Farmworker Safety Day

Over 250 participants attended a Farmworker Safety Day yesterday at Cline Church Nursery in Ashe County. Over 190 farmworkers from Ashe, Watauga, Alleghany, and Avery rotated through stations covering pesticide safety, health & first aid, chainsaw safety, backpack sprayer maintenance, hazardous farm plants and critters, heavy equipment safety, and local laws/customs. Watauga & Avery Farm Bureau, Carolina Farm Credit, and Southern Ag sponsored this event which was organized by Watauga & Ashe Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute.

Presenters included: Katie Gray, a naturalist from Grandfather Mountain, Denny Paternak and Jimmy Cox from the NC Highway Patrol, Russel Choate from the NC Division of Forest Resources, Keith Eller from the Upper Mountain Research Station, Emily Dixon and her staff from the Farmworker Health Program, Jill Sidebottom & Jeff Owen, conifer specialists from NC Cooperative Extension, Cliff Parker, an ag liability and crop insurance consultant, and Ritchie Gardener from CPS.

Translators were on hand at each station, as a majority of the farmworker participants were Spanish-speakers from the Christmas tree and landscaping industries.

No Cones, Please...

Cone production on Fraser fir can mean serious headaches for tree-growers. Heavy cone years vary. When trees come under stress due to drought or other environmental conditions, heavy cone years can follow. Last year (2012) was an especially heavy cone year. Growers spent tens of thousands of dollars in labor manually removing cones, which also take away from top-growth production and create unsightly 'pegs' that endure after the cones crumble and release their seeds in the summer.

Last year, Christmas tree specialist Jeff Owen began cone-spraying trials to try and identify an herbicide or plant regulator hormone that might stop or alter cone production. This work was tricky...trying to guess which field might have a high prevalence of cones next year and growers who didn't mind risking some of their trees getting 'burned' in the process. He is continuing this work in 2013.

IPM Technician Brad Edwards sprays cones on farm in Watauga County

Upcoming workshop: HIGHWAY REGULATIONS THAT AFFECT FARMERS

The Watauga Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a workshop for area farmers on the laws and highway regulations that apply to farm products that are transported between farms and to markets. An officer with the NC State Highway Patrol will explain the responsibilities of farmers and answer specific questions. Many farmers are unaware of the regulations and guidelines that affect the movement of farm products between states and involving trailers.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 11 at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center, located at 252 Poplar Grove Road in Boone. A meal sponsored by Watauga County Farm Bureau will be served at 6 p.m. with the program starting at 6:30 p.m. This is a free workshop but registration is required. Contact the Watauga Cooperative Extension office at 828-264-3061 to register by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 10.

Christmas Tree Pollinator Study

Christmas tree growers might not realize that the diverse mixes of groundcovers growing underneath their trees provide important habitat for pollinators. Pollinators include butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, wasps, and even some small mammals and hummingbirds.

Syrphid fly feeding on False Dandelion

They are responsible for an estimated 75% of the average food products that we eat each and every day. Pollinators worldwide are in decline; habitat loss and degradation, pollution, loss of native plants, diseases, climate change, pesticide misuse and overuse, and genetically modified crops are linked to the ongoing decline of pollinator species.

It’s an often-overlooked fact that tree farmers that encourage native weeds and groundcovers among their tree fields are supporting these critically important creatures. In the tree field, pollinators feed on the nectar and pollen in flowering weeds, and they make their nests, often in the soil but occasionally in dead branches or decaying stumps. All of these are very positive interactions in the tree field. The situation becomes more complicated when growers reach IPM thresholds that determine a need to control insect pests with pesticide applications. Just about any pesticide, organic or otherwise, is toxic to bees. So tree growers have a very difficult situation to deal with: treating for insect pests that damage their trees while also wanting to protect pollinator populations.

