Attend the 2017
Catawba River NC Farm School

Realize the dream of owning your own farm! Learn from the successful farms of our graduates! Marketing, budgeting, finance, risk management, and farm production training tailored to your goals One on one business consultations with NC State University Specialists Continued events and relationships to help you develop your business beyond 2016 NC Farm School Access to farming resources developed in our program exclusively for NCFS Students Relationships with extension agents in your county connecting you to valuable resources To receive an application go to https://ncfarmschool.ces.ncsu.edu/2017-registration/ Gaston County will be hosting the Catawba River NC Farm School in 2017.  The NC Farm School program offers eight business-planning seminars taught by extension specialists, agents, and experienced farmers who completed our program. These sessions give students the tools to create viable farm business plans. The school is easy to fit into a busy schedule by providing one class each month and each business session focuses on different areas of a business plan, including financial management and effective marketing strategies. The goal of NC Farm School is to allow a pathway of success for farmers to generate profitable businesses. The program also includes field trips to working farms, many of which completed our program and operate successful farms. Participants learn economically sustainable farming methods in a range of production systems, including fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, poultry, animal husbandry, and agritourism. One of the features of the NC Farm School is getting one on one time with NC State University specialists trained in agricultural business, marketing, production system evaluation, and business startup. These consultations are so valuable to help saving students’ time and money and getting their farm business up and running. In addition students will meet a local agent who can help them follow through with their plans, connect them to valuable resources, and make sure they have a sound production system in place. To receive an application go to https://ncfarmschool.ces.ncsu.edu/2017-registration/

Servsafe - Food
Safety Certification Course

Monthly Update -
Workshops, Events, and More! Sign up to receive it.

Sign up to receive our monthly update as soon as it comes out!  That way you can register for workshops before they fill up.  Sign Up Check out our past monthly updates: August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 See what's happening this month with Cooperative Extension in Caldwell County. Sept 2015 Caldwell

2nd Specialty Crops
Series

2nd Specialty Crops Series Cooperative Extension Services will be kicking off their second specialty crop series in September. The Specialty crop series of workshops is dedicated to educating homeowners, market gardeners, and small farmers on different types of crops to incorporate into their daily diet and direct markets. Participants will gain hands on training and learn from experts from the community. The first workshops of the series will include the following: Fungi for you: Growing Mushrooms for Yourself Growing and eating mushrooms are wonderful things for you. Join us as we learn about wild mushrooms in Catawba County with a mushroom walk through River Bend park, led by Park Ranger Lori Owenby. The mushroom walk will be followed by a picnic in the park. Craig Mauney, area horticulture agent, will spend the afternoon talking about cultivating your own shiitake mushroom logs and share some of his personal experiences. The workshop will be on September 6th from 10:00am till 3:00pm. Cost of the workshop is $20 and deadline to register is August 31st. Lunch is included. 2016 Mushroom Workshop registration forms can be downloaded via the link. Secrets of High Tunnel Systems: Growing Ginger and Turmeric Ginger and turmeric are named as some of the world’s healthiest foods. With knowledge and practice, you can grow it right here in Catawba County. Christina Newhouse, small farm specialist, will share her knowledge on growing ginger and turmeric. The program will have a focus on high tunnels but outdoor production is applicable. Lunch will be served on site followed by a tour of some local high tunnel producers in Catawba. The tour is optional. The workshop will on September 27th from 9:00am till 2:00pm. Cost of the workshop is $20 and deadline to register is September 16th. Get Growing with Microgreens Microgreens, although tiny, pack a nutritious punch. Whether you plan to grow these for personal consumption or for marketing, growing this super food is simple and easy. Christina Newhouse, small farm specialist, joins us again to talk about how to grow microgreens on a small and large production scale. Participants will be able to start their own microgreens to take home. The workshop will be on October 18th from 9:00am till 12:00pm. Cost of the workshop is $15 and deadline to register is October 4th. For any additional information or how to register, please contact Der Xiong Holcomb at 828-465-8240 or email at der_xiong@ncsu.edu. You can also visit our local website at Catawba.ces.ncsu.edu for additional information or to print out registration forms.

Consumer Horticulture

Extension's Gardening Portal at NC State University provides access to a wealth of information, events and resources for gardeners in North Carolina.  Managed by the State Urban Horticulture Specialist and Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agents throughout the state, it is your doorway to guidance about successfully growing vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers and ornamentals in your landscape.