FCS Food Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Catawba County Health Department (Behind Catawba Valley Medical Center)
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Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage and More Advanced Gardener Series
Thursday, January 12, 2016
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Tuesday, January 17, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Newton Public Library
115 West C Street, Newton, NC 28658
Tuesday, January 24, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Maiden Public Library
11 S A Ave, Maiden, NC 28650
Kick off the new year by joining us in the first of eleven presentations for the 2017 Advanced Gardener series. Come find out why this program won the Best Adult Education Library program for the state of North Carolina. Take a look at the entire schedule here and find out how to become a certified Advanced Gardener.
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Preventing the Spread of Infections
Habits to help you stay healthier this winter
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 9:30 a.m West Hickory Seniors Morning Out 400 17th Street SW, Hickory NC
Ann Simmons will present some interesting information on handwashing and other practices to help you reduce exposure to germs that can make you sick.
Call West Hickory SMO at (828) 323-8746 by January 13, 2017 if you plan to attend.
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Produce Safety Rule Grower's Training
January 12, 2017
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center
455 Research Drive Mills River, NC 28759
February 7, 2017
Winter Vegetable Conference
Crown Plaza Asheville, NC
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Grain Marketing Strategies and Opportunities
James W. Warren Citizens Center, Lincolnton, NC
NC Cooperative Extension Service
January 19, 2017
Dinner Provided!
Please RSVP by Dec 31st by calling Andrew Scruggs 704-736-8461
5:30PM - Welcome/Meal
Andrew Scruggs, Area Extension Agent
6:00PM - A word from our sponsors
6:30PM - Grain Hedging Strategy and Futures Options
Edgar Woods, Palmetto Grain Brokerage
7:15PM - Grain Marketing at Smithfield and the Sorghum Seed Program
Josh Goode, Smithfield Grain
7:30PM - Crop Insurance and its Ties to Grain Marketing
Nathan Lewsader, Diversified Services
7:50PM - Specialty Crop Marketing Opportunities at Perdue
Jeff Riddle, Perdue Agribusiness Agribusiness
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Catawba County Young Farmer Wins Statewide Discussion Meet Title
Catawba County young farmer Russell Hedrick took first place honors in the
North Carolina Farm Bureau's (NCFB) statewide Discussion Meet on Dec 4, 2016.
The Discussion Meet Award recognizes a young farmer between the ages of 18 and 35 who is involved in NCFB's Young Farmers and Ranchers Program .
Hedrick's knowledge of agricultural issues and public speaking and debate skills were judged to be the most effective in regard to consensus-building on some of the real issues impacting today's agricultural industry.
Hedrick now moves on to the national competition where he will vie against other state Farm Bureau winners during American Farm Bureau Federation's national Discussion Meet, held in conjunction with the organization's annual meeting, Jan. 6-11, 2016, in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Advanced Gardener Program
Congrats to our 2016 class of
Level 1 Advanced Gardener Graduates!
We have a whole new curriculum for 2017's program beginning with January's presentation on Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage and More. Come out to the first class and learn how to become a certified Advanced Gardener. You can do it!
Check out the entire class schedule for 2017 here. Whether you are a beginning gardener or an experienced green thumb this series is designed to provide you with new information, connect you with our gardening community, and help you have fun growing and eating more produce.
Come see what all the gardening buzz is about. Call Dr. George Place, Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director and Advanced Gardener program instructor for more information: 828-465-8240.
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Kick off the New Year
Get to know 4-H!
Tuesday January 24th
2pm-4pm
Catawba County Agriculture Resources Center
Join us for a new member orientation day on Tuesday January 24th 2017! We will have a variety of opportunities for new members and their families to learn about all things 4-H. This would also be a good time to learn about 4-H even if you are not currently involved! We will discuss 4-H "lingo", presentations, project books, and opportunities beyond the local 4-H club! A NC state 4-H officer will join us to help you learn more about the wonderful world of 4-H! This will be a wonderful time for you to get your questions answered, set some 4-H goals for the year, and meet other 4-Hers. This workshop will also count as a leader training for 4-H volunteers, so you can get some training hours needed for rechartering.
Parents and children are encouraged to attend together. Youth under 11 must be accompanied by a parent. This is a teacher workday for Catawba County area public schools.
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Med Instead of Meds
Introducing the Mediterranean Diet
Monday, January 23, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
Catawba County Cooperative Extension
Presented by Ann Simmons
Hosted by Catawba County Extension and Community Association
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Inflammation 101
This session will cover Inflammation, how it works in the body and how healthy eating may help reduce your risk for certain types of inflammation.
Newton Seniors Morning Out
701 North Main Street, Newton, NC
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
10:00 a.m.
Presented by Ann Simmons
If you are interested in attending, please call the Newton SMO program at (828) 455-4133 by January 20, 2017.
