14th Annual Goat Producers Field Day

The 14th Annual Goat Producers Field Day will be held Saturday, November 16th from 9 am-3 pm at the Johnston County Livestock Arena, 520 County Home Road in Smithfield, NC. There are some exciting seminars planned this year, including a carcass breakdown demonstration, fencing demonstration, and examination of goat reproductive and gastro-intestinal tracts. In addition, there will be demonstrations of hoof trimming, cheese making and goat milking. As usual, there will be a raffle table with many goat-related items, and a grand prize raffle drawing for winner's choice of $200 cash or 12 bales of alfalfa hay (a $200 value). Lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided, and there will also be goat meat dishes to sample. There is no cost to attend, and RSVP is not required.If you have questions about this event, please call (919) 989-5380 or email dgwells@ncsu.edu.

Farm Adventures

Lazy O Farm in Johnston County has fun adventures for kids planned almost monthly.
On Fridays in June and July, the farm has scavenger hunt planned, which includes a self guided tour of the barnyard's animals, activities, hayride, playground and picnic area.

After this Friday, the farm will close until October.  It will then will reopen for a month's worth of Maze Dayz--corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayride and more. Visit their website for more details and to see what's happening the rest of the year.

Hands on Goats XI

Bring the family on November 13, 2010 (9am - 3pm) to "Hands On Goats XI" in Smithfield--lots of fun & lots to learn! Presented by Johnston County Goat Producers at the Johnston County Livestock Arena. Demonstrations: Goat milking, Cheese making, Hoof trimming, Goat Skillathon, Laproscopic AI Seminars: Skin diseases, Mastitis, Urinary Calculi/Kidney stones, Sheep & Goat Council Raffle for a Ton of Alfalfa Hay or $300 Door prizes For more information: Angela Allen, Pres 919-965-5976 or Johnston County Extension Agent Dan Wells 919-989-5380.

2010 Fall Agritourism Tour

The Southeastern Agritourism Association is pleased to present the 2010 Fall Agritourism Tour on October 21, 2010. Johnston County will be the primary focus for this year’s tour. Participants will meet at 9:00 am at the Johnston County Agriculture Center (2736 NC Highway 210, Smithfield, NC 27577) for registration and instructions. Space is limited so please register by October 15th by contacting Elizabeth Wilson at elizabeth_wilson@ncsu.edu or 919-989-5380. Registration is $20.00 per person, which includes lunch and transportation. 9:00 am – 9:45 am ~ Registration and loading of vans at the Johnston County Agriculture Center 9:45 am – 10:00 am ~ Travel to Lazy O Farms 10:00 am – 11:00 am ~ Tour of Lazy O Farms - Hayrides, petting zoo, millet maze 11:00 am – 11:15 am ~ Travel to the Johnston County Livestock Arena 11:15 am – 12:15 pm ~ Lunch at the Johnston County Livestock Arena - Welcome to Johnston County from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau 12:15 pm – 12:30 pm ~ Travel to Smith’s Nursery, Inc. 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm ~ Tour of Smith’s Nursery, Inc. - Door stop market, plant nursery, goat walk 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm ~ Travel to Clayton Fear Farm 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ~ Tour of Clayton Fear Farm - Corn maze, haunted attractions, pumpkin patch 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm ~ Travel to Tobacco Farm Life Museum 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm ~ Tour of Tobacco Farm Life Museum - Historic buildings, artifacts, theater 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm ~ Travel back to Johnston County Agriculture Center

North Carolina Meat Goat Association Spring Sale Prospect Show

The North Carolina Meat Goat Association will be holding a Spring Sale Prospect Show on January 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Johnson County Livestock Arena in Smithfield, NC. Workshops will also be held at 10:00 AM in the arena. Fifty (50) light-weight wethers and does will be offered from consignors all over North Carolina for sale.