HomeGrown Directory

Here is your opportunity to let our administrators know how important local agricultural research is to you and what kind of research needs to be done in the future (organic? Relevant to small farms?, etc.). Check out our three WNC research stations at: http://www.ncagr.gov/research/locations.htm.

NC Cooperative Extension presents: A class for farmers wanting to begin or transition to Commercial-Scale, Certified Organic Production Of Vegetable and Fruit Crops

This class is geared toward growers who are already set-up for commercial scale production (1-acre of ready-to-be-certified-organic field land or more), and wish to enter the expanding Certified Organic Market. Topics covered will include soils & fertility, disease identification & control, insect identification & control, weed management, post-harvest handling, certification & record-keeping, and marketing to wholesale buyers.

The class will meet on Thursdays, from 5:30-8 PM, at the Ashe County Extension Center during the winter and early Spring of 2009.

We are pleased to announce that over the next year, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (www.cefs.ncsu.edu) has been funded to reach out across the state and together with our partners ask: What will it take to build a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina?

The USDA has FINALLY amended the cost share program to be retroactive to certifications beginning October, 2007. This means that if you are a farmer who has gotten certified-organic in the past year, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced an amendment to its National Organic Certification Cost Assistance program, first announced Sept. 18. USDA has amended the program by changing the start date from Oct. 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, 2007. The change will make funds available to a greater number of eligible persons, achieving Congress' intent that use of cost-share funds begin with Fiscal Year 2008.

‘Resilience’ is a word being used lately to describe communities that can not only survive, but even thrive during these times of change and potential disruption. Local farms will surely play a part in all resilient communities, and farmers voices need to be heard at this forum. The MountainKeepers invite you to join selected other local leaders at an important event.

As you know, our nation and community face a number of serious challenges, from the economy and climate change to uncertainty about key resources like water and oil. Addressing these challenges effectively will require that society at every level becomes more resilient. Resilience is defined as the capacity to bounce back from adversity, to recover strength.

December 3-5, 2008

Raleigh, NC

This Course is designed to convey the basic concepts of Farmstead cheese production including basic sanitation and milk processing, basic and cheese microbiology, quality control, hands-on cheesemaking and packaging / labeling issues. For more information on the course contact Gary Cartwright at gcart@unity.ncsu.edu or 919-513-2488.

Who Should Attend
The content of this course is directed at individuals that are investigating the requirements of Farmstead cheese making, prepared to begin or already making Farmstead cheese.

Blue Ridge Women In Agriculture are organizing the farm tour for 2008. This year's tour will include farms from Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Wilkes counties.

Buttons for the farm tour can be purchased in advance at the following locations: Watuaga & Ashe farmers markets, Footsloggers, Mast store-Boone, Original Mast Store-Boone, BareEssentials, Earthfare, and Spin A Yarn, Weave a Web in Jefferson.

The Leola Street Community Garden in Boone is looking quite good this year, and the dynamics of the wonderful urban gardeners cooperating there make for an inspiring and diverse place. The garden group has monthly workdays scheduled through the rest of the season, and two of those will include brief workshops and question and answer sessions presented by NC Cooperative Extension.

The Upper Mountain Research Station, located in the eastern Ashe County region of Laurel Springs, hosts a truly astounding quantity (and quality) of research and demonstration efforts, all geared toward improving the productivity and profitability of agriculture here in the High Country. Across its more than 450 acres, a visitor can witness the cutting edge of many types of farming, from livestock and tobacco, to small fruits and organic vegetables. On Wednesday, June 25, the station will be open to visitors and showcasing its several research projects on Specialty Crops Production.