COMMERCIAL HORT NEWS. Join the 10% Campaign! a center for Environmental Farming Systems Initiative Inside This Issue.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "COMMERCIAL HORT NEWS. Join the 10% Campaign! a center for Environmental Farming Systems Initiative Inside This Issue."

Sophia Hensley
6 years ago
Views:

6 Announcement Contact Us Amanda Stone Extension Agent Agriculture Commercial Horticulture Check out Buncombe County Center s website at: http://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu or BLOG wncgreennews.blogspot.

1 COMMERCIAL HORT NEWS Buncombe County s Extension Newsletter for The Green Industry FALL 2010 Inside This Issue Pg. 2 Grant & Cost Share Opportunities Pg. 3 Pesticide License & Exam Fee Increase, New Forest Threat Pg. 4 Upcoming Events Pg. 5 Emerald Ash Borer Pg. 6 Announcement Contact Us Amanda Stone Extension Agent Agriculture Commercial Horticulture Check out Buncombe County Center s website at: or BLOG wncgreennews.blogspot.com Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. 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. Buncombe County Center, 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC FAX: Join the 10% Campaign! a center for Environmental Farming Systems Initiative The campaign is an effort to encourage North Carolina consumers to spend 10 percent of their food dollars on foods from local sources. Through the campaign website -- consumers and businesses will pledge to spend 10 percent of their food dollars locally, purchasing products from area farmers and food producers. Campaign participants will receive weekly reminders to report how much money they spent on local food. The website will show consumers how their dollars spent on local foods grow. North Carolinians spend about $35 billion a year on food. If each person spent just 10 percent on food locally roughly $1.05 per day then approximately $3.5 billion would be available in the state s economy. Cooperative Extension s local foods coordinator, Melinda Roberts, will help connect consumers and food producers and support local businesses and organizations who want to spend 10 percent of their food dollars locally. Local food coordinators will personally contact businesses and organizations that register through the website to help them develop a plan for purchasing local products. In addition, the 10% Campaign website provides a Find Local Foods page with links to help consumers find local food and farm products in their own communities. A Learn More page includes links to information on a variety of partner organizations, such as Slow Food USA and Eat Smart, Move More NC. There are also links to educational information on topics ranging from how to set up a workplace community-supported agriculture program to how to cook seasonal, local products. To find out what s happening with local foods in your county, visit your Cooperative Extension website where the link to the Local Foods page can be found on the left hand column of your county center s home page. The Compass Group of Charlotte, the world s largest food service provider, is leading the way in the campaign by pledging to purchase 10 percent of its food from local sources. Compass Group is developing a parallel model farm-to-institution buying program and will purchase 10 percent of the produce it serves in its North Carolina accounts from local farmers in the state. Funding for the 10% Campaign and website is provided by Golden LEAF. Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate in activities mentioned in this newsletter. Please contact Amanda Stone at during business hours at least 3 days prior to the event to discuss accommodations.

Page 2 GRANT & COST SHARE OPPORTUNITIES 1. The Western North Carolina Agricultural Options program will be accepting grant applications for 2011.

In addition to the $3,000, $6,000 and $9,000 grants available for farms to diversify or expand their operations, Ag Options is pleased to announce the new Community Grant.

2 Page 2 GRANT & COST SHARE OPPORTUNITIES 1. The Western North Carolina Agricultural Options program will be accepting grant applications for Grant applications will be available after August 1 at or contact your local Cooperative Extension Agent. The due date for the application is November 22. In addition to the $3,000, $6,000 and $9,000 grants available for farms to diversify or expand their operations, Ag Options is pleased to announce the new Community Grant. The Community Grant is to support projects that improve Western North Carolina's local food system by enhancing existing farm ventures, particularly by addressing processing, packaging, marketing and other distribution needs. Groups of farmers, nonprofits, farmer coops, associations, churches, civic organizations, local businesses or combinations of these are encouraged to apply for the Community Grant. You may apply for up to $20,000 if applying for the Community Grant. Eighteen western NC counties are eligible to apply for the Agricultural Options Grants. 2. Southern Region SARE Producer Grants: producers apply for grants that typically run between $1,000 and $15,000 to conduct research, marketing and demonstration projects and share the results with other farmers and ranchers. Applications for this grant are due November 15, Applications and more information can be found at 3. NC Farm Bureau Federation Farm Energy Efficiency Program- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grants. Energy efficiency grants will be awarded up to $10,000 or 75% of the total project costs whichever is lower. The renewable energy grants will be awarded up to $20,000 or 75% of the total project whichever is lower. Any farmer in NC is eligible to apply. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2011 to be eligible. Additional information and applications can be found on the NC Farm Energy Efficiency website, or questions can be directed to Lendy Johnson, lendy.johnson@ncfb.org or (919) Renewable Energy Grants Available For Farmers: Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development has received a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to help install at least 20 renewable energy systems over the eight county RC&D area that includes Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, Transylvania, Polk, McDowell, Rutherford and Cleveland Counties. This grant will provide funds to western North Carolina farmers implementing alternative energy on their farms. The grant will match funds up to $10,000 (50 percent cost-share) toward Wind, Solar or Hydro-power projects. The grant application can be found at: or contact (828) , ext NC Value-Added Cost Share: assistance and equipment cost share for producers and processors. Cost share awards maybe used by producers for grant writing, enterprise feasibility study and equipment specific to the valueadded process. Who is eligible: Producers who grow/raise more than 50% of their value-added product, producer groups and cooperatives, processors who utilize more than 50% of NC grown inputs. How to apply and additional information can be found at under NC Value-Added Cost Share tab to the left. Contact NCVACS coordinator to verify eligibility and funding availability. Complete and submit application before December 31, USDA s Know Your Farmer website, Click on the Grants, Loans and Support tab to the right at the top.

3 Page 3 NC Pesticide License and Exam Fee Increases The General Assembly passed legislation which mandated fees for administered examinations and an increase in licensing fees in accordance to General Statutes , , and of the NC Pesticide Law of The fees below went into effect July 14, 2010 EXAMINATION FEES (Applies to all Testers, regardless of license type) Core, Dealer, Worker Protection Designated Trainer, Aerial, and Consultant...$50.00 (each) Ornamental and Turf, Right of Way, Forestry, Public Health, Ag Pest Animal, Pet Grooming, Poultry, Ag Pest Plant, Seed Treatment, Demonstration and Research, Wood Treatment, Regulatory, and Aquatic.... $20.00 (each) Private.....$10.00 LICENSE FEES (26) Ground, (027, 028, 029) Aerial, (030) Consultant, (033) Public Utility, and (037) Dealer... $75.00 (each) (38) Private Applicator...$10.00 (031, 032) Public... No Fee Aircraft Inspections... $25.00 *************************************************************************************************** Thousand Cankers Disease is our New Forest Threat! Thousand Cankers Disease on black walnut, Juglans nigra was just recently detected in Knoxville, TN. It s only a matter of time before we find it in our area. Unfortunately this means the loss of black walnut in our region. This is a deadly disease caused by the fungus Geosmithia morbid, with an insect vector, the Walnut Twig Beetle that helps to spread it from walnut tree to walnut tree. I am now regretting all those times I cussed the walnut trees in my yard because I couldn t grow a vegetable garden. Walnut trees secrete allelopathic compounds that prevent other plants from growing around them and vegetables are particularly sensitive. Thousand Cankers Disease has been in the western states where black walnut is planted but not native. Colorado State University has a website on this disease: For more on identifying the disease, view the archived webinar at: Thousand Cankers Quarantine! States affected by the quarantine include Tennessee, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and any other states found to be infested. The quarantine affects black walnut seedlings, lumber, logs and all hardwood firewood originating from a quarantined state. The quarantine is needed to prevent the establishment, dissemination, or potential spread of Thousand Cankers Disease and its vector, the Walnut Twig Beetle, into North Carolina and other states. Please help get the word out on this and if you suspect an infected tree, call your local Extension Agent. Have you visited Western North Carolina s Green Industry Blog, You can subscribe to the Blog with your address to receive alerts when a new post has been made to the Blog. It s a great way to stay up-to-date on news, upcoming events, policy changes, pests and diseases and more!!

4 Page 4 UPCOMING EVENTS September Rain Garden Certification Workshop. Asheville, NC. As a result of this training you will (1) understand why storm water needs to be managed, (2) the principles of rain garden location, design, construction and maintenance, (3) be able to select appropriate vegetation, (4) tour several local rain gardens and (5) be eligible to take a test at the conclusion of the training to be certified in rain garden design and construction. This certification is awarded by NC State University Cooperative Extension and is housed in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. To receive the certification, attendees must attend the workshop and then receive a score of at least 80% on an examination. For more information, other dates and locations and to register online, please go to our website at: October 12-November 16 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional Short Course. The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC. There are dozens of reasons why you should pursue your NCCTP designation and become an NC Certified Turfgrass Professional: the promotion and enhanced credibility, the promotion and publicity TCNC provides you to help you market your expertise in the media and with consumers, and of course, the ability to be grandfathered into the Landscape Contractor's Licensing Bill when it passes next year. Consider joining us this year in this exciting class! Register today, or call (828) October 18 Using Facebook and Twitter for Your Farm, Nursery or Landscaping Business. 6pm 8pm at Blue Ridge Community College. Contact Ivy at Henderson County Cooperative Extension office to register or for more info, (828) or ivy_olson@ncsu.edu October 25 Using Blogger for Your Farm, Nursery or Landscaping Business. 6pm 8pm at Blue Ridge Community College. Contact Ivy Olson at Henderson County Cooperative Extension office to register or for more info, (828) or ivy_olson@ncsu.edu November 13 New Frontiers in Beekeeping. 9am 5pm, Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC. The Western North Carolina Center for Honeybee Research invites you to a little late fall color with an all day honeybee extravaganza! New Frontiers in Beekeeping will present cutting-edge perspectives from four of the field s premier experts: Marla Spivak, Jamie Ellis, Debbie Delaney and Jay Evans. To register: Event contact, Carl Chesick, (828) November 18 Greenhouse Growers Workshop for Ornamental and Vegetable Producers. Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River, NC, 9am-4pm. This day-long workshop is for greenhouse growers of ornamental plants or vegetables. We have an exciting line-up of topics and speakers: releasing biologicals in the greenhouse, greenhouse vegetable varieties, innovative container options, and more! The cost for the workshop will be $10 per person and this includes lunch. Pesticide credits will be available. For more information, (828) or December Annual North Carolina Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show. Sheraton Hotel, Greensboro, NC. The annual NC Turfgrass Conference & Show is moving to December, and features expanded educational tracks (aquatics, irrigation), daily workshops, a two-day trade show and more! All for only $85 a day ($170 total). Watch for your Sept/Oct issue of NC Turfgrass magazine for details, or call (919) , or visit January Green and Growin Conference and Trade Show. Greensboro, NC. For more info, Did you know that you can get this newsletter via ? If you are interested, please contact us either by phone at or at joyce.plemmons@buncombecounty.org

Page 5 Emerald Ash Borer Approaches North Carolina Steven D.

ash borer (EAB) at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon County line. This was the first detection of EAB in Tennessee and is about 30 miles from North Carolina.

It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Michigan area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia.

Unfortunately North Carolina is likely to be infested by EAB sooner or later due to our proximity to other infested states, tourism related to outdoor activities (many campers bring fire-wood from

5 Page 5 Emerald Ash Borer Approaches North Carolina Steven D. Frank Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University On July 27, 2010, Tennessee Department of Agriculture announced the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon County line. This was the first detection of EAB in Tennessee and is about 30 miles from North Carolina. EAB only attacks ash trees, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica and other Fraxinus species. Our native mountain ash, Sorbus americana is not a true ash and therefore not affected. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Michigan area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has also been found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Unfortunately North Carolina is likely to be infested by EAB sooner or later due to our proximity to other infested states, tourism related to outdoor activities (many campers bring fire-wood from out-of-state), large nursery industry that receives plants from all over, and growing population which leads to importation of plants from other states. Early detection will be key to minimizing economic damage. What can be done? Keep your eyes open. Arborists and landscape professionals see more trees in one day than most people see in a year. Look for D-shaped holes and signs of decline in ash trees such as branch dieback, bark splitting, or sucker growth. EAB adults are ½ inch long and metallic green. Larvae live beneath tree bark and create serpentine galleries (see pictures below). If you find suspicious damage on ash trees or see the beetle or larvae contact the NCDA&CS hotline at: or newpest@ncagr.gov Tennessee press release and EAB info: US Forest Service information: Photo: Howard Russell, Michigan State University Photo: Art Wagner, USDA APHIS PPQ

Page 6 Announcement!! In case you did not know, I am pregnant and will be having my very first baby soon! My due date is November 6 and I will be having a boy.

6 Page 6 Announcement!! In case you did not know, I am pregnant and will be having my very first baby soon! My due date is November 6 and I will be having a boy. Through the Family Medical Leave Act I am entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave. I wanted to inform you that I will be out of the office on maternity leave beginning late October or early November and returning March 1, Don t worry, I do plan on returning back to work!! To stay up-to-date on news and events, visit the Green Industry Blog, or your county s Extension website. If you need anything while I am out, please feel free to contact my co-workers, they will be happy to help you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and I will see you next year!! Sincerely, Amanda Stone Cliff Ruth in Henderson County, cliff_ruth@ncsu.edu or (828) Tim Mathews in Haywood County, tim_mathews@ncsu.edu or (828) Melinda Roberts in Buncombe County, melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu or (828) Great Blue Heron, Grayton Beach, FL Buncombe County Center 94 Coxe Avenue Asheville, NC PRSRT STD U. S. POSTAGE PAID ASHEVILLE, NC PERMIT NO. 122

Emerald Ash Borer in Texas NOT a Nightmare on Ash Street

Emerald Ash Borer in Texas NOT a Nightmare on Ash Street By H. A. (Joe) Pase III and Ron Billings Texas A&M Forest Service Some readers may remember information that was sent out early last year (2012)