Mountain Growing in Avery County

Tree Contest at Avery A&H Fair

2011-08-15T08:18:00.003-04:00

The Avery County Christmas Tree and Nurserymen's Association, through the help of Bret Gardella, the new economic development person in Avery County, has received the honor of decorating the Fox News studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. The board has agreed to utilize the Avery A&H Fair to help select which ACCTNA member will be providing the Trees and garland for the studio. If you would like

Whole Animal Butchery for Chefs and Farmer

2011-08-09T08:52:00.000-04:00

(YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE RECERTIFICATION

Christmas Tree Marketing Meeting

2011-05-16T15:51:00.005-04:00

It is easy to grow a high quality tree, but if you don’t have a high quality marketing program, then your tree quality probably won’t help you. In this time of poor economic times it is even more important to be able to reach new customers and keep old ones. How we do this is called marketing. If you are wondering how you can afford to market today, plan on attending Marketing 101: How to Reach

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NDPES

2011-04-16T12:23:00.002-04:00

I have received information concerning the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. This system was going to require pesticide applicators to get permits or posting signage for pesticide applications made near water. These requirements were scheduled to be implemented federally on April 9, 2011. However due to legislative battles on the omplementation of NPDES permits this won't be

Bugs Away!!!!!

2011-04-14T18:21:00.002-04:00

If you have not been in your field, you need to get out there. We are seeing Balsam Twig Aphid, spidermite, Elongate Hemlock Scale, and Balsam Woolly adelgid alive and well. Today, when scouting I saw multiple stages of Balsam Twig Aphid running around. With the current weather trends, I would scout my trees to see if I am going to have to treat this spring. Call us at the office if you want help

Spring has Sprung

2011-04-07T13:40:00.001-04:00

This is a message from our IPM Technician, Doug HundleyThis week I scheduled and made a trip to Fraser fields looking for Balsam Twig Aphid. I found BTA hatching and developing, meaning they were molting into 2nd and 3rd instars. I found BTA at this stage at the 3,000 elevation on Monday. We would expect to be able to evaluate them about anywhere late this week or early next week.This means

Educational Meetings

2011-04-07T13:14:00.001-04:00

Private Pesticide Applicators Recertification Class Newland Fire Department, Estatoa Ave Tuesday, April 12, 2011 6pm-8pm This class has been approved for 2.0 pesticide credit hours in sub-class “V”. If your license expires in September, 2011 and you have not earned your 2.0 credit hours in sub-class V, you have an opportunity to earn them on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

Upcoming Pesticide School

2011-03-07T13:33:00.002-05:00

Pesticide School for Avery County Farmers March 17-18, 2011The Avery County Cooperative Extension Center is hosting a pesticide school on Thursday March 17, and Friday March 18, 2011. If you need to get a pesticide license for your job or farm, and would like to get some help in acquiring this license, then this school is for you. It is a day and a half of intensive training to prepare you for

Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference

2011-02-14T13:58:00.002-05:00

In these days of poor sales and eroding margins, this meeting might be able to give you a few ideas on how to manage your own market. If you would like to attend please give us a call at 828-733-8270. We are trying to get correct numbers about food and handouts. thanksSpeakersSarah Pinnix, New Media Marketing Coach, Boone, NCTracy Brown, Executive Director, Blowing Rock Tourism Development

Financial Management Class with Dinner

2010-08-18T23:20:00.001-04:00

We have an upcoming educational opportunity for you. On Thursday August 26, 2010, we will have an educational meeting on ways to handle planning our finances to minimize our tax . This event will take place at the B.H. Corpening Forest Training Facility located at 6065 Linville Hwy in Crossnore. The meeting will begin with registration at 5:00 pm. When arriving you will travel across the high

Emerald Ash Borer

2010-08-18T23:19:00.000-04:00

Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in East Tennessee- Plans underway to survey and restrict movement of ash material in Knox, Loudon counties -Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB), the first detection of the destructive tree pest in the state. The discovery was made last week at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon

Household Hazardous Waste Day

2010-08-18T23:18:00.001-04:00

House Hold Hazardous Waste Collection DayThe County of Avery will be offering free of charge a HHW (household hazardous waste) collection day for RESIDENTS ONLY to be held Saturday August 28,2010 from 9:00 am to3:00 PM. This event is not intended for commercial use. This will be your opportunity to properly dispose of paint and related materials that are not accepted at the Counties convenience

