Five Opportunities

November 18, 2006: Successful Small Farm Opportunities Conference at the Franklin Campus of Vance-Granville Community College from 8:00 am-3:15 pm in Louisburg, NC. The conference is for current farmers, landowners, and anyone else who would like to explore alternative agricultural opportunities to earn extra income. If you are interested in sustainable agriculture or want to know how to make money on small acreage, then join us on November18th and learn how. You can visit the Successful Small Farms Opportunities Website at
http://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/content/smallfarmsconference to view the complete agenda and download a brochure and registration form.Pre-registration is required, so if you plan to attend please complete a registration form and send it in by November 10, 2006. If you have any further questions, contact Agricultural Extension Agents Martha Mobley or Will Strader at 919-496-3344.

November 29-December 1, 2006: 3rd Annual Hands-on Farmstead Cheese-making Short Course conducted by North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. For full details, download the agenda and registration form at
http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/FarmsteadNewsletter06-08.pdf or contact Gary Cartwright at 919-513-2488.

December 9, 2006: Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference from 8:30am-2:30 pm in Dallas, NC [Gastonia]. This conference will provide information for people interested in starting or expanding small scale farm enterprises.Whether for profit or personal enjoyment, a new project should be carefully thought out. You’ll be able to explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful producers and university personnel who are already growing, producing, and researching specialty crops and livestock. They can give you the practical, no-nonsense, hands-on advice you’ll need when considering crop production, market development, and other important business options.
Topics to be discussed: medicinal herbs, pastured poultry, small farm pork production, Christmas tree production, blackberry production, specialized vegetable production, grape production, seedling production in the ornamental industry, bee keeping, meat goat production, shiitake mushroom cultivation, cut flowers, financial and tax issues for small farms, etc. Download a registration form at
http://gaston.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/36/PSATW2.doc or contact Lara_Worden@ncsu.edu or 704-922-2118.4)

December 12, 2006: Organic Grain Farmer Panel from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at theCenter for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro, NC. This program will feature a panel of organic grain producers discussing challenges in the production and marketing of organic small grains, corn, and soybeans. Led by Chris Reberg-Horton and Molly Hamilton of NC State University. Registrationis required. Download a registration form at http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/CEFSworkshopregistration.pdf and submit on-line or by email. Email cefs_info@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-0954 for more information.

December 13-14, 2006: 21st Annual Southeast Vegetable & Fruit Expo in MyrtleBeach, SC. Featuring an expanded regional trade show and in-depth educational sessions. Sponsored by the North Carolina Vegetable Growers'Association and South Carolina Vegetable Growers' Association. For more information or questions, contact Cathy Price at 919-334-0099. Visit the NCVGA website at http://www.ncvga.com for complete details.

Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center
Growing Small Farms Website: http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms
Post Office Box 279Pittsboro, NC 27312
Email: debbie_roos@ncsu.edu Phone: 919.542.8202 Fax: 919.542.8246