Bucolic briefs

Research stations across the state are hosting the following field days:

• Sandhills Turfgrass Field Day and Conference, June 14, 8:15 a.m. at the Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs. Contact Susan Mila-Lewis, 919-515-3196.
• N.C. A&T State University Small Farm Field Day, June 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the N.C. A&T State University Farm in Greensboro.
• Landscape Color and Professional Field Day, June 28, 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh. Contact Chris Glenn, 919-513-7005.
• Dairy Research and Extension Workgroup, July 12 at 10 a.m. at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury. Contact Teresa Herman, 704-639-7640.
• Mountain Research Station Field Day, July 18, 1:30 p.m. at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. Contact Kaleb Rathbone, 828-456-3943.
• Organic Grain Crops Field Day, July 21, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station in Rocky Mount. Contact Molly Hamilton, 828-702-5404.
• NE Ag Expo, July 27, 8 a.m. to noon at the R & R Farms, 106 Riddick Grove Road, Belvidere. Contact Dylan Lilley, 252-426-5428.
• Blacklands Farm Managers Tour, Aug. 2 at Green Valley Farms in Columbia.
• Apple Field Day, Aug. 3 at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River. Contact Jeff Chandler, 828-684-3562.
• Turfgrass Field Day, Aug. 9 at Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab in Raleigh. Contact Rick Brandenburg, 919-515-8876.
• Tomato Field Day, Aug. 10 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center. Contact Jeff Chandler, 828-684-3562.

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The Leonard-Mobley Small Farms Fund is seeking farmers in Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wilson counties, 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. 10 at the 4th Annual “Dinner in the Meadow” farm-to-fork feast held at Meadow Lane Farm near Louisburg. The dinner showcases local foods prepared by 10 North Carolina chefs. For additional 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 benefiting the fund. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the website.

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The Lincoln County Apple Festival is seeking sponsors for this year’s event. The festival is held Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lincolnton and draws an estimated 80,000 visitors. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Carole Howell, 2017 festival coordinator, at 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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The N.C. Ag Finance Authority provides credit to agriculture in areas where financing is not available at reasonable rates and terms. The agency originates, services and finances farm loans, rural business loans, disaster loans and cotton gin loans. It also offers tax-exempt ag development bonds for agribusiness processing, ag-related manufacturing or ag waste disposal. For more about Ag Finance Authority programs or to request a loan application, call 919-790-3949 or email at RequestLoanInfo@ncagr.gov.

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