Greenhouse Product Magazine

We have added a link to the Greenhouse Product Magazine at the right. The online magazine has various informative video clips that will be worth visiting for many of you. Check them out.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Granulate Ambrosia Beetle Monitoring and Alert Program

A new scouting/alert program is coming from Dr. Steven Frank, our ornamental entomologist from the NCSU campus. For more information about this program and/or to sign up to participate please visit this link: GAB


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

WNC Turfgrass Conference

The registration for the annual WNC Turfgrass Conference is now on line. Please consider joining us for this conference this year. We have a very good line up of timely topics. To access the registration form link here: WNC Turfgrass Conference

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Seed Collection Workshop

Wilkes Community College will be hosting a native seed workshop on March 17. The classroom for this will be 1602 in the Horticulture Complex. The workshop will last from 8:30 till 5:30. Vic Vankas from the National Seed Testing Lab will be speaking along with others. The major topic is the collection and cleaning of seeds from cones, pods, etc. down to clean seeds. We will use a variety of machines to perform this process. We will also discuss sites where one can purchase and sell seeds, different manufacturers of equipment and other sites where more information can be gained on seed collecting and sowing. X-ray analysis and purity tests will be performed also that day to show the procedures that are done to obtain those results.

Call Ronald Dollyhite at the Wilkes Community College to pre-register. (336) 838-6281
or email: ronald.dollyhite@wilkescc.edu

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Landscape Management Workshop

Mark your calendars for the Landscape Management Workshop on February 26, 8:30am - 4:30pm with lunch, at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River (formerly Fletcher, same place), NC. This program is a collaboration between NC Cooperative Extension and the Green Industry. Attendees will learn to manage pesticide drift in the landscape, understand the principles of sustainable landscaping and how to scout for pests in the landscape. Learn the fundamentals of pruning and practice hands-on pruning with ornamental plants. Pesticide credits for North Carolina pesticide license will be available- 3 in LNDX categories. This workshop can be offered in Spanish using a translator. Let us know if you need these services. Registration is $20, includes lunch.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Nursery Management Workshop

Mark your calendars for the Nursery Management Workshop on February 25, 8:30am - 4:30pm with lunch, at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River (formerly Fletcher, same place), NC. Topics to be covered include managing diseases and weeds, pour-through sampling for nutrient and pH management and irrigation. Registration fee of $20 includes lunch. Registration deadline is February 20. This program can be offered in Spanish using a translator. Let us know if you need this service. Contact Cliff Ruth, 828-697-4891 or Amanda Stone, 828-255-5522. NC Pesticide credits will be available, LNDX categories.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Value Added Agriculture

Value Added Agriculture has come to full focus in NC. Our new research facilities and staff in Kannapolis is already gearing up to give NC's agriculture economy an extra boost. Visit this link to see more Value Adder Agriculture

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Market Gardening Workshop

Thinking About a Market Garden?

Attend First Steps in Starting a Market Garden Business
Saturday, January 31 to learn how.

The North Carolina Arboretum launches its 2009 adult education series with a new workshop on January 31, "First Steps in Starting a Market Garden Business," led by Peter Marks, director of the Local Food and Farm Campaign for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP).

Participants will learn five important first steps every young or second-career farmer should consider before embarking on a market garden business.

"Many people dream of farming, but few succeed in building viable farm businesses that contribute to or provide their income," Marks said. "For anyone who has thought about growing food to earn part or all of their income, this workshop will take an honest look at what is involved to turn a dream into reality."

Topics during the two-hour workshop include marketing options, the regulatory environment, expectations for income and profit, basic farm business planning tools, and more.

Free but registration required. Space is limited. Call (828) 665-2492 x317 to register.
Saturday, January 31, 2009

Additional Link

We have added a new link to our blog that some of you might find interesting.
Cane Creek Organics

This farm has a new service that some of you might find interesting. They are now offering produce through a CSA. If you (or someone you know) want fresh organically grown vegetables but don't have time to grow them you may want to consider this option.


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Landscape Irrigation and Rain Water Harvesting Workshops

Landscape Irrigation and Rain Water Harvesting Workshops


Two days of workshops focused on irrigation and rain water harvesting will be held at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center in February.

Continuing education credits are being pursued for the Irrigation Contractor credit requirements. More information will be added as it comes available.

These workshops are as follows:

February 11th
8:30 Registration/Coffee
9:00-12:00 Rainbird Drip Irrigation (Design and Install) Jason Gibson
12:00-1:00 Sponsored lunch
1:00-4:00 Rainwater Harvesting Systems, GreenTec, Bruce Templeton

February 12th
8:30 Registration/Coffee
9:00-12:00 Permeable Pavers, Belgard Pavers, Ashley Sneed
12:00 Sponsored Lunch
1:00 Smart Irrigation Systems/ Hunter Industries, William Hobgood

Both of these workshop days require pre-registration, (for a meal count) otherwise there is no charge. Lunch is sponsored by John Deere Landscapes and their vendors.

Call Cliff Ruth at 697-4891 to pre-register or e-mail at Cliff_Ruth@ncsu.edu

http://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/content/Irrwork

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.