Mini Krankies Farmers Market today!

Come out today (Tuesday, March 29th) from 11 until 1 to a mini version of Cobblestone Farmers Market (formerly known as Krankies Farmers Market). We will be outside on the patio of Krankies Coffee in downtown Winston-Salem.

Shore Farms Organics will be selling 2 kinds of kale, mustard greens, butternut lettuce, strawberry buttercrunch lettuce, tomato starter plants, cilantro, canned goods, maybe a few bok choi and collards!

Crosscreek Farm will have it's delicious and healthy pasture raised meats for sale. Grass-fed beef, pastured pork, free range eggs, and Heritage Homestead's natural goat cheeses (chevre's, feta, raw milk blue, gouda). They're also bringing a piglet for pics! Grace Meadow Farm will be selling steaks, stew beef, ground beef,roasts,cube steak,soup bones, eggs and more!

We'll have our Buffalo Gal's goat's milk soap gift sets and bars--including some special ones for Spring Time and Easter!

Support your local farmers!

Plein Air Painting in Stokes County

Germanton, North Carolina will once again be the focus of the cultural arts world in April, as "Painting North Carolina", the premier plein air painting event in the state, will make its way to Stokes County. The exhibit will begin with a reception on Friday, April 8th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Germanton Gallery and Winery, 3530 Hwy 8/65 in Germanton, and will continue on Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, April 10th from 1 to 4 p.m., and be displayed at the gallery until April 30th. In 2009, artist Isabel Forbes of Spartainburg, South Carolina painted scenes of our farm.

Green Drinks Winston-Salem

Join The Yadkin Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks and his team as they share the successes, challenges, and upcoming events that protect our local water. WHAT: The world-famous *** Green Drinks *** WHEN: 5:30 'til whenever you're ready to go home RULE: Fourth Tuesday of every month! WHERE: Always changing! HOW: Walk, cycle, bus, carpool WHO: Anyone working on environmental issues or studying them, green-minded businesses, organizations, city officials and committees Current Members at 350+ WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure NEW: Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome. REMIND: To get on this email circulation list, send an email to: greendrinkswinston@gmail.com PRIVACY: This email list is ONLY for Green Drinks reminders and noteworthy like-minded community events. We will not give your email address to anyone else STATUS: Informal, self-organising network. Every month since 2008. http://www.greendrinks.org/index.php?country=USA&city=Winston-Salem

Plant a Row for the Hungry

Mitchell’s Nursery is launching a local Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign this spring. Plant a Row asks people to plant extra in their garden and donate the extra harvest to local food banks, soup kitchens, or other hunger relief organizations. They are planning a kick off event on April 30th to give away Plant a Row starter kits and have people sign pledge cards. Mitchell’s Nursery will be a drop off point for harvested produce; KOM will be the main recipient of the donations. They are looking forward to working with the community, other businesses, and organizations on this campaign. If your business or organization would like to be a sponsor through financial support, helping with a community garden, or planting a small space garden at your business, please give us a call at 983-4107 or send an email to info@mmnandg.com

Goatscaping

Spring Sustainability Events at Reynolda Gardens Events are held or begin in the Education Wing of the Reynolda Gardens greenhouse, 100 Reynolda Village. Unless otherwise noted, there is no registration, and there is no charge for WFU faculty, staff, and students. Tuesday March 22 at 12:30 p.m. Goatscaping-A Natural Alternative for Pest Plant Control A discussion with David Norman and Kim Nafe of Piedmont Goatscapers, followed by a demonstration of goats at work. Contact Info: Camila Wilcox, 336-758-3485 Friday April 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Meadow Management/Prairie Restoration Roundtable Examination and discussion of issues related to constructing and maintaining a Piedmont prairie, using the conversion of the historic Golf Links at Reynolda to a managed meadow as a case study. Presented with support of CEES. Registration requested. Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Science Café: Toward Building a Sustainable Local Food Environment A discussion with Sara Quandt, WFU Professor of Public Health Sciences, on the implications of a 2010 study of Forsyth County community gardens. Sponsored by Reynolda Gardens of WFU; SciWorks; and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. Location: Big Shotz Tavern 109 S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem. Tuesday April 28 at 4:30 p.m. Topics in Sustainability: Author Bill McKibben on the Impact of the Local Foods Movement A discussion of the book, Eaarth, and how local farmers, gardeners, and food vendors affect human health, the economy, society, and the environment. Co-sponsored with CEES. Tuesday May 17 at 7:00 p.m. The Science and Engineering of Dams A discussion with Robert Cannon, Professional Geologist and Principal of Schnabel Engineering, on how new and aging dams are investigated, focusing on geologic and geotechnical issues associated with dam foundations and seepage. Sponsored by Reynolda Gardens of WFU; SciWorks; and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. Location: Big Shotz Tavern 109 S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem. June 13 through 17 and (repeated) June 20 through 24 from 9:00 a.m. until noon each day. Young Naturalists Children who have completed grades one through five explore the gardens, greenhouses, meadows, woods, and streams of Reynolda with naturalists and scientists. Space is limited and registration is required; early registration suggested. $115 general admission/$100 Friends of Reynolda Gardens and WFU faculty, staff, students. There are many more events planned. This is the link to the full calendar on their website: http://www.reynoldagardens.org/events.html

