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Chatham County
Livestock & Forages Newsletter |
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- February 19th, 2026 - |
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Here's what's waiting for you in this newsletter
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New Pesticide Training Requirement for ALL License Holders
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Backyard & Small Flocks Poultry Workshop
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Chatham Ag Impact Summit Seats
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Ag Fest - Pittsboro
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Animal Control, Law Enforcement, and First Responders Livestock Training
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Auxin Training
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Small Ruminant Workshops
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Horse Pasture Management
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IMPORTANT
ALL Pesticide License Holders
NEW REQUIREMENT! |
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Following the U.S. EPA’s update to pesticide applicator certification rules, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has released a mandatory training video. The 1-hour video, titled “NCDA&CS Required Pesticide Certification & Training Standards Update,” is required viewing to maintain your certification and serves as a practical alternative to retesting.
Who is affected by this requirement?
If you are a private or commercial applicator who obtained your certification (passed the Core Exam) prior to July 1, 2025, you are required to complete this update.
What actions are required?
To remain compliant, you must:
- View the 1-hour video.
- Submit the online verification form once you have finished viewing the video.
Deadlines for completion:
This mandatory training must be completed by your standard recertification credit deadline in the year your current certification expires. Failure to complete the training by these dates will require you to retake the certifying exam(s), even if all other recertification credit requirements have been satisfied.
Specific deadlines are determined by your certification type:
- Deadline for Commercial Applicators: June 30th of the year your certification expires
- Deadline for Private Applicators: September 30th of the year your certification expires
Note: If your certification is set to expire in 2026, it is vital that you complete the video and form by June 30th (commercial applicators) or September 30th (private applicators).
How to Access the Training
The video and verification form (currently available in English only) can be found on the NCDA&CS website by clicking the button below. Please be sure to watch the video and fill out the form.
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| Click Here to Complete Training |
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Poultry Workshop
Online or In-person
March 2nd from 6-8 PM
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This workshop is designed for both beginners and current flock owners who want to strengthen their poultry knowledge and skills. Topics will include egg development and incubation, brooding best practices, basic nutrition, and how to identify and manage common diseases and parasites. The session will also include time for questions so participants can get practical answers tailored to their own birds and management goals. |
| Click Here to Register |
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Chatham Ag Impact Summit
West Chatham Area Chamber Event
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The West Chatham Chamber has made five complimentary seats available for agricultural producers who may be interested in attending the Third Annual Chatham Ag Impact Summit on February 24. This event will highlight topics such as policy impacts on local farms, the role of agribusiness in the community, agricultural drone applications, and farmland preservation efforts in Chatham County.
Producers who would like to claim one of these seats can contact Josh Harris at jharris@silerareachamber.com or (919) 704-6932.
Additional event details and registration information are available at WCAChamber.com.
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Ag Fest in Pittsboro
Come out and join us! |
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Chatham County invites residents to join us for our 6th annual Spring Ag Fest at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (CCACC) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Spring Ag Fest is a celebration of Chatham County’s agriculture, forestry, and natural resources.
The Spring Ag Fest is free and open to the public.
The Spring Ag Fest will offer something for everyone:
- Livestock Arena Events
- 4-H Kids’ Zone
- Exhibitors and Vendors
- Food Trucks
- Cooking Demonstrations |
| Click Here to Learn More |
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Livestock Handling & Behavior Training
Attention:
Animal Control, Law Enforcement, and First Responders
March 17th & 18th |
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This hands-on program will be held March 17 and 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and focuses on practical skills for handling livestock and animal-related emergency situations.
This isn’t just a classroom seminar; it is hands-on field intensive. Extension Agents from across the region have designed this day to provide participants with the essential skills they need for livestock welfare assessments, husbandry identification, and safe animal handling in the field.
Please share with colleagues or departments who could benefit. Space is limited. |
| Click Here to RSVP |
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Auxin Training |
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Pasture Management
for Horse Owners
Check out this 3 part webinar series!
Feb 19, Mar 19, & Apr 16 | 12:00 PM |
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Good pasture management starts from the ground up. This three-part virtual educational series for horse owners covers the essentials of weed control, soil fertility and pasture management, and selecting high-quality hay for horses.
In the Pasture Perfect webinar series, Extension Agents in Hoke, Moore, and Richmond counties will provide practical, research-based information to help you improve pasture health, reduce weed pressure, and make better hay purchasing decisions. Perfect for new and experienced horse owners alike. These virtual discussions will begin at 12:00 PM EST and will conclude around 1:00 PM EST.
March 19 - Increasing Pasture Production Through Soil Fertility
https://go.ncsu.edu/pastureperfectsoilfertility
April 16 - Choosing the Best Hay for Your Horse
https://go.ncsu.edu/pastureperfecthay
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| March 19 - Increasing Pasture Production Through Soil Fertility |
| April 16 - Choosing the Best Hay for Your Horse |
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Don't see what you are looking for? |
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Click the button below to fill out a quick anonymous survey to let me know what types of programs you would be interested in!
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| Click Here to Fill Out Survey |
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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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Chatham County, 1192 US 64 West Business Suite 400, Pittsboro, NC 27312, United States
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