Urban Agriculture, Forsyth County NC CES

The Tool Lending Program is starting again! Are you in need of gardening tools? They are now available to rent at our office. Here's how it works:
1. Contact Cameron Waters, Community Gardening Program Coordinator, at 336-703-2853 to reserve the tools you need.
2. Pickup the tools at the Cooperative Extension Office (a refundable deposit is required.)
3. Use the tools as you need for 2 weeks.
4. Clean and disinfect tools.
5. Return tools to the office and pick up your deposit.

Read more about Tool Lending here: http://go.ncsu.edu/readext?788166

Soil testing is once again free until November! You can pick up test kits at the Extension Office at Fairchild Road.

Soil testing is free for NC residents from April through November. Once complete, you will get a soil test report back with information on choosing proper soil amendments and fertilizer. See our article for details on how you can get a soil testing kit in Forsyth County: https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/02/soil-test-kits/

Check out this fun and free opportunity for youth!

Do you have an 8-12 year-old that likes gardening? Are you interested in a FREE gardening program? Sign-up TODAY! Visit https://forsyth.cc/CES/article.aspx?NewsID=26074 to learn more and to register.

WELCOME our new Family and Consumer Science Agent Virginia C. Lopez! Virginia began her new position with the Forsyth County Center on Monday, February 1, 2021. Virginia is a former nutrition educator for NC Cooperative Extension in the SNAP Ed program, steps to health. She holds a bachelors degree in health promotion and will soon receive a Master’s Certificate in Public Health Nutrition. She was raised in Los Angeles, CA and moved to North Carolina in 2007. Virginia is married, has two children and is a Grandmother to one infant boy. Virginia looks forward to interacting with the citizens of Forsyth County and sharing her life experiences on living a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and an active lifestyle.



Soil Boxes are available to be picked up. You will need to mail them to NCDA&CS according to directions on the paperwork. Soil test now for your fall garden planting in August.

Do you need a soil testing kit? Our office doors are still closed to the public, but we've placed kits outside in our Demonstration Garden. Read the article for details on how to pick one up: https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/06/soil-test-kits/

https://johnston.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/06/home-food-preservation-online-series/

Learn how to preserve some of your harvest!
Free but Registration required

Home Food Preservation Online Series Interested in learning to preserve your own foods? We have the series for you! Each workshop will be held online, but you must participate live. Workshops will not be recorded in order to align with N.C. Cooperative Extension virtual home food preservation recommendations. Learn to preserve fruits,....

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Thursday, June 11, 2020

6:00pm – 7:30pm

Register by Tuesday, June 9, 2020

https://bit.ly/2XUGUzn

Webinar information will be sent out the day before via email.

Information for the urban beekeepers out there.

If you're looking for a way to keep up with the latest beekeeping information sign up for NC State Apiculture's bi-weekly online Hive Chat. Join Dr. Deborah Delaney, Extension Apiculturist at the University of Delaware, for the next session on June 3rd at 7:00 pm as she discusses different types of honey bees and their characteristics. Go to https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/apiculture/beekeeping-webinars/ for details.

Have you been thinking about getting a high tunnel to extend your growing season? Check out this webinar tomorrow online

Topic: CFSA-Cost Effective High Tunnel Options

Time: May 28, 2020, 6:00 pm Eastern Time

https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/cfsa-webinar-cost-effective-high-tunnel-options/

Free Leaf Mulch is Back!
FREE Leaf Mulch-May 2020
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities has rescheduled the annual leaf mulch giveaway. Postponed due to stay-at-home orders, free leaf mulch will only be available while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday, May 16, 23 and 30. Operators will load your vehicle from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forum 52 Yard Waste Facility, 180 Northstar Drive in the Forum 52 Business Park off Forum Parkway in Rural Hall.

Farmers markets are open for business and make a great outdoor option for shopping for your locally grown produce, meats, and value added products. Wear a mask, maintain 6 feet between you and others, use your eyes to browse rather than touching products. Wash your hands and your produce! Stay informed: go.ncsu.edu/covid-19
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

2020 Teen Retreat and Office Update

2020 Teen Retreat and Office Update

Frost and Freeze Protection for Vegetables The clear skies and calm winds predicted for this weekend will likely lead to freeze or frost conditions in North Carolina. Sunday morning, May 10, 2020, the temperature is predicted to drop into the 30s across the state and even lower in low-lying rural areas. Not only are daily low temperature rec...