Cobblestone Farmers Market 2011

COBBLESTONE FARMERS MARKET KICKS OFF 2011 SEASON WITH NEW NAME AND NEW LOCATION Contact: Matthew Mayers 336-723-7189 cobblestonefarmersmarket@gmail.com (Winston-Salem)---The Cobblestone Farmers Market (formerly Krankies Farmers Market) will open for the season on April 19, 2011. The market will take place on the cobblestone area near Third Street and Patterson Avenue in downtown Winston-Salem, and will feature all-local, sustainably-produced foods, plus weekly events and expanded offerings. Improvements for the 2011 season include: •Acceptance of EBT payment, with a matching benefit from the market •Prepared lunches to enjoy at the market every week •Information tables for food- and environment-related community groups •Food donation station •Expanded parking •Live music every week

April Highlights: April 19—Opening Day features cooking greens, plus a tasting and demonstration by Screaming Rooster chef Kevin Fisher, classical guitarist Ryan Layton, an information table featuring Food and Water Watch, and lunch available from Triad Community Kitchen. April 26—The featured product is starter plants. Join Old Salem guides for a walking tour of the historic graveyards of Salem, departing from the market at 11:00 and returning about 12:00. Krankies Coffee will hold a coffee tasting at the market; Meridian Restaurant will give a cooking demonstration with samples; and musicians Payton Harkins and Noel Livengood will provide ambience. Lunch is sponsored by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, with chef Greg Waddell working the grill. The Cobblestone Farmers Market is operated by Cultivate Piedmont, a program of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/). The market is an all-local, producers-only venue that selects vendors on the basis of their healthy, sustainable, and humane practices. The market is held on the cobblestone area near the intersection of Third Street and Patterson Avenue in downtown Winston-Salem, every Tuesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm from April 19 through November 29. Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobblestone-Farmers-Market/175172035853383

2011 Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat

2011 Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat Sunday, July 10 at 10:00am - July 14 at 3:00pm Farm Tours - We will visit many types of farms. You'll see large and small herds, commercial and registered herds, conventional and organic herds. We'll also tour dairies that bottle milk, produce ice cream, and make cheese. Recreation - We will spend an afternoon at Wet n' Wild Emerald Pointe Waterpark. You'll also get to visit the NC Zoo and take a behind the scenes tour. Workshops - You will be able to take part in the many hands-on workshops. Topics include artificial insemination, calf care, and management, feeds and nutrition, and fun with dairy foods. Hotel Information Hampton Inn 1137 E. Dixie Dr. Asheboro, NC 27203 Contact: Dr. Brinton Hopkins Extension Dairy Specialist 919-515-7592 brinton_hopkins@ncsu.edu

Mini Krankies Farmers Market today!

Come out today (Tuesday, March 15th) from 11 until 1 to a mini version of Cobblestone Farmers Market (formerly known as Krankies Farmers Market). We will be outside on the patio of Krankies Coffee in downtown Winston-Salem.

Shore Farms Organics will be selling bok choi, kale, mustard greens, creasy greens, turnip greens, canned goods and cilantro. Don't miss out!

Crosscreek Farm and Grace Meadow Farm will be there too! will be selling grass-fed beef, pastured pork, free range eggs, goat cheese, butter, wild jams, and more!

We'll have our Buffalo Gal's goat's milk soap gift sets and bars--including some special ones for Spring Time and Easter! Support your local farmers!

