2021 Session Information

2021 NCACAA State Meeting

Session Information

Early Bird Activity ~ Monday, June 14

NCACAA Zoo Trip, 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205

• • The North Carolina Zoo is nestled on 2,600 wooded acres centrally located in the heart of North Carolina, just south of Asheboro in Randolph County. With 500 developed acres, it is the world's largest natural habitat zoo.

  • Trip will begin at 10:00am

  • Participants are responsible for purchasing their own tickets prior to arrival.

  • To ensure a spot, tickets should be purchased ASAP at the link above.

Pre-Conference Sessions ~ Tuesday, June 15

Life Member Health Benefits Update ~ 10:00-11:00am

This session is designed specifically for life members who have retired from the UNC System. Mr. Steve Norris, HR Consultant with NCSU Extension Human Resources, will be giving an overview of the health insurance programs for retired employees. This session will also include a question and answer session, giving participants the opportunity to ask specific questions about health insurance and other benefits available to them.

Broadband Issues Related to Agricultural/Rural Communities ~ 1:30-3:00pm

What does an Ag Agent need to know and do about broadband? Dr. Kenneth Sherin, Randolph County CED and the recently appointed Broadband Access and Education Coordinator for NC CES, will share resources and ideas about broadband related to agriculture and rural communities. He will share what this initiative is all about and how to organize and focus our efforts to improve the quality and reliability of broadband internet access to areas that are currently underserved. If you have communities or regions in your county that need improved internet service, then you will want to attend this session.

Professional Development Sessions ~ Wednesday, June 16

Please register for one breakout per session.

Session I ~ 1:30-2:30pm

• Soil Health vs. Soil Science: Dr. Deanna Osmond, Crop & Soil Sciences Extension Leader, NCSU

Dr. Deanna Osmond will present two studies which will include cropland in all three regions. One of which is a comparison of pasture vs. cropland in the piedmont, which really discusses soil science vs. soil health.

• Navigating Title Promotion: Susan Kelly, North Central District Extension Director Meredith Weinstein, State Coordinator, Extension Evaluation & Accountability

The goal of the session is to help agents understand the title promotion process, including eligibility (required years of service and/or education), and how to access, complete and submit the application packet. It will also explain the advantages (financial) of receiving title promotions and how the salary increases are calculated.

The information will highlight:

• The peer and administration review process, reinforcing the need to put your best foot forward.

• Examples of what is good and not so good (bad) when working on the packet.

• A timeline, with hard deadlines, creating a frame for managing the time necessary to do a good job and be successful.

Session II ~ 2:30-3:30pm

• Tips & Tools For a Successful Master Gardener Program: Charlotte Glen, State Coordinator, NC State EMGV Program

What resources are available to help you run a successful Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (EMGV) program? Join this session to learn about the tools available to agents to recruit, train, and engage Master Gardener volunteers and where to find them, along with tips for successful EMG program management. Led by Charlotte Glen, state coordinator for the EMG program, both new and experienced agents will discover new resources and helpful tips by participating in this session.

• Extension Reporting System Updates: Meredith Weinstein, State Coordinator, Extension Evaluation & Accountability

Evaluation and reporting is important to help us make better program decisions, demonstrate the impact of our programs, and secure funding and support. In this session we will discuss how data reported in the ERS system is used and why it is important to accurately report your program activities. The session will also review best practices for collecting and reporting data in ERS and the recent changes that have been made regarding reporting. Finally, the session will look at the future of ERS and solicit ideas for ways the system can be improved for 2022.

Session III ~ 3:30-4:30pm

• Conducting Forage Demonstrations and Research Trials: Dr. Deanna Osmond, Crop & Soil Sciences Extension Leader, NCSU Ethan Henderson, Livestock & Forages Agent, Haywood County Becky Spearman, CED & Livestock, Bladen County Kim Woods, Livestock Area Agent, Person & Granville Counties

Dr. Deanna Osmond will open up this session discussing best practices when it comes to conducting forage research trials. Following Dr. Osmond will be a panel of three Livestock Extension Agents with forage demonstration/trial experience. They will each present and share their experiences so participants have a better understanding of what is involved and how to get started. Speakers as well as specialists will be available for a Q&A at the end.

• Virtual "Carolina Lawn Care" Program Training: Matt Lendardt, Horticulture Agent, Iredell County Matt Jones, Horticulture Agent, Chatham County

Learn about this statewide turf care training for residential and commercial landscapers, and how you can give it virtually or in-person in your county. Everything has been created from the powerpoint presentation, pre and post tests, and workbook for participants. It can be a great addition to your horticulture educational programming, and a great way to get fertilizer and irrigation savings impacts. Also discussed will be updates on the new section "Carolina Lawn Care for Weed Management" that will be available soon for agents to use also!

Professional Improvement Tours ~ Thursday, June 17

Participants may attend one tour per session. All tours will be recorded on Zoom for later viewing.

Session I ~ 1:30-2:30pm

Tour Option 1

Hoffman Nursery - Rougemont, NC

Hoffman Nursery grows over 140 different types of grasses to meet all types of customer needs. They are using state-of-the-art technologies and adaptive growing techniques to make their business as streamline and efficient as possible.

Tour Option 2

Brasfield Club Lambs ~ King, NC

Brasfield Club Lambs graze 100 head of sheep on just 10 acres of pasture! They use innovative pasture management techniques to keep the grass growing and their sheep flourishing. Learn some exciting new tips and tricks as we tour the Brasfield's farm operation.

Session II ~ 2:30-3:30pm

Tour Option 1

Page Farms ~ Raleigh, NC

Herndon Hills Farm ~ Durham, NC

Join us on a tour of two local farms as one heads into peak strawberry production season, while the other ramps up production on blackberries, grapes, and other specialty crops. Learn how they manage ever-changing growing conditions and market their products from different angles.

Tour Option 2

North Carolina A&T State University Research Farm

Our first stop will be a tour of NC A&T’s high tunnel research facilities where participants will have the opportunity to see how they are on the cutting edge of vegetable production under plastic! Then we'll explore the folklore of what makes a watermelon ripe! During the tour, we'll talk with locals, farmers, and specialists who understand the importance of research to agriculture.

Post-Conference Activity ~ Friday, June 18

Eagle Ridge Golf Club, 565 Competition Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603

Following the State Meeting, there will be an opportunity to participate in a fun-filled golf outing at Eagle Ridge Golf Club. Designed by 1990 US Open Champion Tom Kite, Eagle Ridge is a par 71, 6,904-yard track, set in a spectacular, wooded rolling terrain is a 10-minute drive from downtown Raleigh. Since its opening in October, 2000, Eagle Ridge has provided a challenging and rewarding test for players of all levels.

- $52 per player

- There have been (3) tee times reserved starting at 10:00am.

- Players must register, and are responsible for paying at the course.