Agritourism Networking Association to host annual conference March 8-9

The sixth annual Agritourism Networking Association Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville. The two-day event will feature informative speakers, workshops and networking opportunities for agritourism entrepreneurs and those interested in rural tourism in North Carolina.
“There’s a nearly endless amount of agritourism possibilities out there for farmers to try on their farms, but the amount of choices can be overwhelming,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Events such as this conference give folks an opportunity to learn more about the different types of agritourism from people who have applied it on their own farms.”
Optional mid-afternoon farm tours will be held Thursday, March 8, with a reception to follow. On Friday, March 9, workshops will cover topics such as keeping your farm successful in today’s economy, using social media to expand your customer base, using mediation for farm problems, hospitality success and customer service, and maintaining the success curve after year one.
Early registration by March 1 is $75 for ANA members, $85 for non-members and $35 for cooperative extension staff. The registration fee increases to $100 after March 1.
For more information or a registration form, go to www.ncagr.gov/agritourism, or call agritourism manager Martha Glass at (919) 707-3120.

Local, global food issues on menu for UNC-Duke symposium

Local and global food issues will be on the menu at "Shared Tables: A Triangle Symposium on Local and Global Food Studies." Food security and the future of farming are daily concerns in many North Carolina communities, and the symposium will capitalize on the local food movements gaining ground on all the Triangle campuses.
The symposium takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Duke University. Keynote addresses will be presented by award-winning food journalist and farmer Tom Philpott of Mother Jones magazine and by Will Allen, founder and executive director of Growing Power in Milwaukee.
Events are free and open to the public, but space is limited, so participants are asked to register in advance. Registration has closed for the Feb. 28 keynote event and Feb. 29 lunch.
On Feb. 28 at Hyde Hall at UNC, symposium topics include:
* Food, technology and politics internationally and in Europe;
* Food security, sustainable food systems and global change;
* Does it matter where my food comes from? and
* Food or fuel? South America, Africa and the United States.
On Feb. 29 in the Von Cannon Room and Reynolds Industries Theater at the Bryan University Center at Duke, symposium topics include:
* Voices of the Triangle food movement in our universities;
* Farm Bill 2012;
* Farming in North Carolina;
* Food and humanities, culture and faith; and
* Food access in our communities.
Each day of the symposium concludes with a keynote address. At 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the UNC FedEx Global Education Center, Philpott will discuss factors that affect the world's ability to feed its population sustainably in the years to come. Philpott is the cofounder of Maverick Farms, a center for sustainable food education in Valle Crucis. Philpott has also served as columnist and editor for the online environmental site Grist and has covered food politics for Newsweek, Gastronomica and The Guardian. Food & Wine named Philpott one of 10 innovators who "will continue to shape the culinary consciousness of our country for the next 30 years."
At 7 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Reynolds Industries Theater in the Bryan University Center at Duke
University, Allen will discuss the challenge of providing food security for urban and disadvantaged communities. Growing Power is an organization dedicated to cultivating, producing and delivering healthy foods to underserved, urban populations in Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and beyond. Named a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow in 2008, Allen has worked with First Lady Michelle Obama on her "Let's Move" campaign to fight childhood obesity. He also has worked abroad to strengthen food security for schoolchildren in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Managing sponsors include UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies; Triangle University Food Studies; and UNC Kenan-Flagler Center for Sustainable Enterprise.
Additional partners and sponsors include UNC Institute for the Environment; Center for International Business Education and Research; UNC Center for European Studies; UNC African Studies Center; UNC Institute for the Arts and Humanities; UNC Honors Program; UNC Comparative Literature Program; UNC Global; Duke University Franklin Humanities Institute; Center for Energy, Development and the Global Environment at Duke Fuqua School of Business; and Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.
For more information and a full schedule, visit http://sharedtablessymp.wordpress.com. Lunch will be provided for registered participants both days.

NCDA&CS to host three workshops focused on growing local farmers

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ popular Farmers Market Manager workshops are returning, with one-day sessions scheduled in February and March for Raleigh, Jacksonville and Lexington.
The workshops—geared toward market managers, their board members and market vendors—will cover such topics as customer service, farmers market food safety and grant opportunities. A question-and-answer session with other market managers will also be on the program. The workshops are sponsored in part by a grant from The North Carolina Tobacco trust Fund Commission.
All workshops will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Following is the workshop schedule:
• Feb. 24 at the Gov. James G. Martin Building, State Fairgrounds
• March 16 at the Onslow County Cooperative Extension Office, Jacksonville
• March 30 at the Davidson County Cooperative Extension Office, Lexington
“Statewide, we have seen strong growth and interest in local and regional farmers markets, which offer great opportunities for farmers to sell their products directly to the consumer,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We want to help these markets thrive, and these workshops provide good material and ideas for market managers and leaders.”
Cost for each workshop is $20, and covers materials and lunch. Pre-registration is required. Deadlines are Friday, Feb. 17, for the February workshop, Friday, March 9, for the March 16 workshop and Friday, March 23, for the March 30 event.
For more information, contact Kevin Hardison at (919) 707-3123 or at kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov, or Annette Dunlap at (919) 707-3117 or annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov.