Reap More Than You Sow

Help available for starting community gardens in Stokes by Wallace Williamson, president, Garden Spot of the World Garden Club Reap More Than You Sow is a local non-profit community gardening initiative founded to assist clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood groups and other interested citizens in establishing and maintaining a community garden. The initiative, a 501©3, is seeking interested groups to establish three to five new gardens this spring in different areas of Stokes county and especially around Walnut Cove, King and Danbury. More and more people today are becoming concerned about the sources of their food and how diet affects our overall health. Winston-Salem poet, writer and performer, Maya Angelou, just released her latest book “Great food, all day long – cook splendidly, eat smart” which emphasizes dining on smaller amounts of food that are really savory and tasty. The enormous health benefits from community gardening go well beyond the fresh wholesome vegetables, herbs and fruit that are produced there. Gardening provides the regular physical exercise listed in the prevention of heart disease, obesity, adult diabetes and high blood pressure. It also provides the strength training important in the prevention of osteoporosis. Gardening connects you with people and with nature. Building a sense of community and getting to know your neighbors through community gardening has been shown to decrease crime and increase community pride. Community gardens also provide an excellent method for community beautification and often use flowers to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. RMTYS assists gardening groups in the organization, soil preparation, seeds, fertilizer, plants and equipment needs. Four community gardens were established last spring through the efforts of the RMTYS initiative and yielded several thousand pounds of produce – some of which was used by the gardeners and the remainder donated to food banks. Interested groups must have available land, a source of water and a core group of motivated gardeners. A special emphasis is placed on youth involvement through church youth groups, school projects, 4-H and scouts. Neighborhood community gardens are encouraged to have a youth section which is managed and maintained by young gardeners. Interested groups should contact the Reap More Than You Sow community gardening initiative at: http://www.reapmore.org/ or they may call 336/331-2564.

Farm Animal Days

WHEN: 2011 Dates March 16-18 Wednesday through Friday (rain or shine) TIME: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (least busy times are 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.) WHERE: NC State University Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory 3720 Lake Wheeler Road

Raleigh, NC WHAT: Farm Animal Days gives children a chance to see and touch farm animals and learn about agriculture; tractors will also be on display. The event is designed for school field trips (pre-school through first grade), but families and small groups are also welcome. Daily Activities Include (each day) •Demonstrations of shorn sheep and practice roping •Touch the animals: chicks, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, and rabbits •Other animals to see: Beef Cow/calf, Dairy Cow, Horses •Tractors on display •Molly the Cow •Grass area for picinic •One hour is sufficient to see all the exhibits. •Farm Animal Days News

Community Gardening Networking Event

Community Gardening Networking Event by Mary Jac Brennan The public is invited to attend a Community Garden Networking Event on Thursday, March 24th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm hosted by Forsyth County Cooperative Extension. The event will be held in auditorium C at the Forsyth County Agriculture Building which is located at 1450 Fairchild Road in Winston-Salem, near the Z. Smith Reynolds Airport. The networking event will provide an opportunity for people who are involved with community gardens, or who are interested in becoming involved in community gardens, to meet and to become better informed. Representatives from the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Service will discuss the Community Garden Resource Program as well as lead a discussion about the state of community gardening in Forsyth County. Anyone who works with an existing community garden is encouraged to attend. Please contact Mary Jac Brennan at 703-2869 or by email at brennamj@forsyth.cc.

Farmer Appreciation Day

On Thursday, March 24, the Annual Farmer Appreciation event will be held at South Stokes High School in Walnut Cove from 6-9 p.m. This event is organized each year by the local farm service offices and is sponsored by local businesses. This year’s menu will consist of chopped BBQ or chicken, potato salad, slaw, rolls, pintos, dessert and a drink, and is free to all who attend. The entertainment for the night will be provided by the “Blues Creek” bluegrass band. At 8 p.m., door prizes will be given away, and a raffle drawing will be held for a chainsaw and cash prize. Those who plan to attend are asked to please call 593-8179 or 593-2846, ext. 3, to help organizers better prepare for the event. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship and to join in to express appreciation to the hardworking farmers and their families.

Backyard Buffer Workshop

Backyard Buffer Workshop

Free buffer kits for the first 50 who sign up!

Do you live on a stream or a creek? Would you like to learn how to reduce erosion on your waterway? A workshop, sponsored by the Piedmont Triad Water Quality Partnership, the North Carolina Soil & Water Conservation, and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agency will provide not only the necessary information but also a buffer kit that includes 20 live stakes for immediate planting. The kits include black willow, silky dogwood, ninebark and elderberry. The program will be held •March 19, 2011 •NC Cooperative Extension office, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 •10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

If you would like to attend, please reserve your spot today by calling (336)703-2850.

Mini Krankies Farmers Market today!

Come out today (Tuesday, March 1st) from 11 until 1 to a mini version of Krankies Farmers Market (aka Cobblestone Farmers Market). We will be outside on the patio of Krankies Coffee in downtown Winston-Salem.

Crosscreek Farm will be selling grass-fed beef, pastured pork, free range eggs, goat cheese, butter, wild jams, and more! Shore Farms Organics will be selling collards, kale, cilantro, baby bok choi, mustard, canned goods, brussel sprouts and more!

Grace Meadow Farm will be selling steaks, ground beef ,roasts, stew beef, ground turkey, turkey drumsticks, eggs and more!

We'll have our Buffalo Gal's goat's milk soap gift sets and bars--including some special ones for Spring Time and Easter! Support your local farmers!