What Cooperative Extension can do for you: Obtain research-based information on horticulture, agriculture, community development, family resources, consumer sciences and 4-H youth programs from the N.C.Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord. Most programs are free to the public unless a cost is listed. Call for more information on any of the program opportunities at 704-920-3310, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday or visit our Web site, http://cabarrus.ces.ncsu.edu/
Nov. 29-30: “Marketing Your Way to Profitability”Risk management sessions are designed to help cattlemen obtain tools to help them be more profitable. On Nov. 29, the session will be at George Upton Livestock Arena, Clinton, and on Nov. 30, it will be at the Iredell County Agricultural Center, Statesville.Workshops feature hands-on training for using futures and options and using the marketing tools in operation. Errol Baxter, associate director of Commodity Products, and Tom Clark, CME manager of Commodity Products, teach courses which feature a presentation by Dr. Geoff Benson, extension economist, N.C. State University.
The CME staff will present a beginning-level course that includes instruction on the mechanics of futures with hedging and the basics of forward-pricing with options. Sponsored by the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Registration is required.Meals and breaks will be provided with registration fee of $15 for members of NCCA, NCBA or any of its state affiliates. Non-members registration fee will be $35. For more information on the sessions and to register, contact Bundy Plyler, NCCA, at (919) 552-9111, bundy@nccattle.com, or Renee Lloyd, NCBA, at (303) 850-3373, rlloyd@beef.org .
Nov. 29-30: Farmland preservation workshopsThe Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, in conjunction with N.C. State University, will conduct workshops covering topics, including agricultural district models, farmland protection plans, farm transition and state and federal funding sources for farmland preservation. Workshops will be 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, Iredell County Ag Center, Statesville; Thursday, Nov. 30, Western N.C. Agricultural Center, Fletcher. These workshops are intended for county and state government officials, non-profit conservation groups, landowners and others who recognize the importance of agriculture in North Carolina and are interested in the growth, development and sustainability of North Carolina farms.
To register, contact Lindsay Ballance at (919) 733-7125, or download the brochure and registration form at www.agr.state.nc.us/paffairs/workshop.
Nov. 30: Norwood feeder calf sale meetingDinner at 6 p.m.; meeting at 7 at Stanly County Livestock Market, Norwood. All producers who participate or would like to participate in these sales are invited. There will be a discussion of this year’s results, next year’s dates and consignment procedures. Bruce Shankle will speak on behalf of Beef Quality Assurance.There will be time for discussion. For information, contact Carl Pless, 704-920-3310.
Dec. 8: Deadline to register for organic grain farmer panelEvent held 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 12 at Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Goldsboro. Participants will meet with organic grain buyers, amendment suppliers and NCSU Extension faculty. A long-term organic grain farmer will talk about the challenges and rewards of growing organic grain crops, and NCSU has developed budgets for production of organic corn, wheat and soybeans. There will be a discussion session with farmers who have experience growing organic grain crops. Registration fee, $10, includes lunch. Pesticide credit and CCA credits available. For information, call Molly Hamilton, NCSU, department of crop science, at (828) 628-2675. To register, call (919) 515-5855 or e-mail: cefs_info@ncsu.edu
Dec. 8 and 10: Workshops on value added producer grantPotential applicants may attend either workshop planned by the N.C. office of USDA-Rural Development that includes tips on preparing a grant application, 1-5 p.m., on Dec. 8, McKimmon Center, Raleigh; or Dec. 11, Burke County Extension office, Morganton. This is one of a few grants that will fund capital improvements. The application is very involved, so potential applicants should attend one of the workshops. Space will be limited so register as early as possible. There is no charge for the workshop. The notice is anticipated in December or January for the VAPG program. General information on the program and information on past VAPG funding cycles can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm.
Information on the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html. For a complete flier and link on the workshops at the CALS Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture visit: www.cals.ncsu.edu/value-added . Contact Bruce T. Pleasant, Business Programs Specialist, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609 or call (919) 873-2031.
