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2023 NCACAA State Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference
June 20-22, 2023
The 2023 North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents state meeting will be hosted by the West Central District in Hickory, NC. The meeting will be June 20-22. The Conference hotel will be the Hampton Inn and the Hickory Metro Convention Center will be used for meetings and meals.
The West Central District is excited to host the 2023 meeting for all of NC. We have put extra emphasis on family and continuing education for Extension Professionals. To make it easy to keep up with all the events and details we’ve crated a custom Google Calendar you can subscribe to at this link https://go.ncsu.edu/ncacaa2023 or you can scan the QR code found in the agenda.
The State Board meeting will be held Tuesday, June 20 from 7:00-9:00pm. The annual meeting will officially kick off the next morning, Wednesday, June 21, with the Communications Award breakfast at 8:00 am. The business meeting will be that afternoon. The meeting will conclude, Thursday June 22, with a BBQ and Cornhole Competition at Sims Country BBQ in Caldwell County. The West Central District looks forward to having you as our guest in Hickory, NC.
Lodging Information
Hampton Inn Hickory (Annual Meeting HQ)
1956 13th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602
2 Queen or 1 King $144/night +tax
Phone 828-624-2000
Courtyard by Marriott Hickory
1946 13th Avenue Drive SE Hickory, NC 28602
Double Queen $149/night +tax
Phone 828-267-1000
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Hickory
1950 13th Avenue Drive SE Hickory, NC 28602
Double Queen $139/night +tax
Phone 828-431-3000
If calling to make reservation use code “NCACAA” to get group rate.
Last Day to Book with group rate is Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Professional Development Sessions
Session A: Laying the Groundwork for a Successful Career in Extension
Why The County Delivery System Is Important
Steve Pettis, Horticulture Agent, Henderson County
Importance Of Keeping Records On Programs And The Difference Between A Program And An Activity
Shawn Banks, County Extension Director & Extension Agent, Carteret County
Building Collaborations With Other Agencies and Across Counties, Districts, and States
Kathryn Holmes, Extension Agent, Rockingham County
Developing A Strong And Relevant Ag Program (Advisory Boards, Program Marketing, Methods)
Joe Deal, Extension Agriculture Agent, Macon County
Session B: Speed Dating with the Extension Program Team Leaders
Horticulture
Danny Lauderdale/ Anthony Lebude
Animal Ag
Matt Poore
Local Foods
Allison Walker/ Hannah Dankbar
Agronomy
TBD
Water Quality and Natural Resources
Michael Burchell
Session C: NC Farm Stress Assistance Programs
Robin Tudor, Agromedicine Institute
Professional Improvement Tours
Tour 1 – Cream of the Crop
This tour will start at ASR Grain Company in Cleveland County. ASR is a 7-generation grain farm that specializes in crop farming, buying and distribution. Then on to Willis Farms where they are proud to be the 3rd generation producers of Sorghum Syrup and heirloom cornmeal-grits. Finishing out the tour will be Riverbend Creamery and Dairy Farm. Riverbend Creamery is a small, family-owned dairy farm, bottling farm fresh ALL-Jersey milk and churning out some delicious ice cream! Lunch will be provided during the tour.
Limited to 45 people.
Contact person: Nancy Keith, Iredell County, (704) 878-3165, nwkeith@ncsu.edu
Tour 2 – Specialty Crops Tour
A visit to Lineberger's Berry Hill will showcase NCSU blackberry trials and Elderberry Production. The next stop will be Woodmill Winery where you will enjoy a "vine to store shelf" tour, emphasizing the unique benefits of muscadine wine, and the inspiring story of how this vineyard and winery developed. The scenery is beautiful, the wines are delicious, and the experience includes a wine tasting for all interested participants. Lunch will be provided during the tour at this beautiful winery/event venue.
Limited to 45 people.
Contact person: Tom Dyson, Catawba County, (828) 465-8240, tldyson2@ncsu.edu or Payton Flowers, Gaston County, (704) 922-2119, cpflower@ncsu.edu
Tour 3 – The Uncatchable Tour
Visit Caroland Farms owned by Bob Jordan and managed by Matt Rainey. They are a 100% full blood Wagyu Cattle farm located in Landrum, SC and Roaring River, NC. All animals are born, raised, and finished on their farm. “At Caroland Farms Wagyu, we take great care in our breeding program, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as Embryo and AI program, Genomic data, and EPDS. This has resulted in high-quality genetics that enable us to provide the finest, 100% Full Blood Wagyu beef available in the United States.”
The next stop will be a chance to visit Call Family Distillers. Wilkes County in the 1940’s, 50’s & 60’s was the moonshine capital of the world. Willie Clay Call was one of the most renowned moonshiners to come out of Wilkes County, and was given the title “The Uncatchable” by Federal ATF Agents. This title was earned by staying true to the art of moonshining and an undeterred drive to take care of family.
A sponsored lunch from Caroland Farms (Wagyu Burgers) will be provided after the distillery tour.
