Bucolic Briefs

The 2011 N.C. State University Turfgrass Short Course will be held Feb. 14-18 at the J.C. Ralston Arboretum in Raleigh. The program covers all aspects of turfgrass management. Turf and weed samples, fertilizers and pest control methods will be closely examined in the hands-on sessions. Participants can earn nine pesticide recertification credits. The course is only held once a year and fills up quickly. To register or for more information, go to www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/shortcourse or contact Dan Bowman at dan_bowman@ncsu.edu.

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The N.C. Agritourism Networking Association will hold its 5th Annual Winter Conference Feb. 17-18, near Pinehurst in Moore County. "Taking Local Beyond the Farm" will feature farm tours and a full day of workshops discussing marketing farms and farm products beyond current boundaries. The agenda and registration form can be found online at www.ncagr.gov/agritourism. For more information, contact Martha Glass, at (919) 707-3120 or by e-mail at Martha.glass@ncagr.gov.

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The 6th Annual Spring Herb and Plant Festival will be held April 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Piedmont Farmers Market grounds in Concord. For more information, go to www.piedmont-farmersmarket.com or call Becky Lewis at (704) 920-3310.

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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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