Orange County Agricultural Summit is Feb. 13

Agriculture makes a major contribution to the well-being of Orange County residents, both those living within and outside the county. In addition to direct contributions to the local economy in the form of product sale receipts and expenditures on farm services and inputs—along with employment on farms and farm support businesses—farmers also make significant contributions as stewards of the remaining amounts of undeveloped land (often called open space) in the county. Their stewardship protects the county's soil and water resources, recharges groundwater and abates storm water runoff, connects wildlife habitat, and safeguards the scenic and historic vistas that have defined Orange County's character.
"It is in the county's best interest to safeguard, promote and maintain the local agricultural industry and protect farmland," said Board of Orange County Commissioners chair, Bernadette Pelissier. "Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm is a cost-effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Orange County."
To better understand key issues affecting the local agricultural industry, Orange County sponsors an annual Agricultural Summit to address geography, economic trends and regulations governing farming.
"It is critical for all of us in Orange County to understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves, and this annual Summit helps all of us accomplish this," Pelissier said.
The Annual Orange County Agricultural Summit will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at the Big Barn Convention Center in the Daniel Boone Village, 388 Ja-Max Drive off S. Churton Street. The day-long event is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including afternoon tours. Residents throughout the region are encouraged to attend.
Speakers include N.C. 4th District U.S. Rep. David Price discussing the Farm Bill and other agricultural issues, local farmers and experts in farm diversification, soil, water as well as apicultural experts. Also on hand will be Orange County planning and economic development staff who will address new rules for farm enterprises in Orange County.
Additionally, Jack Tapp of Busy Bee Apiaries will speak about his fruit-flavored creamed honey business, Vintage Bee Honey, and how it got to where it is today.
Afternoon tours include the new Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center in Hillsborough and Walters Unlimited at Carls-Beth Farm in Efland.
The summit fee is $10, which includes a catered lunch by Bob Compton. On-site registration at the Big Barn will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Pelissier will welcome the group at 8:30 a.m., with the first session beginning at 8:40 a.m.
To register for the summit, contact the Orange County Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. For additional information, including the agenda and driving directions, visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/ or http://www.orangecountyfarms.org/ .

Annual Agricultural Summit to be held at Big Barn

Agriculture makes a major contribution to the well-being of Orange County residents, both those living within and outside the county. In addition to direct contributions to the local economy in the form of product sale receipts and expenditures on farm services and inputs, along with employment on farms and farm support businesses, farmers also make significant contributions as stewards of the remaining amounts of undeveloped land—often called open-space—in the county. Their stewardship protects the county’s soil and water resources, recharges groundwater and abates storm water runoff, connects wildlife habitat, and safeguards the scenic and historic vistas that have defined Orange County’s character.
“It is in the county’s best interest to safeguard, promote and maintain the local agricultural industry and protect farmland,” Board of Orange County Commissioners chair Bernadette Pelissier said. “Enabling farmers who want to continue to farm is a cost-effective way of maintaining the quality of life of everyone in Orange County.”
To better understand key issues affecting the local agricultural industry, Orange County sponsors an annual Agricultural Summit to address geography, economic trends and regulations governing farming.
“It is critical for all of us in Orange County to understand the values and concerns of the farmers themselves, and this annual summit helps all of us accomplish this,” Pelissier said.
The annual Orange County Agricultural Summit will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at the Big Barn Convention Center in the Daniel Boone Village at 388 Ja-Max Drive off S. Churton Street. The day-long event runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including afternoon tours.
Speakers include North Carolina 4th District U.S. Congressman David Price discussing the Farm Bill and other agricultural issues, local farmers and experts in farm diversification, soil and water as well as apicultural experts. Also on hand will be Orange County planning and economic development staff who will address new rules for farm enterprises in Orange County.
Additionally, Jack Tapp of Busy Bee Apiaries will speak about his fruit-flavored creamed honey business, Vintage Bee Honey, and how it got to where it is today.
Afternoon tours include the new Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center in Hillsborough and Walters Unlimited at Carls-Beth Farm in Efland.
The summit fee is $10, which includes a catered lunch by Bob Compton. On-site registration at the Big Barn will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m.
To register for the summit, contact the Orange County Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. For more information—including the agenda and driving directions—visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/ or www.orangecountyfarms.org.

