Bucolic briefs
The N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale will be held Sept. 6 at noon at the Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove. Sale will include bulls, cows, pairs and heifers. For information, contact Jennie Rucker at 336-468-1679 or email at ncsa@yadtel.net. The sale catalog is available online at www.ncsimmental.com.
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The 73rd Annual N.C. Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival and the American Gourd Society 2nd National Show will be held Sept. 6 & 7 at the Holshouser Building, State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event features gourds from around the world, special gourd workshops, competitions and vendors selling dried gourds, gourd seeds, gourd crafts, gourd art, books and crafting supplies. There is a live auction on Saturday at noon and also a free gourd crafting table for kids. Details about the festival, a listing of workshops and information on how to enter the competitions can be found at www.ncgourdsociety.org/festival. Admission is $2 for adults, and free for children under 16, workshop students and N.C. Gourd Society members. For more, contact Kate Mahony, festival chair, at tolecat@nc.rr.com or 910-639-4577.
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Two Johnston County horse show series, one an open class and the second a hunter class, have been announced. The hunter show dates are Sept. 6 and Nov. 8. Following are open horse show dates: Sept. 20, Oct. 25 and Nov. 22. Events are held at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. For more, go to www.blaine-mclaughlin-stables.com or call Michele McLaughlin at 919-934-1344.
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As a way to help farmers and agricultural workers stay safe at work, the N.C. Department of Labor offers safety videos on a variety of topics through its YouTube channel. Video topics include: preventing green tobacco sickness, hazard communication, tobacco harvester safety, heat stress, migrant housing requirements, forklift safety, and information about the NCDOL’s Gold Star Growers program. The videos are in English and Spanish to increase understanding of safety hazards and preventing accidents. To learn more about the NCDOL and the Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau, go to www.nclabor.com or call 1-800-NC-LABOR (800-625-2267). NCDOL is also on Facebook and Twitter (@NCDOL).
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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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