Yancey County Agriculture Newsletter

Plasticulture Strawberry
Pre-Plant Workshop

Thursday, July 20, 2023
5:30 PM
Yancey County Senior Center

Don't forget about the upcoming plasticulture strawberry pre-plant production workshop.  This workshop will be great for anyone that is interested in growing strawberries to sale at the farmers market, directly from the farm or directly to consumers.  We will focus on how to grow strawberries using black plastic mulch.  Make sure to register by July 19, 2023.

Yancey County Beef and Forage Field Day 

There is still time to register for the Beef and Forage Field Day on July 27, 2023 starting at 5:30 PM!  The field day will focus on a a variety of topics including "Alternative Annual Summer Forages for Hay Production", "Utilizing Temporary Fencing and Watering Systems to Enhance Rotational Grazing", and "Pasture and Hay Field Weed Management with Emphasis on Toxic Weeds".  A meal will be served at the conclusion of the field day.  Registration is preferred to help us with planning this event.

Update on "Yancey Grown" Site Revision 

Thank you to those that have already submitted their updated information for Yancey Grown.  If you own a farm in Yancey County, you would like to have your farm promoted through Yancey Grown, and have not yet completed the Yancey Grown producer survey don't miss out on this opportunity!  Yancey Grown will promote farmers of all types.  If you are a farmer producing vegetables, livestock, value added products, or your "bread and butter" is agri-tourism, consider participating in this project.  Whether producing farm products for sale directly to the consumer or if you are producing for a wholesale market, you may want to consider completing the Yancey Grown producer Survey to submit your farm information to be listed on the site.  Click "Learn more" to access the survey or to learn more about the Yancey Grown initiative.

FAMACHA
Certification Workshop

September 1, 2023
1-4 PM

FAMACHA is a method for measuring the level of anemia in small ruminants (sheep and goats) caused by the barber pole worm.  FAMACH scores can be utilized, along with other management practices, in making decisions about parasite control methods.  A hands-on training and certification for FAMACHA will be conducted in Haywood County on September 1st.  The cost of this certification is $25, which includes a FAMACHA card.  

Pesticide Recertification (X, V and L) "Last Chance Classes" to Be Offered In Fall

Yancey County Private Pesticide Applicators, and those commercial applicators wishing to get "X", "V" or "L" credits prior to September 30, 2023 will have one more chance this fall to complete recertification training at the Yancey County Center.  We have schedule "V-Safety" training for Thursday, September 21, 2023 starting at 5:30 PM.  We will be offering recertification for both "X" and "L" credits on Monday, September 25, 2023 starting at 5:30 PM.  Applicators whose license will be expiring in 2024 that wish to get a jump start on their recertification training are also welcome to attend. 

Toe Cane Beekeepers' Meeting to Focus on Mite Management

The July meeting of the Toe Cane Beekeepers' Association will focus on Varroa mite management throughout the year.  The guest speaker will be Dr. David T. Peck, PhD.  Dr. Peck serves as the director of research at Betterbee in Greenwich, NY.  The meeting will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church (located at 15 Hemlock Ave. in Spruce Pine) on July 11, 2023.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM.  This meeting is open to the public. 

Have You Checked Out the Yancey County Farmers Market Recently?

Take every opportunity you get to support you local farmers!  If you have the opportunity to "buy local" in Yancey County, remember that by doing so you are not just purchasing good food, but you are also helping a neighbor.  One place that you can always "buy local" in Yancey County is at the Yancey County Farmers Market.