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ANSON COUNTY CENTER

Anson Farm and Garden
Horticulture and Forestry

November, 2021
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Enviva Forestry Event - register

Soil Sampling Peak Season

NC AgVentures Grant

2021 Crop Protection School

Sheet Mulching


Anson Farm and Garden focuses on 3 main topics: residential horticulture, land use/ownership, as well as small farm management. 
If you are interested in learning more about any information in this newsletter…

Contact
Anson County Cooperative Extension
PO Box 633
501 McLaurin St.
Wadesboro, NC 28170

PH: 704.694.2915
https://anson.ces.ncsu.edu/

Aimee Colf
Horticulture /forestry agent
aimee_colf@ncsu.edu

Upcoming Event:
Enviva Biomass Opportunities for Private Forest Landowners





This is a networking opportunity for forest landowners, foresters, loggers, and other land managers.
   December 2, 2021, 3-4pm at, we are highlighting the woody biomass industry, particularly Enviva, a local pellet manufacturing plant.

Register for this event - Register early, seating limited
December 2, 2021
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Anson Cooperative Extension
501 McLaurin St.
Wadesboro, NC 28170


Meet with Enviva's Wood Procurement Foresters, and learn about the125 acre pellet manufacturing plant in Hamlet, NC. Can low quality or savage timber from your family forestland fit into their supply chain? What are the roles of foresters, timber buyers and loggers in working with landowners to supply this market? Learn how forest certification can increase the value of your forest and the final product through their sustainable biomass program.


In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, N.C. Cooperative Extension or NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: aimee_colf@ncsu.edu, or 704-694-2915. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.

Submit Soil Samples to Avoid Peak Season Fees

Peak-season soil testing fees are set to take effect December 1 through March 31, 2022.  Soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services lab before that date will mean growers and homeowners can avoid the $4 per sample fee.

Fall is the busiest time of the year for the soil testing lab. The peak-season fee of $4 per sample started in 2013 to encourage early sampling in the fall. The other times of the year, outside peak season soil testing service is free.   Sample(s) can be shipped to the NCDA&CS lab from the Anson Extension office, with a $5 courier fee payable to Anson Extension.  Samples must be received by the Agronomic Services Division by 5 p.m. on November 30, to avoid the peak-season fee.

Soil sample boxes and submission forms (left) can be picked up at any N.C. Cooperative Extension office. During peak season soil testing fees and the $5 courier fee can be paid together at Anson Extension.

“Agriculture and agribusiness represent our No. 1 industry at $95.9 billion. Soil sampling is a sound investment by growers as it provides the specific scientific recommendations to optimize crop production and to avoid applying excess and unneeded nutrients, which are costly to growers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I encourage growers to sample early to avoid the peak-season fee, but if that is not possible, know that these fees are reinvested into the lab to continue to improve efficiency.”

NC State Extension Offers GrantOpportunity for
Family Farms



NC AgVentures, an NC State Extension program provides grants to NC farmers and Community Groups that work with family farms, for new and innovative agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits.  The program, which is supported by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, will award a minimum of 40 grants to independent family farms.  This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.

Application deadline is December 15th, 2021.  Eligible counties include Alamance, Alleghany, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guildord, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnson, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes, Warren, and Yadkin.  Register for the online informational workshop 4:30pm Nov. 16, and Dec. 1 or visit www.ncagventures.org.


The 73rd Annual Crop Protection School:
Need Pesticide or Certified Crop Advisor Credit Hours?

The 73rd Annual Crop Protection School will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2021 online via Zoom.  To pre-register, email Dr. Dominic Reisig, NC State Entomology and Plant Pathology Extension Specialist at ddreisig@ncsu.edu.  RSVP is required, as the Zoom passcode and link will be given upon registration.  The theme for this year is focused on technology in agriculture.  Pesticide and CCA credits are available, but see agenda for special instructions to receive credit.  For questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Reisig.



Quick Guide to Sheet Mulching

Sheet composting is an easy, passive, cold composting method.  Fall is a great time to assemble this future garden bed so that without any further effort it will be ready to plant flowers or vegetables in by May.  The basic technique involves placing layers of carbon-rich materials (shredded paper, straw, cardboard, leaves) and nitrogen-rich materials (rabbit/cow/goat manure, grass clippings, coffee grounds or other plant-based kitchen scraps) directly on the soil, alternating in 2” layers until the mulch reaches 1.5-3 feet in height.  No other action is needed.  Biodegradation requires about 6 months after which your weed-free sheet mulched site is ready for planting in May!

Above: Anson Co. students preparing a sheet layering garden bed, layering dried goat manure over shredded paper.

 
 
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.
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