To help find solutions to this perplexing problem, Dr. Jill Sidebottom and county agents are working on a pollinator study specifically looking at tree farms in Watauga, Ashe, Allegheny, Avery and Mitchell counties.  The study will follow these farms for an entire year, taking data on the mix of specific plants growing under the trees, what’s flowering and when, and what types of pollinators and other insects are observed. This study is unique in that the majority of the fieldwork is not actually focused on the Christmas trees... but rather what’s growing underneath them! Agents and specialists walk slowly through the field keeping their eyes peeled for flying insects, and whirling a canvas sweep net through the weeds to survey what pollinators are present. The contents of the net are then emptied into a plastic bag where the insects can be identified.

The goal of this study is to develop best management practices specific to the Christmas tree industry on pollinator protection and conservation. It will also help educate tree growers and beekeepers alike on how to best work together to sustain pollinators.

Farmworker Safety Day

Over 70 Christmas tree growers, workers, and industry partners attended the Farmworker Safety Day held this week in Foscoe. The North Carolina Department of Labor and Watauga Cooperative Extension co-organized the event which was aimed at giving Latino farmworker workers and crew-leaders a refresher course on various aspects of Christmas tree farm safety. Groups of participants rotated through eight stations that were set up around the grounds of Hawk Mountain Nursery. Several representatives from other agencies were also on hand including the NC Farmworker Health Program, the NCDA Pesticide Section and the Foscoe Fire Department.

At the pesticide safety station, Charles Clark & Travis Snodgrass (NCDA) demonstrated proper use and storage of respirators and discussed pesticide labels. Mountain Conifer Hort Specialist, Jill Sidebottom went over some of the different chemicals and application methods used in the Christmas tree industry and what personal protective equipment should be used for each. Watauga County Extension Director, Jim Hamilton, translated.



Department of Labor Inspectors provided information to growers on housing regulations and hazardous communication protocols and also demonstrated proper chainsaw and heavy equipment safety. Brad Edwards, a technician with Cooperative Extension, gave a shearing safety demonstration and the Foscoe Fire Department instructed farmworkers on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers and alarms. Wiley Gimlin, the bilingual owner of Omni Farms in Ashe County, gave a talk on tree baler and elevator safety. Southern Ag, Carolina Farm Credit, the NC Christmas Tree Association and Hawk Mountain Nursery sponsored the event and provided generous support for lunch for all participants.

2010: A Choose and Cut Success!

Christmas tree farms are a common sight throughout Watauga County.  While the majority of those farms sell to wholesale markets, a third of these farms sell directly to consumers through the Choose and Cut concept.  From mid-November through December locals and visitors alike flock to area Choose and Cut farms to hand-select the perfect Christmas tree for their home.

Choose and Cut is an important part of the tourism industry of the High Country. Taking place during the "shoulder season" between the leaf and ski seasons, Choose and Cut farms help draw visitors to the area that financially support area retail businesses and lodging establishments. Many visitors are attracted to farms that offer agritourism activities such as hayrides, Christmas shops, mountain crafts and music, and petting zoos.

The 2010 Choose and Cut Season faced winter-weather challenges that forced some farms to shut down during the busy pre-Christmas rush. However grower surveys indicated an overall successful season, with county-wide tree totals increasing 10% over the 2010 tree sales.

Choose and Cut farms partner with several local tourism entities including the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority, the Boone Chamber of Commerce, the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, High Country Host, and the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. For more information on Watauga County Choose and Cut farms, visit: www.wataugachrismtastrees.org.

Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference

Happening Feb. 18 8:30AM - 4:30PM

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service presents the 3rd Annual Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference happening Friday, February 18th from 8:30AM - 4:30PM at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center in Boone. A snow date is scheduled for Friday, Feb, 25th in case of inclement weather. This conference is designed to provide small and mid-sized growers with strategies for reaching new customers and improving customer retention. This year collaborative marketing, social media, international marketing, value-added products, and pre-sale programs will be explored. Speakers include Extension agents and specialists as well as private industry marketing and tourism professionals. Registration is $ 15 per person and includes lunch. Please contact the Watauga Cooperative Extension Service by February 15th to register: 828-264-3061.

