News Release – May 11, 2016

Sheep Shearing Day in Franklin County: Thurs., May 19th

Five local farms are on the list to have their sheep flocks professionally shorn on

Thurs., May 19th for a minimal fee. If you know of someone else who would like to

be included on the shear list, contact Ag Agent, Martha L Mobley, at 919-496-

3344.

‘Women in Agriculture’ in Franklin County and region: Wed., June 1st

Mark your calendar for the first Wednesday of every month at 12:00 noon to meet

at Johnny Bull’s restaurant, share fellowship and network during lunch followed by

an educational presentation by a knowledgeable speaker. Wednesday, June 1st is

the next meeting discussing “how to publish your memoir’s.” Women own the

majority of farmland across the United States and often don’t know where to turn

to discuss complex farming issues. This group of ag women is already off to a

great start with networking and discussing important farming and ag issues. For

more information, contact Ag Agent, Martha L. Mobley, at 919-496-3344.

Fence Building Field Day: Thur., June 2nd

Ever wondered what is the best design to build a strong corner fence and line

posts? What is the best type of fence posts? How long with various posts last?

Mark your calendar and plan to participate in this workshop on the Larkin-Martinez

Farm (Fort Clux Farm) near Centerville. Economics of construction of various type

fencing will be discussed also. A representative from Pasture Management System

in eastern NC will be teaching the construction portion. The Field Day starts at 10

a.m. with hands-on instruction followed by a sponsored lunch. There is no charge to

participate. Contact Ag Agent, Martha L. Mobley, at 919-496-3344 if you plan to

attend. Bring a hammer and gloves!

Regional Goat and Sheep Producers Workshop: Thur., June 9th

Want to learn more about goat and sheep production and marketing? Topics such

as: Parasitic residues, marketing tips, predator control, forages/poisonous plants,

and economics in the morning followed by FAMACHA certification in the afternoon

will be covered. Instructors such as Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU Goat

Specialist (who is retiring end of June), Ag Agent Tiff Conrad, Dr. Kevin Anderson,

NCSU Vet School Small Ruminant Specialist, and Ag Agent, Martha L. Mobley, will

address the major issues affecting the goat and sheep industry. The fee to

participate which includes FAMACHA Certification, lunch and handouts is $50 per

participant, check payable to: “Franklin County Cooperative Extension.” Contact

the Franklin County Extension at 919-496-3344 or email me:

martha_mobley if plan to attend. Registration from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.;

location at the Cooperative Extension’s Annex in Louisburg.

LOCAL Foods for your Youth: July 25 – 29; August 8 – 10

The week of July 25th, youth in area will be participating in the 2nd Annual “Junior

Chef Program” where they will visit local farms, both meat and vegetable farms, in

the morning in Franklin County, purchase fresh ingredients, and return to the

Extension Center to prepare delicious, fresh, healthy lunches with the local food.

One session will be on dining etiquette taught by Mrs. Bunny Batts. The last day of

the program, Friday, July 29th, the youth will visit the Governor’s Mansion where

they will meet the Executive Chef, tour the Mansion’s “food garden”, and then have

lunch prepared for them by the Chef.

New this year from August 8 – 10, area youth will learn how to properly and safely

can and freeze vegetables… in a certified commercial kitchen. They will make an

assortment of pickles, jams/jellies, etc. with a lunch served. In the evenings, the

kitchen will be open for adult entrepreneurs from Franklin County to use for

making a safe product for retailing to the public. Contact me for details.

There is a fee to participate in both workshops for area youth. Sign-up for both

will be held at 5:00 p.m. sharp on Thursday afternoon, May 26th at the Extension

Center in Louisburg as part of the 4-H Sizzlin Summer Sessions. Arrive early;

sessions fill up quickly!

Both area projects are promotional events to encourage and teach our public to

Buy Local, Buy Fresh. Also, a website, www.FranklinCountyFarmFresh.com, has a

list of local farms where the public can source local foods. For more information

on these summer projects, contact Local Foods Coordinator, Ag Agent, Martha L.

Mobley, at 919-496-3344 or martha_mobley.

Regards,
Rebecca Larkin-Martinez
FC Small Farm Association, Secretary
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/FCSmallFarmAssociation/
Website – https://smallfarmassociation.com/meetings/
Email – contact

Fort Clux Farm, Co-Owner and Operator
http://www.fortclux.com/

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/fortclux/
fortclux
919 723-8657