NCSU Organic Grain Field Day
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), Goldsboro, NC
From organic no-till to organic OVT soybeans, corn trials, and equipment demos, this will cover nearly all organic grain research and production ideas in the state.
Cost: $5
Lunch included.
Sponsored by Organic Valley, Rodale Institute
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Stevia Production in NC
Thursday, July 11, 2013
At Avoca Farms in Merry Hill, NC
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Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference
Feb. 14 – On-farm Workshops (NEW THIS YEAR!)
Feb. 15 – Conference – Rocky Mount, NC at Nash Community College
REGISTER NOW!
If you are interested in the Carolinas’ rapidly growing organic agriculture sector, there is no better place to connect with commercial-scale organic producers and organic commodity and livestock experts than the Annual Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference. It is a not-to-be-missed Conference for Organic, Transitioning-to-Organic and Conventional Farmers and Ranchers, Agriculture Professionals and Commodities Groups interested in learning more about organic commodities and sustainable livestock and vegetable production.
“People in the Carolinas are demanding more local, organic food choices. The Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference is a great opportunity for conventional and sustainable farmers and ranchers to learn more about how to break into the growing organic market,” says Roland McReynolds, CFSA’s Executive Director.
The conference features workshops on organic grain varieties, organic tobacco production, holistic vet care, soil fertility, and organic disease management. The $35 Conference registration includes lunch, keynote address, multiple workshops, and an evening reception on Feb. 15. The conference keynote speaker is Thor Oeschner, owner of Oeschner Farms in Newfield, NY. Mr. Oeschner will enlighten, energize and surely make us laugh as he shares his story about running his 300 acre farm, a mill, and a bakery.
This year, for the first time, there will also be two free on-farm workshops. These pre-conference workshops happen Thursday, Feb. 14 at Lindale Dairy a certified organic dairy in Snow Camp, NC and at Hocutt Farms, a certified organic vegetable farm in Sims, NC. On-farm workshops are free, but you must pre-register.
For a complete list of conference offerings or to register for an on-farm workshop or the full conference, please visit: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/oclc. The registration deadline is Feb. 4, 2013.
The Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference is sponsored by: The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, NCSU and Organic Valley
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Organic Field Crop Farm Tour
Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Hickory Meadows Organics, Whitakers, NC, Nash County
This year we invite you to visit an outstanding organic farm in North Carolina. This farm, located in Whitaker, NC, has around 400 acres in organic production, as well as conventional acreage. The farmers produce a variety of crops, and have opened their fields for a tour this summer.
- See organic tobacco, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and cotton
- Learn from the farmers about the challenges they face producing organic crops as well as the benefits.
- Learn more about organic production techniques and research used to produce a variety of organic field crops.
BBQ supper provided at end of tour
Registration fee: $10 (includes supper)
Checks should be made out to NC State University. Contact Lisa Forehand to Register: lilsa_forehand@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0954
Deadline to register is Monday, July 16
Agenda:
4:30-5 Registration
5-7:20 Tour organic tobacco, soybeans, cotton, sweet potatoes
7:20-8 BBQ supper with organic crop marketing discussion
For more information, contact Molly Hamilton at 828-273-1041 or molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu
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Legume Cover Crops and No-till Corn
July 12, 2012, from 4-6 p.m. at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro (farm service building)
Legume cover crops can do a lot for your farm, from adding nitrogen to improving soil quality. Join us to learn more about successfully managing these cover crops. We will discuss different legumes that can be planted in NC, their benefits, and how they can be killed. We will also cover no-till planting into killed legumes, and see a trial of corn planted into different legume cover crops which were killed with different methods. Innoculation, an often overlooked part of management, will also be discussed.
To register, contact Lisa Forehand (lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0954)
Registration is free. Please register for this workshop by July 9.
Directions to CEFS/Cherry Farm Service Building:
DIRECTIONS FROM WEST: From Raleigh take US 70 Bypass East to Goldsboro (45 miles). Outside of Goldsboro there is a John Deere dealership on the left and a Kangaroo gas station immediately on the right. Turn right at the traffic light just past the Kangaroo gas station onto Perkins Mill Road. Go 0.2 miles to the first stop sign, turn left onto O'Berry Center Road (SR 1342). Travel 0.6 miles to the first stop sign, turn left onto Hwy 581. Follow 581, 0.9 miles to the traffic light. Turn right at the traffic light onto Stevens Mill Road (SR 1008). Travel through Cherry Hospital 0.4 miles, cross the railroad track and turn left onto the gravel path. Follow the path to the next intersection, and turn right. The Service Building is 0.5 miles on the left.
