Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School

March 5, 2010: Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in Roxboro, NC. The school is designed to explore the art and science of growing and marketing specialty crops and will feature many ideas for specialty crop growers to be successful in their ventures. This year’s school will feature growing in high tunnels to gain earliness in the spring and to extend the season in the fall. The talks will be given by leading experts in their fields. Steve Moore, with the NC State University Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro, will start the program by discussing design, construction, and thermal performance of high tunnels. Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University Vegetable Specialist, will discuss growing tomatoes and specialty melons in high tunnels. Dr. Reza Rafie and Chris Mullins of Virginia State University will describe their experience with growing red raspberries and blackberries in high tunnels. Carl Cantaluppi will give a brief update of his variety trial results with asparagus and seedless table grapes. The cost of the one-day school is $25.00 for the first person of a family or business and includes lunch. The cost is $15.00 for each additional family member or business associate, which also includes lunch. Pre-registration is needed to guarantee a seat and lunch. The program includes agenda, directions, pre-registration form, and a list of local motels. View the program brochure. For more information, contact Carl Cantaluppi at 919-603-1350.

Muscadine Goat's Milk Soap

Look for our new muscadine goat's milk soap in mid 2010 made with dried muscadine hulls from Crooked Run Vineyards in Clinton, NC. The health benefits of muscadines also offer priceless value to the body. Rewards are derived from eating part of, or even better, the whole grape. Why? Resveratrol, a potent cancer-fighting substance, is found in the skin, pulp and only a muscadine grape has it within the seed. Muscadines are among the richest sources of antioxidants found in nature. It's believed that the assortment of antioxidants found in muscadine grapes and seeds slow the effects of aging and possibly extend life. Free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells, are terminated by the antioxidants in muscadines. Ellagic acid and resveratrol, the main antioxidants in muscadines, play a key role in preventing heart disease and high cholesterol and assist in treating ailments like arthritis, topical burns and the flu. Visit http://www.ncmuscadine.org/ or call 919.733.7887 Ext. 236 for additional information on muscadines.

Farmer Appreciation Day

The Cooperative Extension Service, Farm Service Agency, NC Forestry Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Stokes Soil and Water Conservation District invite you to Farmer Appreciation Day, Thursday April 1st at North Stokes High School. The event runs from 6 til 9:00 PM and is free to everyone. BBQ, chicken, and all the fixin's. Music will be provided by Blues Creek! If you plan to attend, please call Cooperative Extension at 336-593-8179 or Stokes Soil and Water Conservation at 336-593-2846 ext 3, no later than March 30, 2010.

The Ten Commandments of Goat Raising

1. Thou shalt not expect goats to make thee wealthy.
2. Thou shalt not pay more for a goat than you can afford to lose. No matter how healthy a goat is when you buy it, it may not adapt to your farm and management style.
3. Thou shalt NEVER, never look at a pedigree before inspecting the animal. What you see is what you get.
4. Thou shalt forget how cute the kids are and buy mature stock. If you want cute little kids, raise your own.
5. Thou shalt remember, most of the time, a producer is selling you a good animal but is keeping the very best for his/her own herd.
6. Thou shalt ask to see health and herd records. A producer who keeps good records is proud of them and will not be offended.
7. Thou shalt have fencing, shelter, basic supplies, and a feeding/health plan in place before you buy your first goat.
8. Thou shalt establish a good relationship with your local Ag Extension Agent and Veterinarian.
9. Thou shalt learn that most producers are honest and want to sell you an animal that you can brag about and thou shalt quickly learn to steer clear of the others.
10. Thou wilt learn that most goat producers are the friendliest, most accommodating folks you will ever find.

The Old Farmhouse Inn

Looking for a weekend stopover convenient to Hanging Rock State Park, Pilot Mountain State Park, Germanton Art and Winery, Historic Old Salem and Horne Creek Living Historical Farm plus others? Check out The Old Farmhouse Inn in Walnut Cove, NC. The log portion of the old farmhouse was built before the Civil War. As the years passed, many renovations were done to the four-room log house. The house was purchased in 1952 by the landlord's father and tobacco was produced on the farm until 2005. The house is furnished in antiques and has numerous farm memorabilia. For additional information and pictures, call Arnold and Hilda Mabe at 336.591.7635 or 336.306.4192.