Dec. 9: Putting Small Acreage to Work conference8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Gaston County Citizens Resource Center, Dallas. Gary Bullen, Extension farm management specialist of NCSU, will be speaking on “Evaluating A New Agricultural Enterprise.” This conference is recommended for people interested in starting or expanding small-scale farm enterprises. Topics include medicinal herbs, pastured poultry, small-farm pork production, Christmas Tree production, blackberry production, specialized vegetable production, grape production, seedling production in the ornamental industry, beekeeping, meat goat production, Shiitake mushroom cultivation, cut flowers, financial and tax issues for small farms, etc. For registration information, contact Lara Worden at Lara_Worden@ncsu.edu or 704- 922-2118.
Dec. 18: Animal waste operators recertificationSix-hour recertification class for Type B animal waste operators, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Iredell Agricultural Center, 444 Bristol Drive, Room 110, Statesville. Training is for operators that still need credits for 2006 or those who may want to get started for future years. For information, contact the Iredell Cooperative Extension at 704- 873-0507.
Nov. 29: deadline to register for 4-H Afterschool Club Officers Retreat, 6:30-8 p.m., Dec. 4, at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. Contact Beverly Bollenbecker, 704-920-3310.
Nov. 28: Exploring the Treasures of 4-HClub leader training, 6:30-8 p.m., N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. Exploring the Treasures of 4-H, Part 2 trainings will be held Jan. 9 and 11. Contact Sara West, 704-920-3310.
BSAC trainingsBasic School Age Care training will be offered for afterschool teachers who need credits on Nov. 29 and 30, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. Another training will be offered on Saturday, Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. To register, contact Beverly Bollenbecker, 704-920-3310.
First Wednesday and third Saturday Cabarrus County household waste facility, 246 General Service Drive, Concord. Wednesday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The household waste 24-hour information line is 704-920-3278.
Tuesday and Thursday, recycling centerDrop off sites at Household Waste Facility, 246 General Services Drive, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. as well as at Cabarrus County Landfill, Concord, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m-2 p.m., at Cabarrus County Human Services Center, Kannapolis, open 24 hours, and the America 1st Mortgage at the Crossroads Center, Midland, open 24 hours. For information, call the Solid Waste line at 704-920-2950.
Dec. 2: Cabarrus ECA Takes Part in Heritage DayECA members and clubs will be demonstrating heritage skills at the event. ECA members are reminded that their homemade cookies are due by 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 1 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center for public refreshments, at the Heritage Day at Reed Gold Mine.
Dec. 2: Sea Turtles11 a.m.- noon at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. People of all ages are invited to learn about these gentle giants of the dinosaur era and find out about their modern day threats.Observe endangered sea turtle artifacts such as their shell, skull anda Loggerhead hatchling. Also observe confiscated manmade objectscreated from sea turtle leather, oils and scales. The slide show reveals the nesting ritual of sea turtles and will identify all worldwide species.Visit witha sea turtle’s cousin such as a livesnapping turtle and box turtle, andview marine creatures sea turtles love to eat. Presented by Melody Wilkes, naturalist and former museum wildlife curator from “A Walk In The Woods.” Each class costs $6 per person. For reservations, call 704-920-3310. Make checks payable to: Cabarrus County. Mail to or drop by: N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave.-W., Concord, N.C. 28027.
Information on local gardening and lawn careEveryday, once an hour on Cabarrus County Channel 22, David Goforth, Extension agent, will present “Successful Gardener” segments featuring topics relative to the Cabarrus County climate.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Now: “Nutrition Classes for Adults”
Call to schedule free Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program classes. Receive free recipes and goodies just for attending. This series of classes is for persons eligible for WIC or food stamps, receiving USDA commodity foods, or who have children who are participating in subsidized school feeding programs. Participants learn safe food handling practices, how to improve overall diets, learn how to stretch food dollars, learn about the nutritional needs of their families, meal-planning and cooking skills that help them prepare to balance work and family, and will improve their self-esteem. For information, contact Mille Clark, Adult EFNEP Program Assistant, at 704-920-3310.