DIRECTIONS FROM EAST: Traveling from Kinston, stay on Hwy 70 West around Goldsboro, merge onto Hwy 117 south. Go to the next exit on Hwy 117 South - Hwy 581 North, Ash Street, Cherry Hospital Exit. At the traffic light, turn left toward Cherry Hospital - Hwy 581 North. Go approximately 1 mile to the traffic light at Cherry Hospital; continue straight on Stevens Mill Road (SR 1008). Travel through Cherry Hospital 0.4 miles, cross the railroad track and turn left onto the gravel path. Follow the path to the next intersection, and turn right, The Service Building is 0.5 miles on the left.
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Canola Farm Tours: May 30 and 31, 2012
These field tours will provide an opportunity to see organic (and conventional) canola production and talk to farmers growing it. We will discuss the challenges, benefits, and research of organic canola production in the state, as well as hear from regional buyers of organic and conventional canola and rapeseed.
Field Tour 1: Nash County
May 30, 2012, from 5-6 p.m.
Place: Hickory Meadows Organics in Whitakers, NC
Directions: Take I-95 to exit 150 (exit is 12 miles north of US-64/I-95 intersection). Go west on NC 33 about ¼ mile to NC 48. Shop and parking is behind the Hickory Baptist Church at the intersection.
Field Tour 2: Hyde County
May 31, 2012, from 9-10 a.m.
Place: Pocosin Farms in Pantego, NC
Directions: Traveling from Edenton, NC follow US-17 S toward Williamston, turn left on NC 45. Travel 12.6 miles to US-64 E/ US-64/NC-45/ NC-32. Turn right and travel 0.2 miles to NC-45/ Sonny Boy Joyner
Hwy. Turn left and travel 3.4 miles to stop sign. Turn left onto NC-32/NC-45, then travel 3.3 miles turning left on NC-45/ NC-99. Travel 11.2 miles, turn left continuing to follow NC-45 for 4.7 miles. Turn left onto Hyde Park Canal. Travel 1.3 miles to tour site.
Traveling from Greenville, NC, follow US-264 E through Washington and Belhaven. Approximately 8 miles east of Belhaven, turn left on NC-45 N then travel approximately 6 miles to Hyde Park Canal. Turn right and travel 1.3 miles to tour site.
Agenda for both tours:
- Meet at farm
- Tour canola field, production discussion with farmer
- Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton will discuss University canola trials planted this year
- Hear from regional buyers: AgStrong and Technology Crop International
Call or email Molly Hamilton for more details, or to let us know you are coming, at 828-273-1041 or molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu.
*Tours sponsored by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (www.tobaccotrustfund.org )*
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Farmers' Wheat Meeting with Dr Stephen Scott Jones, Wheat Breeder and Professor at Washington State University. Dr Jones will speak to growers about the various factors that contribute to producing quality grain.
Date: March 23, 2012; Time: 1:30-3:30
Place: Carter Farms, Eagle Springs, Moore Co
Questions, contact Jennifer Lapidus: jennifer@carolinafarmstewards.org
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Asheville Bread Festival (March 24): Also featuring Dr. Stephen Jones, and topics of wheat varieties, quality, and regional production. For more information go to: www.ashevillebreadfestival.com/
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The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is excited to announce that it will host an official field day at its 2000-acre research farm in Goldsboro, NC on May 3, 2012. The event, which is open to the public, will feature presentations of key research work in the various units, equipment demonstrations, tours of the farm, and distinguished guests.
The schedule begins at 11 am with registration, open houses, and poster viewing, and concludes at 5:30 pm with a dinner featuring delicious, sustainable, locally-produced foods.
More details will be announced soon. For more information, please contact Lisa Forehand at 919-513-0954 or lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu.
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The 2012 Carolina Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference
Dates: Thursday and Friday, January 12 and 13, 2012
Where: Rocky Mount, NC – Brown Auditorium Business & Industry Center at Nash Community College
If you are interested in the Carolinas’ rapidly growing organic agriculture sector, don’t miss this opportunity to network with and learn from experienced organic farmers and ag professionals.
CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Conference includes lunch on Thursday, keynote address, multiple workshops on production and marketing for organic crops, and an evening reception in the exhibit hall on Thursday, January 12th.
Registration is FREE.
For more information and to register, go to:
carolinafarmstewards.org/oclc.shtml
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Weeds and Seeds: Overcoming Challenges in Organic Grain Production
Date: July 21, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Caswell Research Farm (2415 W. Vernon Avenue, Kinston, NC)
Weed control is the most challenging aspect of producing organic soybeans. We have spent the last several years looking at multiple tactics that, together, can really help fight weed pressure in organic soybeans. See how seeding rate, seed size/variety, roll-kill/no-till, and cultivating can contribute to a soybean weed management plan. Watch cultivators in action and see how well they perform. Seed sourcing and variety selection is also a challenge in organic production. We will be visiting the organic Official Variety Trials for corn and soybeans, and have time to discuss selecting varieties and hybrids for organic production.
Registration fee: $10 (includes BBQ lunch)
Workshop qualifies for 1.5 hours pesticide credit for N,O,D, and X
2.5 hours CCA CEU's available.
To register, click here, fill out registration form, and mail to address on form. Or, contact Molly Hamilton at 828-273-1041 or molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu.
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Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Carolina Ground, L3C present:
NC-Grown Bread Wheat: From Field to Hearth
Tuesday, June 7th from 3:00-5:00pm
Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC
With this workshop we hope is to engage the senses. We are gearing the event toward an audience of growers, bakers, other grains users, as well as the interested public. Our pilot group of seven WNC bakeries that have been working with the NC Organic Bread Flour Project for the last two and a half years will supply baked goods for the event made with grains from the trials for attendees to taste, and the Riverbend Malthouse, an up and coming micro malthouse in WNC will provide samples of malt made from NC six-row barley for attendees to smell.
USDA-ARS wheat breeder Dr. David Marshall, will give an overview of the bread wheat trials planted at the station, discuss varieties of hard wheat that grow well in NC and their quality components, and lead us on a tour of the trial plots. Following Dr Marshall’s talk, Molly Hamilton, of NCSU’s NC Organic Grains Project will address organic production issues. Karen McSwain, CFSA’s Organic Initiatives Coordinator, will also be present to address the EQIP-OI program, eligibility, the application process, and examples of some scenarios applicable to grain production. And finally, Jennifer Lapidus, CFSA’s Organic Grains Program Coordinator, will provide an update on Carolina Ground, L3C, a micro mill located in WNC dedicated to Carolina grains. And she will also address other burgeoning grain markets.
This workshop is free and open to the public, but does require registering by Friday, June 3rd.
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Canola and Spelt in NC? Organic Production and Harvesting Techniques
Date: June 2, 2011
Time: 4-6:30 p.m.
Location: CEFS
Canola and spelt are two crops that could potentially be added to expand organic rotations in NC. Markets for these crops are emerging in the area. NCSU’s Organic Grain Program has planted demonstrations on production and harvesting techniques for these new crops. Come out to see variety and seeding rate trials, canola harvesting techniques, and to discuss new markets. We will also be discussing and trialing hermetic grain storage bags, an alternative storage technique that may be very useful for storing seed, small acreage harvests, and ID preserved grains.
Workshop qualifies for 2 hours CCA CEU
Contact Molly Hamilton to register (828-273-1041 or molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu). Registration is free. Snacks and drinks provided.
This workshop is funded by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
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Seminar with Jeff Mattocks From Fertrell
You don’t want to miss these 2 hours loaded with informative information about Organic Feed. Whether you are a small backyard farmer or huge commercial farmer, this seminar will be helpful. Find out the best rations for your specific animals.
Where: Reedy Fork Organic Feed Mill
7092 Sockwell Rd., Elon, NC 27244
When: Saturday May 21, 2011
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
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FSA in conjunction with Carolina Ground, L3C present:
NC-Grown Bread Wheat: From Field to Hearth
Friday, May 20th from 1:00-4:00pm
Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory in Raleigh, NC
On Friday, May 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory in Raleigh, CFSA and Carolina Ground will host a workshop entitled NC-Grown Bread Wheat: from field to hearth. USDA-ARS wheat breeder, Dr David Marshall will be present to discuss the Uniform Bread Wheat trials planted at the field lab. Dr. Marshall will also lead us in a tour of the plots. Dr Chris Reberg-Horton of NCSU’s NC Organic Grains Project will follow Dr. Marshall’s talk, and will address organic methods of production for food-grade grain as well as potential markets. And Karen McSwain, CFSA’s Organic Initiatives Coordinator, will speak about the EQIP-OI program, eligibility, the application process, and examples of some scenarios applicable to grain production. She will also talk a little about her role in making the program more applicable to organic/transitioning farmers. This workshop, which is free and open to the public, is geared toward growers.
To register please contact: jennifer@carolinafarmstewards.org
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Growing Your Own N: Improving Legume Cover Crop Management
When: April 19, 2011
Time: 4-6:30 p.m.
Where: Clayton, NC (Abundant Life Farms)
Come learn how to manage legume cover crops to maximize fertility. We will discuss innoculation, cover crop types and vareties, how they perform on different soil types, how cost compares with other fertility sources, and how to tell you are getting the most out of your cover crop.
For more information and to register, contact Molly Hamilton at 828-273-1041 or by email at molly_hamilton@ncsu.edu. There is no registration fee.
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Mixed Cover Crop Demonstration
Hosted by USDA, NRCS
Location: Fork L Farm – Norwood, Stanly County
Date/Time: April 15th 12:00 – 2:30
Please email or call nathan.lowder@nc.usda.gov 704-982-6811 ext 3 if you would like to attend
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Asheville Artisan Bread Festival
When: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Greenlife Grocery, 70 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC
Showcasing local artisan breads, and featuring 9 workshops. Two workshops feature two NC organic flour mills: Lindley Mills and Carolina Ground Flour. For more information, go to www.ashevillebreadfestival.org.
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The Carolina Organic Commodity and Livestock Conference
January 20 - 21, 2011
Oxford, NC
There is no better place to connect with commercial-scale organic producers and organic commodities and livestock experts than the 2nd Annual Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference. If you are interested in the Carolinas’ rapidly growing organic ag sector, this is the conference you need to attend.
This conference will allow you to learn more about:
- growing organic
- raising livestock sustainably
- marketing organic products
- food safety and good agricultural practices
In addition, this unique event will host more than 150 certified organic farmers growing grains, vegetables, and tobacco and raising livestock. It is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to network with experienced organic farmers, as well as product vendors, and organic market reps.
For more information about this conference, including schedule of events, speakers, location, and directions, please visit: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/oclc.shtml
There are 10.5 CCA CEU credits available, as well as 2 pesticide credits for N, O, D, and X. Credits depend on which workshops are attended.
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Canola and Spelt Production and Marketing Meeting
When: November 19, 2010
Time: 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro (Cherry Research Farm), the White Service Building. For directions, click here.
What: Join us for a discussion on organic canola and spelt production: techniques, challenges, varieties, and marketing. We will visit emerging canola seeding rate trials and spelt variety trials. Have a chance to visit with potential organic canola and spelt buyers.
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Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, with the support of NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension, is hosting a series of workshops this Fall on organic grains. The series is made possible by support from Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company.
Marketing Your Organic Crop
September 3, Rocky Mount Farmers Market in Rocky Mount, NC, noon to 4:30
There may be more options for moving your organic grain crop than you think! Explore the many possibilities in the Carolinas. Enjoy lunch at the Rocky Mount Farmers Market and listen to buyers and processors of organic grains discuss ultimate destinations for your harvested crop. Hear about the future of new organic grain crops and developing markets for those products. Speakers include:
- Jennifer Lapidus, Carolina Organic Bread Flour Project
- Uli Benewitz, Weeping Radish Brewery
- Jackie Bunch, Braswell Milling Co.
Production Issues in Organic Grain
October 8, Sandhills Research Station, Jackson Springs, NC, Noon to 5pm
Discuss the basic issues or organic grain production in the Carolinas. See research plots and on-farm practices, learn about new variety releases and seed sources, and discuss fertility issues particular to winter production in organic systems. Speakers include:
- Dr. Chris-Reberg-Horton, Organic Cropping Systems Specialist, NC State University
- Dr. David Marshall, Research Leader & Location Coordinator, USDA Agricultural Research Service Plant Science Research Unit
- Taylor Williams, Moore County Cooperative Extension
Organic Grain Storage: Planning for the Crop You are Planting
November 12, Vernon James Research Station, Plymouth, NC, Noon to 5pm
Join us for an afternoon of information on organic grain storage with the distinguished Dr. Ron Heiniger. The failure of organic grain storage systems is often one of the greatest contributors to reduced revenue for grain growers. Avail yourself of Dr. Heiniger’s unparalleled insights on organic grain storage and secure your hard-earned harvest for the most favorable market.
Registration is free and open to the public.
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