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Healthy Living Series
Monday Feb 6, 13, and 20
12:30 to 2:30 PM
Agricultural Resources Center
1175 S. Brady Ave, Newton 28658
Cost: Free
Mark your calendars to attend all 3 workshops or any single workshop that you are able to attend. Aubrey Mast, NC State Extension Associate for Nutrition, will be presenting this enlightening series. This program is extremely popular - don't miss out. For more info on the workshop take a look at this description
Check out the Healthy Living website for an incredible array of info on how you can improve your health with foods.
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2017 Winter Crop Production Meeting
James Warren Citizens Center, Lincolnton, NC February 7, 2017 at 10:00AM
Upcoming is our 2017 Winter Crop Production Meeting put on by NC Cooperative Extension. This will be a joint meeting of Cleveland, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, and Gaston counties. This year's meeting will focus mostly on soybeans with the following NCSU specialists presenting: - Dr. Jim Dunphy, Soybean Production
- Dr. Wesley Everman, Weed Science
- Dr. Dominic Reisig, Extension Entomology
Lunch will be provided for attendants following the meeting. Click the link below to register or call the Lincoln County Extension Office at 704-736-8461. For questions contact George Place, Catawba County Extension Director, or Andrew Scruggs, Lincoln and Cleveland Field Crops Agent.
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Andrew Scruggs
Area Extension Agent - Field Crops
Lincoln and Cleveland Counties
828-447-6670
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Dr. George Place
County Director
Catawba County
828-465-8240
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Become a Master Gardener in 2017
Feb 7-April 27, 2017
Classes held every Tuesday & Thursday 9 AM-Noon
Agricultural Resources Center
1175 S Brady Avenue
Newton, NC 28658
The $100 non-refundable deposit will cover the entire cost of the course including the extensive Master Gardener manual and multiple field trips.
The course will be led by Dr. George Place,
Director of Catawba County Cooperative Extension Service.
This course can be taken by both beginning and experienced gardeners.
We will cover a wide array of topics with experts from around our region including: vegetable production, soil health management, berries, tree fruit, integrated pest management, plant problem diagnosis, garden
disease management, home lawn maintenance, landscaping, ornamentals and much more.
Only 20 seats available, so reserve yours now by calling 828-465-8240!
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Beekeeping for Beeginners
When: Monday evenings, February 6 - March 13, 7:00 pm
Where: Meeting Room A of the Agricultural Resource Center, 1175 S. Brady Avenue, Newton, NC 28658
Cost: $50 includes book and membership dues, $35 if you just want the book
Sign up by calling the Cooperative Extension office, 828-465-8240 or email [email protected]
**Please plan to arrive at 6:30 on February 6 to pay for the class**
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Gardening with Chickens Advanced Gardener Series
Thursday, February 9, 2016
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Tuesday, February 21, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Newton Public Library
115 West C Street, Newton, NC 28658
Tuesday, February 28, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Maiden Public Library
11 S A Ave, Maiden, NC 28650
You can have chickens, eggs, and loads of compost. Find out how backyard chickens can fit with your home production system. Come find out why this program won the Best Adult Education Library program for the state of North Carolina. Take a look at the entire schedule here and find out how to become a certified Advanced Gardener.
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2017 Market Gardener School
2nd & 4th Saturday of March and April
Small Farms Demonstration Site
4918 Hickory Lincolnton Hwy,
Lincolnton, NC 28168
10:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $50 per person
Got less than 5 acres? Are you currently growing your own vegetables and wanting to sell the extra? Market Gardener School can help you. The Catawba County Cooperative Extension Center will be hosting a 4 session Market Gardener School. Participants can receive hands-on learning experience from staff. Participants will receive Catawba County Market Gardener Certification upon completion. For participants who attend ALL the sessions, their registration fee will be returned as a gift card to their local farm supply store.
Topics covered include: soil health, season extension technique, post harvest handling, and marketing. You can find the brochure, application, and more information about the workshop via our extension website. For additional questions or to register, please call Der Holcomb at 828-465-8248 or via email at [email protected]. Participants must register to attend the school.
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Now Taking Application for the
2017 Catawba River NC Farm School
This seven-month educational program focuses on operating successful small-scale and sustainable farms. The school offers eight business sessions taught by agricultural professionals, which give farmers the tools to develop sustainable farming operations. Session topics include business planning, business structure, tax and legal issues, record keeping, marketing, and risk management, among others.
The school also includes six field trips to working farms, led by innovative, experienced farmers and agricultural professionals. Participants learn low-cost, sustainable farming methods in a range of production systems, including fruits, vegetables, livestock, and specialty crops.
Classes meet at the Gaston County Extension Center (1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC) on the third Tuesday of the month beginning on February 21st from 6 to 9 pm. Farm field days are typically on the fourth Thursday of the month from 9 am to 3 pm. Farm field days will take place at various farms throughout the region. To learn more about NC Farm School or the Catawba River NC Farm School, please visit our website at ncfarmschool.ces.ncsu.edu . Please call Der Holcomb at 828-465-8248 or email at [email protected], for more questions. Interested participants can submit an application via the Catawba River NC Farm School registration form.