Choose and Cut Tree Farms

Watauga County is home to nearly 100 family-operated tree farms and while fall has just arrived, it's never too early to start thinking about where to buy the Perfect Christmas tree! Many farms, including wholesale and Choose and Cut, can be contacted directly through the website: www.wataugachristmastrees.org.

For those of you who enjoy coming to the mountains, consider the family-oriented tradition of Choose and Cut, where you can hand pick the tree of your choice and meet the growers who had tended the tree since it was planted in the field. Choose and Cut farms offer a variety of activities, including hayrides, petting zoos, Christmas shops, and even sledding! Looking for more than just a tree? Choose and Cut farms offer wreaths, roping, and tabletop trees to suit your needs. Many farms also partner with area hotels and B & Bs to offer package deals, so be sure to check out what each farm offers at www.wataugachristmastrees.org. Also visit www.ExploreBooneArea.com and www.highcountryhost.com to plant shopping and outdoor activities while you're in the High Country. Click here to see the full list of 2010 Choose and Cut farms!

National Christmas Tree Association Farm Tour

Last week, Christmas tree growers from all over the United States converged on the High Country for farm tours as part of the 2010 National Christmas Tree Convention. Harry Yates, a Watauga County grower and member of the WCCTA, hosted a group out at his farm in Zionville where he demonstrated mistblowing and talked about pest and groundcovers for Christmas trees. Simon Smith of Wintergreen Farm and Scott Taylor of Stone Mountain Farm also assisted with the farm tour.  David Tucker, President of the WCCTA, also hosted a group on his choose-and-cut farm and corn maze that he's opening this year http://www.newrivercornmaze.com/.  Watauga County's Horticulture Agent, Meghan Baker, was on hand to discuss the importance of agritourism in the county as an added value effort for Christmas tree production.  David Tucker was also the winner of the NC Christmas Tree Association tree contest and will go up against other growers in 2011 to compete for the White House tree.

Scouting Field Day, May 25th

The NC Cooperative Extension- Watauga and Ashe Centers will be hosting a insect and weed scouting field day on Tuesday, May 25th from 2-4PM. We will discuss various pest and beneficial insects commonly found in Christmas Tree farms and control options.  Demonstrating scouting techniques followed by actual field scouting will help growers learn how to scout on their own farms.   2  hours of pesticide credit in categories G, L, N, O, D, and X will be available to participants.
 
Directions: From Boone continue on Hwy. 421 South past the intersection of old 421 and new 421 (Food Lion intersection) and travel approx. 1-1.5 miles turning left onto Laurel Gap Ridge Rd. (the second left after the intersection).  Follow Laurel Gap Ridge Road for approx. 1/ 2 mile.  After coming down the hill and curving left, look for a metal farm gate on the right, just past a house trailer.  Go through the farm gate and travel down gravel road.  Veer left continuing on the gravel road and then continue until you reach a grass parking area at the end of the farm road.  Signs will be posted.
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For more information:  Meghan Baker Extension Agent, Agriculture Christmas Trees and Commercial Horticulture NC Cooperative Extension Watauga County Center 971 West King Street Boone, NC 28607 Meghan_Baker@ncsu.edu Phone:828-264-3061 Fax:828-264-3067

Summer Transplanting Study for Fraser Fir

So what would happen to your Fraser fir if you transplanted to the field in mid to late summer instead of spring? Would the seedling get a head start for next season's growth? Or would transplant shock and heat stress kill it? Dr. John Frampton, the Christmas tree geneticist at NC State is trying to find out. Based on some outplanting methods learned from European growers, Frampton has designed an experiment to test late outplanting with Fraser, Turkish, and Nordmann fir.

For the experiment, transplants from each species will be planted at regular intervals from May through October on the same sites under similar conditions to see how the seedlings react.  IPM Technicians Doug Hundley and Brian Davis, and Watauga County Extension Director Jim Hamilton are assisting with the research. Hopefully this research can tell us more about the transplanting thresholds or windows for outplanting Fraser fir and maybe allow growers to get a head start on field production.