The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Office of Environment & Natural Resources has opened a state of the art greenhouse designed to produce and propagate native plants.
The 2,200 square foot tempered glass enclosure is designed for the propagation of five species including black willow, silky dogwood, Carolina and Catawba rhododendron and mountain laurel. These native species will be used for habitat restoration on tribal lands.
The greenhouse uses passive cooling techniques for energy efficiency and is constructed of decay resistant materials. It features a fully automated misting irrigation system, LED lighting, climate control and a cistern system which harvests rain water and collects condensation in two 6,000 gallon tanks.
More food research
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the appointment of a 15-member board of directors, including Dr. Nancy Creamer, distinguished professor of sustainable agriculture and community based food systems, North Carolina State University.
The research funded by the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research will address issues including plant and animal health; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agricultural and food security; and agriculture systems and technology.
Authorized by Congress as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, the foundation will operate as a nonprofit corporation.
Tickets for State Fair
State Fair concert tickets and discounted admission tickets and ride sheets will go on sale at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, at www.ncstatefair.org. Trace Adkins, Vanilla Ice, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and the Newsboys are just a few of the artists performing in Dorton Arena this year, with concert ticket prices ranging from $5 to $17.
Advance admission tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. These prices reflect a savings of $2 per adult gate admission ticket and $1 per child’s gate admission. Adult admission tickets for groups of 40 or more are $5. The child group ticket for groups of 40 or more will sell for $2.
Children 5 and under and adults 65 and over get in free. Members of the military and family members with proper ID can purchase tickets at the gate for $5, but not in advance.
An 18-ticket ride sheet is $10 in advance, saving fairgoers $8 off the regular price.
Fairgoers can also take advantage of the Early Bird Special in August. Ticket buyers can earn up to three free adult admission tickets based on the total purchase amount in a single order before convenience fees. Spending between $50 and $100 earns one free ticket. Purchases of $100.01 to $200 will earn fairgoers two free tickets, and purchases of more than $200 earn three free tickets.
Online admission, ride, grandstand and Dorton Arena concert tickets apply toward the Early Bird Special purchase total and orders must be completed before 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31.
The 2014 N.C. State Fair will be held Oct. 16-26 at the State Fairgrounds.