The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has received a $79.6 million USDA block grant to assist producers and woodland owners in 90 counties who suffered losses in 2018-2019 from Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Dorian. The application period runs July 1 to Oct. 1. This program will offer direct payments to eligible poultry/livestock and plasticulture producers. Assistance will only involve losses associated with these hurricanes that were not covered under other USDA disaster programs.
As we near the end of blackberry season, it is a good time to get those plants off to a great start next year by giving them what they need to build a robust root system into the fall.
In general, blackberries need about 40 to 50 pounds of Nitrogen per acre after the first year. It is best to split this application, putting down half in the late spring as they begin to grow vigorously and again after fruiting. Nitrogen is needed in the highest amount of all nutrients, the soil will not be able to supply adequate amount of this nutrient. When it comes to the other nutrients, a soil test can help you determine if supplementation of these are needed.
If you are not sure if your plants need more nutrients one way to find out is through a tissue test. These can be submitted to the NCDA&CS lab for a cost of $5. Well worth it to find out what the plant is able to take up, because even if a nutrient is in the soil there may be some factor limiting the uptake and a tissue test can help identify that.
Need another reason to incorporate cover crops into your management plan?
The USDA just announced that agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit if they planted cover crops during this crop year. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), offered nationally by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), helps farmers maintain their cover crop systems, despite the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.
Have questions on how cover crops can benefit your soil in times of drought and flood?
Contact me today and we can chat.
Extra Produce? Veggies Galore? Donate Them!
Want to be a part of solving food security in Durham?
If you are a local gardener, farmer, food pantry, or other food distribution organization, you to join Plant a Row Durham! They are a grassroots network of partnerships between local food pantry operators and gardeners. These sustainable partnerships have their own synergy with multiple benefits of sharing resources, experience, skills and knowledge. Together you can help provide fresh produce for Durham’s food insecure families.
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