Get Ready for Spring with the 4-H

The Forsyth County 4-H is holding their annual 4-H Plant Sale featuring berries, vegetables, herbs, flowering hanging baskets, and bird houses. This is the ONLY annual fundraiser that the local 4-H group holds so please help support our local youth by purchasing some plants. ALL of the proceeds go towards 4-H scholarships and supporting the 4-H programs. Pre-orders are due Friday, March 12th Pick-up Dates and Times: Thursday, March 25th from 8:30am - 6pm Friday, March 26th from 8:30am - 6pm Note: If you're not able to place your order in time, stop by the Forsyth County Agriculture Building on the pick-up dates to see the "extra" herbs and plants available.

What's This?

This is what happens when you breed rabbits to be 8 weeks old for the Easter holidays and it is cold outside . . . nesting boxes are rounded up every night around 5PM so the bunnies (kits) can spend the night inside a heated building. We use a wagon in order to carry several boxes at once.

The nesting boxes are numbered to correspond to the doe's breeding record card located on the front of her cage to prevent mix ups. Rabbits will nurse each other's kits if you get them mixed up. However, if they are mixed up, you will not have good record keeping.

The kits are taken back to their does at 11AM every morning when the temperature rises to 40 degrees or more. They will remain in the cage until around 5PM.

Bunnies are born hairless and with their eyes closed. They cannot regulate their body temperature until they are a few days old. In cold weather, they will die despite being born in a box full of rabbit fur unless they are kept warm.

Because of the below normal cold weather we continue to have, they will be spending nights inside for approximately 2 weeks travelling back and forth between their cages and the barn. Despite being a day old, you can hear their nails scratching and voices squeaking in the nesting boxes.

Does only nurse their young once a day so removing them for the night is not a problem.

3rd Annual Boer Goat Rawhide Ridge Farms Field Day

On February 20, 2010, Rawhide Ridge Farms in Cascade, Virginia will be having their 3rd Annual Field Day and Production Sale. See Curtis Boer Goats for more information on presenters and consignors.

Busy Day

Tuesday was a busy day here at the farm. With the sun shining, we were trying to get caught up on some work. Rabbits are due beginning Thursday. I put nesting boxes in all the cages and moved some rabbits into individual cages. During the winter months, I let some of the doe rabbits "buddy up" with others to help keep warm. We did some spring cleaning in our tractor shed by reorganizing it today too. It was really cold in the shade of the shed with the wind blowing. It looks a lot neater and cleaner. Cut and split another load of wood for the wood shed. I'm thinking that we have at least 5 more loads to do before we are done. I don't even want to think about a few trees that we have on the back of the farm that need working up too. We had a couple of pines to fall during these past few months of rain, snow and wind. I also let some more of my Nigerian Dwarf does and kids out of their kidding pens and put a few more in the pens. These girls will be delivering in less than 2 weeks and I have several that will be first timers. I can keep a better eye on them in the pens and the heat lamps are readily available if needed. Delivered a ewe lamb yesterday evening at Andy's place. Their brown and white ewe was having trouble delivering its lamb and needed some help. She had a single birth this year and the lamb was large. This new lamb is brown and white with a big white blaze on her face. This is the last of the lambs to be born. He had a good year with all ewes and one ram lamb.

This, That, and the Other

Buffalo Gal's Soap has a new hand scrubbing soap available - This, That, and the Other.

This soap is an extra-powerful scrubbing soap for hands that is combination of all of our other goat's milk soaps along with pumice.

This, That, and the Other is available at the farm and on our web-site.

Southwyck Farm Bed and Breakfast

Looking for a Bed and Breakfast near Hanging Rock State Park? Try Southwyck Farm Bed and Breakfast. In 1986, Diana Carl and her late husband, Captain Bob, designed and built a lovely country home with a magnificent view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lawsonville, North Carolina, near Hanging Rock State Park. They named it Southwyck Farm, after a home owned by their ancestors in England. Southwyck Farm has an ambiance of a New England gentleman's Farm. The furnishings are a mixture of 18th Century American, Oriental, and English antiques, enhanced by collections of waterfowl paintings and carvings. The home is adorned with Captain's memorabilia from his days as a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot. Take a stroll on trails that roam 38 acres of rolling countryside, or fish in the well-stocked bass pond. Sit on the porch or patio with walled gardens and enjoy a snack, conversation, or read. Farm animals and Brittany Spaniels live on the farm. Deer often graze in the yard and eat from the persimmon trees. Enjoy a complimentary beverage while relaxing by the fireplace in the large living room or the cozy library, upstairs, which overlooks the woods and distant mountains. Relax with books, magazines, games, television, a CD player, and comfortable corners, just for daydreaming. Savor delicious gourmet food at Southwyck Farm. Your gourmet breakfast starts with seasonal fruit and juice. One of the specialties of the house is Citron French Toast with Vermont Maple Syrup. For those who enjoy pancakes, choose from a variety of European style pancakes, or enjoy Charleston-style shrimp and grits. During cool weather, an egg strata from Pennsylvania Dutch country is available. Breakfast is served between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. at the ten-foot Jacobean walnut table, with fine china, crystal, and linens. In pleasant weather, you can enjoy your breakfast on the porch. Elegant gourmet dinners are available by special request. Three-course casual dinners and four-course formal dinners are available. Let Southwyck's, Diana Carl, know when you make your reservations that you would like to have dinner at Southwyck Farm, and they will arrange a meal especially for you.

