The article below gives recommendations on using composted manure. There have been cases of herbicides being carried over in the manure so be careful you know what your source is for composted manure.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/ncorganic/2009extension-article-herbicide-in-hay-manure-etc.pdf
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
FOREST CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
HIGHLAND CRAFTSMEN, INC OF SPRUCE PINE, NORTH CAROLINA ANNOUNCES A
FOREST/PRODUCT CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009, AT
MAYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE NEAR SPRUCE PINE, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
The morning agenda includes presentations on sustainable forestry
practices and favorable wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Forest
Stewardship Program and a discussion of the impact of forest
certification on private forest landowners. Dr. Fred Cubbage , NCSU
College of Natural Resources, will moderate a panel of speakers on
forest certification systems including the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the American Tree
Farm System (ATFS/PEFC).
The afternoon agenda includes presentations on the sustainable forestry
designation for Appalachian Region hardwoods, the NC Pro Logger Program
and logger training and a live demonstration of sustainable bark
procurement practices by Highland Craftsmen, Inc. on the college campus.
The workshop is provided free of charge and lunch will be on your own at
the college cafeteria. The agenda will be submitted to NCSAF for CFE
Credits for NC Registered Foresters attending the entire workshop.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
CALL 828-765-7351 EXT 249 TO REGISTER
MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE AT WWW.BARKHOUSE.COM
FOREST/PRODUCT CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009, AT
MAYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE NEAR SPRUCE PINE, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
The morning agenda includes presentations on sustainable forestry
practices and favorable wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Forest
Stewardship Program and a discussion of the impact of forest
certification on private forest landowners. Dr. Fred Cubbage , NCSU
College of Natural Resources, will moderate a panel of speakers on
forest certification systems including the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the American Tree
Farm System (ATFS/PEFC).
The afternoon agenda includes presentations on the sustainable forestry
designation for Appalachian Region hardwoods, the NC Pro Logger Program
and logger training and a live demonstration of sustainable bark
procurement practices by Highland Craftsmen, Inc. on the college campus.
The workshop is provided free of charge and lunch will be on your own at
the college cafeteria. The agenda will be submitted to NCSAF for CFE
Credits for NC Registered Foresters attending the entire workshop.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
CALL 828-765-7351 EXT 249 TO REGISTER
MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE AT WWW.BARKHOUSE.COM
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 projects' 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.
Farmers may submit a proposal for one project, for a total maximum grant of $5,000. Grants will be awarded based on the projects' 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.
Niche Meat Processing Assistance Network
The Niche Meat Processing Assistance Network or NMPAN website, an eXtension initiative, was recently launched and I encourage you to visit it:
www.extension.org/small%20meat%20processors
You can also find us via our home page: www.nichemeatprocessing.org
We've pulled info together on a range of important issues for small meat processors and everyone who depends on them, including:
* processing rules & regulations, explained clearly
* business development & workforce management (These are areas we're still working on, but there's good stuff there. Let us know if you have suggestions.)
* mobile processing units
(http://www.extension.org/pages/Mobile_Slaughter/Processing_Units)
* detailed profiles of successful niche processors
* more than 100 Frequently Asked Questions -- with answers
...and more! AND, there's a handy "Ask the Expert" feature for questions the site doesn't already cover.
www.extension.org/small%20meat%20processors
You can also find us via our home page: www.nichemeatprocessing.org
We've pulled info together on a range of important issues for small meat processors and everyone who depends on them, including:
* processing rules & regulations, explained clearly
* business development & workforce management (These are areas we're still working on, but there's good stuff there. Let us know if you have suggestions.)
* mobile processing units
(http://www.extension.org/pages/Mobile_Slaughter/Processing_Units)
* detailed profiles of successful niche processors
* more than 100 Frequently Asked Questions -- with answers
...and more! AND, there's a handy "Ask the Expert" feature for questions the site doesn't already cover.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Prepare for Japanese Beetles
From Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist
On June 11, I caught the first Japanese beetle of the year on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. As most people know, Japanese beetles emerge once per year to feast on a variety of ornamental and crop plants. Favorite ornamental hosts include roses, rosaceous trees and shrubs such as crab apple, crape myrtle, and linden. Beetles aggregate on plants in response to plant volatiles (smells) and pheromones from other beetles. This aggregation can result in rapid defoliation of trees and shrubs. Japanese beetle traps do not offer any protection to landscape plants and may actually attract more beetles on to your property, so hang them in your neighbor’s yard. Likewise, treating a lawn for Japanese beetle grubs will not reduce defoliation of plants on that property since beetles fly in from great distances. Landscape and nursery plants can be protected with pyrethroid insecticides. For longer protection, use a neonicitinoid insecticide such as imidacloprid (e.g., Merit, Marathon II) or acetamiprid (Tri-Star). For more information on the biology and management of adult Japanese beetles, consult the insect note at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/note44/note44.html.
