Cost-Share Program for Organic Certification

There are cost-share funds available for organic certification.  North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is administering a program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help offset the costs of organic certification.  For any certification occurring between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011, NCDA&CS will pay 75% of the certification cost, up to $750.  This program is funded through a grant and is on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are depleted.


For a farm to be eligible for this program it must be located within North Carolina and must be certified by a business or organization that is accredited by the USDA to certify organic operations.


Please note that if your gross annual income from organic farming is less than $5,000 per year, you do not have to be certified under the national organic standards.  However, you should continue using organic production practices in your business as if you are a certified operation. 


To take advantage of this offer, please visit www.ncdaorganic.org, download the form, fill it out entirely and mail it back to the address at the bottom with copies of receipts, a completed IRS W-9 form and the certification.  These forms must be turned in by September 30, 2011.


If you have any questions about this program, call or e-mail Heather Lifsey who is a a Marketing Specialist with NCDA.  Her phone number is 919-707-3127.

Extension Gardener

Extension Gardener, Mountain Region is a quartlery newsletter written and produced by Extension agents in the mountian region of North Carolina. The McDowell addition also contains information for gardeners in McDowell County. Questions on the McDowell edition and on horticulture in McDowell County can be directed to Molly A Sandfoss, County Director. The purpose of this publicaton is to provide timely information to McDowell County residents regarding home lawn, landscape, and garden practices.

Thanksgiving Turkey FAQs

Q: What is the best way to thaw a frozen turkey?

The most fool proof method of defrosting a turkey is to thaw it in the refrigerator. The key to this method is to plan ahead and allow approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of bird weight for thawing in the refrigerator. This method is the safest and will result in the best finished product. Place the bird, in the original wrapping, on a shallow baking sheet in the refrigerator. The following chart provides good guidelines for thawing times.

Refrigerator Turkey Thawing Time (40° F)
Turkey Weight	Days to Allow for Thawing Turkey
8 to 12 pounds	2 to 2.5 days
12 to 16 pounds	2.5 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds	4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds	5 to 6 days

The most important thing to remember is NEVER to thaw the turkey at room temperature.

Q: How long should leftovers be stored and how long will they keep?

Leftovers should be stored in shallow containers and refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours of cooking. Remove the stuffing and carve the extra turkey meat from the bones. Use cooked turkey and stuffing within 3-4 days and gravy in 1-2 days. Cooked turkey keeps for 3-4 months in the freezer. Reheat all leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until hot and steaming; bring gravy to a boil before serving.

Q: How long do I need to cook my turkey ?

Conventional Oven Open Pan Method Timetable for Roasting a Turkey at 325 Degrees F

Unstuffed Turkey
8 to 12 lbs -- 2 3/4 to 3 hours
12 to 14 lbs--3 to 3 3/4 hours
14 to 18 lbs--3 3/4 t0 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 lbs--4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
20 to 24 lbs--4 1/2 to 5 hours

Stuffed Turkey
8 to 12 lbs--3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 lbs--3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 lbs--4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 lbs--4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 lbs--4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours

25th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference

The 25th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference will be held December 3 thru 5, 2010 in Winston-Salem.  

The Sustainable Ag Conference is the best place to learn about cutting-edge topics in sustainable farming, meet people and learn about new projects and grants.  Don't miss out on hands-on workshops, one-of-a-kind tours, outstanding experts and speakers, and electrifying keynote, exciting tracks for farmers' markets, gardeners, cooks, and activists, networking, and did I mention the amazing, scrumptious local, organic food?

For more details about the 2010 Sustainable Agriculture Conference, http://carolinafarmstewards.org/sac10.shtml

For information about work exchange, please e-mail Cheryl@carolinafarmstewards.org

Workshop to Develop Water Resources on Your Farm

A workshop about developing water resources on your farm is scheduled on Thursday, December 2 at the Virginia Boone Mountain Heritage Center at the WNC Ag Center, Fletcher (across from Asheville Airport) from 9am-4pm.  The free workshop is focused on developing water resources. 

"The workshop is designed to educate landowners, public officials and others about the importance of developing water resources, such as ponds and spring heads," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "Development of these resources can help with the irrigation of crops and watering livestock.  They also can reduce the demand on municipal water systems."

The workshop will cover a variety of topics pertaining to water resource development, including regulatory issues, wildlife concerns, engineering resources and costs, and federal and state assistance programs.

The first 300 people to register for each workshop will receive a free lunch.  To register, log on to www.ncadfp.org/AWRD_Workshops.  Interested people with questions should contact Dewitt Hardee at 919-707-3069 or Vernon Cox at 919-707-3070.

The workshop is sponsored by the NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation through a grant from Altria Group Inc.

McDowell County Agriculture-Where does your food come from?

Do you know where your food comes from?  Fourth graders from McDowell County will learn just that.  Each October, McDowell County Cooperative Extension with help from agriculture producers will teach these young people exactly where their food comes from during Agriculture Awareness Field Days.  Agriculture Awareness Field Day was started many years ago because there was a need to educate these young people about agriculture. A variety of topics are taught including aquaculture, beef production, poultry, horticulture, bee keeping, sheep, goats, etc. Sure, I buy my food from a grocery store, but I know where my food comes from.  Hopefully, after Agriculture Awareness Field Day, these kids will too.

McDowell County 4-H: Hungry to Help

Hunger is a problem hiding "in plain sight" in North Carolina.  Whether it involves skipping meals, eating less than is needed to live a healthy life, or making do with foods that are filling but not nutritious, hunger's effects can be devastating, especially among our more vulnerable citizens, including children and older adults.

To combat hunger, the 4-H Youth Development program and the Food Banks of North Carolina, all of which are affiliates of Feeding America our nation's largest hunger-relief organization, have teamed up to promote awareness of hunger in North Carolina and to make an impact in local communities through a new hunger initiative entitled, "Hungry to Help."


McDowell County 4-H will be collecting canned food items for the month of October.  Please stop by the Extension office, County Administration Building, 60 East Court Street, 2nd Floor, and bring a canned food item.  These items will be donated to local food banks.  


Hunger is a problem right here in our backyard.  Let's do our part to help because McDowell County 4-H is "hungry to help."

FREE Pesticide Disposal Day--Thursday, October 7

The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program, in cooperation with the McDowell County Extension Center, will be offering this Pesticide Collection Day for residents in McDowell County and all surrounding counties. The Collection will be from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the McDowell County Public Works Department which is located on NC Hwy 226 1/2 mile south of I-40. This is just past the landfill and before you get to the NC Department of Transportation. 


Clean out your garages and storage buildings and dispose of these chemicals in a safe manner for FREE!

Super Size Us!

*Each day, 1 in 4 Americans visits a fast food restaurant

*In 1972, we spent 3 billion a year on fast food - today we spend more than $110 billion

*McDonald's feeds more than 46 million people a day - more than the entire population of Spain

*French fries are the most eaten vegetable in America

*You would have to walk for 7 hours straight to burn off a Super Sized Coke, fry and Big Mac

*In the U.S., we eat more than 1,000,000 animals an hour

*60 percent of all Americans are either overweight or obese

*1 in every 3 children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime

*Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America

*Obesity has been linked to: Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Adult Onset Diabetes, Stroke, Gall Bladder Disease, Osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea, Respiratory Problems, Endometrial, Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancers, insulin resistance, breathlessness, Asthma, impaired fertility and lower back pain

*The average child sees 10,000 TV advertisements per year

*Only seven items on McDonald's entire menu contain no sugar

*Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald - he was fired for being too fat

*McDonald's distributes more toys per year than Toys-R-Us

*Diabetes will cut 17-27 years off your life

*McDonald's: "Any processing our foods undergo make them more dangerous than unprocessed foods"

*The World Health Organization has declared obesity a global epidemic

*Eating fast food may be dangerous to your health

*McDonald's calls people who eat a lot of their food "heavy users"

*McDonald's operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries on 6 continents

*Before most children can speak they can recognize McDonald's

*Surgeon General David Satcher: "Fast food is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic"

*Most nutritionists recommend not eating fast food more than once a month

*40 percent of American meals are eaten outside the home

*McDonald's represents 43% of total U.S. fast food market

Save money, Save calories, Protect your health--Prepare more meals at home!

Fall Greenhouse Crops Field Day

Banner Greenhouses, Nebo, NC will be hosting a Fall Greenhouse Crops Field Day.  Mr. Craig Adkins, North Carolina State University, will discuss managing disease and insect problems of Fall greenhouse crops.  Also on the program, Huub Kemere, MSG Horticultural, Inc., will talk about building a biological pest control program.  Another speaker, Don Hanson, OHP, Inc., will make participants aware of new solutions for pest control.  Included is a tour of Banner Greenhouses and lunch.  Registration of $20 (prior to September 15) or $25 (after September 15) is required.


Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Credit (L,N,O,D) and private pesticide Applicator’s Credit (X) will be offered. Please check credits at: www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/license.htm


This workshop is sponsored by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Banner Greenhouses, and North Carolina Commercial Flower Growers Association.


Hope to see you there!

Western On-Farm Poultry Processing Regulation Workshop

This free workshop is designed for ALL poultry growers who are processing on-farm under exemption, regardless of how many birds you raise and market.  If you raise, process and sell between 1 and 20,000 birds annually, you need this information.


WHO:  All poultry growers who process on-farm for commercial sale
WHAT:  New guidelines for on-farm processing exemptions, allowing producers to sell up to 20,000 birds on farm.
WHERE:  Burke County Cooperative Extension Center, Morganton, NC
WHEN:  Monday, September, 12th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
PLEASE RSVP by September 10th to casey@ncchoices.com, 828-216-2966


Don Delozier, Director of Meat and Poultry Inspection and Alan Wade, MPID Head Compliance Officer, will discuss the new regulations and accountability systems for exempt on-farm processing of poultry.  The new rules increased the number of birds allowed to be processed and sold off your farm from 1,000 to 20,000 birds annually.  ALL on-farm processors, regardless of volume will need to adhere to the new regulations.  


NC Choices will also present a slide show of small, on-farm processing facilities.  This is a unique opportunity to learn how others manage on-farm processing and make sure your systems are in compliance with state regulations.  MPID representatives will be on-hand for questions.


The Sustainable Agriculture Program at Western Piedmont Community College is offering a bus tour of their facilities beginning at 5:00pm.  The bus will leave from Burke County Cooperative Extension and will return by 6:15pm.  Contact Chip Hope chope@wpcc.edu for more info on the tour.

An Important Reminder on Egg Safety

Do You Know the Correct Way to Handle and Cook Eggs?

Last week, there was a recall of eggs produced from 2 farms in Iowa due to a possible salmonella contamination. While none of those recalled brands of eggs were being sold in North Carolina, many people have questions about the safety of eggs. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both agree that thoroughly cooked eggs are safe to eat. Egg Farmers are urging consumers to practice safe handling and thoroughly cook their eggs.

In a recent news interview, registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward gets specific on the do’s and don’ts on how to safely handle and properly cook eggs in your kitchen. She states that “eggs should be cooked until the whites and yolks are firm or, for your favorite recipes containing eggs, until an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is reached. It’s important to remember that Salmonella is destroyed by the heat of cooking.”

Also remember the four basic rules for safe food handling:

1. Clean: This includes thoroughly cleaning your hands, as well as the surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw eggs – an important step for avoiding cross-contamination.
2. Separate: Be sure to separate eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags and in the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Cook: In addition, eggs should be cooked until the white and yolks are firm or, for dishes containing eggs, until an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is reached. Salmonella is destroyed by the heat of cooking.
4. Chill: Lastly, eggs should always be kept in the main section of the refrigerator at a temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and eggs accidentally left at room temperature should be discarded after two hours, or one hour in warm weather.

The U. S. egg industry has a long and demonstrated commitment to food safety programs and uses tough food safety measures to help protect against food-borne illness. Chief among these methods are: modern, sanitary housing systems; stringent rodent control and bio-security controls; vaccination against Salmonella Enteriditis; cleaning and sanitizing of hen houses and farms; testing. Additionally, America’s egg farmers are committed to working closely with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure recent egg safety regulations are properly implemented and the gains in food safety the industry has worked for decades to achieve are maintained.

The North Carolina Egg Farmers are proud of the safe, affordable and wholesome product that they produce and supply to consumers. In 1955, the NC Department of Agriculture and North Carolina’s egg farmers established an Egg Law program. This program is administered by the NCDA Food & Drug Administration and includes the inspection of egg farms, the egg processing and packing plants and the grocery stores and foodservice establishments who sell and use eggs. They check for sanitation of stores and eggs, egg interior and exterior quality, and temperature. All eggs must be sold from refrigeration at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less without freezing. Not all states have an Egg Law with regular grocery store and food service egg inspections.

For more information regarding eggs and food safety, visit www.ncegg.org or www.eggsafety.org.

Organic Vegetable Production Workshop

August 31, 2010
10:00am-1:00pm (Registration opens at 9:30)
Mountain Research Station
265 Test Farm Road
Waynesville


Come visit the NEW Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit and see first year trials with peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli.  Do you have questions about varieties suitable for the western mountain region, or organic weed and disease management?  Heirloom and heirloom-type tomato varieties  along with several varieties of grafted tomatoes will be showcased and TASTED.  See which barrier and cover crop methods do the best job managing weeds in peppers and also the opportunities and challenges of growing fall broccoli.  At the end, enjoy a light lunch including the tomato tasting, attend a trade show, and provide your input for the future plans of the Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit.  You can also help come up with a name for it.  The workshop is free and open to the public.  Come on out!


