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Exploring Pastured Pork: a Virtual Intro to Niche Pork Production
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Have you thought about raising pigs? Whether you want to raise pigs for you and your family or as a business, join us for this workshop to explore the basic considerations you must contemplate before starting a Pastured Pork Enterprise.
There is no registration fee, but registration is required. Choose the session that fits your schedule best and register online.
This hour-long session will provide a broad overview including production systems, budgeting, processing, and marketing with time allowed for a Q&A session to help you decide if this enterprise is right for you.
Based on interest, this introductory workshop will be followed up with a production-based webinar series. For questions regarding this workshop or the future webinar series, please
email Sara Drake.
The series will be held through the
Zoom platform. If you have any questions about the conference or using Zoom, please
email Sara Drake, Livestock Extension Agent.
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Piedmont Regional Goat & Sheep Conference
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The Piedmont Regional Goat & Sheep Conference, originally scheduled for April 25, is moving to an online webinar series. The four-part series will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. beginning April 21. This is an informative webinar series for beginner and advanced alike.
Here are the webinar topics:
- May 5 – Hoof Health (including hoof trimming)
- May 12 – Grazing Management to Promote Small Ruminant Health
Presenters for the series are Dr. Jesi Leonard, Scarlett Mobile Large Animal Services; Cole Maness, Guilford County Livestock Extension Agent; Lauren Langley, Alamance County Livestock Extension Agent; and Dr. Heather Glennon, University of Mt. Olive.
The series will be held through the
Zoom platform. If you have any questions about the conference or using Zoom, please
email Sara Drake, Livestock Extension Agent.
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You can still register for the final session in the Home Flock Series.
Processing: Eggs & Broilers will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 10 a.m.
The series is FREE. Pre-registration is required. Click the links above to register for the session(s) you want to attend.
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Beginner Farmer Online Series
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Extension Agents always have clients ask them, “I have some land that I want to do something with. Tell me what I can do to make money.” This is a hard question to answer because there are so many things that one must consider. If you are considering starting a farming operation and are not sure where to begin, this Beginner Farmer Online Series is just for you.
This four-part series will cover topics on what can be grown, where’s the money, where and how to sell your product, and who can help. The purpose of this workshop is to help those interested in beginning a small farm who have little to no experience and would like a general overview of how to get started.
Sessions will be held weekly at 10 a.m. beginning May 13. There is no registration fee, but registration is required. You can register for one or all of the workshops. Click the link for each session below to register.
The series will be held through the
Zoom platform. If you have any questions about the series or using Zoom, please
email Sara Drake, Livestock Extension Agent.
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Small Ruminant Online Series
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The Northeast District group will be taking up where the 2020 Piedmont Regional Goat & Sheep Series leaves off in providing you information on even more topics as we move our scheduled in person conference to a webinar series as well! The series will take place on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. You can choose to register for one or multiple sessions. This entire webinar series is FREE as well!
Webinar Schedule (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.):
- May 19: Shearing Your Sheep
- May 26: FAMACHA & Parasite Controls
- June 2: Breeding Protocols & Breeding Stock Selection
About Zoom (Online Platform Being Used):
This webinar series will be delivered through Zoom, which is an online video communications platform that is free for users. You can download the free app to your phone or you can join by computer. If you cannot join by smart phone or computer, you can call in and listen from any phone.
Once registered, you will emailed information and the needed link to join the webinar session(s).
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Local Meat Processors Update
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Many of our local meat processing plants have had an overwhelming amount of bookings. Most processors are booked through the middle of August or even later.
If you plan on harvesting an animal (either for your own consumption or as a local meat producer), you need to call your processor and reserve your space!
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NC State University Plant Disease & Insect Clinic to Reopen with Modified Operations
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The NC State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) has been approved to open under modified operations in order to serve clients while maintaining safe work practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NCDA&CS Agronomic Division Updates
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While the NCDA&CS labs are remaining open, there have been several changes. Until further notice, our labs will be operating under reduced staffing.
Although longer than normal sample turnaround times may be expected, we are accepting all routine client samples (soil, nematode, plant, waste, solution and soilless media) except waste samples covered by the NCDEQ waiver on liquid animal waste .
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NC Choices Launches MeatSuite
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MeatSuite is an online marketing tool to help farmers market meat and customers easily find locally produced meat in bulk.
Local farmers are able to register their farms and customers are able to shop for meat within a given distance from their home.
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Financial Relief Possibilities for Farmers
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USDA announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to support farmers and ranchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAP will use the funding and authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and other USDA existing authorities. The relief will be for numerous aspects of agriculture (livestock, row crops, fruits/vegetables, etc.) so there are quite a few details to work through. The guidelines and application information for this program has not been released yet.
As we receive information, we will pass it along as best we can.
Other financial assistance possibilities are:
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The Davidson County Extension Office is continuing to be staffed with 1 person during regular business hours. The outside entrance doors will be locked. You must call the person in the office before you are allowed to enter the building. Staffing and facility adjustments will continue to be updated as the situation warrants.
All Extension Agents are still available via email, phone and other technological means, and will continue to assist you to the best of their ability. Email is the best means to contact the agents. If you call and leave a message, please understand that it may take longer than usual to receive a response. You can find
staff emails here
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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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Exploring Pastured Pork: a Virtual Intro to Niche Pork Production
- May 5 – Hoof Health (including hoof trimming)
- May 12 – Grazing Management to Promote Small Ruminant Health
Home Flock Online Series
Beginner Farmer Online Series
- May 19 - Shearing your Sheep
- May 26 - FAMACHA & Parasite Control
- June 2 - Breeding Protocols & Breeding Stock Selection
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