Forsyth/Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting

A Forsyth/Stokes Cattlemen's Association Meeting will be held: When: 2/18/10 Where: Mayflower Seafood Restaurant in Rural Hall (Tentative) Time: 6:30PM Speaker: Steve Whitmire of Ridgefield Farms Topics: "The Bull Deal"; Efficient cattle; Youth Show Heifer Project ***Meal Will Be Dutch***

The USPS Celebrates Valentine's Day

Did you know? Every year, the Postal Service delivers nearly one billion Valentine cards to help acknowledge America's celebration of love. A few Post Offices play a special role in this process including: Loveland, CO Loveville, MD Romance, AR Sugar City, CO Loving, NM Heart Butte, MT Juliette, GA Romeo, MI Valentine, NE Valentines, VA Valentine, TX Bliss, NY

Rabbit Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com

A good drug reference for rabbits owners is the Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com.

Save this web site to your Favorites for future reference.

The Big Eat 2010

The Big Eat Is Back For 2010.

50% off the signature dish at participating downtown Winston-Salem restaurants Tuesday nights (February 2nd through March 30th).

NC Pecan Grower's Meeting

The N.C. Pecan Growers Association will host its 16th annual educational workshop and orchard tour Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Lenoir County Center, 1791 Highway 11/55 in Kinston. The event is open to anyone involved, or interested, in pecan farming. Topics to be covered include marketing, weed management, orchard floor management and production practices. Presenters include area growers and staff from N.C. State University and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agricultural companies and businesses with pecan-related products are invited to join the program and exhibit products. The event will conclude in a local orchard with hands-on demonstrations. Cost is $15, and includes lunch. Registration begins at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Laurie Wood, NCDA&CS marketing specialist, at (910) 532-4208 or e-mail at laurie.wood@ncagr.gov or Bill Bunn, NCPGA president, at (919) 815-5764 or e-mail at carya@intrex.net

Friddle's Custom Sawing

Harvey Friddle of Friddle's Custom Sawing has been working at the farm using his portable sawmill to turn some of our pine tree logs into lumber for framing and siding. He operates a Wood-Mizer LT40 Hydralic bandsawmill that can saw logs up to 36 inches in diameter and 20.5 feet long. We have been very pleased with his work and recommend him to anyone needing sawmill work done. Call or email us to talk with us about our experience! Friddle's Custom Sawing also sells rough cut lumber, mantels and benches which can be seen on his website.

He can be reached at 336.210.0144.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming up next Sunday, February 14. For those of you looking for a gift for a fellow "goater" or others who enjoy natural soaps, we have Buffalo Gal's Soap packaged (red tin bucket containers, ceramic white bags with hearts and individual soaps in organza bags) for Valentine's Day available at these locations: Mostly Local Market

Germanton Antiques and Consignments

Cricket's Nest

Buffalo Creek Farm

A Doe's Revenge

For all of you waiting for those does to kid . . .

This time of year, we anxiously begin to anticipate the pitter-patter of little hooves running around the farm. I know some of us are already in kidding season, and for the rest it is fast approaching. I am aways reminded to take out my copy of the Secret Code of Does.

To those of you that have never heard the legend of the code, it is said to be older than domestic goats. It was penned eons ago when man realized that goats could be tamed, tasted, and produce the sweet taste of fresh goat milk.

It has been passed down from doe to doeling, hidden first under stones and in hollow trees. Later, as people begin to house goats in barns and stables, it was hidden in the cracks in the walls and hollows under the mangers and hay racks. Even though no one truly knows who discovered "The Code", it is rumored hat it was first found on a small farm in the mountains of Switzerland early in the 19th century. That copy was carbon dated and found to be written in ancient goat language dating 437 B.C.

Although it took scholars years to translate it, late in the 20th century, around 1963, the translation was finally completed. It began to be passed from goat keeper to goat keeper. At last, I was given a copy a couple of years ago by an old goat keeper who took me under his wing. For those of you who are new to goats, I would like to share with you the best kept secret of the species.

