Bucolic Briefs
The 23rd Annual Aquaculture Development Conference will be held Feb. 11 and 12 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Atlantic Beach. The conference features presentations and workshops by local and national aquaculture leaders. Topics range from global marketing and disease management to new technology and research updates. Cost for the full conference is $95 before Feb. 4 or $150 after that date. Cost for presentations only is $75 or $130. Cost for the AquaFood Festival is $35 or $45. To register or for more information, go to www.ncaquaculture.org/registration.html.
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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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An Equestrian Exchange Tack Consignment Sale will be held Feb. 25-27 at the Cabarrus Arena and Event Center in Concord. The sale provides an opportunity to buy and sell tack, saddles, horse supplies, riding attire, show supplies, horse blankets, barn items, cart-driving equipment, horse trailers and more. All disciplines are represented and admission is free. Non–profit equestrian programs are encouraged to participate. Consignors earn 75 percent of what they sell. Tagged items can be brought in Feb. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. or Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27. Anyone interested in volunteering for 8 hours can shop first Feb. 25 or on Feb. 27 at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Lynn Beeson at (336) 362-6248 or Tanya Wright at (540) 977-1950 or go to www.EquestrianExchange.com.***
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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