This project is lead by Dr. Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State University, Department of Horticultural Science, and funded by USDA Specialty Crops Block grant administered through the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.  Sponsorship for lunch was provided by Brandt Consolidated, 5th Season Gardening Co., Reems Creek Nursery, Inc., the Waynesville Farmers' Coop, and others.


For more information, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/events/specialtyhort-events-calendar.html

Getting to Know You...Molly A. Sandfoss

With over a decade of service to the aquaculture producers in a 12 county area, Molly Sandfoss is now the County Extension Director for the McDowell County Center. While working as an Area Extension Agent, she was housed at the McDowell County Center.  Through the years, Molly worked collaboratively with the McDowell County Extension staff on different programs.  She is now ready to put her focus on the citizens of McDowell County and oversee the overall programming of the McDowell County Extension Center.  Her programs will focus on agriculture, natural resources, and community resource development.  Molly wants the Extension Service to have a positive impact on the citizens of this county and is excited about working with the staff on addressing the needs most important to McDowell County residents. 

Molly is active in the National Association of County Agricultural Agents where she served as secretary, vice-director, and director at the district level.  Molly also has served on the Professional Improvement Council at the state and national level.  She is a member of the World Aquaculture Society where she has presented at the International Meeting of the World Aquaculture Society.  She is a volunteer leader of 4-H Roar!, a club with students from Nebo Elementary.  

Molly enjoys being active in the outdoors.  She is a recreational road cyclist as well as runner.  Molly has completed several biking events including the Assault on Mount Mitchell in 2007 and 2008.  In 2009, she completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.  Nothing excites her more than catching fish.  Molly is married and has one son.  She is looking forward to being more active in local organizations on a personal and professional level.  

Grants to Boost Western North Carolina Agriculture

Western North Carolina Agricultural Options is introducing a new community grants' program that will support projects that are improving the local agricultural system.  WNC AgOptions will fund at least 3 farmer-led group projects that address processing, marketing, packaging, and other distribution needs in the mountain region.


The new Family Farm Innovation Fund, which Governor Beverly Perdue announced, will provide $100,000 to WNC AgOptions, in addition to the $225,000 that the program distributes annually.  Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA's Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund, with the NC Cooperative Extension partners to manage WNC AgOptions, was included in the $18.4 million package to five states and federal programs assisting farmers.


The size of the community grant is dependent upon the expenses associated with the project.  The maximum to be awarded per applicant group is $20,000.


In addition, WNC AgOptions is continuing its grant program for individual farm businesses and will award approximately 40 grants ranging from $3,000 to $9,000 for farm diversification projects.  Since 2004, WNC AgOptions has administered more than 250 grants in 17 counties and the Cherokee Indian Reservation to mountain farmers diversifying or expanding their operations.  McDowell County farmers have benefited from WNC AgOptions in diversifying and developing new market strategies.  

The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has supported WNC AgOptions since 2003. "We're proud to be the funding partner for the WNC AgOptions program," said William Upchurch, Executive Director of the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.  "Over the past few years, the farmers in western North Carolina have developed very innovative projects and have shown that their ideas can generate some great results."


Applications are available at www.wncagoptions.org or at the McDowell County Center, County Administration Building, 60 East Court Street, Marion.  The deadline is November 22, and the grant cycle runs from January to November.  If you are interested in applying, contact Molly Sandfoss at 652-8104 by November 1 to express your intent to apply.


Priority will be given to projects that provide demonstration to other farmers and encourage the economic sustainability of cooperating farm businesses.  Applicants should extensively research the logistics, markets, expenses, and timelines for their projects.


Successful community grant projects will require participation from a diversity of people, organizations, and institutions.  Groups of farmers, farmer coops, farm associations, churches, local businesses, civic organizations, non-profit organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply.  WNC farmers must be active in the leadership of the group.


The ultimate goal of WNC AgOptions is to protect mountain farmland by assisting the longevity of farm enterprises.  For more information, see:  http://www.wncagoptions.org

North Carolina Cooperative Extension-McDowell County Center

Who We Are
Since 1914, North Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE) has enriched the land, lives,  and economy of North Carolina.  We bring the best research and resources from NC State University and NC A&T State University to every county and the Cherokee Reservation.  


What We Do
Supply informal community-based learning and technical assistance to people, businesses, and governments.  Our research based solutions can improve the way you live, work, and play.


Our Mission
Help you become healthier and strengthen our community.  Conserve our environment and natural resources.  Strengthen the economy with profitable, sustainable food, forest, and green industries.


Let's Get Started
Visit  mcdowell.ces.ncsu.edu
Call  652-8104 or 652-7874
Drop by (We would love to see you). County Administration Building, 60 East Court Street, Marion, 2nd Floor