2015 State Meeting
Rolling into Extension’s New Century
2015 NCACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference
June 16-18, 2015
Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC
The 2015 North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents state meeting will be hosted by the North Central District in Greensboro, NC. The meeting will be June 16-18. Our headquarters hotel is the Grandover Resort.
The regular rooms are $149 a night if you make your reservation by noon on by May 16. Please call 336-294-1800 and give the group name of NCACAA to get the reduced rate. Visit the Grandover Resort website for more information.
The North Central District has put together what we think is a great meeting starting with a pre-conference golf tournament on June 16th at Crooked Tree Golf Course. The fee will be $20.00 per person for the golf tournament. We must have at least 12 participants to hold the tournament. We will cancel the event if we do not have enough players. If anyone has any questions about this event, please contact John Ivey at 336-641-2416.
The State Board will hold their meeting Tuesday evening.
Wednesday June 17th will begin with a pre-conference tour to RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. The meeting will officially begin with Wednesday's opening luncheon, followed by professional development sessions and then the Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening.
Wednesday's Program
Opening Luncheon Speaker: “I went to college for this?” - Rett Davis, Retired County Extension Director, NC Cooperative Extension
Professional Development Sessions (concurrent sessions)
2:00-5:00 pm
Issues Response
Speakers include representatives of NC Animal Ag Coalition, NC Cattlemen's Association and NC Cooperative Extension
Responding to controversial issues and questionable claims can be very difficult for an Extension Agent, especially when dealing with topics that provoke strong emotions. It can also be challenging to interpret and explain the complex scientific data around such issues. Sometimes what is needed is to listen before we speak. Science may not be the answer when individuals and organizations come to the table with strongly held biases. Come to the session to learn and get suggestions/ideas about handling these situations. This session is geared primarily towards livestock agents but may interest agents in other program areas.
2:00-3:15 pm (pick one)
Tips and Tricks for Distinguishing Superficially Similar Arthropods in the Landscape
Dr. Matt Bertone, Extension Associate & Entomologist with the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic
Learn to differentiate among some of the most commonly confused insects found in the landscape. Particular attention will be paid to the most easily observed traits between pests and other pests, pests and beneficials, and general outdoor arthropods. Both basic and advanced techniques will be presented to make the information relevant to a wide variety of participants.
Current Insect Issues in Soybeans and Corn
Dr. Dominic Reisig, Extension Specialist for Applied Insect Ecology and IPM of Field Crops
Get an update on existing and emerging insect pest issues in Corn and Soybeans, including identification, thresholds, Integrated Pest Management strategies, insecticide selection and more.
Update on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Anita MacMullan, Agriculture Program Specialist, NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection Division
The Food and Drug Administration is in the process of developing and implementing food safety rules which will impact many produce farmers. This session will cover the specifics of what will be required of farmers, updates on when and how the rules will be implemented, and which farmers will be exempt.
3:45-5:00 pm (pick one)
Community Gardens: Planning for Participation and Long Term Success
Lisa Valdivia, Extension Associate, The Cooperative Extension Program, NC A&T State University
Community gardens are as varied as the communities where they thrive. They offer remarkable benefits to the people that create and tend them including increased access to healthy food, countless educational opportunities and the chance to spend time outdoors and meet their neighbors. To ensure longevity and gain the maximum benefit from any community garden, it is important to form partnerships and involve the garden’s stakeholders at every stage of the project. This interactive session will briefly touch on important questions for any planning team to consider before building a new garden as well as the variety of community garden models, but it will focus on ideas and tools for ensuring you have the participation of people, the biggest asset to any garden. There will be examples from local community garden projects in North Carolina, lots of resources available to take home with you and an open discussion with time for questions and information sharing among participants.
Protecting Pollinators: Habitat Enhancement and Pesticide Best Practices
Debbie Roos, Chatham County Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent and Patrick Jones, NCDA&CS Deputy Director for Pesticide Programs
Pollinators are in the news! Get up to date information on threats to pollinators and practical steps to protect them. Topics to be covered include planting for pollinator conservation, and pesticide stewardship with emphasis on the new EPA Bee Advisory Box.
Awards Banquet Speaker: Debbie Hamrick, Director of Specialty Crops, NC Farm Bureau
Thursday's Program
We will start the day Thursday with the Communication Awards Breakfast followed by a morning of three Professional Development Tours to choose from.
