2013 Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture
Workshop Series
Unless stated otherwise, all events are held at the Cherry Research Farm. Registration is required for all events unless otherwise noted. A limited number of scholarships are available. There are no refunds on workshops.
All N.C. State University employees and N.C. Cooperative Extension Agents are required to register through the iLMS System (opens in new window).
----------------------------------------------------------------
NC SARE has a small pool of funds to be used to support NCCES educators to Sustainable Agriculture trainings. Funds may cover registration, lodging and mileage. We encourage use of state vehicles whenever possible.
THE FUNDS MUST BE USED WITHIN THE NEXT 70 DAYS.
To apply: Please fill out an application and email to Carol Moore at carolmoore27@gmail.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Are there specific workshops that you would like to see CEFS offer?
If so, please email or call (919-513-0954) Lisa Forehand.
Upcoming Workshops
Welcome to the 2013 Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series. Check this page frequently as new workshop information is added on an ongoing basis.
Jump to a Workshop:
Women Working in the Meat Business Retreat
Enhancing Habitats To Provide Multiple Ecosystem Services
Native Grasses in Forage Systems - A Workshops for Resource Professionals and Producers
Organic Grain Field Day at CEFS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women Working in the Meat Business Retreat
Dates: May 20-22
Times: Varies
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Registration: ***THERE ARE NO MORE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS RETREAT. SORRY! ***
NC Choices is hosting a Women Working in the Meat Business Retreat May 20th – 22nd in Chapel Hill, NC. The retreat, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina, is in response to the emerging role of female professionals within meat businesses. “Women are increasingly playing a leadership role in the meat sector, whether it’s as livestock producers, meat butchers, chefs or business owners,” says NC Choices’ Program Coordinator, Sarah Blacklin. “We’ve developed a unique retreat designed to address the challenges female professionals face in a male-dominated arena."
The two-day, two-night retreat will focus on hands-on meat cutting, marketing, and merchandising. Both sessions will be facilitated by Master Butcher Kari Underl, author of The Art of Beef Cutting: A Meat Professional’s Guide to Butchering and Merchandising.
The Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are providing scholarships for female producers, meat processors, and food professionals located in North Carolina. “This is an important need and we are thrilled to be supporting NC Choices’ program,” said Maggie Hamm, SVP of Marketing for Carolina Farm Credit in Statesville, NC. “This event will be a superb opportunity for women who work in local and niche meat business to learn more about the important role they are playing in advancing the local meat industry.”
A number of local business are also sponsoring the event, including Lantern Restaurant, which will provide space for participants to learn how to breakdown a beef and hog carcass, fabricate specialty cuts and create and prepare value-added products. The Chapel Hilltop Lodge, a unique agri-tourism lodge located on 46 acres and eight miles outside of Chapel Hill, will provide retreat accommodations.
“We look forward to bringing our female leaders together to network and increase their technical skills,” says NC Choice’s Blacklin.
ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Sarah Blacklin, sarah@ncchoices.com
FOR REGISTRATION AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AS WELL AS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Meredith McKissick at meredith@ncchoices.com
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enhancing Habitats To Provide Multiple Ecosystem Services
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location:
CEFS, Goldsboro, NC
Registration Fee: $10
Organizer: Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Featured Speaker:
David Orr, NCSU Department of Entomology
This workshop will provide an overview of ecosystem services and practices and programs designed to enhance them. Practices for the farm and home landscapes will be presented. Field demonstrations will focus on establishment and maintenance of habitats to provide life cycle needs of native plants, wildlife, predatory and parasitic insects, and pollinators.
* This workshop provides Pesticide Credits: N, O, D, X (2 hours credit)
* This workshop provides 3 hours of credit for Criteria II (Outdoor Experiences) or 3 hours of credit for Criteria III (Knowledge of Resources) in the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program
Registration Forms: WORD or PDF
Proposed Agenda: PDF
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Native Grasses in Forage Systems - A Workshops for Resource Professionals and Producers
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Millbridge Ruritan Building 490 Sloan Rd.,
Mount Ulla, NC 28125
Registration Fee: $7 (includes hamburger lunch)
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Patrick Keyser, University of Tennessee, Coordinator of
Center for Native Grasslands Management &
Dr. Matt Poore, NC State University
Cooperative Extension Forage Specialist
*** THIS IS NOT A CEFS WORKSHOP ***
For questions or to receive more information about this event, contact John Isenhour at 704-637-2400, ext. 101 or john.isenhour@nc.usda.gov.