Secret Code of Honor 1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's home must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent. 2- "Midwives" must reach the babbling-fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close. 3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting. 4- If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," wait until they load the car, then begin pushing! 5- Do not consider going into labor until owner stress is at an all time high!

If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign

you're getting close. 6- When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days. 7 - You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait. 8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn doe mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people and the last goat show. Hang onto that kid

for another day. Oh, and they make her do tricks too! Three more days seems

fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings

can also be avenged at this time. 9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. A severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm, jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works! 10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check on you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Secret Code of Honor for the next generation!

By Vernonica Smith

KSB Feed

There's a new feed store located on Old Highway 64 in Lexington, NC, KSB Feed. They carry G & M Milling's feed for cattle, goats, chickens, horses and rabbits. Other products are available upon request. For directions, information and pricing, they may be reached at 336.240.6870.

"A Country Courtship"

Back by popular demand, Once Upon a Blue Ridge will present "A Country Courtship" at King Moravian Church, 234 West Dalton Road in King, NC on Saturday, February 13th. A short musical play, by Peter Holland. Holland and his wife, Christina, act in the show along with Paul Hodges, an actor and writer from Mount Airy, NC. Set somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the Great Depression, the plot of A Country Courtship concerns a middle-aged hypochondriac who courts the independent daughter of a mountain moonshiner. When they start to argue about the ownership of land and who has the best bird dog, tempers flare and humor conquers romance. A Country Courtship has been enjoyed by family audiences throughout the region. Its toe-tapping songs and belly laughs will warm the cockles of your heart on a cold winters night. Dessert and beverage will be served starting at 6:00 p.m., with performance to follow at 7:00 p.m. For information or to reserve tickets, please contact the Stokes County Arts Council at 336-593-8159.

Visit the Stokes County Arts Council's website to learn more about the other shows included in the "The 2010 Winter Dessert Theatre Series"

Friday Night Pickin at Priddy's

7-9pm on Friday Nights in February February 5th ....Blues Creek February 12th …..Kopper Kanyon February 19th….Henry Mabe & Friends February 26th …Hubert Lawson & The Country Bluegrass Boys Music begins 7pm until 9pm. Cozy up in a 121 year old general store for some old fashioned fun for the whole family. Sip on hot cider, eat something delicious from the big black pot, warm up by a big bonfire and listen to Bluegrass music at it’s finest.

Experience the way things use to be out in the country on a cold winter’s night!! Note: Music is held inside store.

Dan River Basin Association

Join friends and members of The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) to enjoy outdoor adventures, to help care for our life-sustaining rivers and streams, and to learn about our many natural, heritage and cultural treasures. DRBA offers river and trail outings for fun and friendship. They create river accesses for boating, floating and fishing, and link people with places by promoting trails and greenways. Opportunities are created for adults and school children to learn about the health of their local streams and to restore local trout fisheries. They actively work to protect the region's heritage, such as the Dan River's batteau navigation system. Enjoying and preserving the unspoiled beauty and rich heritage of this 16–county Piedmont region spanning the North Carolina/Virginia border does more than honor the past and bring pleasure to the current moment. It is key to building sustainable economic improvement in an area dependent on declining agriculture and manufacturing economies. There are so many ways to help. Call DRBA to see how you can volunteer or donate. Then, take a break and join others to float, hike or bike the Dan River Basin's 3300 square miles of breathtaking beauty. You’ll never run out of adventures!

Forsyth County Cattlemen's Meeting

Marketing, Promotion and Careers in the Cattle Industry. Presented by member, Andi Carpenter. February 9th, 2010 @ 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Event Location Forsyth County Ag. Building 1450 Fairchild Rd Winston Salem, NC 27105 Contact Amy Thomas at (336) 593-8179

Groundhawg's Day

Officials in Lexington, NC are putting the "hog" in Groundhog Day. A 65-pound pot-bellied pig named "Lil Bit" will take on the challenge of forecasting the weather when the city celebrates "Groundhawg's Day" -- ground h-a-w-g -- on February 2. "Lil Bit" will look for her shadow to help decide how soon North Carolina will see spring. Lexington is famous for its pigs, usually in the form of pork barbecue soaked in a tomato-based sauce. Mayor Pro-tem Larry Beck will lead the celebration, and local group "Whistlepig" will perform a Groundhawg Day jingle. The celebration will conclude with the release of 2,005 pink balloons, each containing information about the event and asking people who find the balloons to call Uptown Lexington.