Bucolic briefs
The Leonard-Mobley Small Farms Fund is seeking small North Carolina farmers, including women in agriculture, to apply for a $5,000 grant to assist with projects such as development or expansion of new sources of agricultural income on their farm. Grant applications are due by July 15. The grant will be awarded Sept. 11, at the 3rd Annual “Dinner in the Meadow” farm-to-fork feast held at Meadow Lane Farm near Louisburg. The dinner showcases local foods prepared by eight North Carolina chefs. For more information, please contact Ranell Bridges, board member, at 919-495-1305 or email, lmsmallfarmfund@gmail.com. More information on the grant and the dinner can be found online at www.DinnerintheMeadow.org.
The fund was set up in memory of two farm family members, with proceeds from the dinner and silent auction benefitting the fund. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the website.
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The 37th Annual High Country Crank-Up will be held July 28-30 on new U.S. Highway 421 between Boone and Deep Gap across from Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The event features antique engines, tractors, tool and other farm equipment, plus food and other vendors. Admission is $5 a day, $6 for a two-day pass or $8 for all three days. Seniors are admitted for $3 on Friday and kids 12 and under are free. The event is sponsored by Carolina Fly-Wheelers, Inc. For more information, contact Betty Hodges at 828-264-4977.
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The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2017 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 1 p.m., Aug. 3. The election will be in conjunction with a N.C. Pork Council board of directors meeting at the N.C. Biotechnology Center, 15 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park. All N.C. pork producers are invited to attend. Any N.C. producer, 18 or older, who has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. Eligible producers are encouraged to bring a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact the N.C. Pork Council, at 919-781-0361.
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The 75th Annual N.C. Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Sept. 10-11 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 festival features displays of gourds from around the world, special gourd workshops, gourd art and crafts, a gourd crafting table for kids, and auction on Saturday and items for sale. There will be competitions in a number of categories with ribbons and prizes awarded to the winners. For information on how to enter the competitions, go to www.ncgourdsociety.org/festival, or call 919-696-0744 for more information.
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The Lincoln County Apple Festival will be held Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Lincolnton. The free event features crafts, food, entertainment and the county’s signature crop -- apples. For more information, go to the festival’s website at www.lincolncountyapplefestival.com or contact Carole Howell, Apple Festival coordinator, 704-530-4636.
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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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