Leasing Your Mineral Rights?

July 19, 2011, 6:30-8:30 pm
Agriculture Building Auditorium, Pittsboro, NC

Thinking About Leasing Your Mineral Rights?

With the arrival of natural gas leases in Chatham County, landowners should acquaint themselves with how to critically assess mineral rights contracts and understand the potential impacts of drilling on agricultural fields, water resources, timber, and personal property. Topics of discussion will include negotiating a fair mineral rights lease, potential impacts on land resources, and limiting landowner financial liabilities in contracts. The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension in conjunction with Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) will be conducting a program to help answer landowners’ questions about these issues.

Dr. Ted Feitshans, attorney and an Extension Specialist in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department at NC State University, will lead a presentation on how landowners can evaluate leases offered to them by drilling companies and determine the status of ownership of the mineral rights on their land. Dr. Feitshans is one of the few mineral rights experts in North Carolina, with extensive experience in environmental and agricultural law. Representatives from RAFI-USA, a farmer advocacy non-profit organization based in Pittsboro, will be present to help landowners with additional resources on natural gas extraction and information on legal supports available to landowners interested in signing a mineral rights lease. Following the presentations there will be a question and answer session for program participants.

This program will run from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday July 19, 2011 in the Auditorium of the Chatham County Agriculture building in Pittsboro, NC. For additional information you may contact the Chatham County Center of NC Cooperative Extension at 919-542-8202 or by e-mail at extension.programs@chathamnc.org.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran’s status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Sam Groce, County Extension Director at 919.542.8202 or sam_groce@ncsu.edu or in person at the County Extension Office at least 5 days prior to the event.

Samuel E. Groce
County Extension Director
Administration, Community & Rural Development, Livestock & Forages
Chatham County Center, NC Cooperative Extension
North Carolina State University
Post Office Box 279  Pittsboro, NC 27312
Office 919-542-8202, Mobile 919-548-2220
webpage: http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/
e-mail: sam_groce@ncsu.edu

Backyard Chicken Care, CCCC, Oct. 16

BACKYARD CHICKEN SCHEMES


Instructor: Judy Hogan, Hoganvillaea Farm, Moncure
October 16, Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM. CCCC, Sanford, Civic Center
Farmer Hogan will introduce students to backyard or urban chicken care: appropriate facilities, chick care, nutrition, litter management, laying, egg sales, and killing as needed.
With limited space and experience, plus a sense of humor, raise a small flock of happy chickens. Hogan shares her learning curve on basics, chicks to healthy eggs and meat. Topics include: Everything wants to eat chickens, Spoiling your chickens and why, Outwitting your not so dumb chickens.
Students will gain confidence in starting and maintaining their own small backyard chicken flock, have a handle on potential problems, solutions, and additional resources.

Judy Hogan of Hoganvillaea Farm is a sustainable farmer whose main goal is self-sufficiency and growing her own food. She began raising White Rock chickens in 2003, and she sells extra eggs, vegetables, fruit, herbs to restaurants and individuals. She’s a member of Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. A published poet, free-lance writer, and creative writing teacher, she writes for Chatham County Line and lives in Moncure.

For more information: Judy Hogan, (919) 545-9932
Cindy Horrell Ramsey, Lee County Continuing Education, CCCC. (919)775-2122, x7790

Big News from CFSA (Carolina Farm Stewardship Assoc.)

