Feb. 11 — Christmas Tree Marketing Conference 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Watauga Co. Extension Center
The NC Cooperative Extension Christmas Tree program will be offering a training to Christmas tree producers to improve their marketing programs. Information will be provided for improving wholesale and retail markets. Following are some of the topics that will be addressed:
▪ Core Components of a Marketing Plan
▪ Using New Electronic Media
▪ How to Target a New Market
▪ Evaluating a Wholesale Marketing Plan
▪ Effective Retail Display
▪ Product Diversification
▪ Learning From the Road
▪ 360 Anaylsis
▪ Know Your Customers
The cost of the conference is $15 and you can register by calling the Extension Center at 828-688-4811.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Agri-tourism Workshop
Jan. 28—The Business Side of Agritourism Workshop Lake Logan Episcopal Center, Waynesville
Agritourism is an exciting new enterprise. Increasingly, consumers are interested in visiting farms, learning about farm life and purchasing products directly from the farm. From hayrides, barnyard animals and corn mazes to pick-your-own and roadside stands featuring fresh fruit, vegetables, Christmas trees and value-added products to bird watching, fishing, hunting and camping — let your imagination take you and your customers to a field of dreams. To help you, NC Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents have developed a one-day workshop for farmers interested in learning more about The Business Side of Agritourism. Registration fee for the workshop is $35. To register, contact the Mitchell County Extension Center by January 22 at 688-4811.
Agritourism is an exciting new enterprise. Increasingly, consumers are interested in visiting farms, learning about farm life and purchasing products directly from the farm. From hayrides, barnyard animals and corn mazes to pick-your-own and roadside stands featuring fresh fruit, vegetables, Christmas trees and value-added products to bird watching, fishing, hunting and camping — let your imagination take you and your customers to a field of dreams. To help you, NC Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents have developed a one-day workshop for farmers interested in learning more about The Business Side of Agritourism. Registration fee for the workshop is $35. To register, contact the Mitchell County Extension Center by January 22 at 688-4811.
Avery/Mitchell Christmas Tree Production Workshop
►Jan. 29—Avery/Mitchell Winter Christmas Tree Production Wksp. 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sam’s Center Auditorium, Mayland Community College This year’s workshop will include updates on Deer Spray Research, 2009 Insect Pest Trials, RoundUp Timing Discussion, Propagation of Native Azaleas and Ornamental Crops Insect and Disease Update. Three hours of pesticide recertifi- cation credit will be available.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
NCDA&CS Reports
Beginning Nov. 1, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will no longer routinely mail out paper copies of agronomic reports. This policy will apply to reports for soil tests and nematode assays, as well as plant tissue, waste, solution and soilless media analyses.
All these reports are readily available through the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division’s Web site, www.ncagr.gov/agronomi.
“By making the switch to electronic-only reports, the NCDA&CS will work within its limited budget to save significantly on postage, printing and paper costs,” said Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise, director of the Agronomic Division. “Although environmental and fiscal benefits are driving this change, clients should also see increases in convenience and efficiency. Online reports are available to clients faster than mailed reports and make record keeping much easier.”
“Copies can be easily downloaded and saved, and the analytical data can be exported into spreadsheet format,” Hudak-Wise said.
Eventually, the NCDA&CS would like to notify all clients via e-mail when their reports are available online. Clients who provide a valid e-mail address on their sample information form, or who register an e-mail address with the Agronomic Division online, can receive electronic notification. In the interim, all other clients will receive a postcard with instructions on how to find their reports.
Clients who visit the Agronomic Division home page should select the “Find Your Report” link from the left-column navigation bar. This link takes visitors into the division’s laboratory-information site, known as PALS. For most people, using the “Quick Report Search” link is the most convenient way to access reports.
Basic instructions are outlined at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/reportsearch.htm. Anyone who has difficulty using the PALS report-search feature or has questions can call (919) 733-2655 for assistance during regular weekday office hours.
All these reports are readily available through the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division’s Web site, www.ncagr.gov/agronomi.
“By making the switch to electronic-only reports, the NCDA&CS will work within its limited budget to save significantly on postage, printing and paper costs,” said Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise, director of the Agronomic Division. “Although environmental and fiscal benefits are driving this change, clients should also see increases in convenience and efficiency. Online reports are available to clients faster than mailed reports and make record keeping much easier.”
“Copies can be easily downloaded and saved, and the analytical data can be exported into spreadsheet format,” Hudak-Wise said.
Eventually, the NCDA&CS would like to notify all clients via e-mail when their reports are available online. Clients who provide a valid e-mail address on their sample information form, or who register an e-mail address with the Agronomic Division online, can receive electronic notification. In the interim, all other clients will receive a postcard with instructions on how to find their reports.
Clients who visit the Agronomic Division home page should select the “Find Your Report” link from the left-column navigation bar. This link takes visitors into the division’s laboratory-information site, known as PALS. For most people, using the “Quick Report Search” link is the most convenient way to access reports.
