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.