Elongate Hemlock Scale is Here

2010-08-18T23:16:00.001-04:00

Elongate Hemlock ScaleIt is here!!!!! Over the past few weeks we have seen a lot of trees with Elongated Hemlock Scale. The treatment window for this summer will be closing in the next few weeks, so now if the time to be out scouting and evaluating the amount of infestation that is present in your fields. The EHS is found almost exclusively on the underside of needles and will be found on

EPA to Terminate All Uses of Insecticide Endusulfan

2010-06-15T10:47:00.003-04:00

Below is the body of an email I received concerning Endosulfan (Thionex). Call me if you have any questions.EPA to Terminate All Uses of Insecticide Endosulfan - "EPA has concluded that endosulfan poses unacceptable risks to agricultural workers and wildlife, and can persist in the environment. New data generated in response to the agency�s 2002 decision have shown that risks faced by workers

Respirators

2010-06-09T11:26:00.001-04:00

Thursday, June 3, 2010 By Jill Sidebottom, Ph. D.RespiratorsAs more research is being done on the chronic effects of low level exposures to pesticides, it continues to be apparent that pesticide use can adversely affect the health of the pesticide applicator. That's why it's important that people wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, and even use more PPE than is required,

2010 Roan Mountain Wilding Sale

2010-03-11T10:11:00.003-05:00

This could be the last year for the Roan Mountain Wilding sale. If the US Forest Service does not have at least 25, 000 sold this year, the sale will be suspended until such a time that the public interest exceeds 25,000 wildings.2010 Roan Mountain WildingsThe U.S. Forest Service will issue permits to pull Fraser Fir Wildingson Roan Mountain this Spring, 2010. Wildings will be available on a

Does Snow Contain Nitrogen?

2010-03-09T13:42:00.002-05:00

I have had this question posed to us several times. I emailed Ron Gehl and asked for his expert advice. The following is his answer;http://www.apis.ac.uk/overview/pollutants/overview_N_deposition.htmI checked the National Atmospheric Deposition Program database to get an idea of what to expect in western NC. The NADP has a monitoring station on Mt. Mitchell. The average ANNUAL deposition at

Burning Christmas trees and Nursery Crops for pest reduction

2010-03-03T15:27:00.002-05:00

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF AIR QUALITY AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREON THE OPEN BURNING OF AGRICULTURAL lANDS FOR AGRICULTURALMANAGEMENT PRACTICES UNDER TITLE 15A NORTH CAROLINAADMINISTRATIVE CODE 2D .1903This MOU addresses the issue of burning crop residues for the reduction of pests. The

Landscape Educational Day Rescheduled

2010-03-03T15:02:00.001-05:00

We have an upcoming educational opportunity for you. On Friday, March 19, 2010 the Avery County and Watauga County Cooperative Extension Centers are hosting a day long educational event. This event will take place at the B.H. Corpening Forest Training Facility located at 6065 Linville Hwy in Crossnore. The meeting will begin with registration at 8:30am. When arriving you will travel

Christmas Tree Export Meeting

2010-01-27T18:32:00.002-05:00

The NCDA&CS's International Marketing Section is hosting a meeting to discuss te Exporting NC Christmas trees to Central and South America on 11:00 am till 3:00 pm on February 16, 2010 at the Watauga Cooperative Extension Conference Center. The topics of discussion will be;MarketsLogisticsPhytosanitary CertificatesSales OptionsUpcoming trade mission to Costa Rico and Panama in June 2010If you are

Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference

2010-01-27T11:55:00.005-05:00

On February 11, 2010 we are sponsoring a Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference at the Agricultureal Services Conference Center located in Boone NC. The address is 971 West King Street and can be accessed byThis conference is designed to help the Small and medium grower to develop or expand wholesale and retail markets. Topics will address diversified markets, proven strategies, advertising

Alternative Agriculture Conference

2010-01-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

Avery and Mitchell County Cooperative Extension Centers are jointly offering a conference dedicated to discussing and reviewing alternative agriculture opportunities available for the high country farmer. On February 2, 2010 at the Sams Center on Mayland Community College main campus in Spruce Pine NC, there will be a conference starting at 1 pm and finishing at 5 pm. This conference will be

Annual Christmas Tree Workshop

2010-01-21T15:33:00.002-05:00

The Avery County Cooperative Extension Center in cooperation with Mitchell County Cooperative Extension Center will be hosting the annual WINTER CHRISTMAS TREE WORKSHOP. The workshop will be held at the Mayland Community College Campus-Sam's Auditorium in Spruce Pine on FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010. The workshop will begin at 11:00am and conclude at 3:30pm. This meeting will concentrate on Deer