Local Food to the Rescue: Joel Salatin Comes to North Carolina

by Fred Broadwell

CFSA was honored to host influential farmer and activist Joel Salatin as he visited Pittsboro, NC yesterday. Joel started his day with a brief stop by the CFSA office where staff filled him in on CFSA activities. Roland McReynolds then escorted Joel to Piedmont Biofuels and CFSA member Doug Jones' Biofarm, where Joel learned about Piedmont's biodiesel production and Doug Jones' season extension and variety trials work.
At 4 PM, a group of fifty CFSA farmer members and friends gathered at Cohen Farm for a CFSA member exclusive pasture walk with Joel. Cohen Farm, owned by CFSA members Murray and Esta Cohen, is a longstanding organic farm with 40 head of beef cattle, pastured hogs, heritage chickens and organic hay production. While standing in the middle of a gorgeous pasture, Joel enthralled the crowd with his provocative discussion of farm management, using the Cohen's farm as a case study. Joel described in detail his mob grazing techniques, putting 350 beef cattle in a small area with four foot tall grasses and moving them daily, on a six month rotation. "My neighbors think I'm nuts! But it works." Joel believes that the mob grazing forces the cows back into their natural behaviors -- they eat more aggressively lest their neighbor eats a plant first. "The cows don't just eat the ice cream and ignore the spinach." To Joel's pleasure, this has been leading to better plant biodiversity in the fields.
Following the herd, he deploys two chicken tractors with 800 birds each, commenting that it takes just as much time to handle a large flock as a small one. "We need to build in efficiencies on the farm." At a minimum, he recommends one chicken per cow to complete the mob gazing system.
When asked about liming and seeding, he said that he had never sown a seed or put out lime in thirty years. He said that proper grazing and letting the grass grow tall will build soft and rich soil; management is the key problem, not the soil ph. He's not opposed to some soil amendments and does purchase greensand, but doesn't see that as the place to start. Joel talked extensively about fencing and preferred to buy or lease land with no fencing in place since so often it is in the wrong place. "No straight fences!" he extolled. "Let the fencing follow natural pathways and good access points."
When the discussion moved to water, Joel suggested investing money in ponds and building them deeper and bigger to make a farm more drought tolerant. "We are stewards of the land and it is our duty to honor the land by making it resilient. Water is critical."
When asked about shade, Joel extolled the virtues of portable shade devices and described his equipment, joyrigged from old wagon chassis, piping and shade cloth. His equipment is made to withstand strong winds, which is important. One of his devices, he said, can provide shade for up to 100 head of cattle.
What about predators getting his chickens? For flock protection from ground predators, Joel strongly suggested well-trained guard dogs, whether exotic breeds or mutts. "Start them young." For aerial predators, he likes having a goose -- just one goose per flock has worked for him.
After the pasture walk on Wednesday evening, Joel spoke about food issues to an overflow crowd of 300 at Central Carolina Community College. He complimented the college on its sustainable farming program and new Natural Chef program (cosponsors of his visit.) Joel then gave an engaging hour-long talk on the perils of our industrial food system and how it is affecting our health, our communities and our rural landscape. When asked whether sustainable farming could feed the world, he brought up the events of the 1940s. Just when composting and a profound biological view of farming was emerging, World War II hit with its massive investment in bomb-making. Chemical fertilizers, cousins of bomb-making materials, received a massive subsidy from the government. It is just now that biological farming is finally catching up!
CFSA thanks Joel for visiting the Carolinas and appreciates the support of the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, CCCC and an anonymous donor for making his visit possible. We also want to thank the Cohens for opening up their farm and Angelina's Kitchen for refreshments.

Joel Salatin Tonite, Jun 30, CCCC

Joel Salatin: "Local Food to the Rescue"


Free public lecture Wed. June 30th, 7 PM
Central Carolina Community College, Building 2
764 West Street, Pittsboro

Before the lecture, tour the CCCC Student Farm with Joel -- 5:30 - 6:30
Refreshments -- 6:30 - 7:00
Sponsored by CCCC Sustainable Ag program, CCCC Natural Chef program, Carolina Farm Stewardship Assoc. and the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
Info at www.cccc.edu and www.polyfacefarms.com

Another Do-It-Yourselfer, Apr 22, Chatham Co

Moncure poet and free-lance writer Judy Hogan will speak to the Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 P.M., at the Chatham County Council on Aging. "My Life and Economics as an Aging Poet-Farmer" will reveal how she has lived by relying more on the gift economy than on the market economy. Her passion to write led to valuing time more than money. In the desperate circumstances that inevitably arose, she became Sartre’s "genius," inventing solutions. In 1998 she began farming to grow her food and stay healthy.