Credits:
1 hour - NC Pesticide Applicator (Categories N, O, D, X)
3.5 hours - Certified Crop Advisor (3 hr Crop Mgmt and 0.5 hr IPM)
4 hours - Certified Conservation Planner
Native Warm Season Grasses offer many benefits to cattlemen in this day and age of increased drought and skyrocketing nitrogen costs. Join producers and natural resource professionals for a day of information on incorporating Native Warm Season Grasses into forage production operations. A morning session will be held at the Millbridge Ruitan Building in Mt. Ulla, NC and an afternoon field trip will visit Circle D Farm in China Grove, NC. Presenters for the event will include NC State Cooperative Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Matt Poore and University of Tennessee Professor and Center for Native Grassland Management Coordinator Dr. Patrick Keyser.
Click here for online registration
Download a printable flyer (PDF)
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stevia Workshop
Date: Thursday, July 11
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Avoca Farms (841Avoca Farm Road, Merry Hill, NC 27957)
Registration: FREE (This workshop is supported by the Tobacco Trust Fund of NC)
*** This workshop put on by the NC Organic Grain Project ***
Please call Molly Hamilton to register: 828-273-1041 or email molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu
This workshop is to learn about the opportunity to grow stevia as a marketable crop in NC. We will cover production management and harvesting.
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organic Grain Field Day at CEFS
Date: Tuesday, July 30
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: CEFS, 201 Stevens Mill Road, Goldsboro, NC
Registration: $10 (Lunch included)
*** Deadline to register: July 26 ***
*** This workshop put on by the NC Organic Grain Project ***
Please call Molly Hamilton to register: 828-273-1041 or email molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu
We will view much of the organic grain research done in NC. Learn about no-till organic corn, see organic soybean OVT and corn hybrid trials, and watch equipment demos.
Program sponsors: Organic Valley & Rodale Institute
Registration Forms: Coming Soon!!!
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina Meat Conference
Date: December 9 & 10
Location: TBA
Registration Information: TBA
Details coming soon!
Check out the NC Choices website for more information or to join their mailing list.
The 2012 Carolina Meat Conference drew over 380 farmers, meat processors, chefs, food-service buyers, and Extension and University personnel from 13 states. The event drew national media attention to North Carolina's rapidly growing local and niche meat industry. More details will be released by mid-summer via the NC Choices list-serve (join here) and other media outlets. Please consider joining us this year!
Upcoming Workshop Topics:
Pepper Production for Producers
Date: October - TBA
Workshop Leader: Doug Jones, Piedmont Biofarm
Beginning Farm Finance
Date: October - TBA
Workshop Leader: Gary Bullen, NC State University
Vermicomposting - How to Build a Home Vermicompost Bin
Date: TBA
Workshop Leader: Silvana Pietrosemoli, NC State University
Building a Backyard Compost Bin
Date: TBA
Workshop Leader: Rhonda Sherman
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous Workshops of 2013
Herbs, Microgreens and Edible Flower Production
Muscadine Grape Production in Eastern NC
Small Ruminant Integrated Gastrointestinal Parasite Control and FAMACHA
The North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council 2013 Winter Conference Series
Packaged Foods Manufacturing Short-Course
The Carolina Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference
Blueberry Production and Pruning Workshop
CEFS Sustainable Agriculture Lecturer: MAYA WILEY
2013 Grassroots Leadership Conference on Entrepreneurship
Retail Ready for Local Foods - Training for farmers interested in new retail markets
Cut Flower Growers' Conference: Knowledge is Flower Power
Shiitake Mushroom Production Workshop
Blackberry Production and Hands-on Planting
NCA&T Small Farms Week: It’s a Growing Business – Tools for the Next Generation
Movie: Genetic Roulette, The Gamble of Our Live
The Farm Bill Extension & Its Effect on Local Foods
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herbs, Microgreens and Edible Flower Production
Date: Tuesday, January 8
Time: 9:00a.m. - until... (noonish)
Registration Fee: $10
Location: CEFS, 201 Stevens Mill Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530
Organizers: CEFS
Featured Speaker: Margaret "Meg" Shelton of Shelton Herb Farm
*** Space is limited to 40 people ***
Shelton Herb Farm, started in 1986, sells fresh-cut herbs, edible flowers, herb garnish tips, and microgreens to local chefs and caterers. This workshop will be packed with topics including: How to grow herbs for fresh cut production, examples of product package and labeling, equipment used and sample trays. Participants will also learn how to sow, grow, harvest and package microgreens. (There may even be samples for snacking)! In addition, participants will also learn about edible flower production. Time will also be dedicated to the history and design of Shelton Herb Farm including farm set-up, including garden rows, greenhouses and cold frames, washing and packing station, etc.