USDA announces funding for water quality markets, seeks proposals for projects

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a funding opportunity that will bring states, USDA and other stakeholders together to enhance the effectiveness of water quality credit trading. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing up to $10 million in Conservation Innovation Grants for these projects with up to $5 million focused on water quality credit trading in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Proposals for projects are due March 2, 2012.
"For the first time, USDA has offered funding specifically for water quality trading; we want to help states and other partners develop robust and meaningful markets," Vilsack said. "Our goal is to demonstrate that markets are a cost-effective way to improve water quality in places like the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and agricultural producers are critical to the function of these markets."
Water quality credit trading is a market-based approach to lowering the costs of reducing pollution and has the potential to engage more farmers and ranchers in water quality improvement efforts through the implementation of more conservation practices on agricultural lands. Through water quality credit trading, a producer who implements conservation practices to reduce water quality pollutants can also benefit by generating water quality market credits that could be sold in an open market, which would reduce the costs of implementing and maintaining the conservation practices.
NRCS requests CIG proposals for projects that:
• Support the completion of state water quality market rules and infrastructure needed to carry out water quality trading between point and non-point sources;
• Deploy and test tools and metrics needed for crediting and verifying the effectiveness of conservation practices on agricultural lands;
• Establish certification, registry and reporting systems; and
• Educate and reach out to agriculture and other sectors.
CIG funds will be awarded through a competitive grants process. At least 50 percent of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient. Projects must involve producers who are eligible for the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
To apply electronically, visit Grants.gov or contact a local NRCS office. View the complete Announcement of Program Funding here.
The Chesapeake Bay portion of this effort is part of NRCS' Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, which helps agricultural producers in Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia improve water quality in the watershed.
NRCS will host a webinar at 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 24, for prospective applicants. USDA officials and staff will discuss the goals of the program and answer questions about the request for proposals. For more webinar details, go to the CIG website.
Learn more about NRCS conservation programs here or visit your local USDA service center.

N.C. State recieves grant from USDA to improve food safety

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded 17 grants to improve the safety of the food supply in the United States through research, education and extension. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the grants—totaling $10.4 million—to universities in 13 states to help address a broad spectrum of food safety issues.
North Carolina State University was awarded $541,621. N.C. State's project—conducted in collaboration with Alabama State University—will identify and characterize the routes and mechanisms of transmission of campylobacter to turkeys.
"With millions of Americans contracting food-borne illnesses each year, USDA is committed to supporting research that improves the safety of our nation's food supply," Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. "Primarily, we expect that the research and education spurred by these grants will find solutions to some pressing food safety issues. Additionally, we want to help American consumers, restaurant employees and teachers put new food safety principles into practice. Ensuring the safety of food is a top priority for USDA, and we will continue to work with our public and private sector partners on developing solutions to decrease potential risks."
NIFA made the awards through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative, which addresses a broad spectrum of food safety concerns, from on-farm production, post-harvest processing and distribution to food selection, preparation and consumption. Focused on integrated approaches to food safety, NIFSI projects combine research at colleges and universities, education in the classroom, and outreach to a variety of groups, including consumers, foodservice workers, teachers, federal agencies and farmers.
In fiscal year 2011, NIFA awarded $10.4 million to 17 projects in 13 states:
• Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., $100,000
• University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., $542,969
• Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga., $100,000
• University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $535,725
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., $424,878
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $542,824
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $543,000
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $1,809,934
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh., N.C., $541,621
• Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $1,864,665
• Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., $543,000
• Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., $542,607
• Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., $542,999
• Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn., $100,000
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., $542,977
• Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, $540,326
• University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., $541,313
A full list of awardees and their projects can be found online at: www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2011news/nifsi_awards.html.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is at www.nifa.usda.gov.

Hagan joins group of senators urging USTR Kirk to fight for U.S. poultry producers in India

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) on Thursday, Dec. 22, joined a bipartisan group of 19 Senators in urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to fight for the nation’s poultry producers on his upcoming visit to India in mid-January. In a letter sent Wednesday, Dec. 21, the Senators requested that Kirk continue to work with top Indian officials on resolving India’s non-scientifically based trade policies that deny the American poultry industry access to India’s market.
Poultry is North Carolina’s top agricultural commodity. North Carolina ranks second in the country in total turkey production and third in the country in total poultry production.
"North Carolina's hardworking poultry producers are missing out on valuable export opportunities because of India's current trade barriers," Hagan said. “I urge Ambassador Kirk to stand strong on this issue on his upcoming trip to India and to fight for our farmers and our families, not just in North Carolina, but across the country.”
Over the past five years, Indian trade policies on the viral disease avian influenza have prevented the import of poultry from a number of countries, including the United States. This policy, which makes no distinction between low-pathogenic AI and highly-pathogenic AI, is not backed by scientific evidence and is not in line with standards from the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE). The National Chicken Council estimates that U.S. poultry farmers lose out on at least $300 million a year in exports because of this restriction.
“The U.S. has set the gold standard on this issue and has a track record on AI that is unsurpassed around the world,” the Senators said in their letter to Kirk. “Despite the United States’ track record on AI and the very effective measures in place for AI, India continues to use this non-scientifically based position to prohibit U.S. poultry to access the Indian market. With two of the United States’ top poultry markets having been severely disrupted in the past three years, it is especially important that efforts be undertaken to replace them.
“We respectfully request that, during your upcoming discussions with the government of India, you strongly explain the important biosecurity measures that have been implemented in the U.S. and that the continued use of non-scientifically based measures to prevent trade is unacceptable.”
In addition to Senator Hagan, the bipartisan letter was signed by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin, III (D-W.Va.), Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jim Webb (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va.), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Mark. R. Warner (D-Va.)

