneficial insects that are natural enemies of vegetable and cut flower pests. We will look at photos and actual specimens.

The cost for the workshop is $10. The deadline for registration is March 21. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a disease management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, March 14, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Organic Disease Management of Vegetables" will be presented by North Carolina State University Plant Pathologist Dr. Frank Louws.

In addition to learning all about tomato diseases and downy mildew and how to control them, participants will have one full hour to ask whatever questions they want about vegetable diseases!

This workshop will provide 3 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators in classes N, O, D, and X.

The cost for the workshop is $15. The deadline for registration is March 9. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a ginger production workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, March 8, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Presenter Susan Anderson of East Branch Ginger will give a thorough overview of edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) production and talk about its potential as a specialty crop for North Carolina growers.

Susan Anderson is the owner of East Branch Ginger which offers certified organic, certified disease-free ginger seed pieces. Susan has a degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and has worked as a research technician for Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

The cost for the workshop is $25 and includes lunch and handouts. A local lunch will be catered by Angelina's Kitchen. The deadline for registration is March 2. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer an insect ID workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, February 24, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Vegetable & Cut Flower Insect Pest Identification" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Participants will learn how to identify the different life stages of the major pests of vegetables and cut flowers. We will look at photos and actual specimens.

The cost for the workshop is $10. The deadline for registration is February 21. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer an Heirloom Apple Seminar and Book Signing on February 10 with Chatham County author and heirloom apple expert Lee Calhoun in celebration of the much-anticipated release of his revised and expanded book, Old Southern Apples. This event will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Agriculture Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC.

"Lee Calhoun's first edition of Old Southern Apples did much to bring the forgotten fruits of Appalachia and the Piedmont to the attention of heritage food conservationists. But this new edition is so stunning that it will serve to keep these horticultural and culinary treasures in circulation for at least another century."--Gary Nabhan, author of Coming Home to Eat and coauthor of Renewing America's Food Traditions

"Apples beloved in America's past are making a comeback thanks to the work of crotchety apple growers like Lee Calhoun. His passion for seeking out the lore behind varieties like Barker's Liner and the humongous Gloria Mundi can only be described as tenacious. Much like a grandfather apple tree still offering its gifts from aside an abandoned cellar hole, Lee stands true with honest assessments of many classic heirlooms. The renewal of apple culture across Appalachia starts with getting this outstanding book!"--Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

Lee will read excerpts from the book and answer questions from the audience. Copies of his new book will be available to purchase.

Lee will be selling his book at his cost: $45.00 (this hardcover book retails for $75.00). To reserve your copy of Lee's book, please email Debbie Roos or call 919-542-8202 by January 28 and give us your name and the number of copies you would like (you will pay Lee on February 10). Even if you have already RSVPed for this event, you must still contact us to reserve your copy so Lee will know how many books to bring. Cash or checks will be accepted.

March 18, 2010:
Cultivating Connections:
Web Marketing and Social Media for the Small Farm

Do you want to build a website for your farm, farmers' market, or ag-related business?

Do you have a website but feel like it is stagnant and not very effective as a marketing or educational tool?

Do you want to increase the visibility of your farm or farmers' market or ag-related business?

Would you like to be more connected to a thriving local foods community of farmers, eaters, entrepreneurs, and educators?

Then come on over to Chatham County and spend the day learning how social media can help you accomplish your goals!

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Cultivating Connections: Web Marketing and Social Media for the Small Farm as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro.

We’ll learn how farmers in NC and beyond are using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to connect with consumers as well as their peers. (Follow Growing Small Farms on Twitter and Facebook!)

Live demonstrations of how to use these different social media tools will highlight their features and ease of use.

Who should attend? Farmers, farmers' market vendors, and market managers. Ag-related businesses and non-profit organizations. Restaurants that buy from local farmers.

9:00-9:30 am
Social Media and Agriculture: Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities
How do I decide which tools are best for me and my farm? How to maximize your time in the field and minimize time in front of the computer!

9:30-10:00 am
Facebook
How to market your farm and connect with customers through Facebook. Examples of NC farms and ag-related businesses on Facebook.

10:00-10:30 am
Twitter
What is it, how do I do it, and how does it help me as a farmer? Examples of farms and ag-related organizations on Twitter. Demonstration of how to use Twitter.

11:00 am-12:00 pm
Blogging
What is it, how do I do it, and how does it help me as a farmer? We’ll look at how farmers are using blogs to tell their farm story, strengthen their connection to their community, and communicate with CSA and farmers' market customers. Demonstration of how to use free software like WordPress to create a farm blog. Examples of farms that have blogs.

1:00-1:45 pm
Principles of Web Marketing for Farms
Choosing and buying a domain name. Components of a good farm website. Search engine optimization tips. Marketing your website. Email marketing.

1:45-3:00 pm
Creating a Farm Website
How to create a dynamic, professional, and successful farm website using software such as WordPress (free) and Small Farm Central (subscription service). We will build a simple website during the workshop using both of these tools. Examples of farms that have created websites using WordPress and Small Farm Central.

3:15-4:15 pm
On-line Tool for Managing Community Supported Agriculture Memberships

Registration fee is $25.00 per person and includes breakfast, local lunch (catered by Angelina's Kitchen), and handouts. The deadline for registration is March 12, 2010. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Facebook for Farmers: a Great Marketing and Educational Tool as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, November 16, 2009 from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro.

Facebook can be a great tool for farmers who rely on direct marketing. Millions of folks are creating personal profiles on Facebook – did you know it can also be used to set up a business profile? No special software or expertise is required. All you need is access to a computer and the Internet!

You can use Facebook to announce a new crop at the farmers' market, announce an event, post photos of things happening on the farm, communicate with your CSA and/or farmers' market customers, and so much more. Farmers' markets and agribusinesses can also use Facebook to communicate with customers!

Facebook can be beneficial even to farmers who already have a farm website because Facebook pages are easy to maintain and allow for direct interaction with customers. One local farmer who has a Facebook page reports that it has really helped with promoting on-farm events, noting that they start receiving reservations within minutes after posting an update.

In this workshop we will discuss the many ways you can use Facebook to educate customers, strengthen relationships, and increase sales. Participants will become more familiar with social networking terminology and learn how to use these tools to enhance the sustainability of their business.

During the workshop, we will actually create a business profile for a local farm so participants will see all of the steps involved (and how easy it is!).

The workshop will be taught by Neha Shah, Director of Travel and Tourism for the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent for the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Neha won an Innovation in Tourism Award from the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina for an earlier version of this workshop and her innovative use of Facebook and Twitter for marketing. This workshop is free and open to farmers, farmers' market vendors/managers, and agribusiness owners. Register for this FREE workshop on-line!

I am also collecting examples of NC farms that have Facebook pages so if you know of a good one, please let me know!

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a Farm Show and Tell at Piedmont Biofarm from 4:30-6:30 pm in Pittsboro, NC. This farm visit is for farmers of all levels and also eaters interested in learning more about our local farms!

Due to client requests, we are visiting Piedmont Biofarm three times this year to see the operation during each season. We visited in mid-February to see winter production and in early August for summer crops. The November visit will focus on cool-season crops and season extension, plus the very end of the season for a few warm-season crops.

Doug Jones operates Piedmont Biofarm where they produce a diverse mix of vegetables and herbs out at the Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Plant in Pittsboro. Doug and his farm crew sell at the Durham Farmers’ Market and also to the local community through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Doug has been farming for 38 years and has developed quite the reputation not only for his high quality produce but also for his plant breeding efforts. One of Doug’s new varieties of Senposai (Asian collards) is now available through Fedco, a seed company based in Maine.

You do not need to register for this free event; the program will begin promptly at 4:30 pm. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time. Note: Daylight Savings ends Sunday November 1, which is why we are starting at 4:30 pm. We will end the visit in the greenhouse where we will have light.

Check out Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms Website for more resources on sustainable production.

From the traffic circle in downtown Pittsboro, take Hwy 64 east. Go approx. one mile and turn right onto Industrial Park Dr. (Pittsboro Feed will be on your left, and the State Employees Credit Union will be on the right just past Industrial Park Dr.). Follow Industrial Park Dr. – when it turns to gravel, bear left on Lorax Lane and park outside the gate of the Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Plant. Walk through the gate and stay to the left where you will see the farm.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Taking Your CSA to the Next Level as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 from 8:30 am-5:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Farmer and CSA expert Elizabeth Henderson of Peacework Organic Farm in New York will spend the day sharing her vast experience with CSA and helping participants take their program to the next level.

Elizabeth is the author of Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture and is known nationally for her activism and educational leadership. See her bio below for more details.

This workshop is for farmers who already operate a CSA or are at least very familiar with the concept. If the CSA approach is new to you, please consider attending the October 5th introductory workshop (see listing below for details). We will NOT be covering the basics at the October 20th workshop. We would like to tailor this workshop to meet your needs. Please email Debbie Roos if you have specific issues you would like to see us address during this workshop. We will do our best to adapt the agenda to meet your needs. The workshop will include breakfast and a local lunch catered by Celebrity Dairy. Participants will receive a resource notebook and a copy of Elizabeth's book Sharing the Harvest.

Note: participants who register for this event will be able to provide input into the program content. We will tailor the program to meet the needs and interests of registrants.

Elizabeth Henderson farms at Peacework Organic Farm in Wayne County, New York, and has been producing organically grown vegetables for the fresh market for almost 30 years. She is a founding member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) in Massachusetts, has been on the Board of Directors of NOFA-NY since 1989, and represents NOFA in the national discussions of organic standards and on the Steering Committee of the Agricultural Justice Project. She chairs the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board in Wayne County, and helped organize the Domestic Fair Trade Association. In 2001, the organic industry honored her with one of the first “Spirit of Organic awards, in 2007, Abundance Co-op honored her with the “Cooperating for Communities” award and in 2009 NOFA-NY honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her writings on organic agriculture appear in The Natural Farmer and the NOFA-NY Food, Farms and Folks, and she is one of the authors of The Real Dirt: Farmers Tell about Organic and Low-Input Practices in the Northeast, lead author of Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture (Chelsea Green, 1999, with a new edition in 2007) and wrote A Manual of Whole Farm Planning (2003) with Karl North. With her former farm partner, she wrote A Food Book for a Sustainable Harvest for the members of the Genesee Valley Organic Community Supported Agriculture Project (GVOCSA). Her farm, Peacework Organic Farm, supplies vegetables to the 300-member GVOCSA, in its twenty first in 2009.

Registration fee is $45.00 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, notebook, and book. The deadline for registration is October 12, 2009. For more information, contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202.

This is a repeat of the September 14 show and tell which is already filled to capacity. See listing below for details.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, October 5, 2009 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Agriculture Extension Agent Debbie Roos 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.

A diverse panel of CSA farmers will discuss their unique CSA operations and answer questions:

Advance registration is required by October 1. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes handouts. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check. For more information, contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202. This workshop will be followed by another CSA workshop called "Taking your CSA to the Next Level" on October 20. See details above.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pollinator conservation workshop and garden tour as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. starting in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. This is a repeat of the August 31 workshop, added to accommodate demand, so please choose one date. Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos will give an overview of North Carolina pollinators and discuss the role of native bees and managed bees in crop pollination. Participants will learn about the principles of planting a pollinator garden and - just in time for fall planting - how to select trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, herbs, vines, and grasses to attract a diversity of pollinators. The workshop will conclude with a tour of Cooperative Extension's new pollinator garden at Chatham Marketplace, about half a mile from the Agriculture Building.

Advance registration is required by September 9. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes handouts. Call 919-542-8202 or email debbie_roos@ncsu.edu for more information. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension has organized a "show and tell" at Lee Calhoun's Heirloom Southern Apple Orchard from 5:30-7:30 pm for Monday, September 14. This orchard visit is for both farmers and gardeners interested in learning more about heirloom apple production.Lee Calhoun is a nationally known expert on heirloom southern apples. He is the author of the very popular but sold-out book, Old Southern Apples, which gives the history of over 1,600 distinct southern apple varieties. For over 30 years, Lee has traveled around the south looking for long-lost apple varieties. Each one comes with its unique history and many are gorgeous to look at and have fascinating names (not to mention quite tasty!). Some were consumed fresh, while others were grown for cider or vinegar or for stewing.

Lee used to operate a nursery that sold grafted heirloom southern apple trees but has since retired. He mentored other nursery growers in the southeast who now offer the trees. Lee helped establish the Southern Heritage Apple Orchard at Horne Creek Living Historical Farm in Pinnacle, NC and still helps maintain those trees and dedicates himself to educating others.Visitors to Lee Calhoun's orchard will see over 300 varieties of old southern apples. Lee recently converted much of his orchard to dwarf trees to make them easier to maintain. We will also see other fruit trees and vegetable gardens. We will enjoy an apple tasting.

There is no charge for the show and tell. However, you must register with Cooperative Extension. There is very limited parking at Lee's orchard, so we can't take over 50 people. I anticipate a lot of interest in this event. If we get more than 50 people then we will offer a second date. To register, please call Chatham County Cooperative Extension at 919-542-8202. You will be notified of the carpool location once you register. We will leave at 5:15 pm from this location (sounds like a stealth operation, doesn't it?). We all MUST carpool to limit the number of cars. Please do not drive directly to Lee's! Also, when you register, please let us know if you have a van and would be willing to drive.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pollinator conservation workshop and garden tour as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, August 3, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. starting in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos will give an overview of North Carolina pollinators and discuss the role of native bees and managed bees in crop pollination. Participants will learn about the principles of planting a pollinator garden and - just in time for fall planting - how to select trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, herbs, vines, and grasses to attract a diversity of pollinators. The workshop will conclude with a tour of Cooperative Extension's new pollinator garden at Chatham Marketplace, about half a mile from the Agriculture Building.

Advance registration is required by August 26. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes handouts. Call 919-542-8202 or email debbie_roos@ncsu.edu for more information. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Understanding Sales Taxes on Agricultural Products from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro on Monday August 24. This workshop is part of the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension's Enhancing Sustainability Workshop Series. Presenters include Guido van der Hoeven from North Carolina State University and Ed Strickland from the NC Department of Revenue (DOR).

The DOR recently released a reference guide designed to help farmers, merchants and other retailers understand the sales tax obligations for specific kinds of sales of agricultural products. Many farmers believe that their products are exempt from sales tax obligations when in fact they are not. Certain items like meats, baked goods, pickles, cut flower bouquets, and value-added products are subject to taxes if they are sold retail. Once farmers understand which products are subject to taxes, they then need to know how to keep the appropriate records and how to file. All of this will be discussed at the workshop, and participants will have time to ask questions.

If you already have questions, please go ahead and email them to me at debbie_roos@ncsu.edu. I will share them with our presenters to help them prepare for the workshop.

This is a FREE workshop but please RSVP by calling 919-542-8202 so we will know how many handouts to prepare. Directions to the workshop.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a Farm Show and Tell at Piedmont Biofarm from 5:30-7:30 pm in Pittsboro, NC. The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension has organized a “show and tell” for farmers of all levels and also eaters interested in learning more about our local farms!

Due to client requests, we are visiting Piedmont Biofarm three times this year to see the operation during each season. We visited in mid-February to see winter production and will return November 2 to see fall production and season extension.Doug Jones operates Piedmont Biofarm where they produce a diverse mix of vegetables and herbs out at the Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Plant in Pittsboro. Doug and his farm crew sell at the Durham Farmers’ Market and also to the local community through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Doug has been farming for 38 years and has developed quite the reputation not only for his high quality produce but also for his plant breeding efforts. One of Doug’s new varieties of Senposai (Asian collards) is now available through Fedco, a seed company based in Maine – isn’t that exciting?

The August 3 “show and tell” will focus on Piedmont Biofarm’s summer production of various crops plus Doug’s variety trials for Seeds of Change. Some of the things visitors will see include:

This Show and Tell will also highlight the work being done by EcoBlend, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly weed and pest control products that are produced at their plant at the Piedmont Biofuels Industrial complex in Pittsboro. The organic herbicides and insecticides are made from food grade plant-based oils and are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for use around children and pets. Their products are OMRI-compliant and their OMRI certification is in-process. During the tour we will view their organic herbicide spray demonstrations for controlling bermudagrass, poison ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and other weeds. Farmers will also be able to take product home to trial. Learn more at the EcoBlend website.

You do not need to register for this free event; the program will begin promptly at 5:30 pm. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time. Check out Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms Website for more resources on sustainable production.

Come join the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association for the third annual celebration of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 am til 2:00 pm on The Lawn at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro, NC. The purpose of National Pollinator Week is to teach pollinator-friendly practices and raise public awareness of the importance of the bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and bats that are needed to produce 80 percent of our flowering plants and one third of our human food crops. The National Academy of Sciences has reported that there is direct evidence of the decline of some pollinator species in North America. And, recently, Colony Collapse Disorder of honey bees has alarmed the agricultural industry.

One of the beds in Cooperative Extension's new Pollinator Garden at Chatham Mills.

We have a great program planned for folks of all ages at our local event here in Pittsboro.