Short biography on Margaret Shelton: I started out growing herbs as a business in 1986. The fresh-cut business grew from requests for local product from two chefs. Field growing herbs gives me an idea of how these plants grow through the seasons. We are open year-round with both our plant sales and fresh-cut business. Since we grow everything we sell, availability changes with the seasons. We grow in greenhouses, garden rows, and we use row covers for season extension. The fresh-cut part of the business has served as a good complement for the nursery part. Selling plants is very seasonal with the main rush in the spring, whereas the fresh-cut season is more even and steady. It peaks in the summer and fall and continues year-round with less demand in the colder months when the plants grow more slowly. This coincides with the slower season for local restaurants.
Micro Greens: PowerPoint or PDF
Shelton Herb Farm Tour: PowerPoint or PDF
A Short Tour of the Farm: PowerPoint or PDF
Seeding Rates: PDF
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomato Grafting Workshop
Date: Thursday, January 17
Time: 12:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Registration Fee: $10
Location: Wake County Center,
4001-E Carya Dr,
Raleigh, NC 27610-2914, (Lost?:
(919) 250-1100))
Organizers: CEFS, Meagan Iott (NCSU), Sushila Chaudhari (NCSU) & Emily Silverman (NCSU)
THIS WORK IS FULL. PLEASE CONTACT LISA FOREHAND TO BE PUT ON WAIT LIST OR FOR MORE INFORMATION (919-513-0954)
Back by popular demand...
The goal of this workshop is to learn about sustainable agricultural disease management utilizing vegetable grafting, gain experience by grafting at the workshop and apply these principles and practices to your vegetable production system. Information presented will include: disease identification, disease management, grafting utility, grafting techniques, grafting kit supplies, how to assemble a healing chamber, resources for more grafting information and current grafting research at NCSU.
Registration Forms: WORD or PDF - no longer available for download
Handouts:
Tomato Varieties (PDF)
Cucurbit Grafting (PDF)
Grafting Research at NCSU (PDF)
Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable Disease Management: Grafting as a Disease Management Tool (PDF - very large file ~21MB)
Tomato Grafting Techniques (PDF)
Tomato Grafting Team Contact Information (PDF)
Grafting Kit and Chamber Construction Supplies (PDF)
Additional Resources for Grafting Workshop (PDF)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muscadine Grape Production in Eastern NC
Date: Friday, January 25
Time: 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
Registration Fee: $10
Location: CEFS, 201 Stevens Mill Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530 AND A Secret Garden Winery, 1018 Airport Rd, Pikeville, NC 27863
Organizers: CEFS
Featured Speaker: Dr. Sara Spayd, NCSU Department of Horticulture and Linda Hall, A Secret Garden Winery
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL - PLEASE CONTACT LISA FOREHAND TO BE PUT ON WAITING LIST (lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu)
This workshop will cover the basics of Muscadine Grape production. Participants meet at the Service Building at CEFS and learn about the growth and reproductive cycles in these plants as well as their fruiting habits. Other topics that will be covered include: varieties that do well in North Carolina, the low-down on trellising, ideal soils and fertility regimens, common diseases and insect pests. After the basic topics of Muscadine production are covered, we move to the Small Farm Unit and will (hopefully) do a hands-on planting of vines on the farm. (The on-farm demonstration is still being planned). From there, participants will drive to A Secret Garden Winery to see commercial production in operation and watch a pruning demonstration.
Registration Forms: WORD or PDF - no longer available for download
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Ruminant Integrated Gastrointestinal Parasite Control and FAMACHA
Date: Friday, January 25
Time: 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Registration Fee: Contact Robert Hawk (robert_hawk@ncsu.edu) for more information - FAMACHA Card = additional $12
Location: Jackson County Extension Center, 538 Scotts Creek, Road, Suite 205, Sylva, NC 28779
Sponsored and Hosted by the: Jackson County Cooperative Extension
Key Lecturer: Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU Extension Meat Goat Specialist
This workshop will expose the audience to an integrated approach to gastrointestinal parasite control for small ruminants, the biology of the barber pole worm (H. contortus), the FAMACHA concept and hands-on use of the FAMACHA card, the concept of smart drenching, understanding parasite drug resistance versus animal resistance, susceptibility or resilience to gastrointestinal parasites, management tips to reduce gastrointestinal parasite loads in animals and on pastures, and non-chemical approaches to treating small ruminants with anthelmintics such as alternative forages.
