Bucolic Briefs

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro will host a series of sustainable agriculture workshops and tours in 2008 that cover a range of topics. Following is a list of upcoming workshops: May 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Techniques, Husbandry & Evaluation for Outdoor Hog Production, $20; May 14, 6-8 p.m., Twilight Tour: Managing Winter & Summer Crops, free; May 15, 4-5:30 p.m., High Tunnel Research, $10; May 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Good Agricultural Practices Training for Farmers Markets and Roadside Stand Managers, $20; June 26, 4-7 p.m., Bread Wheat and Organic Production, $10.

Registration is required. For more information about the workshops or to register, call (919) 513-0954, e-mail at cefs_info@ncsu.edu or go to www.cefs.ncsu.edu.

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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 to show it. 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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An open horse show will be held May 17 at the Ashe County Agricultural Expo grounds on N.C. Hwy. 163 in West Jefferson. The show will feature 30 classes, including gaited and gaming classes. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The rain date will be May 18. For more information, call Talmage Lawrence at (336) 877-4429 or Mike Johnson at (336) 877-5838.

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Boothill Farm in Chapel Hill will host Hunter shows the third Saturday in May, June, September, October and November beginning at 9 a.m.. The rain date for the shows is the third Sunday. Fee is $10 per class. For more information, go to www.boothillfarm.com or call (919) 967-2994.

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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: May 17, June 28, Aug. 30, Oct. 25 and Nov. 22. 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 Joyful Noise Open Horse Series will be held at 4-T Stables in Lewisville 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 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@ncagr.gov.

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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 North Carolina 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. Look for more information at www.ncagfest.com.

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The Central Carolina Antique Tractor & Machinery Association will sponsor a lawn and garden tractor pull and antique tractor show June 7 at Hart’s Pumpkin Farm on Meronies Church Road in Bear Creek. For more, contact Bobby Woody, (336) 879-2218 or 581-3310; Jason Sanders, (919) 387-9762 or Darden James, (919) 742-3877.

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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.

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The N.C. State Beekeepers Association will host its Summer Conference July 10-12 at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. Workshop topics will focus on queen rearing, healing with honey, removing bees from structures, cooking with honey and more. A banquet will be held Friday evening and vendors will have bee-related items and equipment on display and for sale. For more, contact Charles Heatherly, (919) 859-6992 or e-mail at heath7@bellsouth.net.

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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 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.

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