We invite you to attend the Putting Small Acreage to Work Conference. You will be able to explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful producers and university and extension personnel who are already growing, raising  and researching  specific livestock species, specialty crops, and other important business opportunities. The program will include three breakout sessions, each with several topics.  You will need to choose one topic to attend at each of the three breakout sessions.

Pre-registration and a fee of $35/person and $20 for each additional person are due by Tuesday, January 24.

Checks made payable to Gaston County Cooperative Extension.

Call Gaston County Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112 for more information.

PUTTING SMALL ACREAGE

TO WORK CONFERENCE

AGENDA

Registration

8:00 a.m.—8:30 a.m.

Concurrent  Session I

8:30 a.m.—10:15 a.m.

 1. Raising Sheep for Food & Fiber

   Susan Proctor

  Windy Wool Windings

2. Weed Control for Small Acreage

Libby Yarber Field & Forage Crops Agent

Lincoln County

3. Field Grown Cut Flower Production

Der Xiong

Immigrant Agriculture Program Coordinator

Catawba County

4. Building Organic Soils & A Sustainable Farming System

      from the Ground Up

Chris & Jeffie Hardin

Rivendell Farms

Concurrent Session II

10:20 a.m.—12:05 a.m.

5. Heirloom Vegetable Production

             Chip Hope

             Coordinator of Sustainable Ag. & Horticulture Program

Western  Piedmont Community College

6. Selling to Restaurants, Retailers & Institutions—Round Table

       Discussion

             Area Chefs,Farmers, Retail & Institution Representatives

7. Food Preservation 101

Linda Minges

Family & Consumer Science Agent

Gaston County

8. Pastured Poultry & MobileProcessing Units

Lee & Domisty Menius

Wild Turkey Farms

LUNCH

12:05 p.m.—1:00 p.m.

Concurrent Session III

1:00 p.m.—2:45 p.m.

9. Rice Production in the Piedmont

Jason Oatis

Edible Earthscapes

10. Planning & Managing a Successful Goat Dairy

Suzanne Levesque

Cheval Farmstead Dairy & Cheese

11. Marketing Grass Roots Style

Lara Worden

Area Agent, Agriculture

Gaston County

For accomodations for persons with disabilities, contact Gaston County Cooperative Extension at 704-922-2112 no later than 5 business days before the event.

NC State University is dedicated to equality of opportunity. The University does not condone discrimination against students, employees, or applicants in any form. NC State commits itself to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation.