North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory--Real World Example

Here is a good example of the work at the North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NCVDL). This article was taken from The NCVDL Report Volume 5 Issue 1 and written by Dr. Richard Oliver, Director of the Arden Laboratory in Fletcher.

Western North Carolina was subjected to abnormally low temperatures from late December 2009 through January 2010. Over a two week period that coincided with the onset of sub-freezing air temperatures, an owner reported losing around 30 common carp. The fish were swimming at the pond's surface while lying on their sides. The fish were able to swim away when approached. The pond had a very high stocking density with about 50,000 pounds of fish in approximately 3-acres. It had an iced over surface covered with snow during most, if not all, of this episode.

One 26-lb female carp was submitted for laboratory evaluation. She had a good amount of flesh with respect to skeletal muscle mass yet there was virtually no visceral fat present. The gastrointestinal tract was devoid of content and the majority of the body cavity was dominated by an expanded air bladder along with a vast amount of ovarian tissue which showed some indication of deterioration. Mucus scrapes and gill preps indicated low parasite numbers. Histopathology confirmed widespread, chronic ovarian degeneration. The diagnosis was Dystocia.

In spawning, fish dystocia is the lack of spawn coupled with the non-resorption of eggs in the body cavity. Ovarian swelling induces impingement on the pneumocystic duct and the fish's ability to pnuemoregulate is impaired. (The air bladder swells and can not be properly deflated--you try diving with a life preserver)! Increased pressure in the body cavity also leads to a decrease in feed consumption and ultimately, liver and kidney malfunction. The condition is greatly exacerbated by extreme cold with water temperatures below 37 ^oF being the critical point.

Special thanks to Jeffrey Hinshaw, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research Station for his assistance on this case. Thanks also to Dr. Richard Oliver for allowing me to post his article to my blog.

Salt as a Treatment for Fish

Salt is a common and relatively inexpensive treatment for fish. The use of non-iodized table salt or rock salt (suitable for consumption by humans or livestock) is acceptable for treatment. For ease of application, many pond owners use 50 lb salt brine blocks. "Brine" blocks are salt blocks. Granular salt can also be purchased in bags or bulk.

Seawater contains 3% (30,000 ppm) salt concentration. Two hundred ppm (200 ppm) to 500 ppm can be used as an indefinite treatment in ponds to relieve stress. Ten thousand ppm (10,000 ppm) to 30,000 ppm can be used as a prolonged treatment in tanks for 30 minutes or until fish show signs of stress. Thirty thousand ppm (30,000 ppm) can also be used as a quick dip (60 seconds) in treatment tanks. To achieve 30,000 ppm in a tank, you add 2 1/2 lbs of salt for every 10 gallons of water. For ponds, 1 ppm is equal to 2.7 lbs/acre-ft of water. You need to know how many acre-feet of water you have in your pond (surface acres x average depth) to determine the treatment rate.

Carp Pond Forum 2010

The Carp Pond Forum 2010 is scheduled for Monday, March 29 at 6:30 pm at the Cleveland County Extension Center, 130 South Post Road Suite 1, Shelby. Carp Pond owners, this is your opportunity to interact with Calvin Keith Crawford, Midway Lakes, Manuel Fredell, Creekside Carp & Catfish Lakes, and Doug Whitaker, Whit-Mar Lakes, as they lead a round table discussion on owning and operating a carp pond. Dinner will be provided with your $10 registration fee ($15 for 2). Make checks payable to: McDowell Cooperative Extension. Mail to McDowell Cooperative Extension, 60 East Court Street, Marion, NC 28752. Call Molly Sandfoss or Cheryl Mitchell at 828-652-7874 with questions. Must register by March 25.

2009 Milestone--Marine Corps Marathon

This post is long overdue. If I am motivated enough, I try to attempt a milestone each year. A physical feat. At least, a feat for me. Here is a summary of my milestone for 2009, the Marine Corps Marathon.

In 2009, I decided not to attempt the Assault on Mount Mitchell. Been there, done that mentality I guess. Also, logistically, it can be rather nerve racking. The ride is on Monday. Weekends are much better for transportation both drop off and pick up. My husband works, my son is now in school. In 2008, my husband dropped me off in Spartanburg, SC at ~6:00 am. They watched me start at 6:30 am then rushed back to Marion, NC to have my son in school by the bell. He did it. I just didn't want to put him through that again. Although, he would have. (I think).

I actually thought I would take it easy this year with no goals in mind. Just enjoy myself. Training can be more mentally taxing than physical especially if you have a real job and family. Am I training enough? I need to get more miles in? It's exhausting just thinking about it.

My sister runs and ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 2008. She wanted to do the Marine Corps Marathon in 2009. I run as an alternative to bad biking weather. I actually think I'm a better runner than rider, but I LOVE my bike. I don't have a Bucket List. So many people have "run a marathon" as something to do before they die. Makes running a marathon sound cliche. But it is definitely a challenge, and I knew that.

I jumped on board finally, and signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon. Now I was committed. Training started in late June. I followed Art Lieberman's beginning marathoner training plan found in The Everything Running Book. My first long training run was 10-miles in hot, humid Myrtle Beach. I was beat. Talk about questioning your goal. I had run probably 9-miles at the most up to then, and mostly winter running. It was definitely a wake up call that this was going to be HARD.

I followed the training plan religiously. Although I did skip my easy Saturday runs with a bike ride. At first, I thought I could keep up with both my running miles and my bike miles. No such luck. I injured myself the day following the 17-mile long run. I tried to run the very next day. I walked home after 2.5-miles with much pain. I treated my injury and was concerned that I would not be able to run. I talked with friends that were runners or former runners who all gave me very good advice. The lesson I learned don't push it. Your body can only take so much especially at my age. Tough, painful lesson. I'm not Super Woman after all.

I completed the training, running in pain for a time after my injury. Completed the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon in September in preparation for the whole. Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon was a great training run since it is a VERY hilly course. Not good for my injury, but I took it easy knowing that this run was not my ultimate goal.

The actual marathon day was great. I had my sister escort me around since she was the expert. She told me about the Clif Bar Pace Team so I could have someone else worry about my pace and not me. Running and concentrating on your time is hard so why not let someone else do it for me? Over 21,000 runners that day. Never ran in a group quite that size. That was the most difficult, sharing the road with so many people. You had to stay alert.

I kept with my pace group until mile 22, I think. I can't remember exactly. But I knew I was on mark to achieve my goal. The group would run through water stops and at that point, I needed my water. I reminded myself that the ultimate goal was to finish. I wasn't going to finish without fluids. I crossed that finish line, and I was so thankful that it was over. My official time was 3:41:44. Good enough to qualify for Boston at my age. Not bad for my first (and only) marathon. There were plenty of spectators on the route with motivational signs. One of my favorites...Pain is temporary. Pride is forever. It helped me immensely. It is so true.

Oh, by the way, my sister finished too! Very proud of her. I relied on her throughout this process to get me through. She did the same for me for the first year of my son's life. (She has three boys). We would update each other on our training runs. Even though we weren't physically training together, we were together in spirit--often a sweaty, tired, and sore spirit.

We also enjoyed our short time as tourists in DC. Went to a museum and a few monuments. We country folk loved the Metro. Got caught in a torrential downpour. We had a blast! DC, a great place to visit.

Now what for this year...I would like to say that I just want to enjoy pedaling or running without any training for an event or goal. Maybe this year, I will accomplish just that!

Winter Management Tips

Winter is a good time to lime. Lime increases alkalinity. pH will stay fairly stable at higher alkalinities. Also, alkalinity reduces the toxicity of some chemicals in water. If you have to treat with copper sulfate this Spring or Summer, copper sulfate is less toxic at higher alkalinities.

Treating your pond with salt also is recommended before stocking your pond with a new load of fish. Fish are stressed during harvest and transport. Salt acts to reduce this stress.

If your pond has little inflow and outflow, it may be necessary to break the ice. With a pond that has little inflow, most of the oxygen in water is resulting from contact with the air during winter. If the pond surface is completely frozen for an extended period, this can act as a barrier to replenishing the oxygen in the water. This is especially true if there is snow covering the ice. Most ponds have constantly flowing water so this is usually not a problem.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Stocking Permit

As of July 1, 2005, anyone interested in stocking inland, public fishing waters with fish, mollusks, or crustaceans must obtain a stocking permit issued by the Wildlife Commission. The purpose of this permit is to protect native, or legally established aquatic species from the potentially damaging effects of unauthorized stockings. Fish stocked into public waters have the potential to escape into adjacent waters and create problems for existing aquatic communities by feeding on eggs, fry, or adults of existing fishes. They may compete for food and habitat. Stockings may also introduce diseases and parasites, and possibly interbreeding.

The only waters not affected by this rule are private ponds, which by statute is defined as bodies of water arising within and lying wholly upon the lands of a single owner or group of joint owners or tenants in common, and from which fish cannot escape, and into which fish of legal size cannot enter from public waters at any time.

Since most ponds in western North Carolina are built by impounding streams, they are considered public waters. The term public does not imply that the general public has the right to fish these waters without landowner permission. It means that the waters flowing through the pond are contiguous with adjacent streams.

There is NO charge from this permit. You can find out how to apply by visiting www.ncwildlife.org/fishing/fish_stocking_permit.htm or by calling 919-707-0226. I can also help you getting an application for the stocking permit.

Basic Seafood HACCP Training

Basic Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Training, February 16-18, Morehead City--This annual, two-and-a-half day workshop is designed for personnel in regulatory agencies, the seafood industry, particularly distributors and processors, and others who are required to have an FDA Seafood HACCP Plan in place for handling fresh seafood and seafood products. Cost is $150 per person which includes training, course books and certification fee. The link to the website, www.ncsu.edu/foodscience/workshops_training.htm

Preventing a Recall: Protecting Your Food Business Workshop

Preventing a Recall: Protecting Your Food Business, January 26, Morehead City--this workshop is designed for small food entrepreneurs and food producers who sell directly to the public, seafood processors and retailers, meat handlers producing and selling meat products, individuals interested in developing food recall plans to protect their businesses, and those who want to expand market outreach and are required to obtain liability insurance to enter new markets. For more information, www.ncagr.gov/markets/agbizmarketing.htm

North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference

North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference, January 22-23, Atlantic Beach--An annual program that updates attendees on the status of aquaculture in North Carolina including research updates. The conference will also address topics on seafood safety, aquaculture effluent, niche markets, and more. For a detailed look at the agenda, www.ncaquaculture.org

Sustainable Agriculture Workshop with Joel Salatin

Interested in organic gardening or pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture? The Western Piedmont Community College Sustainable Agriculture Program and Burke County Cooperative Extension will host a workshop entitled "Entrepreneur's Guide to Success in Sustainable Agriculture with Joel Salatin" Events will include a panel discussion, farm projects tour, exhibits by area organizations involved in sustainable agriculture and presentation by Joel Salatin.

Salatin is the owner/operator of Polyface Farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. A third generation alternative farmer, Salatin carries his message of environmentally sustainable farming practices to audiences nationwide. Salatin's farming methods have been profiled in the film, Food, Inc. and in the book The Omnivore's Dilemma by investigative journalist Michael Pollan. Salatin has written several books about farming including You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farming Enterprise.

This free workshop will be held on Monday, November 16 from 1-5pm at the Burke County Cooperative Extension office, 130 Ammons Drive, Morganton. Registration is from noon to 1pm., and space is limited, so be sure to arrive early. For more information about this event or if you or your organization would like to have a free exhibitor's table, please contact Chip Hope at chope@wpcc.edu, 828-448-3554 or Donna Teasley at donna_teasley@ncsu.edu, 828-439-4460.

Aquaculture Farm Tours

Two aquaculture tours to showcase aquaculture production and fee fishing will be offered on December 3 and December 7. On December 3, a tour of Grandfather Trout Farm, Banner Elk, and Hump Mountain Trout Farm, Elk Park, will take place. Grandfather Trout Farm is a fee fishing operation located in near Boone. Hump Mountain Trout Farm is a fingerling and food fish producer located in Elk Park. Both of these facilities have been in operation for years.

On December 7, a tour of Creekside Carp & Catifish Lakes and Whitmar Lakes will take place. These facilities also have been operating for years. If you ever considered aquaculture as a business venture this is your chance to see some fish farms first hand. this is your chance to talk with the business owners. A van will be available for transportation and will leave Marion at 9:30am on both days. Return time scheduled for 4:00pm on December 3 and 3:30pm on December 7. You are welcome to drive to the facilities as well. Registration is required by December 1 and cost is $5.00. Make checks payable to McDowell County Center. Space is limited, call early. Call Cheryl Mitchell or Molly Sandfoss at 828-652-7874.

Water Quality Testing Workshops

Two water quality testing workshops will be offered on Tuesday, November 24 and Thursday, December 10. The workshop on November 24 will be at Willie's Fish Lake, 537 Casstevens Road, Mount Airy. The workshop on Thursday, December 10 will be at Creekside Carp & Catfish Lakes, 2991 Sam Houser Road, Vale. Both workshops will start at 1:00pm and last until 3:00pm. Basic water quality parameters will be reviewed. Then you will have hands-on experience of testing water quality using chemical test kits. If you have testing kits or equipment, feel free to bring them. If you have a recreational pond, farm pond, or fee-fishing pond, this workshop is for you.

Registration is required. Call Cheryl Mitchell or Molly Sandfoss at 828-652-7874. If you have any questions, please call.

The North Carolina Farm Energy Efficiency Project

A meeting on the Farm Energy Efficiency Project (FEEP) is scheduled for Thursday, November 19 at 7pm at the Mountain Horticulture Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC.

The North Carolina FEEP originated from a grant awarded to North Carolina Farm Bureau by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. The project's goal is to provide educational and technical support for farmers regarding agricultural energy use and efficiency. Farmers may also apply for low cost energy audits that will evaluate way to save farm energy costs.

"As farmers continue to face increasing costs, the data from energy audits and implementing energy saving plans can result in substantial, long-term savings," said Paul Sherman, air and energy programs director with North Carolina Farm Bureau.

The United State Department of Agriculture's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide grants and loans on projects that meet the criteria to save energy or implement new energy programs. FEEP will also provide matching funds that will improve a farmer's ability to obtain funds from REAP.

The funds will provide technical support needed to analyze proposals, perform energy audits, and prepare competitive applications for REAP loans and grants.

USDA Rural Development personnel will also be at the meeting to further explain how farmers can benefit from the REAP grant and loan program.

By the end of 2010, the project will have facilitated 200 on-farm energy audits and implemented at least 60 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Visit the FEEP web site http://www.ncfarmenergy.org/ for more information.

USDA Announces Implementation of Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

Beginning September 14, 2009 Producers may sign up to participate in these programs.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers may begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). These permanent disaster programs, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, replace previous ad-hoc disaster assistance programs and are funded through the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

"President Obama and I are committed to meeting the needs of those producers who have suffered devastating losses from natural disasters," said Vilsack. "These programs ensure that producers who have suffered agriculture losses receive the critical disaster assistance needed to remain financially solvent and help them continue on in their operations."

LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. For drought, the losses must have occurred on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or a crop planted specifically for grazing for covered livestock due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the specific type of grazing land in the county. For fire, LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire.

Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.

ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including losses due to blizzards and wildfires. ELAP assistance is for losses not covered under other Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance programs established by the 2008 Farm Bill, specifically LFP, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE). ELAP is being implemented to fill in the gap and provide assistance under other conditions determined to be appropriate.

For both programs, producers must have suffered losses that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. There is a total $100,000 limitation per crop year that applies to payments received under ELAP, LFP, LIP or SURE. For the 2008 crop year, the $100,000 limitation is per "person" as defined and determined under payment limitation rules in effect for 2008. For crop years 2009 through 2011, the $100,000 limitation applies to payments received, both directly and indirectly, by a person or legal entity. Furthermore, individuals or entities are ineligible for payment under ELAP or LFP for 2008 if their average Adjusted Gross Income for 2005, 2006 and 2007 exceeds $2.5 million. For 2009 through 2011, an average adjusted gross nonfarm income limitation of $500,000 applies and is determined using the three taxable years that precede the most immediately preceding complete taxable year (for 2009, the applicable years are 2005, 2006 and 2007).

For more information or to apply for ELAP or LFP and other USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance programs, please visit your FSA county office orwww.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Geese Control

A few people have asked me about geese control...Here are some solutions for your geese problems. To control geese a COMBINATION of these methods are necessary. Here they are:

1) NOISE

Under best conditions, 3 - 4 strategically placed cannons may protect up to 25 acres from goose depredation. Many of today's newer models of cannons come with variable timers and rotators that increase effectiveness. Stationary noisemakers, such as cannon, should be moved every 2 - 3 days to prevent habituation by geese.

Mylar tape or birdscare tape might work as well. It is a reflective piece of material that is bright red on one side and bright silver on the other. Feed and Seed stores should have in stock or order for you. Remote controlled airplanes can scare off geese and has had some success.

Another type of auditory approach is use of pyrotechnics, such as whistlers, noise bombs, shellcrackers, and screamer or banger rockets. These firecracker-like devices are shot from a hand-held pistol or 12-gauge shotgun out over a group of geese on land or water where the projectile then explodes. Some of these devices have a range of about 50 - 75 yards. Always check local regulations (police/sheriff’s dept) to be sure of noise ordinances and let them know of your intention to use these materials so that they will be aware of the activity and avoid an unnecessary response to calls of "shots being fired."

2) TASTE

Goose Chase and Fruit Shield are nontoxic bird repellents that contain 26.4% active ingredient, methyl anthranilate, by weight. Methyl anthranilate, or 2-aminobenzoic acid methyl ester, is an aromatic acid ester that occurs naturally in grapes (although the methyl anthranilate in these products is synthetically produced). Methyl anthranilate is a food-grade compound that is used to impart "grape" flavor. Apparently, this flavor is offensive to birds, and they will not eat vegetation treated with it. This product has a UV coloring agent that, according to the manufacturer, the geese are able to see and associate with an area that has been treated with the feeding deterrent. Follow directions and you shouldn’t have a problem with it leaving your property and entering a local waterbody. Be sure to work closely with timing applications with mowing and watering schedules.

3) FEAR WITH WATER

Water Spraying Animal Repeller is a good deterrent because it senses motion and sprays a 3 to 4-second burst of water then resets. Spray coverage can be adjusted from a narrow 10° coverage to 360°, and the 35-foot range lets you place the device where it makes the most sense. Effective on dogs, cats, raccoons, deer, etc. Simply pull up the device, move it to a different location, and turn the water on. Soon, animals won't know where they'll be sprayed from, and will be wary of entering the protected area. Requires a 9V battery (sold separately), which powers the unit for approximately 6 months under normal use.

4) IRRITATING FEEL

Sticky, non-toxic material to stop bird roosting because it is extremely irritating to roosting birds; available in caulk tube; inexpensive. Varying product names: Bird Tanglefoot, Bird-Proof Gel or Liquid. Harmless to metal structures, sealed masonry and ornamental metals, works in any weather, indoors or outdoors, literally anywhere: on water tanks, trees, shrubbery, shipping docks and railroad sidings, yards, parking lots, etc. Apply to roosting edges ledges, windowsills, gutters, cornices, ornamental copings and protruding beams-any surface where birds roost or perch. For trees, bushes, shrubbery and most broad surfaces that would make cartridge application impractical, spray on Bird-Proof Liquid Spray. Keep birds away from parking facilities, trees, bushes, shrubbery and most broad surface areas with Bird-Proof.

5) EXCLUSION

Typically Canada geese prefer to have direct access from the water to walk onto the shoreline.

-Do the banks slope into the pond (this type of bank makes it easy to walk onto the shoreline or is there a straight drop off?

-Obstructions at the shoreline. This process involves the planting of certain types of vegetation or installation of fencing.

-Add in more plants around the banks or leave a buffer area 10-20 ft wide (example list provided). Modifying uninterrupted shorelines with shrubs or boulders every 10 to 20 yards, may reduce an area’s attractiveness to geese, as well as to other waterfowl and shorebirds.

-If a fence is present at the shoreline then this obstruction can prove successful in limiting the presence of geese on the property. Fence ponds prior to the molt (loss of flight feathers in early summer) to prevent access to water and discourage geese from remaining in the area when they are flightless.

When Canada goose access denial to a water source is required, then serious consideration should also be given to the installation of an overhead “grid system” in conjunction with a perimeter fence. This may not be practical for large ponds.

6) POPULATION REDUCTION

Federal and state permits are needed to handle geese, or destroy eggs or nests.

Thanks to Wendi Hartup, Extension Agent, Forsyth County, for providing this information.

www.eXtension.org

eXtension, www.eXtension.org, is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America. eXtension connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers - experts who know their subject matter inside out. The Families, Food, and Fitness section of eXtension at htttp://www.extension.org/families_food_fitness provides education and skills to help families make informed decisions about healthy eating and physical activity by providing them with evidence (science/research) - based information and interactive learning opportunities through eXtension. This virtual educational environment is targeted to families with young children. The Families, Food, and Fitness (FFF) Community of Practice (COP) is organized around 3 goals:

1. improved diets,
2. increase physical activity, and
3. maintain body weight in a healthy range and avoid exess weight gain.
   

Interactive content and learning materials support these 3 goals in addition to focusing on the 6 key behaviors identified through the literature to be associated with achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight:

1. move more everyday,
2. tame the tube,
3. right size your portions,
4. enjoy more fruits and vegetables,
5. prepare and eat more meals at home, and
6. re-think your drink.
   

Help for healthy lifestyles includes a recipe section:
http://www.extension.org/pages/Families_Food_and_Fitness_Dynamic_List_of_Recipes

A picture spice guide for suggested foods with each spice:
http://www.extension.org/pages/Interactive_Spice_Guide and

A "Fast Food Menu," to size up fast food selections from McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Chick-Fil-A, Donino's, and Taco Bell is provided on an interactive menu at:
http://www.extension.org/pages/Interactive_Fast_Food_Menu

Experienced extension personnel and researchers based in the 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities, as well as other universities and education centers contributed to this new eXtension site.

2010 Western Piedmont Region Demonstration Grant Program

The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund aims to assist farmers and rural communities to develop new sources of agricultural income through provision of cost-share grants. The Reinvestment Fund will make two types of demonstration awards: Producer Grant Awards up to $10,000 for individuals and Community Grants Awards up to $30,000 for collaborative farmer projects.

The Fund will make cost-share demonstration grants to farmers, farm organizations, and community groups in the Western Piedmont Region of North Carolina. This includes: Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Guildford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes, Yadkin, Davie, and Rockingham.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION is January 13, 2010.

Tight margins for most commodity crops and changing farm programs provide new challenges for North Carolina farmers. The purpose of the Reinvestment Fund is to help farmers to develop enterprises that allow them to earn more for their products through innovative production, processing, or marketing approaches.

The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying PRODUCERS must be farmers, who are actively engaged in full or part-time farming in the Western Piedmont region. Priority is given to farmers who earned a significant portion of their income from tobacco at the time of the Master Settlement Agreement (1997-1998) and to projects that create an opportunity for a new generation of farmers.

Qualifying COMMUNITY GROUPS must include qualifying farmers from the Western Piedmont region, and farmers must be active in the leadership of the group. Groups of farmers, farm coops, farmer associations, churches, local business, civic organizations, or combination of these are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Eligible PROJECTS are those that: have a likelihood of generating new farm income; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for greenhouses; add value to existing farm products by processing, packaging or marketing in a special way; make new use of tobacco facilities and equipment; maintain or create quality employment, including self-employment or opportunities for home-based businesses; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources.

High Priority will be given to projects that are innovative and demonstrate a new direction or opportunity for farmers in North Carolina.

IMPORTANT DATES!

Early Bird Deadline - December 18, 2009
Application Deadline -January 13, 2010
Award Notification - March 9, 2010
Interim Report Due - TBA
Final Report Due - TBA
Projects Completed - TBA

APPLICATION & DETAILED INFORMATION

http://www.ncfarmgrants.org

Jason Roehrig

jason@rafiusa.org

919-542-1396

Mountain Farmers Eligible for Funds to Help Diversify: WNC AgOptions Grant

WNC Agricultural Options will award approximately 45 farmers in 17 counties and the Cherokee Indian reservation $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000. These funds will be used to help farmers to diversify or expand their operations.

Interested applicants should see the agricultural agents at their local Extension Centers by November 23, and can visit www.wncagoptions.org to download an application. Projects should increase the sale of farm products and lead to the long-term sustainability of the farm business. The postmark deadline for applications is January 8.

WNC Ag Options is managed by the NC Cooperative Extension Centers in the West District. The program works with producers who demonstrate ways to increase farm income to other transitioning farmers, particularly tobacco growers. WNC Ag Options works in partnership with RAFI-USA's Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund, and the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission sponsors the program.

"The partnership we have with the WNC AgOptions program is very valuable to us," said William Upchurch, Executive Director of the Tobacco Trust Fund commission. "Our experience has shown that participating farmers utilize these grants for innovative, resourceful and profitable enterprises that can make a huge impact on their farming operation."

Recent recipients are transitioning from commercial to direct markets, extending their growing seasons, or developing value-added processing systems so that they will have a product to sell year-round. With a grant they received in spring 2009, Tammie and Mike Edwards of Yancey County are building a germination chamber in a greenhouse they previously used in tobacco production to start plants for their potted flower operation. Saving them the cost of buying their own plugs, "...could make a difference if we stay in business," Tammie Edwards said.

Skipper Russel of Haywood County, a 2005 and 2009 recipient, and Kaleb Rathbone, a 2006 recipient, both have the infrastructure in place to open up markets with Ingles grocery stores this year, in large part due to the WNC AgOptions grants. Russel, who purchased a refrigeration truck, sells lettuce to Ingles, and Rathbone, who installed irrigation, sells strawberries.

Other WNC AgOptions recipients use the funds to offset the financial risk of trying untested, unique endeavors, such as hops production. "Just applying for the grant was about the best thing I could have done," said Van Burnette of Buncombe County, who started "Hop 'N Blueberry" on his family's seventh generation farm. "I learned so much about the cost, timeline, and the activities, and narrowed down what I wanted to do with the farm."

Established in 2003, WNC AgOptions is entering its sixth funding cycle. Members of the WNC AgOptions steering committee include: representatives from NC Cooperative Extension Service, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Marketing Division, HandMade in America, Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project, former WNC AgOptions recipients and other leaders in agribusiness.

2009 Farm Expo in Laurel Springs, NC

The 2009 Farm Expo is scheduled for August 29, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Registration begins at 12:30 pm. The cost is $10/person and children 12 and under are FREE. Please RSVP to the Ashe or Alleghany County Extension Office by August 17 in order to receive your dinner ticket.

The 2009 Farm Expo will highlight research projects at the Upper Mountain Research Station, farm diversification opportunities, and have vendors showing off new farm equipment, conservation opportunities, farm related funding, area banks, and many other for profit and nonprofit agricultural services.

There will be over a dozen speakers from 3 universities and 3 farm tours lined up for the day. The Ashe and Alleghany Cattlemen's Association will be grilling fresh roast beef for dinner and North Carolina Department of Agriculture will be providing a "Taste of North Carolina" exhibit with strawberries and other fresh farm produce to highlight the abundance and diversity of crops grown in North Carolina.

Also, a free junk swap will be held from 1:00 pm until dark if you have any used equipment that you are look for or a home for some you no longer need.

If you are interested in participating in the junk swap, being a vendor, or if you have questions, please call the North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Ashe County Center @ 336.846.5850 or Alleghany County Center @ 336.372.5597.

Forage Weeds/Pond Weeds Workshop

A Forage Weeds/Pond Weeds Workshop is scheduled for August 18 at 1:00 pm at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Wilkes County Center in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The Wilkes County Center is located at 201 Curtis Bridge Road, Suite A.

Learn to identify weeds and control methods. Bring in your weed samples. Also herbicides in manures will be highlighted. Pesticide credits have been applied for.

There is no registration fee, but please register by calling Donna Bumgarner @ 336.651.7331 or Cheryl Mitchell @ 828.652.7874.