On June 11, I caught the first Japanese beetle of the year on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. As most people know, Japanese beetles emerge once per year to feast on a variety of ornamental and crop plants. Favorite ornamental hosts include roses, rosaceous trees and shrubs such as crab apple, crape myrtle, and linden. Beetles aggregate on plants in response to plant volatiles (smells) and pheromones from other beetles. This aggregation can result in rapid defoliation of trees and shrubs. Japanese beetle traps do not offer any protection to landscape plants and may actually attract more beetles on to your property, so hang them in your neighbor’s yard. Likewise, treating a lawn for Japanese beetle grubs will not reduce defoliation of plants on that property since beetles fly in from great distances. Landscape and nursery plants can be protected with pyrethroid insecticides. For longer protection, use a neonicitinoid insecticide such as imidacloprid (e.g., Merit, Marathon II) or acetamiprid (Tri-Star). For more information on the biology and management of adult Japanese beetles, consult the insect note at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/note44/note44.html.
Monday, June 8, 2009
New Pesticide Recordkeeping Laws:
In an effort to comply with the recommendations of the 2008 Governor’s Task Force on Preventing Agricultural Pesticide Exposure and to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 847: “Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure” The North Carolina Pesticide Board has adopted changes to the application information that is required under the Federal Worker Protection Standard, as well as requirements for Commerical Applicators & Public Operators. The changes will now require growers making applications that fall under the scope of the Worker Protection Standard to add the actual “end time” of application to the records. This is in addition to the “time of the application” that is required to be posted before the application takes place under the current WPS Regulations. Also each day of applications shall be recorded as a separate application record.
The application information must also now be maintained for a period of two years, this coincides with the USDA Requirements for Restricted-Use Pesticides. So to comply with the regulations growers must keep the information posted at a central location for 30 days after the re-entry period expires (if workers are present on their establishment) and then maintain the records for a period of two years to allow for inspection by Pesticide Inspectors with NCDA&CS.
The application information must also now be maintained for a period of two years, this coincides with the USDA Requirements for Restricted-Use Pesticides. So to comply with the regulations growers must keep the information posted at a central location for 30 days after the re-entry period expires (if workers are present on their establishment) and then maintain the records for a period of two years to allow for inspection by Pesticide Inspectors with NCDA&CS.
Downy Mildew In N.C.
Downy Mildew has been identified on a field of cucumbers in Franklin County, North Carolina. Downy mildew, caused by the fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is found annually on squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and muskmelons grown in all areas. Symptoms of disease on cucurbits, other than watermelon, show up as small yellowish areas on the upper leaf surface. Later, a more brilliant yellow coloration occurs with the internal part of the lesion turning brown.
Usually the spots will be angular as they are somewhat restricted by the small leaf veins. When the leaves are wet, a downy white-gray-light blue fungus growth can be seen on the underside of individual spots (lesions). On watermelons, yellow leaf spots may be angular or non-angular, and they will later turn brown to black in color. Often on watermelons, an exaggerated upward leaf curling will occur.
Downy mildew is a very destructive disease and progresses rapidly under favorable conditions. Fungicides are much more effective when applied well before symptoms are visible. Initiating a downy mildew control program after symptoms have been detected is much more likely to fail. For further information on control and how to track the movement of downy mildew throughout North Carolina go to the following website. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/cucurbit/
Usually the spots will be angular as they are somewhat restricted by the small leaf veins. When the leaves are wet, a downy white-gray-light blue fungus growth can be seen on the underside of individual spots (lesions). On watermelons, yellow leaf spots may be angular or non-angular, and they will later turn brown to black in color. Often on watermelons, an exaggerated upward leaf curling will occur.
Downy mildew is a very destructive disease and progresses rapidly under favorable conditions. Fungicides are much more effective when applied well before symptoms are visible. Initiating a downy mildew control program after symptoms have been detected is much more likely to fail. For further information on control and how to track the movement of downy mildew throughout North Carolina go to the following website. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/cucurbit/
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