Participants interested in FAMACHA certification and in purchasing the FAMACHA card will have to pay an extra $12.00.
Download Flyer HERE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council 2013 Winter Conference Series
Dates:
January 29 - Johnston County Extension Service, 2736 NC 210, Smithfield, NC
January 30 - Edwin McGee Center, 928 Fairplains Rd, North Wilkesboro, NC
January 31 - WNC Regional Livestock Center, 474 Stock Drive, Canton, NC
Time: Tradeshow& Registration 12:30p.m., Program 1:00-6:00p.m., Social 6:00-7:00p.m.
Organizers: This is NOT a CEFS event, but is organized by the NC Forage and Grassland Council.
For more information call the NCFGC at 919-552-9111
Download flyer with additional information here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& 
& 
Packaged Foods Manufacturing Short-Course
Date: Monday, February 11 - This workshop is full!
Time: 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. This workshop is full!
Registration Fee: $20
Location: Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr Raleigh, NC 27610
Organizers: CEFS, Wake County Cooperative Extension, and NC State University
Featured Speakers: Dr. Fletcher Arritt, Food Safety and Processing Extension Specialist, NCSU, Dr. Benjamin Chapman, Assistant Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist, and Allison Smathers, NCSU, Entrepreneurial Food Program Assistant
Thinking about selling fermented, acidified (pickled), or other packaged foods at restaurants, farmers' markets or retail vendors? There are a myriad of stringent guidelines that must be followed in order to do so, including keeping certain records or perhaps acquiring a label, getting a process authority letter and taking the multiday Acidified Foods GMP School for Pickle Manufacturers course or others offered by NCSU.
This workshop is designed to give participants a VERY general idea of what is expected by regulators to manufacture and sell packaged food products and about the Pickling School, briefly covering such topics as: basic food safety, supervisory skills, pH levels in your products, sample submission process, labeling, kitchen certification, record keeping and more. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a VERY BRIEF outline of the processes you will need to go through in order to sell your products.
THIS COURSE WILL NOT CERTIFY YOU TO SELL ACIDIFIED FOODS OR ANY OTHERS TO THE PUBLIC.
Link to the Acidified Foods School in Asheville Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2013
INFORMATION FROM THE WORKSHOP:
I Want to Sell Food in a Retail Market…Now what? - (PDF)
Refrigerated Foods: Some Rules for Processing - (PDF)
FDA Exemptions for Small Businesses - (PDF)
Understanding Food Labeling - (Link or PDF)
Additional Information:
CFSA Guidebook: NC - Growing Your Local Food Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Laws and Regulations
CFSA Guidebook: SC - Growing Your Local Food Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Laws and Regulations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& The Carolina Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference
On-Farm Workshops - more information
Date: Friday, February 14
Time: 12:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. On-site at Lindale Farms in Snow Camp, NC
Time: 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. On-site at Hocutt Brothers Farms in Sims, NC
Registration fee: FREE - MUST PRE-REGISTER
Carolina Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference - more information
Date: February 15
Time:
8:00p.m.- 6:00p.m
Registration fee: $35 - MUST PRE-REGISTER
Organizers: This is NOT a CEFS event, but is organized by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and the NC State Organic Grains Project
If you are interested in the Carolinas’ rapidly growing organic agriculture sector, there is no better place to connect with commercial-scale organic producers and organic commodity and livestock experts than the Annual Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference. It is a not-to-be- missed opportunity to network with and learn from experienced organic farmers.
Keynote Speaker: Thor Oeschner, owner of Oeschner Farms in Newfield, NY will enlighten, energize and surely make us laugh as he shares his story about running his 600 acre farm, a mill, and a bakery.
Workshops will cover topics in organic grain varieties, organic tobacco production, holistic vet care, soil fertility, and organic disease management.
Don’t miss our on-farm workshops, at Lindale Dairy a certified organic dairy in Snow Camp, NC and at Hocutt Farms, a certified organic vegetable farm in Sims, NC.
