Bucolic Briefs
The N.C. Cattlemen’s Association will hold a spring stocker sale April 2 at 7 p.m. at Kilby’s Livestock Market in North Wilkesboro. The sale is expected to feature 800 head of cattle. For more, contact the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association at (919) 552-9111, N.C. State University at (919) 515-7772 or N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (919) 733-7136. The market number is (336) 838-3442.
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The Agritourism Networking Association will host a series of workshops in April focused on issues related to agritourism ventures. Following are the dates and locations: April 3 at the Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston; April 8 at the Orange County Extension Office in Hillsborough; April 10 in Asheville at a location to be announced; April 17 at the Iredell County Extension Office in Statesville; April 24 at the Tarkil Branch Farm’s Homestead Museum in Beulaville in Onslow County.
Workshops will cover such topics as defining agritourism opportunities for a farm, hospitality hints and marketing tips, liability issues, agritourism success stories and information on Voluntary Agricultural Districts. The program also offers farmers and others a chance to network and learn from one another.
Workshops will run from 4 -7:30 p.m. Cost is $12 and includes dinner and materials. For more information, contact Martha Glass, manager of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agritourism Office, at (919) 733-7887 or by e-mail at martha.glass@ncagr.gov.
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The Johnston County Horse Show Series features monthly horse shows starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. A negative Coggins test is required for all horses. Cost is $7.50 per class. Following are upcoming show dates: April 12 and May 17. Rain dates for all shows are the following day. For more, contact Michele McLaughlin, (919) 934-1344 or e-mail sileeno@ipass.net.
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The Annual Corn Planting Day will be held April 12 at Indian Ridge Farm in Linden. Visitors can see land cultivated and planted using old-time equipment pulled by draft horses, mules and oxen. Teams are welcome to participate, but no dogs are allowed. The event is free. For more, contact Wayne Collier at (910) 980-0066 evenings.
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The Sedgefield Hunt is putting on an AERC-sanctioned endurance ride April 12 at the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds in Hoffman. There will be 30-mile and 55-mile races, plus a 15-mile ride. For more, call Sue Showfety at (336) 622-3236 or go to www.Sedgefieldhunt.com.
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The Equestrian Exchange Consignment Spring Sale will be held April 18-20 at the Village at North Elm in Greensboro. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 pm., April 18; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 19 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 20. The sale will include horse-related tack, saddles, barn supplies, riding clothing, gifts, helmets, boots for all disciplines of riding. Items can be dropped off April 16 and 17, and unsold items can be picked up April 21. Pre-registration is required. Volunteers shop before consignors and consignors shop before the public. For more, call Lynn Beeson at (336) 697-1097 or go to www.EquestrianExchange.com.
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The Sandhills Region of the United States Equine Rescue League is holding its annual Field Day April 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Circle M Ranch in Sanford. The event will feature live training demonstrations, giveaways, tack sale, vendors, music and food. Visitors can also bring their dogs tp participate in a pet contest (proof of rabies vaccination required). The field day cost is $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit horses under the care of USERL. For more, contact Jennifer Carpenter at (910) 281-0852.
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The Cabarrus County Master Gardener Volunteer Association will host a Herb and Plant Festival April 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Piedmont Farmers’ Market in Concord. Admission, parking, educational speakers and demonstrations are free. More than 80 gardening-themed vendors will be on site. The event will be held rain or shine. For more, contact Becky Lewis at (704) 920-3326 or (704) 920-3310 or go to http://cabarrus.ces.ncsu.edu.
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The 7th Annual Rusty Pistons Antique Tractor Show & Festival will be held April 25-27 in Monroe. The event features hundreds of antique tractors, new tractor and lawn mower dealers, hit-and-miss engines, crafts, kiddie tractor pull, pony rides, hay wagon rides, kiddie train rides, gospel and bluegrass music, food, old farm equipment, an auction benefitting hospice and more. Miss North Carolina 2008, Jessica Jacobs, will also appear. For more, call Reid Helms at (704) 624-6105 or go to www.rustypistonstractorshow.com.
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The Joyful Noise Open Horse Series will be held 4-T Stables in Lewisville April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 featuring English, Western and gaming divisions. The event includes youth, open and amateur classes. For more, contact Joyful Noise Farm at (336) 786-9130 or (336) 429-6240.
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The Davidson County Horsemen’s Association annual Open Horse Show will be held April 26 at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Davie County. The show will benefit four Davidson County charities. A negative Coggins test is required for all horses. Gates open at 8 a.m. High Point award given under DCHA rules, youth sportsmanship award given (18 & under). Free for spectators. For more, contact James or Karen Jones, (336) 731-2051 or 242-3996 or e-mail at jmjones54@triad.rr.com.
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The Eastern Carolina Vintage Farm Equipment Association will hold its 7th Annual Antique Farm Equipment Days May 2 and 3 at the Wayne Regional Fairgrounds in Goldsboro. The event will feature antique tractors, hit-and-miss engines, a kiddie tractor race, food and crafts. Anyone interested in showing their antique tractor or old equipment is welcome. Admission is free. For more, contact Jerry McGinnis at (919) 735-5503.
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The 2nd Mid-Atlantic Texas Longhorn Field Day will be held May 10 at 8 a.m. in Reidsville at the N.C. State University research facility. Bulls, cows, steers and calves will be on display, showcasing breeding programs. Speakers will focus on other longhorn-related topics. For more, contact Pat Brown at (336) 541-6596 or Zach Moffitt at (336) 879-1752 or e-mail at zach@rollingmlonghorns.com.
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The N.C. Pecan Growers Association will be hosting a Twi-Light Orchard Tour June 3 at Lake View Pecans in Bailey. The tour begins at 5 p.m. and will address various production, marketing and management topics with demonstrations in the orchard and pecan tree nursery. The event is free and pre-registration is not required. For more, contact Bill Bunn at (919) 815-5764 or e-mail at b.bunn@earthlink.net or Laurie Wood at (910) 532-4208 or laurie.wood@ncmail.com.
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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host the first Got to Be NC Festival June 5-8 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The event will be a celebration of N.C. agriculture and heritage and will feature North Carolina food products, a display of antique farm equipment, tractor and mule pulls, music, a state barbecue competition and much more. Admission is free. There is a $5 fee for Grandstand concerts and pulls. Mark your calendars now for this inaugural event. For more, go to www.ncagfest.com.
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The N.C. Percheron Horse Association will hold its annual Field Day on June 7 at 11 a.m. at Rolling Hills Percherons in Winston-Salem. Activities include hay making, draft horses under saddle, driving demonstrations with carts, 2-and 4-horse hitches, wagon rides, clogging and an appearance by guest of honor NASCAR legend Humpy Wheeler. The event is free. For more, contact Jeremy Hancock at (336) 399-3837.
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The Mid State Tractor Heritage Association will host its 2nd Annual Tractor Drive June 21 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Vintage John Deere Tractor Museum in Trinity. The drive will wind through Caraway Mountain west of Asheboro before returning to the museum. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the entry fee is $30. Participating tractors must be able to travel at least 10 miles per hour. Proceeds will benefit the Randolph County FFA Scholarship Fund. For more, go to www.midstatetractorheritage.org or call Doug Nixon at (336) 736-7103, Kelly Wicker at (336) 318-5109 or Todd Nance at (336) 465-0384.
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 identification 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.
