Bucolic Briefs
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division is looking for small or large backyard or independent poultry flocks to test for avian influenza. A minimum of 10 birds per flock would be tested by oral swabs four times each year at no cost to the owner. This program is designed to maintain surveillance for bird flu in North Carolina. If interested, contact Dr. Sarah Mason or Jimmy Collie at (919) 733-7601 to learn more.
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The Duke Homestead State Historic Site is looking for farm equipment donations to preserve and showcase the state's tobacco heritage. The site is specifically looking for one homemade water tank used to take water to the field for use with tobacco hand planters, a riding plow with two wheels and a seat for the farmer, a gang harrow with spiked teeth (equal to four combined spike teeth harrows) and open coulter plow used for breaking new ground. All donations are tax deductible. N.C. farmers have recently donated about 25 pieces to the site. For more information, contact Dale Coats, site manager, (919) 477-5498.
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The Rural Advancement Foundation International USA has produced two free farmer publications that focus on financing non-traditional farm-based operations and strategies for small-scale farmers that are available online and through the mail. The two, The Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Credit and Farmer and Lender Project: Strategies to Sustain Agriculture and Enhance Rural Development in North Carolina, are available at www.rafiusa.org/pubs/puboverview.html or by calling (919) 542-1396, ext. 207.
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The Franklin County Equine Educational Mini-Series will host three workshops in March at the Ag Center in Louisburg. Program topics and dates follow: March 1 - Equine Denistry and Chiropractor/Accupuncture in Equine; March 8 - N.C. Equine Liability Law; and March 15 - Update on Equine Slaughtering. Each program starts at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per person for the meal. For more, call Martha Mobley, extension agent, at (919) 496-3344.
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The Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School will be held March 2 at the Person County Cooperative Extension Center in Roxboro. The school will focus on growing and marketing specialty crops, and will include guest presentations by specialty farmers and a presentation on drip irrigation. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required. For more, contact Carl Cantaluppi at (919) 603-1350 or e-mail at carl_cantaluppi@ncsu.edu.
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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages livestock producers to register their farms with the NCFarmID program. NCFarmID is a voluntary program to register farms for a national number as a way to protect livestock in the event of a disease outbreak. For more, contact NCDA&CS at (919) 715-2951 or go to www.NCFarmID.com.
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The N.C. Beekeepers Association will host a joint meeting with the South Carolina Beekeepers Association March 2 and 3 at the Union County Agri-Services Center in Monroe. The theme of the meeting is small-hive beetle, and features guest speakers, workshops and a trade show. For more or to register, contact Charles Heatherly at (919) 859-6995, e-mail at heath7@bellsouth.net or go to www.ncbeekeepers.org/meeting.
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The Equestrian Exchange Consignment Sale will be held March 16-18 at the National Guard Armory in Greensboro. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 16 & 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18. Equestrian-related items including show attire, saddles and tack, barn items, horse trailers, etc. can be dropped off March 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call (336) 643-3773 for more information or go to http://www.EquestrianExchange.com.
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Chatham County Cooperative Extension will host two workshops on vegetable production in March as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series. Both classes will be held in the Agriculture Building Auditorium in Pittsboro. Following are class dates, times, titles and cost: March 15, 1-5 p.m., Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes for Disease Control and Improved Yield, $15; and March 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., No-Till Vegetable Production, $25 which covers lunch and resource notebook. For more, contact Debbie Roos, extension agent, (919) 542-8202.
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The N.C. Pecan Growers Association will host its annual meeting March 24 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Johnston County Agriculture Extension Office in Smithfield. The cost is $15 and covers the workshop, orchard tour and lunch. Anyone interested in pecan production is welcome. For more, contact Laurie Wood, marketing specialist, (910) 532-4208 or e-mail at laurie.wood@ncagr.gov.
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A guided barn tour of three barns in the Chatham County Area will be held March 24 beginning at 9 a.m. Registration and the start of the tour will be at the Chatham County Agricultural Center in Pittsboro, with the tour continuing to Heads Up! Therapeutic Riding Barn in Pittsboro, which works with kids with special needs. The next stops are Merry Band Farm in Silk Hope and Chapel Ridge Farm in Apex. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. The first 50 participants will receive a copy of the book, Horse Safety Guidelines. For more, contact Chatham County Agricultural Center at (919) 542-8202 or Betty Hathaway at (919) 663-0363 or e-mail at betty0705@aol.com.
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North Carolina will celebrate Small Farms Week March 25-31 with a kickoff event March 26 in Bladen County, a Farm Show and Goat and Cattle Day March 27 at the university farm at N.C. A&T State University and Small Farmers Appreciation Day March 28 at N.C. A&T. To register for activities or for more, go to www.ag.ncat.edu.
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Nationally recognized trainer Bryan Neubert will hold a horsemanship and colt-starting clinic April 12-15 at the Piedmont Stable Club facilities in Greensboro. Neubert offers a soft technique for working with horses. For more information, contact Michele McLaughlin at (919) 934-1344 or e-mail at sileeno@ipass.net.
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Warner Feed and Tack in Waxhaw will host a free goat education seminar April 23 at 7 p.m. and a free horse owners workshop on May 14 at 7 p.m. For more, contact Paul Warner (704) 243-3011.
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The 6th Annual Rusty Pistons Antique Show will be held April 27-29 in Marshville. The event features hundreds of antique tractors, new tractor and lawn mower dealers, hit & miss engines, crafts, kiddie and teen tractor pulls, music, food and kids activities. For more, contact Reid Helms, (704) 624-6105.
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The 4th Annual Franklin County Farm Foods and Crafts Tour will be held May 19 & 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be nine farms to visit. Cost is $5. For more, go to http://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu or contact Martha Mobley, extension agent, at (919) 496-3344.
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A Five-County Beef Tour will be held June 26. The free program focuses on diversification in the beef cattle industry and includes three farm visits and lunch. For more contact Martha Mobley, extension agent, at (919) 496-3344.
