Feb. 26, 2022 - Possibilities and seedlings springing forth.
The Foodie Files - Why I love spring.
Daffodils are my favorite flower. They are one of the first bright spots to spring forth in the garden from their winter dormancy. They are bright and cheery, tilting their 'heads' to the sun.
I can't exactly explain why I like daffodils and jonquils so much. Perhaps it is the brightness among the dull and dreary winter days; the flash of yellow and orange breaking the colorless landscape that often accompanies this time of year. Or maybe it is the vast degree of variability among the blooms. Anyway I look at it, they signal to me about all the possibilities the earth has to offer, and gets me excited to begin the planting season and start my seedlings. Maybe my love of daffodils is why I have been drawn to careers such as hospitality, food, and extension. At this point you may think I have had one too many hits with the snake, but I shall explain. All of these career paths have something in common, serving the community and people. Like daffodils, people can be a bright spot in our day, especially those who raise and prepare the food we eat. Food can be a comfort on a dull and dreary day as well. And both people and the agriculture products we grow bloom in different and unique ways, which makes each special in their own right.
So this spring, as I meet with Durham farmers and learn about their challenges and dreams, I hope I can be the daffodil in their day, and bring just a bit of brightness and joy as I learn and listen.
Durham Farm and Foodies MeetUp - March 3, 6-7PM
Join us at Hi-Wire Brewery to build community around food and agriculture. We want to create a space for informal networking among those who grow, raise, and produce food within Durham for the community. Making connections to both commiserate and collaborate over feeding the body mind and soul.
March 3, 2022 from 6-7PM @ Hi-Wire Brewery located at 800 Taylor Street, Durham, NC 27701.
The set-up will allow for social distancing.
The event is free, and beverages and food is available for those who want it on site.
R.S.V.P Here
Introduction to Vegetable Production
Are you new to farming? Are you ready to take your gardening to the next level and begin a market garden? This class is for you.
You will learn the basics of soil health and management, vegetable production, irrigation, and pest management.
March 30, 2022 - 6:00-9:00 pm - Basics of soil management and keys to market gardening success.
April 27, 2022 - 6:00-9:00 pm - Integrated pest management and basics of crop irrigation.
May 21, 2022 - 9:30 am - 4:00 pm - All day event at Breeze Farm, and incubator farm in Orange County, featuring hands-on demonstrations and workshops on setting up drip irrigation lines, soil health demonstrations, pest identification, and basics of walk behind farm implements.
Learn how to effectively use earthworms and microbes to transform organic waste into vermicompost to improve soil and plants health. Plant growth and yields will increase and plant diseases and pests can decrease with the use of vermicompost. This session will be presented by Rhonda Sherman, NC State University's compost and vermiculture expert.
Poultry with a Purpose Webinar - March 31, 2022 - 6:30PM
You may have thought about getting some poultry to supply yourself with eggs, or meat, or even for their entertainment value. But you just don't know where to start.
This workshop, presented by NC State University Area Specialized Agent Jonas Asbill, is for those new to owning and caring for poultry. The program will cover the various reasons for keeping backyard flocks (eggs, meat, both, showing, pets, etc.), biosecurity and how to keep your birds and yourself healthy, breed selection and how to make the most of any poultry enterprise by setting your goals and understanding your budget.
In Person Private Pesticide Recertification Training - March 8, 9-11AM
This training for private pesticide license holders needing the V credits will be held at the Durham County Cooperative Extension Building at 721 Foster St. Durham.
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.
