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North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents

2007 Annual State Meeting: Driving "Fore" Success

June 19-21, 2007       | | | |        Pinehurst, NC


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Professional Improvement Tours

Thursday, June 21, 2007

 

Tour 1: Fruits and Vegetables

Sandhills Research Station - Jackson Springs, NC

Sandhills station
Sandhills station

Sandhills Research Station (SRS) was established in 1940 on a 100-acre tract at Eagle Springs, and was moved in 1951 to its present 517-acre site in Jackson Springs.

Peach, nectarine, and plum research is devoted to developing superior varieties and improving cultural practices, frost protection, fertility, and pest management. More than 30 peach varieties enjoyed worldwide have been developed, named, and released to the public by peach geneticists working at SRS. Several new and very promising selections are currently being evaluated for future release. In addition to stone fruit research, many studies address other fruit crops such as blueberries, brambles, and strawberries. Program expansion continues as the prospects for production of these supplemental crops have increased through SRS research efforts.

Because SRS provides an area of isolation from negative vectors present in many areas across the state involved with intense pepper and cucumber production, research scientists have found it advantageous to study these crops at the Sandhills location. Pepper studies target disease management while cucumber work is part of an ongoing breeding program involving natural mutations. A significant part of the sweetpotato improvement program is conducted at SRS.

Soybean, peanut, corn and small grain studies have increased at Sandhills in the past few years. As we continue to realize the importance of water conservation, the need for improved drought-tolerant soybean varieties increases. Research scientists are using the uniform deep, sandy soils at SRS to provide the low soil moisture environment necessary for the development and evaluation of drought tolerant varieties. From this work, scientists are now optimistic new varieties will soon be released that will increase soybean production. This could have significant economic impact for soybean producers in North Carolina and across the nation.

The most recent addition to the Station’s test crops is turfgrass. Due to its ideal soil type, close proximity to major recreational golfing areas, and local need for increased research on turfgrass production, SRS is well suited to respond to the growing needs of this industry.

Visit the Sandhills Research Station website for more information.

 

Carter Farms - Eagle Springs, NC

Long leaf nursery

Long leaf pine nursery

Cantaloupes

Bins of cantaloupes

Pumpkin field

Pumpkin field

Photos by Taylor Williams, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Carter Farms in Eagle Springs, NC is a large family farm run by Billy Carter. Crops include strawberries, tomatoes, melons, pumpkins, organic burley and flue-cured tobacco, conventional tobacco, and long leaf pines.

    Johnson’s Peaches - Candor, NC

    The Johnson Farm in Candor, NC has produced peaches for three generations.  In addition to peaches Garrett and Barbara Johnson also grow nectarines, apples, plums, and a wide variety of vegetables.  Some forty plus peach varieties produce tree ripened peaches from early June to October for their roadside market and two of the state farmers' markets.  Garrett and Barbara are constantly trying new peach varieties and production techniques.  Micro-sprinklers irrigate the entire orchard and a shearing machine assists with pruning. 

    Johnsons peaches

    The roadside market offers homemade ice cream and hot peach dumplings in addition to tree ripened fruit and vegetables straight from the farm.

    Photo by Roger Galloway, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.


    Tour 2: Turf and Ornamentals

    Pinehurst No. 2 Golf Resort - Pinehurst, NC

    Pinehurst No. 2

    Pinehurst
    Pinehurst

    Photos used with permission from Pinehurst.

    2007 is the Centennial of the No. 2 course! Pinehurst is proud of its commitment to maintaining the natural setting and historic character that have drawn people here for over a century.  Built by James Walker Tufts in 1895 and master planned by famed Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted (designer of New York's Central Park), it was created as a health retreat, where guests could enjoy the great outdoors and literally be lost among its meandering pathways lined with over 200,000 trees and plants.

    Pinehurst was the first private landowner in the country to voluntarily enter the Safe Harbor Program, now managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and specifically designed to preserve endangered species habitats on private land.    The red cockaded woodpecker has found a haven among Pinehurst's tree-lined fairways, where their habitats continue to be preserved.  Pinehurst No. 8 was likewise named an Audubon Signature Sanctuary and was lauded for its preservation of natural wetlands.   We also received the coveted President's Award for Environmental Stewardship by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in 2007.

    Beyond the awards, the Pinehurst landscape abounds with natural wildlife - the signature fox squirrel climb the towering pines and cross the fairways with speed and dexterity, amid plants in bloom year-round.

    Visit the Pinehurst Golf Resort website for more information.

     

    Sandhills Horticultural Gardens at Sandhills Community College - Pinehurst, NC

    Sandhiils Horticultural Gardens
    greenhouses gardens

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Visit the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens website for more information.

     

    Tour 3: Livestock

    Blue Q Cattle Company - Troy, NC

    Kerry Collins and cow

    Kerry Collins

    Established in 2004 by former Charlotte Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins (who now plays for the Tennessee Titans), Blue Q Cattle Company is located in rural Montgomery County. Kerry learned the cattle business from his father-in-law, who ran a purebred cattle herd in nearby Monroe. With over 1,000 acres in Bermudagrass blended with Matua Bromegrass, Blue Q is one of the largest purebred Angus cattle operations in the area. With over 300 purebred brood cows (and growing), Blue Q is a wonderful cattle facility and farm.

