Beginning Farmer & Rancher Grant
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NC Choices launches a new USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher grant focused on increasing the number of beginning farmers raising meat through either pasture-based or silvopasture systems by providing them with novel land acquisition strategies, resources, and training opportunities to increase skills, decision-making tools, and the market and buyer connections needed to operate profitably.
Notably, NC Choices will help pair beginning meat producers with grazing opportunities on
- Solar installations
- Land with woodland plots for silvopasture
- Land conservancy land under conservation easements
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This 3-year grant aims to provide comprehensive support including long-term lease and land tenure options, targeted training and decision making support, growing market opportunities, and training for beginning farmers and farmer-trainers.
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NC Safe Plates
Food Safety Manger Certification Course
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Davidson County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the Davidson Co. Environmental Health Department will offer NC Safe Plates – Food Safety Manager Certification Course. This comprehensive course is appropriate for food service managers and supervisory staff in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, and other food-handling establishments.
The course will take place at the Davidson County Cooperative Extension Center, 301 E. Center Street, Lexington, on Tuesday, March 12 and Tuesday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each date. The exam will be given on Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m.
The registration deadline is March 1. The cost is $140. Each participant will receive a NC Safe Plates study guide/book.
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Hurricane Relief Fund
Pasture Renovation Seed Initiative Program
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Pasture Renovation Seed Initiative: To replenish lost forage and to keep productive soils in the fields, the Hurricane Relief Fund is offering summer perennials or summer annuals for pasture renovation to eligible producers at no cost as supplies last.
Producers with pastures impacted by Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael in the disaster counties (which includes Davidson) are eligible to request up to $500 in seed for new applicants. The total amount of seed that may be provided to a producer will be based on the number acres impacted, as indicated by the survey applicant. Seed will be available for pick up at a designated seed distributor at a designated time. Producers will be notified by email regarding the day they can pick up the seed. All other transportation, planting costs and labor is to be borne by the producer and is not eligible for reimbursement.
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LEXINGTON FARMERS MARKET TO HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MARCH 5
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The Lexington Farmers Market will hold its 2019 pre-season organizational meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Davidson County Agricultural Extension Office, 301 East Center Street, Lexington.
At this meeting the 2019 calendar for the market will be laid out with days and hours of operation and all special event dates. Rules and rental fees will be discussed and vendors will have the opportunity to reserve space at the market for the season.
Questions can be directed to the market manager, Bobbi Pinto, at 336-287-6017.
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Piedmont Regional Beef Conference
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Join us for 7th Annual Piedmont Regional Beef Conference on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Guilford County Center in Greensboro, NC. This year’s conference will feature cattle handling expert, Dr. Ron Gill from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Dr. Deidre Harmon from NC State Extension.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn cattle handling and stockmanship skills, as well as fescue pasture establishment and renovation techniques through classroom and demonstration sessions. There will also be a trade show featuring many industry partners that offer feed, equipment, seed, fertilizer, cattle services, animal health, and more. Registration at the door is $20.
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Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop
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Toxic tall fescue reduces livestock weight gains and lowers reproductive performance. This one day workshop, held on March 12, will give you the tools and information needed to remove toxic tall fescue and replace it with novel tall fescue varieties. Topics include:
- Fescue Toxicosis: Symptoms & Causes
- Economics
- Establishment & 1st Year Management
- Company Products
- Producer Panel
The cost (before March 1) is $70/person or $100/couple. The workshop will be held at St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Mt. Ulla, NC.
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The Big Dreams, Small Farms series is part of NC Farm School geared to beginning farmers. Each day will have a lecture in the morning, followed by a farm visit in the afternoon. Workshop locations will vary by topic.
Registration is now open.
Dates:
* March 13 - Small Ruminants - Rowan County
* April 11 - Pastured Pork - Stanly County
* April 25 - Agritourism - Rowan County
* May 9 - Pastured Poultry - Davidson County
* May 23 - Small Fruit - Cabarrus County
* June 13 - Market Garden - Rowan County
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Pesticide Safety "V" Training
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Davidson County will offer a second private applicator "V" safety training class for those Private Pesticide Applicators who's license expires in 2019. It will be held Thursday, March 21, from 6 - 8 p.m.
It will be held
in the Auditorium of the Davidson County Agriculture Center. This class is
specifically for those private applicators whose certification
expires in 2019
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It is not necessary to pre-register. Class will be canceled for winter weather if Davidson County Government offices (
not
School System) are closed. This "V" training is a standardized program, intended to be obtained during the year of expiration.
For questions, contact Troy Coggins at 336-242-2081.
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Blueberry Pruning Demonstration
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Join Davidson County Cooperative Extension for a Blueberry Pruning Demonstration on Friday, March 22 from 1-3 p.m. It will be held at Sandy Creek Farm, 3160 S NC Hwy 150, Lexington. There is no cost to this workshop. Space is limited.
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Business of Farming Series
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Davidson County Extension along with Davidson County Community College Small Business Center will host a four-part series to help new & beginning farmers to treat their farm as a business.
Pre-registration is required. The series is sponsored by Carolina Farm Credit.
Dates:
* March 28 - Taxes
* April 25 - Marketing
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Farm Transitions: Transfer of Management
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If you own farmland or forestland, you need to think about planning for your estate's future! Join us on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Guido van der Hoeven from NCSU will be the guest speaker. He will share with you the 10 Estate/Transition Errors to Avoid, Estate Settlement, and Trust Management.
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Davidson, Davie, Forsyth & Yadkin Extension Offices are joining together to host an equine workshop on Monday, April 8 at 6 p.m. It will be held at Thoroughbred Training Center (TTC), 158 McCashin Lane, Mocksville.
Topics to be covered include: Pasture Management, Nutrition, and Equine Health Management.
A FREE supper will be provided (by TTC) to everyone that RSVP's by April 1.
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North Carolina Cooperative Extension will host a Sheep & Goat Workshop on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Davidson County Extension Office, 301 E. Center St. Lexington.
Topics will include: Nutrition & Feeding Management, Health Management (Deworming), and Hoof Care.
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Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Information Session
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North Carolina Cooperative Extension will host an information session regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to share how the new FSMA rules apply to your farm. It will be held on Wednesday, April 17 from 3-5 p.m. at the Davidson County Extension Office, 301 E. Center St. Lexington.
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Feel free to share this newsletter with others you think may be interested in our events! You can stay up to date on what is happening at the NC Cooperative Extension, Davidson County Center by completing the online form to receive email updates.
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Lexington Farmers Market Organizational Meeting - Davidson County Extension Office
* March 5
* March 7
* March 12
* March 19
* March 26 - Exam
* March 12 - 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
* March 13 - Small Ruminants - Rowan County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* April 11 - Pastured Pork - Stanly County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* April 25 - Agritourism - Rowan County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* May 9 - Pastured Poultry - Davidson County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* May 23 - Small Fruit - Cabarrus County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* June 13 - Market Garden - Rowan County - 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pesticide Safety "V" Training - Davidson County Extension Office
* March 21 - 6-8 p.m.
* March 22 - 1-3 p.m.
* March 28 - Taxes - 2-5 p.m.
* April 25 - Marketing - 2-5 p.m.
* March 28 - 7 p.m.
* April 8 - 6 p.m.
* April 9 - 6:30 p.m.
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Information Session - Davidson County Extension Office
* April 17- 3 p.m.
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