Davidson County Center
December News
NC Ag Disaster Program 2018 - Deadline 12/10/18
Davidson County is one of the counties that is eligible for assistance in the NC Ag Disaster Program. There are just a few days remaining to submit your application.



Complete the application here.

8th Annual Gardeners' Conference
The Davidson County Extension Master Gardeners will host the 8th Annual Gardener's Conference on February 7 in Welcome, NC. Spaces fill up very quickly, so if you are interested in this conference, register online.

Soil Samples
We have now hit peak season on soil samples. There is a $4 fee per soil sample from now until April 1. Boxes are available for pick-up at the Extension Office.
RAFI Grants
RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA) is opening their grant cycle for the 2019 Agricultural Reinvestment Fund (ARF) Grant Program. The ARF Grant program is funded through the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission that offers $9000 grants to individual farmers/producers and $11,000 grants for collaborative projects. Final application deadline is January 4, 2019.

Business of Farming Series
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:
* January 31 - Accounting
* February 28 - Legal Issues
* March 28 - Taxes
* April 25 - Marketing

Big Dreams, Small Farms
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 will be open soon.

Dates:
* February 13 - Agritourism - Rowan County
* March 13 - Small Ruminants - Rowan County
* April 11 - Pastured Pork - Stanly County
* May 9 - Pastured Poultry - Davidson County
* May 23 - Small Fruit - Cabarrus County
* June 13 - Market Garden - Rowan County

Piedmont Regional Beef Conference
RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA) is opening their grant cycle for the 2019 Agricultural Reinvestment Fund (ARF) Grant Program. The ARF Grant program is funded through the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission that offers $9000 grants to individual farmers/producers and $11,000 grants for collaborative projects. Final application deadline is January 4, 2019.

Join Our Mailing Lists
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.

Upcoming Events:
Winter Forage Conferences - Effective Weed Management in Pastures & Hay Fields
* January 22 - Canton
* January 23 - Salisbury
* January 24 - Oxford
* January 25 - Mount Olive

Business of Farming Series - Davidson County Extension Office
* January 31 - Accounting
* February 28 - Legal Issues
* March 28 - Taxes
* April 25 - Marketing

* February 13 - Agritourism - Rowan County
* March 13 - Small Ruminants - Rowan County
* April 11 - Pastured Pork - Stanly County
* May 9 - Pastured Poultry - Davidson County
* May 23 - Small Fruit - Cabarrus County
* June 13 - Market Garden - Rowan County

Piedmont Regional Beef Conference - Guilford County Extension Office
* March 7

Farm Transitions - Davidson County Extension Office
* March 28
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.