Bucolic Briefs
The Southern/National Draft Horse Pull and Coon Mule Jump event will be held Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex at the State Fairgrounds. The show will be held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show. Twenty teams of giant draft horses will compete for bragging rights and prize money as they pull to see who can move the most weight on a weighted sled. The competition is divided into two categories – heavyweights (above 3,300 pounds) and lightweights (less than 3,300 pounds). Teams can typically pull up to twice their weight. In the Coon Mule Jump, mules will attempt to clear the highest height from a stationary position. Some mules have been known to clear 6 feet. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Children under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult. For more, contact Calvin Davis at 919-732-7542 or Rob Hall at 336-503-7183.
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A regional N.C. Cooperative Extension conference titled "Putting Your Farmland to Work: Planning, Production, Marketing and More!" will be held Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Program topics include getting started, marketing, vegetable production, small fruit production, eggs and poultry, farm business planning and for safety for small farmers. The cost is $25, and the deadline to register is Jan. 25. Contact Paul McKenzie, agent with Warren/Vance counties, 252-257-3640 for more information.
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The Davidson County N.C. Cooperative Extension Office invites prospective, beginning and transitioning farmers to attend the 2012 Piedmont Farm School, a seven-month program designed to provide training in production practices and business planning to help people operate successful, small-scale, sustainable farms. The program will start Feb. 14 and wraps up in October. The group will meet one evening for business training and on another day for a field trip to a local farm. Field trip topics include whole farm planning, livestock basics, fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, agritourism and marketing. The cost if registered before Dec. 16 is $150 for one person, $200 for two people or $250 for families of three or more. There is an additional $25 fee for anyone registering between Dec. 16 and Jan. 20. For more information, contact Leslie Vinesett at 336-242-2085 or Mary Helen Ferguson at 336-318-6000.
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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.
