Shots for Farmers Info - Durham Ag BULLetin

DURHAM COUNTY CENTER

Your Agriculture BULLetin

March 12, 2021

Don't Be Sheepish....Get Your Shot!

The weather has begun to warm, and the planting fever is upon us. I certainly can't wait to dig my hands into the earth, watch the seedlings burst forth with possibility, and to walk through the garden and see the buds begin to open.

This spring we have something else to look forward to....vaccinations for COVID have begun to be available. If you are a farmer, farm worker, food worker, or otherwise deemed an essential worker, NOW is you chance to get vaccinated.

If you or someone you know is having difficulty locating a vaccine site, or making an appointment, please reach out to me, Janel_Ohletz@ncsu.edu.

I am on the team assisting in getting farmers and farm workers information about vaccinations, and helping to coordinate the effort.

We want to make sure that all who are eligible get their spot in the line. Let me know how I can help.

Find Your Shot!!

Please, shot me an email with questions!!

Workshops and Meetings

Begins next week - Food Safety for Small Farms

Workshop Series

Durham and Orange County Extension are coordinating to host NC State Extension Area Specialized Agent Dr. Chip Simmons and Chloe Johnson from Carolina Farm Stewardship Association for a series of workshops on food safety awareness to include FSMA and GAP. These trainings will cover what small farm owners need to know about the Federal rules and regulations, exemptions, and also help you prepare a food safety plan.

General Farm Food Safety Awareness Workshops

Understanding FSMA - March 15, 2021 – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Introduction to GAP – March 22, 2021 – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Food Safety Plan Template Workshops

Part I - Traceability, Employee Training, & Sanitation: April 12, 2021 – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Part II: Water, Soil Amendments, & Harvesting: April 19, 2021 – 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Read More Here

As part of the series we will have a hands-on training workshop to be held at Briggs Community Garden in Durham, March 30, 2021 - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields

Join NC Cooperative Extension of Robeson and Wayne Counties for a virtual presentation on weed control in pastures and hayfields. Dr. Ramon Leon Gonzalez, Associate Professor - Weed Biology and Ecology with North Carolina State University will be the speaker.

This ONLINE event can be accessed from any computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone with internet access via Zoom. Registration is required.

One and a half (1.5) hours of N.C. Pesticide Credit (D, K, N, O, and X) credits will be

available.

Do you need a PSA certification class?

Elena Rogers is teaching a two-day training course in late March for growers on the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) standardized curriculum. This training meets the regulatory requirements of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. We encourage anyone working in the produce industry and all farmers (large and small) to attend this class.