Horticulture Opportunities
Now: “Herb & Gardening-Themed Vendors Wanted”
For Spring Herb & Plant Festival to be held Saturday, April 14, 2007, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Piedmont Farmers’ Market, 518 Winecoff School Road, Concord/Kannapolis, NC. Horticultural Speakers, Live Demonstrations, Garden Art, Live Herb & Perennial Plants, Published Authors, State Herb and Rose Associations, Garden Craftsmen, Cooperative Extension Agents, Gardening Experts and much more. Educational events, demonstrations, entry and parking are all free. Open air market, with shelter, ample gravel parking and indoor restroom facilities. Handicapped parking is also available. Rain or Shine! Sponsored by the Cabarrus Master Gardener Volunteer Association & N.C. Cooperative Extension-Cabarrus County Center. Vendors to be considered must meet the gardening/herb theme and contact: Diana DeVore at 704 784-1925, unmerok@ctc.net or David Goforth, Extension Agent, at 704 920-3310, david_goforth@ncsu.edu
First Tuesday: “Become a Green Thumb and Help Others Too”
Master Gardener Volunteers meet Tuesday, December 5 at 9:00 a.m., at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. Persons interested in learning about gardening and volunteering in the MGV Program may contact David Goforth, Extension Agent, at david_goforth@ncsu.edu or call 704-920-3310.
Weekdays: “Soil Analysis”
Free Soil Sampling kits/instructions for lawn, garden, field and landscaping areas are available from N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Avenue-West, Concord. Interested persons are responsible for mailing kits to NCDA Agronomic Division in Raleigh. Results are usually returned within 4 weeks. Assistance with interpreting the results may be obtained from David Goforth, Extension Agent, at 704-920-3310.
On-going Programs: “Commercial Pesticide Applicators”
Pesticide Recertification training opportunities are listed on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences at: www.agr.state.nc.us/fooddrug/pesticid/Recert.htm
or interested persons may contact David Goforth, Extension Agent, at 704-920-3310.
Youth Opportunities
On-going Programs: “Unlock The Secrets Of 4-H”
4-H clubs and programs are about youth ages 5-19 years old having fun with friends and learning new skills throughout the year. The clubs are guided by adult volunteers and meet monthly. Club members go on educational tours, attend special programs, conduct community service projects, plus lots more! Through continued club membership, youth gain skills in decision-making, cooperation, and communication. Seven Cabarrus 4-H Clubs specialize in the study of horses, one for children ages 5-8, and ten in multiple educational areas. For a club meeting schedule, check our web site at www.cabarruscounty4H.com or call N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center at 704-920-3310.
On-going Programs: “Does Your Child Eat Right?”
Learning to eat nutritious foods improves the quality of life. Enroll now in exciting, free and fun-filled classes sponsored by the 4-H Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program & N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center. These classes are offered to all youth ages 5-19 who have limited family resources. Classes provide education in the principles of nutrition, use of healthy eating habits which improve self-esteem not only for youth, but the whole family. Taste-testers are welcome! For eligibility requirements, registration, times & site locations, contact Anita Ford, 4-H EFNEP Program Assistant, at 704-920-3310 or obtain information from N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Avenue-West, Concord.
Now: “Pick Up Your Free Copy”
“Extension’s Successful Family Newsletter” may be picked up at N.C. Cooperative Extension-Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Avenue-West, Concord. Articles in this edition include: “Eating Smart at Home”, “New Tax Law That Impacts Families”, “Roth IRAs for Minors”, “Energy-Saving Tips for Homeowners”, and “Choosing Quality Child Care”. This quarterly newsletter is written by a team of N.C. Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Science agents. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform and educate families on issues that affect them and to provide their quality of life. For information on any of these topics, or to be added to the mailing list, call Pam Outen, Extension Agent, at 704-920-3310.