Workshops, Proposals, and Opportunities from Blue Ridge Women in Ag

Farmer Scholarships: Organic Growers School Conference Call for Applications!
With the support of the Organic Growers School and AgraQuest, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is offering two one-day farmer scholarships (including lunch) to the 2012 Organic Growers School Conference. Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Please email contactbrwia@gmail.com for more information.

Call for Proposals! Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant Program
The purpose of the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant is to strengthen our local food system by supporting female farmers, ranchers, and processors who plan to create innovative, sustainable solutions to producing or marketing obstacles in the High Country. Proposals must be RECEIVED no later than March 1, 2012. Please email contactbrwia@gmail.com for more information.

Is a Heritage Breeds Enterprise Right for you?
February 11, 2012, 1-3PM, Watauga Cooperative Extension Ag Conference Center, $5.  Join BRWIA and American Livestock Breed Conservancy for a workshop that will help you to determine whether heritage livestock may be a fit for your farm enterprise. Heritage breeds have great potential on small farms and in niche markets. In this workshop you will learn the definition of Heritage, the basics of heritage breed husbandry, why these breeds are so appealing in niche markets, and the planning process for deciding if heritage animals are right for you and your farm. A panel of local farmers will discuss how heritage breeds fit in on their farms. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, has 35 years of experience conserving and promoting heritage livestock. Our mission is to provide support and education to farmers to help make heritage breeds an economical and sustainable option for farmers. For more information or to RSVP: contactbrwia@gmail.com

Tour of the Ashe County Commercial Kitchen, February 18th, 11-12PM, Jefferson, NC, Free. Are you interested in selling artisan food products at the farmers’ market and local businesses? Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension for a tour of the Ashe County Commercial Kitchen on February 18th, 11-12PM. The Ashe County Commercial Kitchen is a shared-use facility, equipped with commercial stoves, ovens, steam kettles, mixers, sinks, refrigerators, tables, dry and cooler storage and other food preparation equipment to accommodate a wide variety of start-up food businesses. Rhonda Church of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension will provide farmers and other entrepreneurs with a brief tour of the space, followed by a question and answer session. For more information or to RSVP: contactbrwia@gmail.com

Promoting Your Farm, February 25, 2012, 1PM-3PM, Watauga Cooperative Extension Ag Conference Center., $5. Join BRWIA and Kaci Nidiffer of Trosly Farm for a workshop that will help you:
• Identify your goals: In addition to increasing awareness of sustainable agriculture, what do you want to accomplish for your farm through promotional materials? Learn what type of materials work best with your goals.
• Learn about the importance of good images and layout in promotional materials and practical skills to apply when you're back on the farm!
• Create a "farm promo toolkit" to have on hand, so that working on promotional materials won't get in the way of your busy schedule.
For more information or to RSVP: contactbrwia@gmail.com

Irrigation Demonstration: March 25, 2012, 1-2:30PM, Goldenrod Gardens, $5 Learn how to establish a water conservation system using innovative irrigation and repurposing techniques. Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) and Lee Carlton Swift of Goldenrod Gardens for an irrigation demonstration. Lee will show visitors her new gravity-fed irrigation system and vegetable washing station, established with the support of BRWIA’s 2011 Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant. Demonstration Fee: $5. For more information or to RSVP: contactbrwia@gmail.com