Basic instructions are outlined at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/reportsearch.htm. Anyone who has difficulty using the PALS report-search feature or has questions can call (919) 733-2655 for assistance during regular weekday office hours.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Cutflower Production Workshop
Are you interested in adding cut flower production to your operation?
Are you currently growing cut flowers and looking for the latest
production information? The NC Cooperative Extension Service, McDowell
Center is offering a program on cut flower production for small growers.
The program will be held on Thursday, October 22nd, at 2:00 pm in the
Extension Conference room, 60 East Court Street in Marion NC.
Craig Adkins, Extension Area Specialized Agent - Commercial Horticulture
will be speaking on all aspects of cut flower production including, site
selection, species selection, fertilization, pest control and more.
Meredith McKissick, of Sweet Earth Flower Farm will be speaking about
her experience growing and marketing cut flowers. Meredith has
experience growing flowers and marketing them at tailgate markets and
for weddings and other events. She will also be talking about 3-5
different annual cuts that can be easily grown for each spring, summer,
and fall.
This program is free but pre registration is required by calling the
Extension Office at 652-8104 or by emailing Jane McDaniel at
Jane_McDaniel@ncsu.edu by October 20th. For additional information
please call 828-652-8104.
Are you currently growing cut flowers and looking for the latest
production information? The NC Cooperative Extension Service, McDowell
Center is offering a program on cut flower production for small growers.
The program will be held on Thursday, October 22nd, at 2:00 pm in the
Extension Conference room, 60 East Court Street in Marion NC.
Craig Adkins, Extension Area Specialized Agent - Commercial Horticulture
will be speaking on all aspects of cut flower production including, site
selection, species selection, fertilization, pest control and more.
Meredith McKissick, of Sweet Earth Flower Farm will be speaking about
her experience growing and marketing cut flowers. Meredith has
experience growing flowers and marketing them at tailgate markets and
for weddings and other events. She will also be talking about 3-5
different annual cuts that can be easily grown for each spring, summer,
and fall.
This program is free but pre registration is required by calling the
Extension Office at 652-8104 or by emailing Jane McDaniel at
Jane_McDaniel@ncsu.edu by October 20th. For additional information
please call 828-652-8104.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Burning Guidelines: Part II
Below is the section of the memorandum of understanding between DENR and NCDA&CS that pertains to burning of Christmas tree and nursery plants and plant parts.
Christmas Tree. Nursery and Ornamental Burning
Open burning of Christmas trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, and other misc. ornamental
plants, and annual prunings from these trees and shrubs, is considered an acceptable
agricultural practice by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. This applies to all commercial Christmas tree farms, nurseries and
greenhouses that grow these plants. Burning will kill many primary insect and disease
pests that live in this wood and pose a hazard for nearby Christmas trees, nursery and
greenhouse crops. Burning is recommended in a timely manner to prevent the spread of
these insect and disease pests to healthy trees, shrubs, and other ornamental
plants. Piling, mulching or transferring to landfill increases the risk of spreading
disease. Any burning with prevailing winds towards a public road should be a minimum
of 250 feet from the edge of the public road. No burning is allowed within 1,000 feet of
another property owner's occupied structure without a signed written waiver at the time
of the burn from the property owner(s) within the 1,000 feet boundary. Such a waiver
must be approved by the Division of Air Quality Regional Supervisor in the respective
area prior to the burn being initiated.
Christmas Tree. Nursery and Ornamental Burning
Open burning of Christmas trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, and other misc. ornamental
plants, and annual prunings from these trees and shrubs, is considered an acceptable
agricultural practice by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. This applies to all commercial Christmas tree farms, nurseries and
greenhouses that grow these plants. Burning will kill many primary insect and disease
pests that live in this wood and pose a hazard for nearby Christmas trees, nursery and
greenhouse crops. Burning is recommended in a timely manner to prevent the spread of
these insect and disease pests to healthy trees, shrubs, and other ornamental
plants. Piling, mulching or transferring to landfill increases the risk of spreading
disease. Any burning with prevailing winds towards a public road should be a minimum
of 250 feet from the edge of the public road. No burning is allowed within 1,000 feet of
another property owner's occupied structure without a signed written waiver at the time
of the burn from the property owner(s) within the 1,000 feet boundary. Such a waiver
must be approved by the Division of Air Quality Regional Supervisor in the respective
area prior to the burn being initiated.
Burning Guidelines
The memorandum of understanding between the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of Air Quality and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services sets guidelines for acceptable burning at farms, primarily to control diseases or pests as well as some crop residues. Although it remains illegal to burn man-made materials, the state open burning rule allows some exceptions for the burning of plant materials — such as land-clearing and acceptable agricultural practices.
The following website is a news release from NCDA&CS announcing the burn law. You can also get a free brochure from the Division of Air Quality describing what can and cannot be burnt.
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/paffairs/release/2009/8-09agburning.htm
http://www.ncair.org.
The following website is a news release from NCDA&CS announcing the burn law. You can also get a free brochure from the Division of Air Quality describing what can and cannot be burnt.
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/paffairs/release/2009/8-09agburning.htm
http://www.ncair.org.
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