February ISSUE | 2021

The Art & Science of Plant Vouchers The WNC Medicinal Herb Growers invite you to attend the Art and Science of Plant Vouchers on Feb. 18th, 2021. In this virtual workshop, you'll learn how to create plant vouchers from pressed dry plants. Dried flowers, medicinal herbs, hops, roots, and more can be turned into art and identifiable plant mounts. Vouchers are important for your plant based business no matter how small or large and provide gardeners with a helpful way to track their heirloom plants. Keep on file for potential buyers and for your own farm/garden records (or mount as art on your wall). Location: Virtual Zoom event Cost: Free to attend Time: 10am-12pm Register with Eventbrite Upcoming WNC Herb Growers Events March 24 - Tool & Equipment Care April 14 - Native Plant Taxonomy May 6 - Harvest Skills for Aerial Plant Parts Learn More NC Agritunity Small Farms Workshop February 11th In this one-day agricultural conference, NC State Extension aims to meet the economic and environmental needs of small farmers, as well as generate a positive impact by connecting farmers, educators, and agriculture-related businesses.   There are two tracks for the conference: Market & Market Garden Focus and Animal Production Focus, provided by N.C. Cooperative Extension specialists, agents, and individuals from agricultural organizations. Topics include Online Marketing, Season Extension, Native Warm Season Grasses, Pastured Poultry, and Multi-Species Grazing.   Date: February 11 Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Cost: Free Register for this Workshop Attend ASAP's Business of Farming Event ASAP’s annual business and marketing conference for professional and aspiring farmers will be held virtually Feb. 25-27th. This is a key opportunity for farm businesses to hone skills that will strengthen the structure and flow of their business operation. The virtual platform will include conference highlights of educational workshops for beginning and established growers, Grower-Buyer Meetings, networking and one-on-one Consulting, and the Exhibitor's Hall. ASAP is also offering a limited number of New and Beginning Farmer and Racial Equity scholarships to growers in the Appalachian Grown region. The scholarship award covers 100 percent of the registration cost and can be used for one person from your farm who has not attended in the past. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Apply for a scholarship here. Register for ASAP's Conference

WNC Hemp Growers Meeting - Feb. 17th The Western NC Hemp Growers meeting will be held via Zoom on February 17, 2021 starting at 5 p.m. Hemp production and marketing in western NC is a bit different from the rest of the state and we think it's important for you to hear from those who are in the industry. This meeting will feature WNC hemp farmers, several processors, and a fiber industry representative as our primary speakers. Our speakers will discuss how they market and sell their hemp and if they make value-added products. They have promised to share the good and the bad. Two regional processors will discuss their experiences working with WNC hemp farmers. There is interest in growing fiber, so we will have someone from that industry address that, too. An update on NC State led hemp research in western NC will also be covered.   Confirmed Speakers: Dana Ryder, OtherSide Hemp-farmer Joe Evans, Hemp Life-farmer Dustin Brogden, Abby's Angels-farmer Waightstill Avery, Avery Farms-farmer Chip Miller, Abundant Labs-processor Registration for this meeting is required in advance. The link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to you after you register. Please do not share your Zoom link information. Register HERE. If you have questions, please email Katie_Learn@ncsu.edu, and write "WNC Hemp Growers Meeting" in the subject line.

WNC Forestry Workshop - February 18th NC Cooperative Extension hosts a forestry workshop specifically for WNC landowners. This free & virtual workshop will feature presentations on various topics of forest health by speakers from NC State Extension Forestry, US Forest Service, and NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division. Topics include invasive species, bark beetles, and forest health issues specific to the mountains and piedmont areas of NC including: Spotted lanternfly & gypsy moth Invasive species update Pine Bark Beetles Conifer pests: Christmas tree pests & hemlock woolly adelgid Western forest disease issues Continuing Education Credits: Society of American Foresters - Certified Forester Education (SAF-CFE) - 3 hour Category 1 Credit NC pesticide credits - NC pesticide credits: 3 hours Cat. D, G, N, X; 1 hour Cat. I Date/Time: Feb. 18th from 9am - 12pm To Register, Visit NCSU Extension Forestry

Plan for the Winter Vegetable Conference February 24th and 25th, 2021 Time: Feb 24: 12:30pm-6:00pm & Feb 25: 9:00am-3:30pm Cost: $40 per person The largest commercial vegetable grower event in the region will be held virtually on February 24th and 25th. The 2021 event features speakers from NCSU and NC Cooperative Extension, and also includes a virtual trade show where attendees can meet with representatives from agricultural companies that support the vegetable industry. Pesticide credits are available to conference attendees. The conference will also feature presentations on many different topics to help vegetable growers including: Tomato Hybrid Field Trials; Herbicide carryover and injury from drift; weed control in pepper, tomato, and cucurbits; thrip management in tomatoes and pepper; tomato disease management; hybrid tomato varieties for commercial production; progress in breeding for combined resistance to verticillium and bacterial spot; and 2021 Food Safety Update. REGISTER HERE

Held Virtually March 13 - 21, 2021 The 28th Annual Organic Growers School Spring Conference is now open! Run in three segments, the virtual conference takes place over the week of March 13, 2021, starting with a Live Kick-Off Event on March 13th, followed by the release of themed Track Sessions March 14th-19th, and ending with live Q&A Speaker Panels on March 20th & 21st. Attendees will be able to access the content for 3 months after the event. There are a variety of options to fit your budget. This is an incredible opportunity to access ALL conference classes at an affordable rate. Register for OGS Spring Conference

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.