Thursday, February 27, 2014 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Join Debbie Hamrick,  as she shares insights into demographic and consumer trends that are shaping specialty crops demand in North Carolina and what that means to Tarheel agriculture. She’ll also discuss state and federal legislative and regulatory issues that directly affect specialty crops producers, including 2013 NC General Assembly highlights and FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act implementation.

Boone, North Carolina – Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) announces a Culinary Knife Skills Class on Saturday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. BRWIA has partnered with Chef Rebecca Sivak to create a class that demonstrates how to make efficient, professional cuts at home. All proceeds from the fundraiser-workshop benefit Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA). Register at www.brwia.org/knife-skills

During this hands-on class, Rebecca will instruct participants on a variety of cuts and important details in knife care. Students will learn six different knife cuts and have the opportunity to practice with their own knives from home. Vegetables used in the class will be a part of a bread and vegetarian chili lunch following the workshop.

West Jefferson, North Carolina – Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture announces an Educational Farm Tour on February 11 (snow date Feb 18) from 1–3 pm to be followed by a “Women in Ag” potluck gathering. Join Kristen & David Travis at Old Season Farm in Ashe County where Kristen will discuss a unique approach to water and weed management in their hazelnut orchard.

Steep slopes and variable weather make water management difficult in the High Country, but swales can offer an innovative way to conserve water in our region. These level ditches help to slow the movement of surface runoff, increase water infiltration, and improve water and nutrient availability for plants.