Bucolic briefs
The Johnston County Horse Show Series will hold a horse show Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. The show is open to riders and horses from all riding levels, breeds and disciplines. The rain date will be Oct. 3. For more, contact Michele McLaughlin at (919) 934-1344, by e-mail at sileeno@ipass.net or go to www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin.
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The N.C. BioNetwork/BioAg Center will host the 2nd Annual BioAg Symposium at UNC-Pembroke Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will cover a range of agricultural topics from aquaculture to viticulture. The educational event will focus on changes occurring in the farming industry. For more or to register, contact Jennifer Hickman at (910) 272-3690.
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N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is offering a series of N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety workshops across the state to educate fruit and vegetable growers about measures to minimize food safety risks. The program's training curriculum addresses specific areas of Good Agricultural Practices and managing risks for producers from field to market. Classes will be held at the following locations and dates: Oct. 12, Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, contact Sue Colucci, (828) 697-4891 or sue_colucci@ncsu.edu; Oct. 26 at Stanly County AgriCivic Center, Albemarle, contact Aimee Marshall at (704) 694-2415 or aimee_marshall@ncsu.edu; Nov. 9, Vernon James Research and Extension Center, Plymouth, contact Rod Gurganus at (252) 793-4428, ext. 129 or rod_gurganu@ncsu.edu; Feb. 23, 2011 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Harnett County, contact Gary Pierce, (910) 893-7533 or gary_pierce@ncsu.edu. All classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The 25th Anniversary of WNC Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show will be held Oct. 21-23 at the Western N.C. Agriculture Center in Fletcher. This event, presented by the Apple Country Engine and Tractor Association, features antique tractors, hit-n-miss engines of all sizes, tractor pulls and more than 250 vendors and exhibitors. Following is the schedule for pulls: Friday, 5 p.m., stock and modified garden tractors; Saturday, 10 a.m., farm tractors 1964 and earlier; Saturday, noon, kiddie pulls. Admission is $8 a day or $20 for a three-day pass. Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult. For more, go to www.applecountry.org or contact Larry Phillips at larryp66@yahoo.com.
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B&M Stables in Four Oaks will offer half-day horsemanship clinics with horse trainer Blaine McLaughlin on Oct. 23 and Nov. 20. Classes run 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and cost $75. Classes are limited to five riders. For more, contact Michele McLaughlin, (919) 934-1344 or by e-mail at sileeno@ipass.net.
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The Southeast Strawberry Expo will be held Nov. 8-10 at the Wyndham Hotel in Virginia Beach, Va. Workshops and a farm tour will take place on Nov. 8. Educational sessions and a trade show will be held Nov. 9 and 10. For more information, go to www.ncstrawberry.com or contact the N.C. Strawberry Association at (919) 542-4037 or by e-mail at info@ncstrawberry.com.
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A Bill Scott Horsemanship Clinic will be offered Nov. 13-14 at On the Bit Farm in Seven Springs. Scott has developed a philosophy that melds the influences of notable horsemen with lessons learned from the horse. For more information or a clinic registration form, please contact Eileen Coite at (919) 222-1525 or at eileen_coite@ncsu.edu.
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The Cape Fear Poultry Association will hold its second annual show at the Johnston Livestock Arena on Dec. 11. For more, call Carolyn Lynn at (910) 897-8001.
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The North Carolina chapter of Re-Run, a non-profit organization that places ex-racehorses into adoptive homes, now has thoroughbred racehorses available for adoption. Thoroughbreds are versatile and do well in any number of disciplines including shows, events, fox hunting or pleasure riding, according to Elizabeth Macdonald with Re-Run. For more, go to www.rerun.org or contact Elizabeth Macdonald at hemacd@mindspring.com.
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