Bucolic Briefs
The 3rd Annual Seed Swap and Garden Party will be held May 5 at 2018 Fox Creek Trail in Lincolnton. The all-day event is free and features seminars and demonstrations on composting, no-till/no-plow gardening and earthworms. Visitors will see antique farm equipment on display and at work, including a 1915 hit 'n' miss engine powering a 1910 Letz feed grinder, and a restored 1944 John Deere B tractor. There will be free Lenten roses for visitors, along with plants for sale or for free, many gardening books, magazines and flower pots for sale, and decorations for patios, sun rooms, gardens and potting sheds. Visitors can bring any garden-related items to swap, sell or give away. For more, contact Rebecca White at 704-732-1160.
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The Tarheel Barrel and Roper Association will hold a series of horse shows with classes for all ages at Lockamy Stables and Arena in Benson. Events include pole bending, barrels, goat tying and breakaway roping. Divisions are assisted any age; pee-wee: 8 years and under; youth: 9-12 years old; teen: 13-18 years old and open for any age. Following are upcoming show dates: May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. All shows start at 10 a.m. Cost is $7 per event; association membership is $20. For more, call Shannon and Melody Lockamy at 919-894-5719 or 919-291-3295 or 919-291-3294.
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The Onslow County Beekeepers Association is sponsoring a beekeeping short course at the Onslow County Multipurpose Complex in Jacksonville for beginner and experienced beekeepers. New beekeepers will be introduced to bee biology, establishing an apiary, methods of pest management, tools and equipment used in the apiary. Experienced beekeepers will refresh their general beekeeping skills and learn the latest methods of pest management. The written certification exam is available the last day of class. Pre-registration is required. The course will be held on two Saturdays, May 19 and May 26. Times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19 and 8 a.m. to noon on May 26. Cost is $25 and covers training materials and snacks. For more, contact Jeff Morton at 910-330-5732 or Julie Taylor at 910-787-2880.
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The N.C. Work Horse and Mule Association is sponsoring the N.C. State Championship Horse Drawn Plowing Contest June 2 at 10 a.m. at the historic Ivey Burn Plantation six miles south of Erwin on N.C. 217. Contest categories include single walking plow, team walking plow, team antique riding plow, team modern riding plow, team consisting of three or more horses or mules, single ox and team oxen. For the first time, there will be a category for teams of six-hitch horses. Contestants will compete for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights. Cost to enter each contest is $20 per category. The event is free for spectators. For more information, contact Ronnie Bowen at 919-820-4067 or Wayne Collier at 910-980-0066 or email at babowen898@yahoo.com.
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The New Bern Farmers Market is looking for producers of farm and farm-related products to be vendors at the market. The New Bern market is open every Saturday all year. For more information, contact Julie McKeon at 252-637-4172.
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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Veterinary Division is looking for small or large backyard or independent poultry flocks to test for avian influenza throughout the state. A minimum of 15 birds per flock would be tested by oral swabs four times each year at no cost to the owner. This program is to maintain surveillance for bird flu in North Carolina. Bird owners with questions or who want to be sure their flock is free of bird flu, can contact Dr. Sarah Mason or Jimmy Collie at 919-733-7601.
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