Davidson County Center
October News
Construction at the Extension Office
The Davidson County Agriculture Center will be undergoing roof replacement, starting in mid-October. The project is anticipated to take approximately 4 months. Thus, late February is the target for completion. The end result will be a metal “A frame” roof over the Cecil School structure, which houses Cooperative Extension, USDA-FSA, and Cecil Auditorium and a “shed type” roof sloping toward Center Street over the annex structure, which houses Davidson Co. Soil and Water Conservation District offices and USDA-NRCS.

During the construction, there will be “staging” of the project machinery and materials in the primary parking area between the buildings and Alma Owens Drive. Parking in this area will be limited, so please pay close attention to avoid damage to your vehicles.  Parking in the grass lot, which has a good gravel base, behind CVS pharmacy is a good option during this time. This land is owned by Davidson Co. 

Also, please pay attention as you enter and exit the buildings, watching for caution signs and foot traffic directions.   The bottom line is be aware, pay attention and follow directions.

Davidson County Cattlemen's Association Meetings
Davidson County Cattlemen are beginning their meetings for the 2019-2020 year. If you would like to receive announcements regarding the meetings, please contact Sara.
Fall Plant Sale
The Davidson County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association is hosting their annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 5 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Farmer's Market at the Depot (129 S. Railroad St., Lexington).

Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. Native plants are available.

Sale proceeds fund scholarships and community projects.
RAFI Grant
The Agricultural Reinvestment Fund Grant Program assists farmers and rural communities in the development of new sources of agricultural income, overcoming barriers in scaling up, or economically diversifying farms to become more sustainable. This cost share grant program awards grants of up to $9000 to individual farmers or $11,000 for collaborative farmer projects in North Carolina.

Applications will be available in early November. Early bird application deadline is November 29, with the final deadline of January 6.

Backyard Flock Workshop
There will be a Backyard Flock workshop on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. We will be covering:
  • Housing
  • Disease Prevention
  • Molt
  • Nutrition
  • Deworming and
  • Preparing for Spring

NC Farm School
The NC Farm School program offers eight business-planning seminars taught by extension specialists and experienced agents. These sessions give students the tools to match a crop or animal operation to their current goals, land resources, and marketing opportunities. The school is easy to fit into a busy schedule by providing evening classes every other week from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. that focus on different areas of agricultural business. Classes cover practical steps in goal setting, resource assessment, financial management, and effective marketing strategies. The goal of NC Farm School is to allow a pathway of success for farmers to generate successful businesses.

The program also includes field trips to working farms, many of which completed our program and operate successful farms. Participants learn economically sustainable farming methods in a range of production systems, including fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, poultry, animal husbandry, and agritourism.

One of the features of the NC Farm School is getting one on one time with NC State University specialist trained in agricultural business, marketing, production system evaluation, and business startup. These consultations are invaluable to help saving student’s time and money and getting their farm business up and running. In addition, students will meet a local agent who can help them follow through with their plans, connect them to local resources, and ensure they have a sound production system in place.

Registration for the 2020 NC Farm Schools is now open. Schools will be held in Roxboro, NC; Concord, NC; and Taylorsville, NC. 

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Upcoming Events:
Master Gardener Plant Sale
* October 5 - 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

* November 14 - 6:30 p.m.