The Davidson County Chicken Project is an opportunity for youth (ages 5-18, as of January 1) to learn more about the poultry industry. Through this project, youth will raise laying hens. Youth will be required to complete a record book that outlines the care of their chicken and their knowledge learned about chickens. In September, youth will participate in a Chicken Show, where they will demonstrate to the judge their knowledge of the bird.

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A wet fall delayed, and in some cases completely prevented, timely fall-plantings of cool-season annual and perennial forages in North Carolina. Areas that remained flooded for several days resulted in permanently damaged pastures that will require forages to be re-established and temporarily damaged pastures may need extra care to recover to its full potential.

Join us on February 13 for an afternoon session at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, NC. The session will include: an update on forage variety plots for tall fescue, orchardgrass, ryegrass, alfalfa, and alfalfa-grass mixtures; establishment and weed management options for early and late plantings; and discussion of examples for establishment and maintenance of cool-season annual and perennial forages.

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The 68th Annual NC Cattlemen's and Dairy Conference will be held February 21-23 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. It is a great opportunity to participate in workshops and network with other producers.

Conference Program

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Davidson County will offer two private applicator "V" safety training classes for those Private Pesticide Applicators who's license expires in 2019. These will be held Friday, February 22, from 9 - 11 a.m., and Thursday, March 21, from 6 - 8 p.m.     They will be held in the Auditorium of the Davidson County Agriculture Center. These classes will be specifically for those private applicators whose certification expires in 2019 .   It is not necessary to pre-register for the pesticide safety "V" training classes. Classes will be canceled for winter weather if Davidson County Government offices ( not School System) are closed.  This "V" training is a standardized program, intended to be obtained during the year of expiration.  

For questions, contact Troy Coggins at 336-242-2081.

A hot button topic this year has been Industrial Hemp. Cooperative Extension has seen a spike in interest around this crop following the passing of the 2019 Farm Bill. Davidson County Cooperative Extension, along with Rowan County Cooperative Extension, will be hosting an interest meeting for the public.

This meeting will include farmers, researchers, industry people and hemp business owners. Please join us on February 22, 2019 at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office, 2727 Old Concord Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m..  

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February is the time to start preparing some of your plants for spring. Mainly this includes anything that enters dormancy over the winter, such as trees, fruit bearing plants, roses, etc. Davidson County Cooperative Extension, in conjunction with Rowan County Cooperative Extension, will be offering a hands-on fruit pruning workshop. Join us on February 23 at 1 p.m. at High Rock Nursery to learn the how’s and why’s of pruning.

You must register by Feb. 18.

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The NC Agromedicine Institute will be conducting respirator fit tests, Wednesday, February 27, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Davidson County Center, 301 E. Center St., Lexington NC. 

A complete fit test including medical clearance will cost $35.00 per person. If you already have the proper medical clearance documentation, the fee will only be $25.00.  The fees are payable by cash (correct change appreciated) or check payable to ECU (East Carolina University). In addition, they will have respirators on site for you to purchase at much reduced rates. Again, payment for respirators will be likewise, cash or check payable to ECU.

You must call and schedule your appointment for this event. Appointments will be made every 30 minutes between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please contact our office by noon, Friday, February 25, by calling (336) 242-2080. 

Davidson County Extension along with Davidson County Community College Small Business Center will host a four-part series to help new & beginning farmers to treat their farm as a business. Pre-registration is required. The series is sponsored by Carolina Farm Credit.

Dates:

* February 28 - Legal Issues

* March 28 - Taxes

* April 25 - Marketing

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Davidson County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the Davidson Co. Environmental Health Department will offer NC Safe Plates – Food Safety Manager Certification Course. This comprehensive course is appropriate for food service managers and supervisory staff in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, and other food-handling establishments. 

The course will take place at the Davidson County Cooperative Extension Center, 301 E. Center Street, Lexington, on Tuesday, March 12 and Tuesday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each date. The exam will be given on Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m. The registration deadline is March 1.  The cost is $140. Each participant will receive a NC Safe Plates study guide/book.

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Join us for 7th Annual Piedmont Regional Beef Conference on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Guilford County Center in Greensboro, NC. This year’s conference will feature cattle handling expert, Dr. Ron Gill from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Dr. Deidre Harmon from NC State Extension.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn cattle handling and stockmanship skills, as well as fescue pasture establishment and renovation techniques through classroom and demonstration sessions. There will also be a trade show featuring many industry partners that offer feed, equipment, seed, fertilizer, cattle services, animal health, and more. Early registration is $15 or registration at the door is $20.

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Toxic tall fescue reduces livestock weight gains and lowers reproductive performance. This one day workshop, held on March 12, will give you the tools and information needed to remove toxic tall fescue and replace it with novel tall fescue varieties. Topics include:

The cost (before March 1) is $70/person or $100/couple. The workshop will be held at St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Mt. Ulla, NC.

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The Big Dreams, Small Farms series is part of NC Farm School geared to beginning farmers. Each day will have a lecture in the morning, followed by a farm visit in the afternoon. Workshop locations will vary by topic. Registration is now open.

Dates:

* March 13 - Small Ruminants - Rowan County

* April 11 - Pastured Pork - Stanly County

* April 25 - Agritourism - Rowan County

* May 9 - Pastured Poultry - Davidson County

* May 23 - Small Fruit - Cabarrus County

* June 13 - Market Garden - Rowan County

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Davidson, Davie, & Forsyth Extension Offices are joining together to host an equine workshop on Monday, April 8. More details will be coming! It will be an evening program held at TTC in Mocksville.

Feel free to share this newsletter with others you think may be interested in our events! You can stay up to date on what is happening at the NC Cooperative Extension, Davidson County Center by completing the online form to receive email updates.

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