Bucolic Briefs
A “Successful Small Farms Opportunities Conference” is slated from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 1 at the Vance-Granville Community College Multi-purpose Building in Louisburg. Topics to be covered include soil testing and understanding analysis, tomato production, blackberry and raspberry production, grant opportunities for small farmers, social marketing for your farm, poultry and turkey backyard production, wholesale marketing to retail outlets, organic production and certification, fruit tree production, ins and outs of hi-tunnel greenhouses and fodder systems to feed livestock. For information, contact Martha Mobley, extension agent, at 919-496-3344 or go to www.FranklinCountyFarmFresh.com.
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Two Johnston County horse show series, one an open class and the second a hunter class, have been announced. Following are open horse show dates: March 1, April 5, May 10, June 28, Aug. 9 & 10 at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, Sept. 20, Oct. 25 and Nov. 22. The hunter show dates are Feb. 15, March 15, May 24, June 14, Sept. 6 and Nov. 8. Events are held at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield, except where noted. For more, go to www.blaine-mclaughlin-stables.com or call Michele McLaughlin at 919-934-1344.
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The N.C. State Beekeepers Association will host its spring meeting March 6-8 at the Wilmington Convention Center. The meeting will include a wide selection of beekeeping workshops for beginning beekeepers up to commercial operators. Go to www.ncbeekeepers.org for more.
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The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold two workshops for local governments interested in protecting their communities’ agricultural lands. The free workshops are March 12 at the McSwain Extension Education and Agricultural Center in Sanford and March 26 at the Caldwell County Agricultural Center in Lenior. They are designed for agricultural advisory board members, county representatives, program staff, farmers, landowners, elected officials and anyone interested in farmland preservation and the administration of the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program. For more information and to register, go to www.ncadfp.org/VADWorkshops.htm.
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The Sandhills Farmers Market in Pinehurst is accepting new applications from producer-only farmers within 75 miles of Pinehurst for the upcoming season. Interested farmers can apply online at sandhillsfarmersmarket.com or call Melanie Riley, market manager, at 803-517-5476.
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Beekeepers with bees for rent and growers interested in bee pollination services can post their information on the BeeLinked website at www.ncagr.com/beelinked. The site is hosted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. State University Apiculture Program. Anyone interested in listing their information can do so by filling out an online Submit Your Ad form on the BeeLinked page or by contacting NCDA&CS at 919-233-8214 or by email at NCHoneybee@ncagr.gov or call NCSU at 919-515-1660. The NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division regulates the movement of agricultural or related items capable of spreading harmful insects, diseases, and other pests. Beekeepers participating in this program will be required to comply with all honey and bee industry regulations.
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