Download flyer with additional information here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& Blueberry Production & Pruning Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: CEFS, Goldsboro, N.C.
Registration Fee: $10
Workshop Organizer: Lisa Forehand - Extension and Outreach - Center for Environmental Farming Systems
*** This workshop consistently fills up every year. Please submit your registration forms ASAP. We are unable to "hold" spots ***
Workshop participants will meet at the CEFS Service Building for a short classroom presentation and then participants will travel to CEFS Small Farm Unit for the pruning demonstration portion of the workshop. Directions will be provided at the beginning of the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring hand pruners and dress appropriately for outdoor demonstration.
Blueberry Production and Pruning in North Carolina
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEFS Sustainable Agriculture Lecturer: MAYA WILEY
Date: Wednesday, February 27
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Durham Armory - 220 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
Registration Fee: FREE & Open to the Public!
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and the NC Agricultural Foundation Inc., are proud to announce that Maya Wiley will deliver CEFS’ Annual Sustainable Agriculture Lecture on February 27 at 7 pm at the Durham Armory (220 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701). Ms. Wiley will present a free lecture entitled “Unmasking Inequities: Building Toward a More Just Food System for All!”.
“Ms. Wiley’s lecture promises to be stimulating and thought-provoking. We hope that it will spark further dialogue around food justice and creating equitable and fair food systems accessible by all North Carolinians,” said Nancy Creamer, CEFS Director from NC State University. John O’Sullivan, CEFS Director from NC A&T State University, added, “We are looking to stimulate greater engagement in the resurrection of a local food system inclusive of people of color – as producers, in value-adding, careers for youth, and in discussions of the best paths to follow to achieve equity and fairness in the food system”.
Maya Wiley is the Founder and President of the Center for Social Inclusion, a national public policy strategy organization that works to unite public policy research and grassroots advocacy to transform structural racial inequity into structural fairness and inclusion. Ms. Wiley graduated from Columbia University School of Law in 1989 and is a frequent speaker on the national stage and author of many influential policy articles.
For information on becoming a Sponsor for this event visit our webpage
**** Would you like to help us spread the news? ****
Download a "Save the Date" Card
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& 
2013 Grassroots Leadership Conference on Entrepreneurship
Date: Thursday, March 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration Fee: FREE *
*
Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 20
Conference Organizer: NC A&T State University & Cooperative Extension Program
For more information call Vivian Smith at 336.285.4674
The Cooperative Extension Program, along with our Strategic Planning Council (SPC), will be hosting our annual Grassroots Leadership Conference on March 7. This conference will be attended by a diverse group of stakeholders throughout North Carolina, namely community leaders, county-based Extension staff, service providers, small business owners (including farmers), advisory leaders, and any other individuals interested in entrepreneurship.
This year's conference offer an opportunity for networking and provide useful information for attendees who are interested in starting or sustaining a small business. As you know, across the state, there are many resources and programs aimed at providing people with tools they need for their small businesses. This will be an attempt to bring some of those resources together in one place.
So, as we have been planning, we are thinking about three main audiences: those interested in starting a business (Exploring), general small business and agribusiness owners looking to grow their current business (Expanding) and youth and individuals working with youth to encourage and support their interest (Encourage).
Thus this year’s theme: Entrepreneurship…Explore, Enhance and Encourage! Explore…the possibilities!—Enhance…your business!—Encourage…youth!