Nickels for Know-How referendum passes with overwhelming vote

Described as a self-help program for farmers, Nickels for Know-How is a 60-year-old voluntary assessment on feed and fertilizer produced and purchased in North Carolina. On Nov. 16, the Nickels referendum passed with a whopping 96 percent of the vote.
Nickels for Know-How raises about $1.3 million annually to support agricultural research, extension and teaching programs in the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services collects Nickels funds from the manufacturers of feed and fertilizer. The manufacturers build the extra cost—three nickels per ton—into the price of their products. The funds are then deposited with the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc., based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“Virtually every significant advancement in our state’s agriculture in the last 60 years has received Nickels funding at some point,” said Dr. Johnny Wynne, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Without Nickels, our college would not be able to serve the citizens of North Carolina as well as we do.”
All users of feed and fertilizer in North Carolina, along with their families, are eligible to vote. This year’s vote passed overwhelmingly in all 100 North Carolina counties and by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The Nickels program creates opportunities for students by helping raise funds for more than 550 endowments that provide $900,000 in scholarships each year. These endowments also bolster faculty efforts, county extension programs and agricultural commodity research efforts.
The program supports college fundraising efforts by generating $20 million annually in private contributions. This is a $50 return on every $1 dollar invested.
Nickels funds also provide operating support for entities such as the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Foundation and the North Carolina 4-H Development Fund.
“These are just a few of the ways Nickels for Know-How has helped advance efforts in the college and the university that, in turn, support North Carolina farmers and bolster agribusiness in our state,” Wynne said. “By passing this referendum, the state’s voters have played a key role in creating opportunities that will benefit all North Carolina citizens.”

Agricultural Summit comes to Orange County

The 25th annual North Carolina A&T Small Farms Week came to Orange County for its 2011 anniversary from Monday, March 21, to Wednesday, March 23, combining with the agriculture celebration the county has held for the past 13 years. The collaborated event not only commemorated farmers across the state and region through informative workshops and lectures but also honored the 2010 Small Farmer of the Year: Cedar Grove prawn farmer, Joe Thompson.

The summit included a tour of the prawn farm and Tiny Farm in Hillsborough, which grows greens year-round in solar-heated greenhouses.

The summit originally began as a way to pool ideas on agricultural tips, practices and options when tobacco was rapidly falling out of governmental favor. Now, farmers still use the event as a way to keep up with the latest trends, such as organic and local farming.

Agricultural Summit to be held March 21

The 13th annual Orange County Agricultural Summit will be held March 21 at the Ruritan Club, 6116 Efland-Cedar Grove Road in Cedar Grove, one of the county's most well-known farming communities. In addition to a full slate of agricultural topics, Joe Thompson, owner of Thompson’s Prawn Farm, is being honored as the 2010 N.C. Small Farmer of the Year.

Three tour stops are planned for the afternoon of the Summit: Thompson Prawn Farm, Tiny Farm and the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center.

Thompson will talk about his prawn farm, his plans to vertically integrate his business by adding a juvenile prawn production facility to supply his farm and other regional prawn farms, as well as a discussion of his involvement in programs to purchase the development rights on his farm.

Tiny Farm, owned by Mark Hockney, is located just northeast of Hillsborough. Hockney grows and sells lettuce and other greens to high-end restaurants and farmers markets year-round. It has become a highly efficient and profitable agricultural business that uses high tunnels for season extension of fresh locally grown vegetables.

Participants can get a sneak preview of the 10,400-square-foot Piedmont Food & Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP), a farm and food business incubator scheduled to open in April 2011. Currently under renovation, PFAP will have two commercial kitchens, a multi-use facility, vegetable and fruit processing equipment, and entrepreneur offices geared to launch new businesses that value locally produced farm products.

The summit fee is $10. Registration will take place from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. A sponsored lunch made with locally grown products will be served. Seating is limited.

To reserve a spot, contact the Orange County Cooperative Extension office at (919) 245-2050. For additional information, including the agenda and driving directions, visit http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu.