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Season’s Greetings
to ANA Members
Seems like we’re getting some good ol’ cold weather across the state now, putting everyone more into the “holly day” spirit. Whether that means storing more hay, caulking cracks, storing up firewood, or gleaning the fields, the joy and hope of the season is on our minds. We look forward to the coming new year with anticipation and perhaps a sense of concern, but we put our best face forward for our families and kin. I hope that everyone has some time for quiet, reflection, putting aside sadness, smiling at our neighbors, and remembering to try to help those less fortunate in some way as we rejoice in the blessings which come our way.
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Please remember that the due date for registration and payment for the 2007 ANA Conference is Thursday, January 4, 2007. The agenda and registration form are available at ncagr.com/agritourism |
I hope that all of you will try to plan to come to the first annual ANA conference on Friday, January 19 at Caraway Conference Center. A great one-day agenda is in place, with experienced, knowledgeable speakers. They will bring us information not only on how we can best meet the challenges of having successful agritourism farms, ranches, wineries and vineyards and support agencies, but also will inspire and encourage us to make a difference as an organized group of folks who can make a strong difference when our unified voice is heard at local and state levels for new policy initiatives.
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From Martha Glass, member of the Southeast Region Agritourism Association-
Tennessee Agritourism Conference, January 22 and 23, 2007, Music Road Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge
Go to cpa.utk.edu/level2/agri-tourism/2007 agritourconf/index.htm for information and agenda. Travel time from Piedmont NC is approximately six hours on I-40 to the Pigeon Forge exit near Knoxville. The roads are very good in this area. Early registration is only $75 before December 15. Registration after December 15 is $125.
The conference rate for rooms is $69/night and is good for January 21-24. To reserve rooms, call Music Road Hotel and Convention Center at (800-429-7700) Extension 7953 and reference “Agritourism Convention.” Reservations can also be made on-line at www.musicroadhotel.com and entering the group booking code 6698-7327. (You must enter the hyphen between the numbers.)
Dan Strasser, Marketing Specialist, Tennessee Department of Agriculture and a member of the Southeast Region Agritourism Association can be contacted at 615-837-5298 or by email at dan.strasser@state.tn.us.
Editor’s Note: I would encourage anyone interested to attend this conference. Tennessee is one of the few states that has economic support for its agritourism industry from several Tennessee state agencies and puts on a first-class agritourism conference.
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News from Members .......
Sunshine Lavender Farm Holiday Open House -- Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006 9 am – 5 pm
Shop locally and share the most popular fragrance in the world this holiday season - fresh and hand made from the farm to you! Go to sunshinelavenderfarm.com for directions.
Carden Farms – 2006 Holiday Art & Gift Festival Thursday, Dec. 7 – Sunday, Dec. 10
10 am-7 pm each day -- 919-570-0745 -- Go to cardenfarmssoap.com for directions.
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Debbie Roos, Chatham County Extension, sends the following two announcements --
RAFI announces cost-share grants of up to $18,000 available in tobacco-dependent communities – Workshops begin Dec. 4, Oxford; Dec. 5, Louisburg; Dec. 7, Lumberton; Dec. 12, Reidsville. Contact Jason Roehrig, 919-542-1396.
The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI USA) announced it will accept applications to its Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund through Jan. 26, 2007. The grant program will make cost-share grants to farmers, farm organizations and community groups in Alamance, Carteret, Franklin, Granville, Hoke, Jones, Onslow, Robeson, Rockingham and Stokes counties for demonstration of new alternatives to replace lost tobacco income. Cost-share support will be up to $10,000 for individual producers and up to $18,000 for group projects. To be eligible, a farmer must be engaged in full or part-time farming and have earned income from tobacco at the time of the Master Settlement Agreement in 1997-1998. Eligible community projects must directly benefit eligible farmers and have farmers in the project leadership.
January 25-28, 2007: 16th Annual Southern SAWG Conference in Louisville, Kentucky - "Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms"
Get details at the Southern SAWG website at ssawg.org/conference-.html Deadline for early registration is December 22. Debbie says this is “a quality meeting.”
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Tree farmers expect green Christmas – Fayetteville Observer, Nov. 11, 2006
Henry Helms, president of the Eastern NC Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, was one of the Christmas tree farmers interviewed for the article, and said, “Looking for the perfect Christmas tree? There should be plenty to choose from this year. Tree farms that allow people to select and cut their own tree are expecting a good season, according to area growers.”
Holiday Party at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy – Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. – Bonfire, live music, great company and delicious goat cheese! celebritydairy.com for directions.
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Business Meeting and Election of Board of Directors – from Dwight Austin
A business meeting is the last thing on the agenda for our conference. We will elect officers and seven representatives for the 2007 board of directors. If you are interested in serving, please contact one of the officers, your area representative, or Martha Glass, the executive director. This year our officers and area representatives volunteered to serve. Please watch your email for a copy of the bylaws and a list of officers and area representatives whom you may contact if you are interested. Please consider serving as an officer or area representative. This is YOUR organization, and YOU are the key to its success as a viable, credible, pro-active organization.
The Executive Director will also present a report on our first year as a formal organization.
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