Professional Development Tours
Tour 1: Matthews Farm in East Bend, NC
This tour stop will be on the Yadkin River just into Yadkin County. The Matthews Family Farm is a commercial grain farm that has installed subsurface drip irrigation to enhance grain yield. It pumps from the river, it's designed to last 20 years, and it's different than anything in the area. We'll see corn for sure, and perhaps irrigated soybeans as well.
Tour 2: Davis Ranch in Archdale, NC
When asked as young child what he wanted to become when he grew up, Jerome Davis always responded, "I want to be a bull rider". Jerome rode his first bull at the age of eleven. He didn't stay on for the full 8 seconds, but knew at that point he was going to be a bull rider. When riding just his fourth bull, he was able to make it for the full eight seconds. He participated in 12-15 rodeos per year.
Jerome won his first buckle as a freshmen in high school. He also roped calves and team roped during his high school days. He rode in the 1989 National High School Finals in Pueblo, Colorado and was named the North Carolina State Rodeo Champion in 1990.
Jerome attended Odessa Junior College in Odessa, Texas. As a freshman, he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Bull Riding Championship. After his freshman year of college in 1992, Jerome took his bull riding to the next level and turned pro, joining the PRCA.
Jerome's shining moment was in 1995 when he became the 1995 PRCA World Bull Riding Champion. He continued to rip through PRCA and PBR. He was ranked in the top five each year in the PRCA since 1993 and was a National Finals qualifier since '94 in the PBR.
Tragedy struck on March 14, 1998, when Jerome was thrown from a bull and broke his neck. The injury left him with paralysis from the chest down. Although Jerome is paralyzed, nothing can keep him down. He is a true inspiration of how you should live your life and keep moving forward with a positive outlook. He inspired his wife Tiffany, as they were married October 17, 1998. He also inspired the PBR, as he was awarded the "Ring of Honor" during the 1998 PBR Finals.
Jerome continues to contribute his part in the bull riding circuit. He is a Stock Contractor, contracting some of the toughest bulls in the PBR. He continues to make personal appearances at events and socials. Throughout his career, Jerome has been profiled in many magazines (People, Sports Illustrated, etc...) and has made several television appearances on shows such as Discovery, Extra and TNN with Gary Chapman. Jerome hosts his own Rodeo every year in August, The Jerome Davis Invitational, at the Davis family ranch in Archdale, North Carolina.
Visit the Davis Ranch website for more information.
Tour 3: Gossett’s Landscape Nursery and Ingram Farm in High Point, NC
Gossett’s Landscape Nursery is the first stop in High Point. Gossett’s started in 1955, selling ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs to garden centers, landscapers and contractors. The second stop is Ingram Farm which is registered as a Century Farm. Ingram Farm sells strawberries, blueberries, and summer produce. Agri-tourism is a big part of the marketing strategy at the farm, where animals and homemade ice cream add to the farm experience for customers. There is a petting zoo and on-farm store.
Check out their websites for more information:
After the tours we will enjoy a home-cooked lunch at the Guilford County Extension office followed by our annual Business Meeting. We will end the evening with a cook-out and Cornhole Tournament.
Sons & Daughters' Activities
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday around lunchtime youth will depart for the Greensboro Science Center and enjoy a box lunch on site. Dinosaurs, sharks, and snakes - oh my! Join us as we explore the shark tank and visit the otters, and explore this interactive museum/zoo/aquarium all in one. We will return to the hotel at 5:00 pm. On Wednesday evening the youth will enjoy a dinner of pizza followed by ice cream in the hospitality suite. They will watch a movie during the meal, then go down to the pool for free swim time and fun.
Thursday, June 18
On Thursday, June 18, youth will join their parents for breakfast followed by farm tours and then lunch. See tour descriptions above. After lunch there will be a Scavenger Hunt followed by Food Preservation Activities.
Youth will be given a list of clues to find within the Legacy Garden at the Guilford County Extension Center. They can solve the mystery with a partner or team. Find the clues, solve the mystery, and win a prize (prizes will be given to all). After the scavenger hunt, the youth will learn to make pickles and jam which they will be able to take home. The kids return to the hotel at 4:30 pm to enjoy the evening cookout and cornhole tournament.
Spouse & Life Members' Activities
On Wednesday, after the opening luncheon, spouses and life members may choose between tours of Richard Childress Racing Museum/Race Shop or Childress Winery.
RCR Museum and Race Shop
The RCR Museum features the racing career of Richard Childress and his drivers. There are 30 Dale Earnhardt cars on display, along with many other cars important in racing history. These cars reflect the history of Richard Childress Racing.
Childress Winery
Childress Winery is the result of Richard’s passion for producing wine. You will be able to experience the whole process, from vine to wine.