After lunch, visit Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway, where NASCAR started. In the early days there were strong ties between racing and farming. The old chicken coop still functions as the ticket booth for this speedway
The final stop will be a visit to North State Hardwoods, Inc. They take pride in operating a sustainable, zero-waste facility. Each and every part of a log is used or sold for future use in other products. The technology they utilize each day ensures a minimal amount of waste while producing the greatest product yield.
Limit of 45 people.
Contact: John Cothren, Wilkes County, (336) 651-7348, jccothre@ncsu.edu or Seth Nagy, Caldwell County, (828) 757-1290, snagy@ncsu.edu
Tour 4 – Local Foods Tour
Come visit the Honey Tree Farm, a small, intensive, diversified vegetable farm. They operate an online food hub selling products from other local farms and local food businesses and are an anchor vendor for the Hickory Farmers Market. The next stop will be The Farmer's Daughter, a strawberry and mixed vegetable farm, with a country store on-site, complete with a deli & ice cream. Lunch will be provided at this stop. Next up is Raising Roots Farm. They raise Gloucestershire Old Spots pork and run a craft butchery offering other local products and wine and beer. They have been expanding with a patio for live entertainment and have hosted several local food events partnering with local chefs.
Limit of 25 people.
Contact person: April Vigardt, Catawba County, (828) 465-8240, alvigard@ncsu.edu or Cari Mitchell, Alexander County, (828) 632-4451, clmitch4@ncsu.edu
Spouse & Life Members Information
Wednesday, June 21
9:30-11:30 am - Morning Spouses & Life Member Options
Option 1: Hickory’s World Class Furniture Tour – The Hickory Metro area is known as the “Furniture Capital of the World”. Participants will visit the 4-story Hickory Furniture Mart and can see multiple décor and furniture shops. If time permits the adventure will end with strolling down Union Square. 4 minutes away
Option 2: Fun with Cooking - Who knew cooking could be fun. Join us as we learn new quick recipes for all occasions.
1:30-5:00 pm - Afternoon Spouses & Life Member Options (all tours will return at 5:00 pm)
Option 1: Hickory’s World Class Furniture Tour – The Hickory Metro area is known as the “Furniture Capital of the World”. Participants will visit the 4-story Hickory Furniture Mart and can see multiple décor and furniture shops. If time permits the adventure will end with strolling down Union Square. 4 minutes away
Option 2: Craft the Afternoon Away – Enjoy a relaxing time by painting your heart out at Hip Hip hooWray. Select and paint a summertime, a monogram, or even a whimsical decorative design that you will take home. 11 minutes away
Option 3: Hart Square Village and Riverbend Creamery– Visit the nation’s largest collection of historic log structures in Vale, a short 21-minute drive. 103 19th century log structures include homes, churches, and trade shops. Each cabin has been furnished with artifacts from the 1800s by Becky Hart. Becky and her husband Dr. Robert Hart III started the village in 1961. The day will end at Riverbend Creamery for a tour of their grass fed jersey dairy farm and an ice cream treat. 21 minutes away
Youth Activities (Open to youth of all ages and adult chaperones)
Wednesday, June 21
8:00 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - Meet at Hotel and depart for Defy Trampoline Park (1843 Catawba Valley Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602)
9:30 am - Arrive at Defy Trampoline Park
11:30 am - Depart for Catawba County Extension Center (1175 S Brady Ave, Newton, NC)
12:00 pm - Arrive at Catawba Extension Office for Chick-fil-A lunch
12:45 pm - Make dog treats 4-H activity
2:15 pm - Depart for Humane Society of Catawba County (3224 20th Ave, Hickory, NC)
2:30 pm - Arrive at Catawba Humane Society to drop off dog treats and tour facility.
4:45 pm - Arrive back at Conference Hotel HQ - Parent Pickup
5:30-9:00 pm - Pool Pizza Party @ Hampton Inn
Thursday, June 22
8:00 am - Grab and go breakfast (at tour departure location)
8:30 am - Activity in Hospitality Suite
9:30 am - Depart for Catawba Science Center (243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC)
10:00 am - Arrive at Catawba Science Center
12:30 pm - Depart Catawba Science Center
12:45 pm - Arrive for lunch at McDonald’s (170 Hwy 321 NW, Hickory, NC)
1:45 pm - Depart for Hickory Aviation Museum ( 3101 9th Ave Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601)
2:00 pm - Arrive at Hickory Aviation Museum
3:30 pm -Depart for Conference Hotel HQ
4:00 pm - Arrive at Conference Hotel HQ
Will have a 15 passenger van and a Dodge Journey to help transport youth.
For more information, contact:
Travis Birdsell - 336-977-3613
Melinda Roberts - 828-773-1310
Micah Orfield - 336-905-0025
Cornhole Tournament
Tournament will be held after dinner at Sims BBQ (6160 Petra Mill Road, Granite Falls)
Open to all registered meeting attendees
Single elimination team tournament (2 players per team) with cancellation scoring of bag in hole (3) and bag on board (1). Each game decided by first to 21 points or over.
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