Her solutions to life’s problems may seem outrageous, insane, and definitely high risk, but she enjoys good health, writes regularly, and keeps active and happy. She will read excerpts from her recently completed Pushkin and Chickens: The Story of My Farm.
Judy won the Indy Arts Award to Carolina Wren Press in 2008 for finding new voices. She writes regularly for Chatham County Line, and has published five books of poetry, two non-fiction. She helped found The North Carolina Writers Network and served as its first Chair (1984-87). She was Chair of the national small press association (COSMEP) 1975-78. In 2004 she served as Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator for the Chatham Coalition. She teaches Creative Writing at CCCC. Web: http://judyhogan.home.mindspring.com

Check It for Events and Workshops

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/calendar.html

FACEBOOK FOR FARMERS!

November 16 Workshop: Facebook for Farmers: a Great Marketing and Educational Tool 7:00-9:00 pmAgriculture Building Auditorium Pittsboro, NC Register for this FREE workshop on-line at

http://ceres.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/Form.cfm?testID=8964 (Note: The workshop is NOT on-line, but the registration is!)

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Facebook for Farmers: a Great Marketing and Educational Tool as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Monday, November 16, 2009 from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. Directions: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/workshopdirections.html

Facebook can be a great tool for farmers who rely on direct marketing. Millions of folks are creating personal profiles on Facebook - did you know it can also be used to set up a business profile? No special software or expertise is required. All you need is access to a computer and the Internet! You can use Facebook to announce a new crop at the farmers' market, announce an event, post photos of things happening on the farm, communicate with your CSA and/or farmers' market customers, and so much more. Farmers' markets and agribusinesses can also use Facebook to communicate with customers! Facebook can be beneficial even to farmers who already have a farm website because Facebook pages are easy to maintain and allow for direct interaction with customers.

One local farmer who has a Facebook page reports that it has really helped with promoting on-farm events, noting that they start receiving reservations within minutes after posting an update. In this workshop we will discuss the many ways you can use Facebook to educate customers, strengthen relationships, and increase sales. Participants will become more familiar with social networking terminology and learn how to use these tools to enhance the sustainability of their business. During the workshop, we will actually create a business profile for a local farm so participants will see all of the steps involved (and how easy it is!).

The workshop will be taught by Neha Shah, Director of Travel and Tourism for the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent for the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Neha won an Innovation in Tourism Award from the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina for an earlier version of this workshop and her innovative use of Facebook and Twitter for marketing.

This workshop is free and open to farmers, farmers' market vendors/managers, and agribusiness owners. Register for this FREE workshop on-line at

http://ceres.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/Form.cfm?testID=8964

I am also collecting examples of NC farms that have Facebook pages so if you know of a good one, please let me know! Debbie

Debbie RoosAgricultural Extension Agent Chatham County CenterNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.eduwww.growingsmallfarms.org
twitter.com/GrowSmallFarms

SS Sustainability Lecture, Nov. 10, SCC

Sustainable Sandhills - Moore County

Sandhills CC, Dempsey Student Center, Clement Dining Room

Tuesday, November 10th, 6:30-8:00pm

Lyle Estill is a founder of Piedmont Biofuels, which anchors an eco-industrial park in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Since launching into his quest for sustainable biodiesel, he has found himself deploying solar technologies, green building strategies, and is currently immersed in everything from sustainable farming to vermiculture digestion to alternative boiler fuels. He is the author of Biodiesel Power (New Society 2005) and Small is Possible (New Society 2008), and the winner of various awards.

We will also include updates on community events and projects.

Please help us spread the word! Together we can make a difference!

Small-scale Photovoltaic Workshop, Pittsboro

http://theabundancefoundation.org/photovoltaic

Biofarm Pepper Festival, Pittsboro

http://theabundancefoundation.org/pepper-festival/

Pollinator Workshop, Tour, Aug. 31

August 31: Pollinator Conservation Workshop and Garden Tour, 6:00-8:00 pm

Chatham County Cooperative Extension building on the traffic circle in downtown Pittsboro; will probably include a tour of the garden at Chatham Mills in front of Chatham Marketplace, Pittsboro.