    Kerry Collins (above and left).

     

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.


    The Fork Stables
    - Norwood, NC

    Fork

    Events barn and tent

    Fork and hunting lodge

    One of the hunting lodges

    Skeet shooting range

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Located in Stanly County along the borders of the Pee Dee and  Rocky Rivers, The Fork is one of  the truly “Must See” attractions of the area. Featuring an Olympic-class cross country riding course, the equine facility is second to none in North Carolina. The main horse barn is one that you have to see to believe. The Fork is not just a horse farm however. Their hunting and wildlife division is just as impressive. With over 2000 acres devoted to managed deer and turkey hunts, as well as an excellent sporting clays course, the Fork is a tour you do not want to miss.

    Visit The Fork website for more information.

     


    Tour 4: Alternative Agriculture

    Harland’s Creek Farm - Pittsboro, NC

    Postharvest handling

    Postharvest handling

    historic home

    The farm house is a
    national historic site

    field

    Vegetable & flower beds

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Harland's Creek Farm is a certified organic farm located in Pittsboro, NC. The Alston-Degraffenried House, a national historic site, is on the farm. The farm produces cut flowers, produce, and herbs.  The farm also hosts weddings and other events.  There are about 5 acres under production divided into three plots that have been opened successively over time since 2001. 

    Farmer Judy Lessler retired from her job as a biostatistician in RTP several years ago to realize her dream of farming full time. She sells through several farmers' markets and also through three Community Supported Agriculture groups that provide produce or flowers on a subscription basis. 
     
    The Alston-Degraffenried House was built in 1810 and the farm has a long history. Judy grows many native and heirloom varieties of cut flowers - many of the bouquets that they make could have been in someone's parlor in the 1800s.

    When Judy and her late husband first moved into the Alston-Degraffenried house in the early 70s, kudzu covered the yard and was growing onto the porch.  After clearing, they discovered an old fruit and flower garden to the east of the house. In the fall of 2001 they built a parterre on the site of the old garden that was inspired by drawings of 18th century gardens.  The farming operation was also initiated in 2001. 

    Visit the Harland's Creek Farm website for more information.

     

    Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Facility - Pittsboro, NC

    greenhouse lettuce

    Hydroponic lettuce

    Biodiesel plant

    Biodiesel plant

    Biodiesel office

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Piedmont Biofuels' mission is to lead the grassroots sustainability movement in North Carolina by using and encouraging the use of clean, renewable biofuels. The organization offers a variety of valuable services to the community: they sell 100% biodiesel fuel to members throughout the Triangle region. They also design and build biodiesel reactors for clients across the U.S. Rachel Burton and Leif Forer of Piedmont Biofuels created the biodiesel program at the Pittsboro campus of Central Carolina Community College, where students can learn about all aspects of biodiesel production. Piedmont Biofuels' staff also travel around the country lecturing to groups interested in renewable energy.

    In the fall of 2006, Piedmont Biofuels opened up their new commercial biodiesel plant with the capacity to produce one million gallons of biodiesel. Their goal is to be able to produce/collect feedstocks from within 100 miles of Pittsboro, and to distribute the fuel out to that same 100 miles.

    The Piedmont Biofuels Industrial Plant is developing into an incubator for sustainable enterprises. In addition to all the great things happening on the biodiesel end, they have an organic farm (Piedmont Biofarms) on their property, plus a greenhouse operation (Screech Owl Greenhouse) that produces hydroponic lettuce. Eastern Carolina Organics, an organic growers' marketing cooperative, is based at Industrial. Piedmont Biofuels recently received a grant to convert the paper waste from the plant plus the produce waste from ECO and Chatham Marketplace into black gold - er, worm castings - to be sold as a valuable soil amendment. Other non-profits like The Abundance Foundation have also set up shop at Industrial.

    Piedmont Biofuels Industrial is also serving as one of the demontration sites for a grant-funded project promoting biodiversity and habitat conservation led by Chatham County Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos.

    Visit the Piedmont Biofuels website for more information.


    Celebrity Dairy
    - Siler City, NC

    Following time-honored French farmstead techniques, the cheesemakers at Celebrity Daity transform goat milk into fresh cheese, or chèvre. Its taste is inextricably tied to its place of origin - their particular herd of Alpine and Saanen goats, their forage unique to the farm's pasture and woods.

    Celebrity Dairy's founders Brit and Fleming Pfann are leaders and role models in Chatham's sustainable agriculture community. They also operate a lovely Bed and Breakfast at the farm. They sell their award-winning goat cheese at several farmers' markets and to retailers such as Weaver Street Market and Chatham Marketplace. You will also find their cheese on the menus at the Triangle's top restaurants, as it is coveted by our best chefs.

    Whitney and kid

    Head cheesemaker Whitney with newborn kid

    making cheese

    Draining curd
    to make cheese

    goats grazing

    Grazing goats

    Photos by Debbie Roos, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

    Visit the Celebrity Dairy website for more information.

     

    Last updated June 13, 2007.

    Website created by Debbie Roos,
    Agricultural Extension Agent.