4-H Plant Sale

Alleghany County 4-H is currently taking orders for the 2011 Annual Spring Plant Sale.

The following types of plants are available to purchase:

**Blueberries
**Blackberries
**Grapes
**Herbs
**Horseradish
**Raspberries
**Strawberries

All orders are due by March 15th. Payment is due at the time orders are placed. Click here for your plant description / order form. The tentative pick-up date is Friday, April 15th. For more information, contact the Extension Office at 336-372-5597. All proceeds will help send kids to summer camp & other summer fun opportunities.

Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Worshop

A Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Workshop will be held on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at the Watauga County Cooperative Extension Conference Center.  The registration fee, which included lunch and materials, is $15 and will be collected at the door.  Registration begins at 8:30am and the program will start at 9 am.  


This workshop will help producers "fine tune" their current marketing program and maximize marketing investments.  Local speakers, as well as specialists from NCSU will share information focusing on wholesale, retail and Choose & Cut.


Please contact the Extension Office (372-5597) to register.  The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Pesticide Recertification Classes

On February 17th there will be 2 pesticide training classes, as well as a pesticide applicators exam, offered at the Upper Mountain Research Station (Hwy. #88, Laurel Springs).


8:00 am - V class (2 hours credit)
10:00 am - X class (2 hours credit)
1:00 pm - Exam




If you plan to attend either of the trainings and/or the exam, please call the Extension office (372-5597) to register.

ACTA Business Meeting & Program

The Alleghany Christmas Tree Association will hold a general business meeting and program on Tuesday, February 15, 2011.  The program and meeting will follow the meal, which will begin at 6 pm. If you plan to join us for the meal, you must RSVP (336-372-5597) by Friday, February 11th. 


**IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION**
Due to the sales directory being printed much earlier this year, the deadline to turn in your membership form and dues is March 1, 2011.  NO EXCEPTIONS will be made.  


Click here to download and print your form.  You can bring it to the meeting on Feb. 15th or to the Extension Office.  You may also mail it to P.O. Box 892, Sparta, NC 28675.

Economics in 90 Minutes or Less

What Policymakers, the Public, the Press, and Parents Need to Know about Economics… in 90 Minutes or Less

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 • Noon-1:30 p.m. ET

Everybody has something to say about economics -- and a lot of it is outdated, out of bounds, even outrageous. To help those making economic decisions -- all of us, really -- five outstanding scholars and scribes will distill the essence of their field in less time than it takes to watch Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. They’ll cover what you need to know now -- from the theories that explain economic fundamentals to the taxes that fuel government programs, from the hum and hiccups of the American economic engine to the bottom line on how government uses your dollars.


To watch the video webcast or a recording, click HERE

(No registration is necessary)


Panelists:*
* *Greg Ip*, U.S. economics editor, The Economist; author, The
Little Book of Economics: How the Economy Works in the Real World

* *Donald Marron*, director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center;
former member, President’s Council of Economic Advisers; editor,
30-Second Economics: The 50 Most Thought-Provoking Economic
Theories, Each Explained in Half a Minute

* *Robert Reischauer*, president, Urban Institute; former
director, Congressional Budget Office (moderator)

* *Diane Lim Rogers*, chief economist, Concord Coalition; former
chief economist, House Budget Committee; blogger, EconomistMom.com

* *Eugene Steuerle*, Institute fellow, Urban Institute; former
deputy assistant secretary of the treasury for tax analysis;
author, Contemporary U.S. Tax Policy



**For those not familiar with The Urban Institute, this is a nonpartisan economic and social policy institute that gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers technical assistance, and educates Americans on social and economic issues — to foster sound public policy and effective government.research. It is a well respected, unbiased source for information.

Leadership & Cattle Handling for Women Producers

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011 April Shaeffer and Jeannette Moore, of N.C. State University Department of Animal Science will be working with the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association to provide women cattle producers with a chance to network and enhance their cattle handling skills at the Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers.  This workshop is designed to offer leadership training for women cattle producers in North Carolina and to offer them the opportunity for hands-on experiences led by professionals in the field.

The goal is to encourage more women to be active as leaders in the North Carolina Cattlemen's Association and in their communities.  This event is limited to twenty-one participants so that work groups will be small and the opportunity for active, hands-on experience will be maximized. The workshop will cover Low Stress Cattle Handling, Reproductive Health Practices, Pasture Management, and General Health Management (including proper vaccination techniques, deworming, and eartagging).

If you are interested in attending this event, contact Teresa Herman at 336-372-5597 or teresa_herman@ncsu.edu.

Cattle Meeting Reminder

Reminder - Alleghany County Cattlemen's meeting, 1/13/2011 at Blue Ridge Electric Conference Room 6 pm ~~ Meal, Please RSVP to the Extension Office (336-372-5597) by 1/11/11.