Agriculture

N.C. Cooperative Extension to hold woody biomass workshop
[Sep. 22, 2008] With demand for fuel wood rising as the biomass energy market expands, North Carolina’s family woodland owners are well-placed to enhance their assets, reduce overhead, and maybe even turn a profit. To educate landowners, N.C. Cooperative Extension is holding free dinner programs across the state. Co-sponsors include the state’s Division of Forest Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. By By Glenn Woolard

4-H Clubs in Chatham County
[Sep. 9, 2008] Chatham County 4-H currently has three clubs and is looking to form new clubs each day! All it takes is five youth and one adult to start your own 4-H Club! The three clubs that are active are the Chatham County Charging Champions 4-H Livestock Club, the Rocky River Riders 4-H Horse Club, and the Red Wolves 4-H Homeschool Club. By Lauren Irby

Chatham students to participate in county fair
[Sep. 5, 2008] Organizers of the Chatham County Agricultural and Industrial Fair have once again invited students in Chatham County Schools to showcase their abilities and school-related work during the annual fair.

Plant disease management strategies
[Jul. 10, 2008] This spring and early summer have been good for some plant disease problems. In some cases, such as fire blight of apple and pear or dieback in azaleas or rhododendrons, we can remove diseased plant parts with pruners and arrest the problem right there. Since we can’t cure plant diseases, perhaps it’s a good time to review some of our best disease management strategies. By Al Cooke

Guard donkeys and other livestock guardians
[Jun. 25, 2008] Is a guard animal necessary with goats or sheep? Some people do get away without them, but in many parts of Chatham a guard animal is a very good idea. By Kit Donner

You just have to bee at the pollinator celebration
[Jun. 25, 2008] Come join the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers' Association for a very special celebration of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 28, from 10:00 am til 2:00 pm. By Debbie Roos
Also: Directions to the Chatham Mills
Also: Chatham Beekeepers' Association

Fencing can reduce coyote predation
[Jun. 22, 2008] Animal control experts out west suggest that "Most coyotes readily cross over, under, or through conventional livestock fences. A coyote's response to a fence is influenced by various factors, including the coyote's experience and motivation for crossing the fence. By Al Cooke, Extension Agent

Chatham County's current drought status
[Jun. 21, 2008] Even after getting ½ inch of rain at home Saturday night, I’m finding the soil dry 36 hours later! The spring rains moved most of Chatham from Severe to Moderate Drought in late April. Throughout NC, the areas affected by Extreme or Severe Drought slowly shrank until about the end of May. But since the first week of June the areas of drought have begun to increase again. By Al Cooke, Extension Agent

New poultry processing plant open for independent producers
[Apr. 29, 2008] Chaudhry Halal Meats just opened their brand new poultry processing plant in Siler City in Chatham County. This is the state's only USDA-inspected poultry processing plant for independent producers. The plant will process chicken, turkey, duck, geese, quail, and rabbit. By Debbie Roos

Pine and hardwood management workshop
[Apr. 28, 2008] A Pine and Hardwood Management Workshop will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. The workshop will be in the auditorium downstairs in the County Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. The workshop is being conducted by the Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Piedmont farm tour brings locavores to the farm
[Apr. 22, 2008] Triangle families and foodies again this weekend showed why the region is renowned for its support of local sustainable farms by turning out in droves for the 13th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour. The tour is the largest event of its kind in the United States, and is co-sponsored by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) and Weaver Street Market cooperative grocery in Carrboro, NC.

Results of Ag Department’s E-Letter survey
[Feb. 14, 2008] I would like to thank all of you who participated in the online survey of the E-Letter and share with you some of the information gleaned. Out of 738 initial recipients, there were 194 replies, about 26%. According to those who know more about surveys than I, that’s a pretty good percentage. By Al Cooke, Extension Agent

Sources for strawberry plants
[Jan. 16, 2008] The North Carolina Strawberry Association maintains a list of strawberry plant sources. It is oriented towards commercial growers but also lists some sources that serve home gardeners and will mail order. By Debby Wechsler
Also: North Carolina Strawberry Association

Learn about heirloom apple production
[Jan. 15, 2008] The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension presents an Heirloom Apple Production Workshop from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Agricultural Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC. Nationally known heirloom apple expert and author Lee Calhoun will share his decades' worth of experience producing heirloom apples in the North Carolina Piedmont. By Debbie Roos - Agricultural Extension Agent