Presenter: Debbie Roos (North Carolina Cooperative Extension)
For more information: 919.542.8202; debbie_roos@ncsu.edu; www.growingsmallfarms.org

Grants for Improved Animal Husbandry

Animal Welfare Approved Announces 2009 Good Husbandry Grants

Animal Welfare Approved is pleased to offer Good Husbandry Grants for 2009.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for the sole purpose of improving farm animal welfare, with a concentration on three areas: increased outdoor access, improved genetics and improved slaughter facilities. Current Animal Welfare Approved farmers and those who have applied to join the program are eligible, and farmers may apply for certification and for a grant simultaneously.

Examples of projects funded in the 2008 cycle include mobile housing, a mobile processing unit, infrastructure to facilitate humane handling and equipment to improve nutrient availability for pastured sows. Farmers may submit a proposal for one project, for a total maximum grant of $5,000.

Grants will be awarded based on the project's potential to deliver the greatest benefit to farm animals. In order to receive a grant, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and submit an application and a budget by October 1, 2009. Eligible costs include design fees, contractor costs, materials, and project-appropriate equipment.

Grants applications must be postmarked by the deadline date and will not be accepted via e-mail. Guidelines and an application form are available at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org.

Questions may be directed to Emily Lancaster at (919) 428-1641 or Emily@AnimalWelfareApproved.org.
http://twitter.com/AWAapproved and become a fan on http://www.facebook.com!

Choose the one independent food label that means healthy, safe, environmentally responsible and humanely raised. Join our email list today.

Emily Lancaster, Farmer and Market Outreach, Animal Welfare Approved
1000 Jay Shambley Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.428.1641
www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org

Pollinator Week, June 27, Pittsboro

Come join the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association for the third annual celebration of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 am til 2:00 pm on The Lawn at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro, NC.

The purpose of National Pollinator Week is to teach pollinator-friendly practices and raise public awareness of the importance of the bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and bats that are needed to produce 80 percent of our flowering plants and one third of our human food crops. The National Academy of Sciences has reported that there is direct evidence of the decline of some pollinator species in North America. And, recently, Colony Collapse Disorder of honey bees has alarmed the agricultural industry.

We have a great program planned for folks of all ages at our local event here in Pittsboro:

You can hear presentations about beekeeping – how to get started, equipment needs, management tips – from local beekeepers.

Tour Cooperative Extension’s new Pollinator Garden at Chatham Mills and learn how to attract and protect pollinators.

Watch expert beekeepers work an actual hive inside a bee cage (bees inside, participants outside!), see honey bees up close and personal, and get your burning beekeeping questions answered.

Participate in a pollinator-themed Scavenger Hunt for kids!

Watch “Bee TV” - park yourself in front of an observation hive and watch the worker bees attending the queen. It’s mesmerizing!

Meet our local Chatham County beekeepers and learn all about what it takes to produce the nutritious and delicious local honey available at Chatham Marketplace. We will have beekeeping equipment and products from the hive for “show and tell”.

Visit Chatham Marketplace to learn which products depend on bees for pollination (hint: look for the bee signs!).

Pick up some educational literature to further your knowledge about honey bees, beekeeping, pollinators, and pollinator conservation.

Learn about the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association and how you can get involved with this fabulously friendly group through monthly meetings and field days and even an email listserv – we welcome members of all skill levels: from never-tried-it (but always wanted to) to beginner to experienced!

Enjoy a pollinator-friendly local lunch at Chatham Marketplace during the program! (Did you know that worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, spices, fiber, and medicine require pollination by animals?)

All Pollinator Week Events are free and open to the public. This event will be held rain or shine. For directions, go to http://www.chathammarketplace.coop/about/directions.shtml

This event is sponsored by Chatham Mills Development Corporation (see http://www.chathammills.com/) and hosted by Chatham Marketplace (http://www.chathammarketplace.coop/).

For more information about pollinator conservation, visit Cooperative Extension’s website at http://www.protectpollinators.org.

Visit the Chatham Beekeepers’ Association website at http://www.chathambeekeepers.org.

For more information about this event, contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 or debbie_roos@ncsu.edu.

I hope to see you there!

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org

Potluck in the Pasture, CCCC, Jun 7

“Potluck in the Pasture” celebrates Chatham’s agricultural and artistic heritage

PITTSBORO – Art and food lovers take note: ChathamArts celebrates the county’s unique agricultural and artistic heritage at the annual Potluck in the Pasture on Sunday June 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) two-acre Student Farm in Pittsboro (764 West Street). You’ll have a unique chance to see what’s growing at America’s first two-year sustainable farming program, share a potluck picnic of locally produced food, and meet local artists and musicians. You may also purchase farm fresh food and make a donation to ChathamArts, the nonprofit arts council. For more information: contact ChathamArts at www.chathamarts.org or 919.542.0934 or call Katy McReynolds, Potluck Coordinator, at 919.444.1900.

“This is our way to pay tribute to our farmers and artists who inspire and nurture us,” said Daryl Walker, director of the potluck project. “We hope the Potluck encourages more people to buy locally produced food and art and become more aware of the farmers and artists who contribute to our community and our economy.”

Two of the artists who will display their work are also working farmers: Mixed media painter Kristy Church is co-owner of Winfield Farm and portrait/landscape artist Tim Tron is co-owner of Grandview Farms. Other artists include: Cindy Bainbridge, Roger Dinger, Michele Mosca, Rita Spina and Diane Swan. Live music will be performed by Breadfoot (a.k.a. Stephan Meyers) and singer/songwriters Chris Kelley and Mike Slaton.

Visitors are asked to bring a potluck dish to share with at least one locally grown ingredient (and the recipe noting origin of local items), as well as a beverage, lawn chair or blanket, and a donation to ChathamArts, which supports diverse arts through gallery sales, and cultural programs in the schools and community.

Local food ingredients for your potluck dish are easy to come by in Chatham. They might come from your own garden or neighboring farms; from local farmers’ markets at the Chatham County Fairgrounds in Pittsboro or Southern Village (Thursdays), Fearrington Village (Tuesdays), or Pittsboro, Siler City, Carrboro and Sanford (Saturdays); or from Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro, or Weaver Street in Southern Village and Carrboro.

CCCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Program was the first of its kind in the nation. Its two-year associate’s degree and certificate programs provide hands-on training in every aspect of sustainable, chemical-free farming, including vegetable and fruit production, animal husbandry, financing, management and marketing. It’s part of an array of innovative programs at CCCC encouraging sustainable energy, food, technology, building practices and public policies, earning the campus the new moniker “Green Central.”

Debbie Roos

North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org

Shop Abundance, Pittsboro

http://theabundancefoundation.org/tchotche/

Farm Show and Tell, Mar. 30, Pittsboro

Monday, March 30, 2009
5:30-7:00-ish pm
CCCC Land Lab Farm “Show and Tell”
Pittsboro, NC
Rain or shine - please dress appropriately.

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension has organized a “show and tell” at the Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) Land Lab Farm from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm or so for Monday, March 30. This farm visit is for farmers of all levels and also eaters interested in learning more about our local farms.

The Land Lab is the outdoor classroom for students enrolled in the Sustainable Farming Program at CCCC. Students can take classes in a wide range of topics, including organic vegetable production, livestock management, marketing, and much more. Students can enroll in continuing education classes or work towards an associate degree in sustainable agriculture. Learn more at http://www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/sustainableagriculture/

Next Monday we will see the spring production in full swing at the Land Lab: peas, carrots, kale, green onions, and potatoes have all been planted. Over-wintered cover crops will be looking full and beautiful and overwintered garlic and hoophouse crops will still be in the field. Laying hens are part of the crop rotation so we will see how chickens can provide nutrients and pest management as well as additional income! Students in the organic crop production class have their own production beds with a variety of spring crops.

We hope you will be able to join us! You do not need to register for this free event; the program will begin promptly at 5:30 pm. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time.

The address is 764 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312.
From the downtown traffic circle in Pittsboro, take 64 west.
Go about ½ a mile to the intersection of 64 and 87/902 at the light at Al’s Diner (on your left). Continue straight through the intersection to stay on 64. From the light, go 0.2 miles and turn right past the NAPA Auto Parts Store into the CCCC entrance. The Land Lab farm will be on your left as you approach the brick buildings. It is surrounded by an 8 foot high deer fence and hard to miss!

For more information on sustainable agriculture, visit Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website at http://www.growingsmallfarms.org.

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center

North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
www.growingsmallfarms.org

Apr. 3, 4, Carrboro

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/forum/

Visit Ayrshire Farm, Nov. 5

Think farming season is winding down?
You might be surprised to see how many of our local farmers produce well into the fall and even through the winter to keep the supply of locally grown food moving through our local restaurants, grocery co-ops, and farmers' markets (yes, don't forget, we have year-round farmers' markets now, like Carrboro and Durham)!
On Wednesday, November 5 at 4:30 pm, you'll have an opportunity to visit Ayrshire Farm, the state's first certified organic farm, where farmer Bill Dow will welcome visitors to see an array of fall vegetables, including radicchio, fennel, lettuce, rapini, mizuna, tatsoi, arugula, peppers, nasturtiums, cress, heirloom apples, and more.
Bill specializes in supplying the top restaurants in Chapel Hill and Durham with fresh produce and herbs. You can also find him at the Carrboro Farmers' Market. Ayrshire Farm is also part of the mid-Chatham Farmers' Alliance CSA (community supported agriculture program): http://www.harlands-creek-farm.com/midchathamfarmerscsa.html
Bill will talk about season extension techniques and general production and marketing strategies that have led to 28 successful years of farming.
Whether you are a farmer, an educator, or just an eater, you won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from one of our organic farming pioneers!
See photos at:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/farmphotonov1405.html
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/farmphotomay1605.html
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/farmphotojuly1006.html Please arrive at 4:30 pm because we will have only a little over an hour of light left (daylight savings time ends Nov. 2).
Directions to Ayrshire Farm (602 Friendly Pooch Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312):- From the courthouse circle in downtown Pittsboro, take 64 west towards the stoplight at Hwy 87 (you'll see Al's Diner on your left)- From the stoplight at Al's Diner, continue 5.4 miles on Hwy 64 west and turn left on Hadley Mill Rd. (you'll see white butane tanks on hill on left at the corner)- Go 1.1 miles and turn right on Jay Shambley Rd. (gravel road)- Go 0.5 miles and turn left on Friendly Pooch Lane- Go about 0.5 miles and the farm will be at the end of the road I hope to see you there! Debbie

Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.eduwww.growingsmallfarms.org

Agenda, National Pollinator Week, Weaver St Mkt, Chatham Marketplace

Wednesday June 27 at Chatham Marketplace

Chatham Marketplace is located in historic Chatham Mills, 480 Hillsboro
Street, Suite 320 in Pittsboro, NC; visit their website at
http://www.chathammarketplace.coop/ for directions and store information.

1:00-1:45 pm – Protect our Pollinators and Plant a Bee Garden (that looks great and provides forages for both honey bees and native bees!) – Presentation by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

1:45-2:30 pm – Watch “bee TV” (observation hive), view exhibits, meet and mingle with NCSU faculty and Chatham County Beekeepers, ask your burning questions…

2:30-3:15 pm – How to Become a Backyard Beekeeper – Presentation by Dr. David Tarpy, NCSU Apiculture Specialist

3:15-4:00 pm – Watch “bee TV” (observation hive), view exhibits, meet and mingle with NCSU faculty and Chatham County Beekeepers, ask your burning questions…

4:00-4:45 pm – Overview of North Carolina Pollinators – Presentation by
Dr. Steve Bambara, NCSU Entomology Specialist


Thursday June 28 at Weaver Street Market

Weaver Street Market is located at 101 East Weaver St. in Carrboro, NC; visit their website at http://www.weaverstreetmarket.com/ for directions and store information.

10:00-noon – visit the information tables and displays and talk with beekeeping experts from NC State University, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, the NCDA&CS, and the Orange County Beekeepers' Association.

Noon-1:00 - Bee Cage - watch an experienced beekeeper open a hive and talk
about bees and beekeeping; get your burning questions answered

1:00-1:30 – Protect our Pollinators and Plant a Bee Garden – Presentation by
Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

1:30-2:30 - Bee Cage Demonstration repeated

2:30-3:00 - How to Become a Backyard Beekeeper - Presentation by Dr. David
Tarpy, NCSU Apiculture Specialist

3:00-4:00 - Bee Cage Demonstration repeated

4:00-4:30 - Overview of North Carolina Pollinators – Presentation by Dr. Steve Bambara, NCSU Entomology Specialist

You will also be able to visit the produce section of Chatham Marketplace and Weaver Street Market to learn which crops are pollinated by honey bees and what this means to North Carolina’s economy. And check out the special display of the many products of the hive available at each store, including honey harvested by local beekeepers!

Debbie Roos, Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent, will also provide a sneak peek of her new Pollinator Conservation website where you can learn about plants appropriate for the Piedmont region that will provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators; view photos of each plant species and our common pollinators; and discover print and Internet resources to learn more about pollinator conservation!

For more information about these events, contact Debbie Roos at debbie_roos@ncsu.edu.

For more information about National Pollinator Week, visit the Pollinator Partnership website at http://www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week.htm

Bring the family and join the fun!

Pollinator Day, Pittsboro, June 27

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and North Carolina State University invite you to join in the celebration of National Pollinator Week June 24-30 with an afternoon of educational programs on Wednesday June 27 at Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro.
Did You Know?

About 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization. Most pollinators are beneficial insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, and bees. A small percentage of pollinators are vertebrates such as hummingbirds, bats, and small mammals such as mice.

Pollinators are essential components of the habitats and ecosystems that many wild animals rely on for food and shelter. As landscapes are converted from wild to managed lands, many pollinators’ habitats may be destroyed or fragmented. These changes can lead to the loss of wildflowers used by pollinators for foraging, nesting, and/or egg-laying.

Worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fiber, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend. Examples include blueberries, melons, chocolate, coffee, peaches, vanilla, almonds, apples, oranges, lemons, carrots, avocados, onions, broccoli, and much more!

Honey bees are the primary insect pollinator of approximately 100 crops nationwide. Honey bees are responsible for one-third of everything that people eat every day! In North Carolina, many of the economically important crops such as cucumbers, apples, blueberries, and melons are dependent on honey bees for pollination and account for $100 million every year.

We have a full afternoon of educational programs scheduled for inside the store. Come learn about the fascinating world of pollinators, their role in our food system and ecosystem, and what you can do to help protect them.

1:00-1:45 pm – Protect our Pollinators and Plant a Bee Garden (that looks great and provides forages for both honey bees and native bees!) – Presentation by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center

1:45-2:30 pm – Watch “bee TV” (observation hive), view exhibits, meet and mingle with NCSU faculty and Chatham Beekeepers, ask your burning questions…

2:30-3:15 pm – How to Become a Backyard Beekeeper – Presentation by Dr. David Tarpy, NCSU Apiculture Specialist

3:15-4:00 pm – Watch “bee TV” (observation hive), view exhibits, meet and mingle with NCSU faculty and Chatham Beekeepers, ask your burning questions…

4:00-4:45 pm – Overview of North Carolina Pollinators – Presentation by Dr. Steve Bambara, NCSU Entomology Specialist

You will also be able to visit the produce section of Chatham Marketplace to learn which crops are pollinated by honey bees and what this means to North Carolina’s economy. And check out the special display of the many products of the hive available at Chatham Marketplace, including honey harvested by Chatham County Beekeepers! Debbie Roos, Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent, will also debut her new website on “Gardening for the Bees”.

For more information on these events, contact Debbie Roos at debbie_roos@ncsu.edu or call Chatham Marketplace at 919-542-2643. Visit their website at http://www.chathammarketplace.com/ for directions and store information.

We hope to see you there! Bring your family and join in the fun

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 279
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Email: debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
Phone: 919.542.8202 Fax: 919.542.8246