(Programs will be on The Lawn at Chatham Mills in front of Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro)

10:00-10:30 am – Beekeeping Demo in Bee Cage – Don Hopkins, Apiary Inspector Supervisor, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

10:30-11:00 am – Basics of Beekeeping – Jim Williams, Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association

11:00-11:30 am – Pollinator Garden Tour – Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

11:30 am-12:00 pm – Beekeeping Demo in Bee Cage – Don Hopkins, Apiary Inspector Supervisor, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

12:00-12:30 pm – Basics of Beekeeping – Jim Williams, Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association

12:30-1:00 pm – Beekeeping Demo in Bee Cage – Don Hopkins, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

1:00-1:30 pm – Pollinator Garden Tour – Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

From 10:00 am-2:00 pm, feel free to visit the display tables and talk with local beekeepers!!You can hear presentations about beekeeping – how to get started, equipment needs, management tips – from local beekeepers. Tour Cooperative Extension’s new Pollinator Garden at Chatham Mills and learn how to attract and protect pollinators. Watch expert beekeepers work an actual hive inside a bee cage (bees inside, participants outside!), see honey bees up close and personal, and get your burning beekeeping questions answered.

Visit our kids' tent with lots of activities for kids including pollinator story time, scavenger hunt, beeswax candle making, Chatham County pollinator coloring books, papermaking, and more! Watch “Bee TV” - park yourself in front of an observation hive and watch the worker bees attending the queen. It’s mesmerizing!

Meet our local Chatham County beekeepers and learn all about what it takes to produce the nutritious and delicious local honey available at Chatham Marketplace. We will have beekeeping equipment and products from the hive for “show and tell”.

Visit Chatham Marketplace to learn which products depend on bees for pollination (hint: look for the bee signs!).

Pick up some educational literature to further your knowledge about honey bees, beekeeping, pollinators, and pollinator conservation. Learn about the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association and how you can get involved with this fabulously friendly group through monthly meetings and field days and even an email listserv – we welcome members of all skill levels: from never-tried-it (but always wanted to) to beginner to experienced!

Enjoy a pollinator-friendly local lunch at Chatham Marketplace during the program! (Did you know that worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, spices, fiber, and medicine require pollination by animals?)

All Pollinator Week Events are free and open to the public. This event will be held rain or shine. Click here for directions.

For more information about pollinator conservation, visit Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Conservation website at www.protectpollinators.org.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer an On-farm Good Agricultural Practices Audit as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, May 4, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Land Lab Teaching Farm at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) in Pittsboro. This mock audit complements the April 21 GAPs workshop (see below) and will help direct market growers identify the critical points of concern in good agricultural practices: compost/manure management, water resources and irrigation, land history and topography, proximity to livestock (pastured hens are on site), postharvest handling and storage, and employee hygiene. The goal is to get growers thinking about where they can best focus their efforts to reduce the risk of contamination. The audit will be led by Keith Baldwin, Horticulture Extension Specialist at NC A&T State University. Keith is a member of the North Carolina Food Safety Task Force.

This is a free workshop. However, please RSVP to Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 if you plan on coming so we will have a number for any handouts.

Directions to the CCCC Pittsboro campus: From the downtown traffic circle in Pittsboro, take 64 west. Go about ½ a mile to the intersection of 64 and 87/902 at the light at Al’s Diner (on your left). Continue straight through the intersection to stay on 64. From the light, go 0.2 miles and turn right past the NAPA Auto Parts Store into the CCCC entrance. The Land Lab farm will be on your left as you approach the brick buildings. It is surrounded by an 8 foot high deer fence and hard to miss!

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Good Agricultural Practices for Fresh Produce Safety as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Tuesday, April 21, from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. A 2008 survey showed that compared with five years ago, 76 percent of consumers are more concerned about the food they eat. In recent years an increasing number of reports in the media focus on contaminated produce and other food products. In North Carolina, a multidisciplinary Food Safety Task Force has been established to address food safety issues from field to fork. The task force includes farmers and partners from NC State University, NC A&T State University, CFSA, NCDA&CS, Farm Bureau, and industry groups.

Good agricultural practices (GAPs) are the basic environmental and operational conditions necessary for the production of safe, wholesome fruits and vegetables. The purpose of GAPs is to give guidance in implementing best management practices that will help to reduce the risks of microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables. Examples of GAPs include worker hygiene and health, manure use, and water quality throughout the production and harvesting process. While the U.S. has one of the safest food supplies in the world, recent media attention the past few years on foodborne illness outbreaks underscores the importance of good agricultural practices.

