FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013 

CONTACT: Amanda Taylor, Agriculture Agent NC Cooperative Extension Service (828) 757-1290; e-mail: amanda_jo_taylor@ncsu.edu 

Extension to Host 

Tomato Grafting Workshop 

LENOIR – The Caldwell Extension Service will host a tomato grafting workshop on Friday, December 6 from 12:30 to 4:30 pm at the Caldwell County Public Library in Lenoir. 

This workshop is designed for operators of small farms, greenhouse operators interested in a new market, and market gardeners who want to take their production to the next level. In this hands-on session, participants will learn the basics of grafting, including why grafting is important and how to graft successfully. Participants will have the opportunity to practice grafting under the direction of experienced personnel from the Department of Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University. An update on grafting research at North Carolina State University will also be provided. 

Space is limited. Pre-registration is required, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information on this program, please contact Amanda Taylor by calling 828.757.1290 or e-mailing amanda_jo_taylor@ncsu.edu 

Springhouse Farm, located in Vilas, NC is hiring a farm hand. Experience working on an organic produce farm is preferred but not necessary. Requirements include a strong work ethic and availability to work May- October. To inquire about the position, call Amy Fiedler at 828-719-6825 or email amy@springhousefarm.net

Local health departments across the state of North Carolina have been awarded Community Transformation Grant (CTG) Project funding to implement policy, systems and environmental changes that support tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating to reduce chronic disease and support healthier lifestyles. The healthy eating strategy includes supporting Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs through expanding existing or establishing new CSA programs.

Through a mini-grant process, the Appalachian District Health Department will fund no more than five CSA programs within Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga County up to the amount of $1,000.00 each to further support CSA programs by way of supplies and/or advertising.  

AT LEAST ONE of the following must be accomplished:

1. Establish SNAP/EBT
2. Provide a free and/or reduced-cost share method for low-income members
   

Complete the form available at the link below no later than Friday, April 5 to be considered a recipient of this mini-grant opportunity. Be prepared to submit a detailed budget when you complete the form. All applicants will be contacted on Tuesday, April 9 as the recipients will be selected by that date.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CSA_Minigrant_Form

Date set for 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference!

The National Farm to School Network is excited to announce that the 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference will take place April 15 - 18, 2014 in Austin, Texas! 

The conference, held every-other year, brings together local food systems advocates, food service professionals, farmers, educators, policy makers, representatives from government agencies and nonprofits, entrepreneurs, students and others who are breaking down barriers and expanding the impact of the Farm to Cafeteria movement across the country. Short courses and field trips will be offered April 15 and the general program will take place April 16-18. 

Information regarding the conference program, registration, lodging and more will be posted in the coming months on farmtocafeteriaconference.org. Explore the website now to learn more about last year's great speakers, workshops and special events. You won't want to miss Austin in 2014!

Saturday, December 15 Horse Helpers is having a barn raising for new 36 x 20 hay barn. It will be a community built barn so they need anybody with some building experience or willingness to help hand over tools, etc. BREMCO linemen came out last Saturday on their day off and donated BREMCO equipment and skill to put in the footers, so this Saturday will focus on building the trusses, and going up with the walls and doors and everything else. The siding will be aluminum with a metal roof. Below find directions to the farm. 

Horse Helpers, a 501c3 nonprofit has been working all year to raise funds for this barn and thanks to a grant from Pet Smart and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, an anonymous donation, and a final large donation made to them by the board of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, they have the funds to complete the barn. It must be finished by the end of this month to meet the grant requirements set by Pet Smart, so the 15th is going to be a really important day to complete at least the majority of the barn. 

Directions: 421 north towards Mountain City, TN, LEFT on TATER HILL (Tater Hill crosses 421 at the Citgo gas station on the right corner) Go down Tater Hill till it dead ends into SILVERSTONE. Turn RIGHT. Take Silverstone to ODES WILSON Rd. on your left (it comes up fast on a curve and is a down hill dirt road) The farm is the 3rd house on the right, Pass the 2 story house and park in the gravel lot in front of the barn or past the barn in the grass along the road. Be sure NOT TO HAVE ANY PART OF YOUR CAR ON THE ASPHALT ROAD and DO NOT PARK ACROSS FROM TURN AROUND IN THE NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY OPPOSITE THE FARM!! 

Join them if you can! But if you can't, don't forget that winter is the peak time for calls for help with horses. This week alone they have been called by three different people about 7 horses. There is no way Horse Helpers alone can fill all the gaps, but they will meet each group and try to find ways to assist whether that is to take in the horses, help their owners care for them, or help to advertise these horses' availability. All of this will take time and money. Remember Horse Helpers in your holiday giving and for the new year!! 

THANK YOU to every person who has participated in, supported, promoted, and volunteered in order to make the High Country Farm Tour successful!

We've hosted the Tour for six years, and this award would never be possible without all of your time, energy, and dedication to local and sustainable food and agriculture. 

We know it's November, but this type of thing gets us excited for the first weekend August! See you then*

Thank you also to the Watauga County Cooperative Extension for hosting a wonderful Farm City Banquet this year, and congratulations to everyone who was acknowledged. Keep up the great work.