Your Durham Ag BULLetin - March 12, 2022

I grew up on a farm. The type of farm that is not easy to categorize into either a market garden or an animal operation; we had it all. Pasture pigs, milking cow, sheep, turkeys, rabbits, meat chickens, layers, show chickens, even pheasant and quail at one point. And then there were the vegetables of all sorts, which we grew both for ourselves and to sell to the tourists passing by.
Keep in mind, this was in New Hampshire, where the last average frost date is Memorial Day weekend! Oh, and the average first frost came about the 3rd week in September, giving us about 3 and a half months to grow all the food for the remainder of the year. But our short growing season never stopped my mother from trying to grow plants that were just a bit outside their hardiness zone, like okra, peanuts, and artichokes (my mom pictured above with a bumper crop of artichokes wintered over from the previous year).
My mother was in charge of the two-legged animals and the vegetable part of the operation, and her curious mind, always wondering if she could plant seeds that, with a little protection and help, just might make it in our cooler climate, despite what the seed packet stated. Watching her experiment and push the envelope as I grew up, and break norms for what was considered 'traditional' women's roles in the 70's and 80's, instilled in me a lasting respect for her and what she taught me without even knowing it.
She planted a seed in me to respect the balance of nature, and to observe and attempt to understand the relationship among the living beings before inserting influence. She planted the seed of curiosity for how thing grow and exist, and what we can do to give a helping hand. She was, and still is, the most amazing and tenacious woman I know. To all the strong women who push the boundaries and plant the seeds in the next generation; March is your month. Celebrate!

Durham Soil and Water District and Durham Farmland Protection Board are hosting a breakfast for farmers at the Farm Bureau located at 1901 Hillandale Road, Durham.

Discussion Topics:

The Comprehensive Plan of Durham is being revised. Come and learn about how it will affect agriculture in the county.

Triangle Land Conservancy’s: “The Good Ground Initiative: Using Conservation tools to increase land ownership, retention, and economic opportunities for people of color.”

Register Here

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.

More info here

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.

Register Here