The Davidson County Chicken Project is an opportunity for youth (ages 5-18) to learn more about the poultry industry. Through this project, youth raised laying hens. On September 7, youth will participate in a Chicken Show and Sale, where they will demonstrate to the judge their knowledge of the bird.

The show will begin at 10 a.m. at the Davidson County Fairgrounds. Immediately following the show, there will be an auction. Come out and support our youth!

This year’s Beef Field Day will be held Saturday, September 14 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the NCSU Beef Unit on Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh. The field day will provide educational events discussing:

(1) Soil, Water and Forages,

(2) Low-Stress Handling and Beef Quality Assurance,

(3) Impact of future generations.

In addition to a review of the NC BEEF System, there will be a recognition of Mr. E. Carroll Joyner's generous donation to our Animal Science program with the renaming of the NCSU Beef Educational Unit!

If you plan to attend, please register online .

The 2019 Davidson County Agricultural Fair, sponsored by the Lexington Kiwanis Club, will be September 16-21.

Pre-entry forms are due by September 10. All livestock entry forms are due by September 13.

Learn More »

NC State University is partnering with University of Tennessee and the Dairy Alliance to provide some insight into managing farm crisis related to animal activists. This one day conference will cover emergency planning, media training, and legal rights for farmers in response to animal activists or other unwanted attention.

There are three trainings:

* September 17 - Rutherford County Extension Office (828-287-6010)

* September 18 - WNC Regional Livestock Center (828-456-3575)

* September 19 - Iredell County Extension Office (704-873-0507)

Call each location to register. If you have additional questions, please contact Sara Drake.

Cooperative Extension would like to invite you to attend a “Corn Field Day”, September 18, 2019 . The program will begin at 10:00 a.m . with NCSU/CES On-Farm Test (see directions below). Dr. Ron Heiniger, NCSU Cropping Systems Specialist, will be at this location discussing this test and other corn production/management information.   

We will move down the field to look at our 2019 On-Farm Corn Hybrid Demonstration. Here you will see 23 corn hybrids submitted by 8 seed companies. Each company will be encouraged to have a representative on site that will explain the characteristics of the hybrids they submitted. In addition, 1.0 hour of continuing certification pesticide credit will be applied for, subclasses N, O, D, and X ( NCDA&CS approval pending). Harvest data and information from our test and demonstrations will be made available during the fall months . 

 

We will conclude the event with a noon meal. If you will be able to participate in our program, please contact the Davidson County Extension Center by 10:00 am, Monday, September 16, 2019 . It is very important that you call in and sign up because we need to know how many people to prepare lunch for. Reserve your lunch by calling Marie Bruff at (336) 242-2080.

Join Amy Ballard for an Edible Landscape Series. The second session will be on native plants, increasing pollinators, and integrating fruits into the home landscape. It will be on Wednesday, September 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, email Amy Ballard.

Each year, the Dairy Photo Contest allows youth to put their creative talents to use in developing a message about the dairy industry for the consumer public. In design and development of the project, youth learn a great deal about the dairy industry. The contest is also supported by The Dairy Alliance and incorporates their current dairy theme.

The theme for the 2019 Dairy Photo Contest is "Dairy is in our DNA". Youth should incorporate this theme and logo into their photos.

Photos should be submitted to the Extension Office by September 20. For official rules or if you have additional questions, please contact Sara Drake.

The NC Farm School program offers eight business-planning seminars taught by extension specialists and experienced agents. These sessions give students the tools to match a crop or animal operation to their current goals, land resources, and marketing opportunities. The school is easy to fit into a busy schedule by providing evening classes every other week from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. that focus on different areas of agricultural business. Classes cover practical steps in goal setting, resource assessment, financial management, and effective marketing strategies. The goal of NC Farm School is to allow a pathway of success for farmers to generate successful businesses.

The program also includes field trips to working farms, many of which completed our program and operate successful farms. Participants learn economically sustainable farming methods in a range of production systems, including fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, poultry, animal husbandry, and agritourism.

One of the features of the NC Farm School is getting one on one time with NC State University specialist trained in agricultural business, marketing, production system evaluation, and business startup. These consultations are invaluable to help saving student’s time and money and getting their farm business up and running. In addition, students will meet a local agent who can help them follow through with their plans, connect them to local resources, and ensure they have a sound production system in place.

Registration for the 2020 NC Farm Schools is now open. Schools will be held in Roxboro, NC; Concord, NC; and Taylorsville, NC. 

Learn More & Register Online »

The Carolina Meat Conference will be held October 6-7 at the Downtown Charlotte Marriott City Center. Join hundreds of farmers, chefs, butchers, meat-makers, and supply chain professionals as we tackle the most pressing issues that affect the pasture-raised meat sector in the Southeast.

View the schedule of the event here.

Learn More & Register Online»

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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