Growers are urged to take a proactive role in minimizing food safety hazards potentially associated with fresh produce. Being aware of, and addressing, the common risk factors outlined in GAPs will result in a more effective, cohesive response to emerging concerns about the microbial safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Many farmers have never heard of GAPs. Others have learned that in order to access certain markets, their farm must be GAP-certified. The consensus in the small farm community is that some type of produce safety regulation is coming. It is important that farmers are aware of these issues and how they may affect their farm. It is also important that farmers are knowledgeable about how to reduce the risk of contamination on their farm. Learning more about GAPs can also prepare farmers to answer questions from customers at farmers' markets, CSAs, etc. if/when we get another outbreak of foodborne illness.

There has been alot of "chatter" on the listservs lately about impending food safety legislation such as H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act. Learn the facts about this and other proposed legislation at the workshop. The North Carolina Food Safety Task Force believes that food safety programs should be scale-appropriate, risk-based, science-based, proactive, and focused more on education and incentives rather than regulations and punishment. Below is the agenda for the workshop:

Advance registration is required by April 17. The cost of the workshop is $10 and includes refreshments and handouts. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check. For more information, contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202.

This workshop will be followed by on On-farm Good Agricultural Practices Audit on May 4. See the above listing for details.

An 8 week course sponsored by the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers' Association. Click here for full details.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pastured poultry workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, December 3, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro.

Advance registration is required by November 25. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $25 and includes a catered lunch and resource notebook. To register, download the registration form and mail with your check. For more information, contact Dan Campeau or Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a tomato grafting workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, November 12, from 1:00-5:00 pm in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. 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 researchers and will include a participating farmer. Participants will get the opportunity to try grafting tomato seedlings. Come learn about this exciting new area of applied research.

Advance registration is required by November 10. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15. Handouts and light refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch! To register call 919-542-8202 or email debbie_roos@ncsu.edu for more information.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a pest management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, September 22, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Extension Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Organic Insect Management in Vegetables" will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Topics will include cultural controls, physical controls, biological controls, and organic pesticides. We will discuss specific control strategies for some of the most important insect pests. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook. This workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators (in sub-classes X, N, O, and D).

Advance registration is required by September 15. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your spot. The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes a resource notebook. To register call 919-542-8202 or email debbie_roos@ncsu.edu for more information.

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!

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

10:45-12:00 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

1:45-2:30 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

3:30-4:00 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

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.

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.

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

2:30-3:30 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.

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.

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.

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

10:40-11:20 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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

11:45 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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

10:10-11:40
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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 PDF document

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 Opportunities, SARE Producer Grants

January 16, 2002: Marketing to Retailers and Restaurants PDF document

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a marketing workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Wednesday, January 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. Marketing Agricultural Products to Independent Retailers and Restaurants will feature a panel of buyers and sellers discussing marketing guidelines and answering questions.

Presenters include James Watts, Operations Manager and Interim Produce Manager, Carrboro's Weaver Street Market; Sam Poley, Executive Chef, Chapel Hill's Weathervane Café at Southern Seasons; Ray Christopher, member of Carolina Organic Growers Cooperative and farmer, Timberwood Organics; Bill Dow, farmer, Ayrshire Farm; Alex Hitt, farmer, Peregrine Farm; and Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent. The growers have over 50 years of combined marketing experience.

October 29, 2001: Tax and Labor Issues for Small Farmers

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will offer a farm management workshop as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, October 29, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. "Small Farm Challenges: Tax and Labor Issues" will be presented by NCSU Extension Specialists Dr. Guido van der Hoeven and Dr. Chuck Moore.

September 10, 2001:
Cut Flowers - Insect Pests and Troubleshooting Problems

A Cut Flower Production Workshop will be held on Sept. 10 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Agricultural Building in Pittsboro. The workshop is sponsored by Chatham County Cooperative Extension. Chatham County Agricultural Agent Debbie Roos and NCSU Floriculture Specialist Dr. Brian Whipker will discuss troubleshooting and pest management for cut flower production. A panel of local successful cut flower growers - Peregrine Farm's Betsy Hitt, Perry-winkle Farm's Cathy Jones, and Maple Spring Garden's Leah Cook - will discuss their operations and answer questions.

August 13, 2001:
Cut Flowers - Cultivar Selection Plus Techniques
for Season-Long Harvesting of Field Cuts PDF document

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will kickoff its monthly Enhancing Sustainability Series with two workshops on cut flower production in August and September. On Monday, August 13, Dr. John Dole from North Carolina State University will talk about "Cultivar Selection and Species and Techniques for Season-long Harvesting of Field Cuts." Dr. Dole teaches and conducts research on specialty cut flower production, water and mineral nutrition management, Dutch bulbs, and poinsettia production. 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.

This page last updated February 1, 2012.