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Save the Date
Food Safety Manager's Certification two-day training
Wednesday, February 22, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
and Friday, February 24, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Visit catawba.ces.ncsu.edu for registration information
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So, You Want to Start a Food Business?
Thursday, March 2, 2017
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Catawba County Cooperative Extension
Are you thinking about selling at a farmers' market, starting a home-based food business or opening a restaurant?
This workshop will address some things you need to know before you start a food business in Catawba County,including who will regulate your business.
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Food Safety from Field to Fork
For Farmers' Market Vendors
Thursday, March 23, 2017
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Catawba County Cooperative Extension The workshop will cover safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Presented by Ann Simmons
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NC Agritunity Conference & Tradeshow
Saturday, March 4th, 2017
Iredell County Agricultural Center
444 Bristol Drive, Statesville, NC 28677
Registration starts 8:00am
Programs from 8:30am-3:30pm
NC Agritunity is a one-day educational conference for farmers of all types, featuring a tradeshow and a keynote speaker. Large commodity producers, livestock producers, small farm managers, beginning farmers, and anyone just interested in agriculture are welcome to attend. Continuing education credits (CEUs) and pesticide training credits will be available in some of the presentations for existing license holders. To learn more about the educational sessions and featured vendors, please visit our website at ces.ncsu.edu or contact your local Cooperative Extension Center.
The event is free and open to the public.
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4-H NEEDS YOU!
We need the help of our 4-Her's and anyone interested in helping plan our 2017 Summer Fun programming! This is your opportunity to have your voice heard! Those that participate will leave with a certificate that entitles them to $5 that can be used toward participating in our summer fun programs this year!!
We will meet:
Thursday January 5th 6pm to 7pm at the Agricultural Resources Center in Newton!
Immediately following will be a meeting about 2017 Achievement Night so if you would like to participate in planning that as well please plan to stay until 8pm. We look forward to seeing you there!!
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Winter Farmers Market
Nov 16, 2016 to April 12, 2017
Wednesdays 10 AM to 2 PM
The Crossing at Hollar Mill
883 Highland Ave. SE
Hickory, NC
Closed dates: Dec 7, Jan 25, and Feb 1
Get ready Hickory! A winter farmer's market is in the works so that we can enjoy fresh, local produce all year round. If you love this idea be sure to stop by on Wednesday and purchase something. We need your business to keep year round farmer's markets in Catawba County.
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4-H Club Spotlight: Mt View CCE 4-H Club!
Mt. View 4-H club is currently our only school based 4-H club. They are general interest and cover a variety of topics from cooking and crafting to science and more! This club meets weekly at Mt. View Elementary from 2:30 - 3:30 pm and is led by a group of teachers. For more information about this club you can contact Stephanie Aldridge club leader at the school or Donna at [email protected].
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Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
Catawba County farmers can apply for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program due to financial losses associated with the drought disaster this season. The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 3.125 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources.
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NCDA&CS offers organic certification cost-share assistance
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) is offering organic growers the opportunity to recoup up to $750 of their certification cost. Growers must have been certified between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 and complete an application available at www.ncdaorganic.org.
Visit the NCDA website to see more information about this cost share opportunity.
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USDA Low Interest Loans For Storage Facilities
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns and facilities for cold storage.
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Local Food List Serv
The Local Foods Action Plan Listserv is a statewide listserv to facilitate a local food economy moderated by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). The listserv is open to the public and members are encouraged to post on any topic dealing with the cultivation of local food, farms and communities by emailing local-foods-action-plan@lists.ncsu.edu. Posters are responsible for the content they submit. To receive the digest version or for questions about the listserv, please e-mail [email protected]. Please visit our website atwww.cefs.ncsu.edu.
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NC State Gardening, Agriculture, and Pest Updates
You can sign up for the latest news on gardening, pest advisories, livestock, energy, and many others. Check out the complete list of NC State News that you can subscribe to and get the latest research based info. Be the first to know!
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Plant Management Network Newsletter
Check out the latest issue of this incredible agriculture resource. Take a look at the massive list of information links for all things related to agriculture.
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Council For Agriculture, Science, and Technology Newsletter
Check out the latest issue of the CAST newsletter. Two articles worth noting show the future of robotics in agriculture - very interesting!
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Extension Master Gardener Newsletter
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Got To Be NC Agriculture
Visit the NC Growing Together website to see the latest newsletter, recent resources, and schedule of upcoming workshops, webinars, and meetings.
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NC Farm Link
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Small Farm Grant and Loan Assistance
We will post various grant and loan opportunities that arise in this space of our monthly updates. Simply click on the opportunity of interest for more information.
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Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination statement
2.1. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran's status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all person without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
2.2. Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Catawba County Extension Director, George Place, at (828)465-8240 or [email protected] or in person at the County Extension Office at least 14 days prior to the event.
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