Bucolic Briefs
A regional meeting designed to garner input on developing a comprehensive strategic plan for managing the state’s 18 research station will be held Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Haywood County Extension Center in Waynesville, (828) 456-3575. Public comments are welcome at the meetings. The meeting is hosted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, N.C. A&T State University and N.C. State University. For more, go to www.ncagr.com/research/strategicplan.htm.
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The Southern Farm Show will be held Feb. 4-6 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. This is the largest agriculture exposition in the Carolinas and Virginia, and an expansion onto the midway area of the grounds means even more equipment, experts and ideas. The show features more than 500 manufacturers with advice and the latest farm equipment, supplies and services. Events include the FFA tractor and truck driving competitions, the annual meeting of the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina and the Southern National Draft Horse Pull. Hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Admission is free. For more, go to www.southernfarmshow.com.
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Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will host the fourth annual Agricultural Development Forum Feb. 5 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the Holshouser Building. Featured speaker will be economist Mike Walden of N.C. State University, who will talk about the agricultural economic outlook for 2009. Admission is free and lunch will be provided.
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A state graded goat and sheep sale will be held Feb. 5 at 12:30 p.m. at the Southeastern Livestock Sales Facility, 56 Hubert White Road, Chadbourn. Consignments will be taken in between 7 and 11:30 a.m. For more, contact sales manager Buddy McPherson at (910) 654-5281 or (910) 234-5831.
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The 3rd Annual Agritourism Networking Association Conference will be held Feb. 19 & 20 in Hickory at the Park Inn Conference Center. A reception will be held Thursday evening, Feb. 19, at Woodmill Winery and Vineyard in Vale. The conference will feature eight one-hour workshops. For more, contact Martha Glass, manager, Agritourism Office, at (919) 733-7887 or martha.glass@ncagr.gov.
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The Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School program will be held Feb. 27 at the Person County Extension Center in Roxboro. Attendees must pre-register by Feb. 20 to guarantee a seat and lunch. Topics to be covered include: community supported agriculture, successful direct marketing tips, fruit dehydration, marketing techiniques and agritoursim ideas. The cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. Additional family members or business associates of attendee can join the class for $15 each including lunch. For more or to register, 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 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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