Bucolic briefs
The Carolina Feather Club will host a swap meet for poultry and small animals May 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Everett Farm, 305 Macedonia Church Road in Monroe. For more information, contact Les Everett at 704-577-3905.
***
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.
***
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 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).
***
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. Anyone interested in listing information should fill out an online Submit Your Ad form on the BeeLinked page or contact 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 must comply with all honey and bee industry regulations.
***
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.