The agenda is as follows:
9 a.m. — Welcome/Greetings
9:15 a.m. – Moderated Panel Discussion (75 minute discussion)
10:30 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. — General Session – Social Media Marketing
11:45 a.m.– Lunch/Keynote Speech
1:00 p.m. — Concurrent Breakout Sessions (1)
2:00 p.m. – Break
2:30 p.m. — Concurrent Breakout Sessions (2)
3:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks
The 2013 Grassroots Leadership Conference is free to the general public and the attire is business casual. The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 20. A tentative agenda and “Save the Date” card are attached and the link for the registration form is as follows:
Register at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MVRXXMQ
2013 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
2013 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AGENDA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& 
Retail Ready for Local Foods - Training for farmers interested in new retail markets
Date: March 6
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location:
Duplin County Extension Center,
165 Agriculture Drive,
Kenansville, NC 28508
Registration Fee: $20
----- Registration Deadline: February 28 -----
Download more information and registration form HERE
Beyond the Tailgate Market - Training for farmers interested in new retail markets
Date:
March 12
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive Mills River NC 28759
Registration Fee: $20
----- Registration Deadline: March 7 -----
Download more information and registration form HERE
Retail Ready for Local Foods - Training for farmers interested in new retail markets
Date: March 13
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Location: Rowan Co. Extension Office, 2727 A Old Concord Rd,
Salisbury, NC 28146
Registration Fee: $20
----- Registration Deadline: March 6 -----
Download more information and registration form HERE
For more information contact: S. Gary Bullen at gary_bullen@ncsu.edu or 919-515-6096
** This is NOT a CEFS Workshop **
Farmers who are interested in new marketing opportunities can learn what grocery store buyers and other retail buyers are looking for in N.C. food products at three workshops offered by N.C. Cooperative Extension. In the one day workshop you will learn the best business practices identified by buyers in these markets that are actively looking for local food suppliers. In the workshop you will receive information about how to build relationships with these buyers packaging and labeling, successful marketing strategies, pricing, food safety issues and regulatory concerns. Grocery buyers, other buyers and successful farmers will share how to access these retail markets during panel discussions and answer your specific questions.
Retail Ready is a program for farmers interested in selling to restaurants, groceries and other retail buyers by expanding their current markets.
Travel scholarships are available by contacting Gary Bullen at Gary_Bullen@ncsu.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut Flower Growers' Conference: Knowledge is Flower Power
Dates: March 17 (tours) & 18 Conference
Times: March 17: TBA, March 18 8:00 a.m.
Registration: Visit the Cut Flower Growers Website to register
** Please note, this is NOT a CEFS event. Please direct all questions to the Cut Flower Growers website **
The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) will conduct an all day workshop at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC. The program includes new cultivar evaluations, production studies, postharvest experiments, and marketing analysis. In cooperation with ASCFG, NCSU coordinates the National ASCFG Cut Flower Trial Programs. North Carolina State University is recognized as the only university in the United States with a comprehensive research program on greenhouse and field cut flowers. The conference kicks off with a tour of cut flower farms on Sunday March 17. Visitors will tour Wild Hare Farm, Peregrine Farm, and the JC Raulston Arboretum. Visit the Cut Flower Growers Website to register.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& Shiitake Mushroom Production Workshop
Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location:
Johnston County Livestock Arena,
520 County Home Road,
Smithfield, NC 27577
Registration Fee:
$20 (includes materials, lunch, and handouts)
Organizers: Johnston County and Wayne County Cooperative Extension Offices
*** THIS IS NOT A CEFS EVENT. CONTACT AMIE NEWSOME at 919-989-5380 or amie_newsome@ncsu.edu TO REGISTER. ***
This workshop will cover all aspects of Shiitake Mushroom production and will include “hands on” experience where individuals will inoculate and bring home their own logs. For demonstration purposes, we ask that you bring 2 - 4 logs preferably red, white, or scarlet oak that are 4” – 8” inches in diameter and 4 ft. long with bark intact. Logs need to be cut no more then two weeks before the workshop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& Blackberry Production and Hands-on Planting Demonstration
Date: Saturday, March 23
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: CEFS, Goldsboro, NC
Registration Fee: FREE
Organizers: Wayne County Cooperative Extension Office & CEFS
Workshop participants will meet at the CEFS Service Building for a short presentation on blackberry production and management, followed by a planting demonstration at the Small Farm Unit. Directions will be provided at the beginning of the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and to dress appropriately for outside activity.
To register, please contact Diane at Wayne County Cooperative Extension: (919) 731-1525.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCA&T Small Farms Week: It’s a Growing Business – Tools for the Next Generation
Dates: March 24 - 28
Locations: Vary
Registration Fee – $25 (fee waived for small farmers; fee also waived for Thursday's Youth in Ag workshop.)
