Archive for the ‘Agriculture and Food’ Category

The Produce Lady offers live online canning demos

Ben Chapman and Brenda Sutton

Dr. Ben Chapman, a food safety specialist with N.C. Cooperative Extension, will join Brenda Sutton, The Produce Lady, in two live, one-hour demonstrations on proper canning techniques.

N.C. State develops mobile hand-washing stations to help farmers reduce food safety risks

Gary Roberson and Rod Gurganus

As food safety issues continue to garner national attention, N.C. State University is helping farmers in North Carolina take steps to manage food safety risks. N.C. State has developed two portable hand-washing station prototypes as customizable models for local growers in an effort to help them provide quality hand-washing facilities in their fields and at their market stalls.

Warm winter brings early fruit, wheat maturity

This winter’s mild temperatures and the early onset of spring have some North Carolina agriculture crops maturing ahead of schedule. In most cases, the early crop maturity will not be a problem. But a late freeze could signal big problems for some crops.

Program awards funds to expand 13 agribusinesses

Rick Parker, owner of Mary L Farm in Mt. Ulla, N.C., received a NCVACS 2012 equipment cost share award to help the farm's dairy business expand into artisan cheeses.

The North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share program this week announced the recipients of its 2012 equipment cost share awards.

4,000+ Extension Master Gardeners help make N.C. a greener place

Darcey Martin and R.N. Harris Elementary School students.

With spring on its way, Extension Master Gardeners across the state are working in full gear, helping fellow gardeners – beginners and experts, young and old – enhance their landscapes, grow their own fruits and vegetables and learn about the science behind gardening.

Extension Master Gardener, Master Messenger

Over the past several years, Bob Kellam (right) has hired four N.C. State University horticultural science graduates, including Farm Manager Beau Wagoner (left), to help on his farm. “They get the benefit of some hands-on experience, and we get the benefit of what the latest research that's being taught in the classroom,” Kellam says. “So it’s cross-fertilization for us.”

Wake County grower practices on his farm what he preaches as N.C. Master Gardener Volunteer Association president.

Swain County Farmers Market takes off, thanks in part to Extension Master Gardener’s leadership

Mike Glover and heritage chicken

For years, organizers of the Swain County Farmers Market struggled to get vendors and customers, but an enthusiastic Master Gardener volunteer helped the market blossom in 2011 with a new location, new vendors and new customers.

Cabarrus Master Gardeners welcome spring with a festival of earthly delights

Plant and Herb Festival

In Cabarrus County, nothing heralds spring like the Plant and Herb Festival that Master Gardeners hold each year at the Piedmont Farmers Market in Concord. More than 70 vendors and 4,000 visitors are expected at this year’s event, which takes place Saturday April 14.

Guilford County Master Gardeners grow a community gardening network

Charlie's Garden entrance

When interest in community gardening began to spike a few years ago, Master Gardeners in Guilford County created a network that gives leaders of such gardens a way to connect with and learn from others while taking advantage of the wealth of gardening information available through Cooperative Extension.

CEFS hosts workshops on ginger, shiitake mushroom production

shiitake mushrooms

Two upcoming workshops in Goldsboro will focus on the production of ginger and shiitake mushrooms. Details and registration information on the two workshops are listed below. For more information, visit the Center for Environmental Farming Systems’ website, www.cefs.ncsu.edu.

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