Learn How to Grow Shiitake Mushrooms in Your Own Backyard

A workshop on growing shiitake mushrooms is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at 1:00pm at the McDowell Agricultural Center "Ag Barn", Ag Services Drive, Marion.  Mushroom cultivation is something you can do in your own backyard.  You will learn cultivation techniques and do some hands-on inoculating of logs.  The workshop includes shiitake mushroom spawn for you to take home to get started.  There is a registration fee of $15/$20 couples.  Make checks payable to McDowell Cooperative Extension.  Mail to McDowell Cooperative Extension, 60 East Court Street, Marion, NC 28752.  Call Molly Sandfoss or Jane McDaniel at 828-652-8104 with questions.  Must register by January 10.  This workshop is limited to 15 people.

USDA Seeking Applications in NC for Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

Longer growing seasons, conserving natural resources and providing a greater supply of locally grown food are all advantages for the farmers who participate in the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative.  The initiative is offered under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and funding availability is to be available soon for eligible applicants.


Farmers can submit applications for the initiative at anytime throughout the year.  However, NRCS will begin the application ranking process for the EQIP Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative on February 3, 2012 for possible funding.  Applications are ranked based on environmental benefit.  For an application to be considered for ranking all land and producer eligibility requirements must have been met.


The initiative will provide opportunities for farmers to establish seasonal high tunnel systems for crops and for numerous conservation practices that benefit natural resources.  Applicants who apply for the national EQIP initiative can also apply for conservation practices under the state administered Farm Bill conservation programs.


The 2008 Farm Bill provides additional incentives for farmers who are beginning, have limited resources, or are socially disadvantaged.  Such farmers can received up to 90 percent of te costs associated with planning and implementing certain conservation practices and up to 30 percent of expected costs may be provided in advance.


Farmers should visit their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to apply for available funding for Farm Bill programs and initiatives; locations are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov/ or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  General program information is available on the NRCS North Carolina website at http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/.  The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Backyard Aquaculture Workshop

A backyard aquaculture workshop is scheduled for Monday, November 21 at 6:00 pm at the McDowell County Extension Center, 60 East Court Street, Marion (2nd Floor of the County Administration Building).  If you have a pond, learn how to grow your own fish, and have homegrown trout and catfish for dinner with your homegrown veggies!  There is a registration fee of $5/$7 for couples.  Make checks payable to:  McDowell Cooperative Extension.  Mail to McDowell Cooperative Extension, 60 East Court Street, Marion, NC 28752.  Call Molly Sandfoss or Jane McDaniel at 828-652-8104 with questions.  Must register by November 17.

HOT Topics!! Colorado Potato Beetle

The Colorado Potato Beetle has been quite the pest this year.  The Colorado Potato Beetle or Potato Bug is a dull yellow with black stripes down its wings.  The females are laying eggs which are masses of orange, football-shaped on the underside of leaves which will hatch in 4 to 9 days.  The larvae will hatch and feed on potato leaves for 2 to 3 weeks.  The larvae will drop to the soil and pupate for 5 to 10 days when it will emerge as an adult starting the cycle all over again.  


It appears that the Colorado Potato Beetle has become somewhat resistant to our traditional methods like Sevin.  A newer insecticide, spinosad seems to be an effective control.  It is sold as Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, Greenlight Lawn and Garden Spray with spinosad.  There may be other brand names as well.  You want to apply the product according to the label directions.  The eggs and larvae are the stage where they are more susceptible to insecticides.  Spinosad does break down fairly quickly so it should be reapplied every 5 days for effective control.  


You might also consider manual removal although time consuming, it is effective.  Go through your potatoes every 2 days and drop the adult and larval potato bugs into a jar of soapy water.  Squish the eggs.  


The Colorado Potato Beetle also may feast on your tomato, pepper, and eggplant so keep an eye on these plants as well.  Good luck in controlling this pest!

Introducing Greg Anderson, Extension Agent-Agriculture & Natural Resources

After growing up in the youth livestock program in McDowell County, Greg Anderson is now our Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent in McDowell County.  Greg was active in all aspects of 4-H and livestock and was a member of the state winning judging team.  He was also the Beef Cumulative Record winner and is a member of the State 4-H Honor Club.  While attending North Carolina State University, Greg was on the livestock judging and academic quadrathalon teams.  He served as President of the Animal Science Club and worked as an intern with the NC Cattlemen's Association.


After receiving his degree in Agriculture Extension Education from North Carolina State in 1990, Greg returned to McDowell County to work in the family real estate business and start his own purebred cattle farm.  He implemented best management practices on his farm and has diversified to include produce and alternative marketing practices.  


Greg has shown cattle throughout the country for himself and fellow purebred breeders representing 10 different breeds of cattle.  He has judged hundreds of shows and fairs in the Southeast in the past 25 years.  He is a member of the McDowell County Cattlemen's Association, NC Cattlemen's Association, and the American Gelbvieh Association.  He is a charter member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Society.


Greg has been active in agricultural efforts in McDowell County.  He has served on the Youth Foundation, Ag Barn, and Tailgate Market committees.  Greg is a member of First Baptist Church of Marion where he serves as a deacon and is active in the mission activities of the church.  He is married to Heather Wood Anderson, and they have two daughters Grace and Molly.  Greg enjoys watching his daughters play softball and show Gelbvieh cattle.

Gardening 101 Workshop

Get ready to plant a productive garden by joining local Master Gardeners and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-McDowell County Center for a 2-hour workshop on basic gardening.  The workshop is on Thursday, March 3 from  6:15 pm until 8:30 pm at the McDowell County Center Conference Room, 2nd Floor County Administration Building, 60 East Court Street, Marion.  Soil testing, site preparation, and site selection are just some of the topics that will be discussed.


This workshop is free, but you must preregister by Monday, February 28.  Please call the McDowell County Center at 652-8104 if you have any questions or to register.  

Historic Marion Tailgate Market Planning Meeting

The Marion Business Association, City of Marion, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-McDowell County Center are all looking forward to another successful market year.  There will be a planning meeting for vendors on Thursday, February 24th at 6:00pm.  The meeting will be held in the Conference Room of the McDowell County Center, 60 East Court Street, Marion, 2nd Floor.  This will be a time to discuss the market schedule, special events and promotions, and some market initiatives.  This meeting will help us to plan the market so that it meets your needs and the needs of your customers.  We need your input!


If you are not currently a vendor this is your opportunity to come and learn about the market.


Please call Molly Sandfoss at 652-8104 or Freddie Killough at 652-2215 if you have questions.

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.

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.