Adding compost to your growing beds is an excellent cultural practice to improve soil health. Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants=Healthy People

Happy Earth Day! Farming with Nature to Celebrate the Day!
http://npic.orst.edu/envir/beneficial/index.html

The Cobblestone Farmers Market Borrowed Land Farm Mushrooms Mushroom Varieties: chestnut, oyster, lions mane and more. PLUS, grow your own cubes that last about a month at home with weekly mushroom production!  Pre-Order (by 12pm Wednesday)  borrowedlandfarm.com/shop Indicate Pick-Up for Wednesday Buffalo Creek Creamery Fresh G...

Come check out the basics and importance of beekeeping and see inside of a real hive! See you at 10:30am!

Grow Better Tomatoes this year!

How to Grow Better Tomatoes The lovely summer tomato, what could be better sliced thickly and served up on a sandwich or as a side? Begin planning now for better tomatoes. There are good cultural practices which can be used in your garden to prolong the life of your tomatoes into the summer. The first step is to carefully cons...

Resources to help Small Produce Farms During COVID-19 Pandemic

Resources to help Small Produce Farms During COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Farmers Starting Apr. 3
https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/covid-19-relief-funds-available-to-farmers-starting-apr-3/

COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Farmers Starting Apr. 3 by CFSA Policy Team | Thursday, Apr. 2, 2020 — Farms and businesses with fewer than 500 employees and that meet the Small Business Administration’s definition of ‘small business’ can apply for a federal emergency relief program starting April 3. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part ...

Do need a handwashing station out in the field? Here you go!

How to build portable hand washing station How to build a hand washing station for the field for less than $20. From the University of Minnesota. Download instructions for building the stand here: www...

We are all set for Forsyth County Land Summit tomorrow via ZOOM meeting. Here is the link to log in at 8:30 am Thursday morning 3-26-20.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/831927529

Meeting ID: 831 927 529

Here's an easy and very affordable way to build a handwashing station.

How to build portable hand washing station How to build a hand washing station for the field for less than $20. From the University of Minnesota. Download instructions for building the stand here: www...

Information You Can Use as you make Irrigation decisions. Sign up for updates delivered to your email box at climate.ncsu.edu

She's a winner! Congratulations to Lisa Carter of Forsyth County Stepping Up @ Forsyth County Department of Public Health! She won the basket of goodies from our local farmers and Cooperative Extension. Thank you for coming out to our Meet Your Farmer event and thank you to all of the local farms that participated and made this day possible!

Tomorrow March 5th is the day to MEET YOUR FARMER at the Forsyth County Government Center Atrium from 10:30-2:30. Parking is free in the attached deck when you register with security guard for parking pass. Come see me to register for a chance to win a basket of local goodies from our farmers!
Farms with CSA box programs and on farm activities will be there and will be selling farmers market style too! See you then.

Have you planted your garden peas? Did you know that you can plant garden peas in February?

We're hiring a Community Garden Coordinator!

We're hiring a Community Garden Coordinator for Forsyth County! Check out the details here: bit.ly/38Y11jY
to be redirected to the application on the Forsyth County Government Website
Please share widely!
Winston Salem, NC 27101
336-703-2400

[email protected]
Position #04615
COMMUNITY GARDENING COORDINATOR
SW
The job closes on Sunday February 9, 2020.

Our Ginseng Tasting & Auction are getting close! We hope you will join us to sample different ginseng treats and have the opportunity to purchase the best of North Carolina's Wild American Ginseng Roots and Value-added ginseng products. Red Moon Herbs will be there as well! Tickets may be purchased at the door or via PayPal at [email protected].

Please read the following announcement:

Attention
Urban Farmers & Growers:
The Dec. 4 Urban Farm School Introductory Session at Cooperative Extension
has been Cancelled

Do you like eating and buying locally grown vegetables? ✔ Would you consider growing your own and start a business in urban farming? ✔
Well you don't have to go far! Cooperative Extension in Forsyth County has an Urban Farm School that will teach you about agriculture and create a business with it. Come join us!

A great way to start urban 🚜 farming is to learn more about agriculture and connect with our local resources thru Cooperative Extension

Our urban farm school introductory session will prepare you for what to expect during our spring 2020 urban farm school 12 week program. Join us at the next introductory session on Nov. 14, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Forsyth County Central Library. For more information call us at (336) 703-2859 or email at [email protected]

Interests for growing locally is increasing in our city