Registration Deadline – March 18
If you have question please contact Donna Holland at hdonna@ag.ncat.edu
Monday - March 25:
10:00 AM Small Farms Week Kickoff
1:30 PM AA&S Farm Tour
Tuesday, March 26:
11:00 - 4:30 p.m. Educational Forum
11:00 - 2:00 p.m. Small Farm Resource Fair and Luncheon
2:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)
------ Financial Option for Small Farmers
------ Passing The Farm To The Next Generation
Wednesday, March 27
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Educational Forum - Concurrent Sessions (select one)
------ Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Lessons to Starting and Building a Farm Enterprise
------ Small Farmers-Protecting the Enterprise and the Environment
------ The New FaRxmacy: Increase Profitability by Teaching Customers to Eat Their Vitamins
12:00 - Small Farmers Appreciation Luncheon
Thursday, March 28
9:30 – 4:00 p.m. Youth Educational Forum (high school ages 15-18)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Movie: Genetic Roulette, The Gamble of Our Lives
Date: Thursday, April 4
Time 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Temple Emanuel, 201 Oakwood Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (near Thruway Shopping Center)
THIS IS NOT A CEFS EVENT.
Sponsoring Organization: TEEM - Temple Emanuel’s Environmental Movement Co-sponsor: NC Interfaith Power and Light
For more information, please contact Cynthia Silber cell: 201-638-1640 cynthia.silber@gmail.com
Description:
* This documentary is based upon the novel of the same name, written by consumer advocate, Jeffrey Smith and narrated by Lisa Oz.
* The film counters the biotech industry's claim that genetically modified (GM) foods are safe.
* The movie points to genetically engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the US population, especially among children.
* Gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, inflammatory diseases, and infertility are just some of the problems implicated in humans, pets, livestock, and lab animals that eat genetically modified soybeans and corn.
* The film shows how safety assessments on GM crops have not been able to identify the health problems presented in the movie.
Speaker: Dr. John O’Sullivan, CEFS (NC A&T)
MOVIE TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv96D_ZURzs
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NC Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Advanced BQA Training and Truck/Trailer Safety
Dates:
April 5-6th at Center for Environmental Farming Systems: CEFS (Goldsboro, NC) - FULL
May 7-8th at Upper Piedmont Research Station (Reidsville, NC) - FULL
May 14-15th WNC Regional Livestock Center (Canton, NC) - FULL
*** THIS IS NOT A CEFS EVENT. CONTACT APRIL SCHAFFER AT April_Shaeffer@ncsu.edu FOR MORE INFORMATION ***
ALL EVENTS ARE CURRENTLY FULL AT THIS TIME.
We are very excited to be working with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association to provide women cattle producers a chance to network and to enhance their cattle handling skills. The "Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers" 2 day workshop is designed to provide leadership training for female cattle producers in North Carolina and to provide hands-on experiences led by professionals in the field. We hope to encourage more women to be active as leaders in the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association and in their communities.
This event is limited to 16 participants at each event in order to maintain small group size and to allow the opportunity to be active and gain hands-on experience. The workshop will cover BQA Training and Certification, Tractor Safety, Truck & Trailer Safety, and Herd Record Keeping. If you are interested in attending the workshop, please fill out the application and return it to April Shaeffer (email April_Shaeffer@ncsu.edu or fax 919-515-6884)
For more information, to view agenda or register download here: WORD or PDF (links disabled)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Day
Date: Wednesday, April 17
Time: 9:00 a.m. - until (rain or shine)
Location:
Piedmont Research Station, 8350 Sherrills Ford Road, Salisbury, NC 28147
Registration: FREE (REGISTRATION DEADLINE = APRIL 15)
*** THIS IS NOT A CEFS WORKSHOP ***
Program Coordinator: Dr. Matt Poore, NCSU Extension Specialist
Topics Covered: Equipment demonstrations * In the field *
Making hay
See all colors of equipment operating side by side
Hay handling
feeding equipment
To register, please call 704-216-8970 BEFORE April 15!
(Back to top)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
& & The Farm Bill Extension & Its Effect on Local Foods
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: CEFS, Goldsboro
Registration Fee: FREE
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Mt. Olive College, General address: (634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365)
------- Google map to the Communications Building on Mt. Olive College Campus -------
Registration Fee: FREE
Lecture Organizers: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA), CEFS & Wayne County Cooperative Extension
For more information contact Jared Cates at Carolina Farm Stewardship: jared@carolinafarmstewards.org
Thirty-seven programs did not receive funding under the current farm bill extension, including programs that support organic research and production, farmers markets, beginning farmers and rural communities. The presentation will provide a general introduction to the farm bill and its history. You will also hear stories of how the current funding cuts are affecting real people and communities throughout the Carolinas.
Join us for an hour-long talk with Q&A to find out how this extension is affecting farmers, researchers and communities in your region.
Past Workshops
| Date | Workshop |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series |
| 2011 | Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series |
| 2010 |