Publications for Local Foods

Local Foods

The EBCI Center Local Foods contact is Chumper Walker.

View Our Local Foods Infographic

Basil Downy Mildew Confirmed in Pender County, NC, July 28, 2021

Basil downy mildew has been confirmed on the variety Genovese in a homeowner garden in Pender County, North Carolina. …

— 1 day ago, Extension Plant Pathology

Building Community Around Food With Daniel Ostrowski

Daniel Ostrowski is the Agriculture and Horticulture Agent in Caswell County. Daniel is passionate about local foods and supports …

— 2 days ago, Local Food

Who Regulates Our Foods? - Webinar Series

Food businesses, such as restaurants, retailers, food processors, and farms, must understand which local, state, and/or federal agency has …

— 5 days ago, NC Fresh Produce Safety

Farm Visit Snapshots: In Good Heart Farm

I visited In Good Heart Farm outside Pittsboro in mid-May and again in mid-July. Ben Shields and Patricia Parker …

— 1 week ago, Growing Small Farms

photo collage of vsa bags, farmers, and water.

Vacationer Supported Agriculture Expands to New Locations

Local Produce Bags are now available in 12 locations for the 2021season. NC State Extension announced that it has expanded …

— 2 weeks ago, Local Food

Enjoy a Virtual Tour of the Pollinator Paradise Garden From May and June!

Pollinator Paradise is a Demonstration Garden created by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center. Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos …

— 2 weeks ago, Growing Small Farms

Learning About Local Foods With Greg Huneycutt & Jackie L. Helton

Greg Huneycutt and Jackie L. Helton work with N.C. Cooperative Extension in Harnett County. Greg is the Harnett County …

— 4 weeks ago, Local Food

Farm Visit Snapshots: Perry-Winkle Farm to Market!

From Chatham County Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos: In early June I got to spend time with our two Extension interns …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Register Now for Virtual Pollinator Field Day June 22

The North Carolina Pollinator Conservation Alliance invites you to kick off National Pollinator Week 2021 and join us for our fourth …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Register Now for July CCP Meeting About Community Conservation

The July Chatham Conservation Partnership (CCP) meeting will focus on Community Conservation. Please join us on July 15, 2021, from 9–11:30 a.m. …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Moles and Voles, Oh My! — Written By Rob Hawk and updated by Melissa Vaughn and Chumper Walker Woodland or Pine Vole rodent Voles eat roots from garden vegetables, bulbs, and bark. You most likely deal with pine and meadow voles. Meadow voles spend most of their time above ground while pine/woodland voles are more burrow dwelling and usually have an extensive subsurface trail system that is excavated about 1 to 2 inches deep. These burrows open to the surface and often connect to above-ground runways. These burrows are small since voles are the size of plump mice. They can be a serious outdoor pest, damaging the root system on many landscape and garden plants or even girdling trees when feeding on their bark. The best way to control a vole epidemic is to set large spring loaded mice traps baited with apple slices or peanut butter near the tunnels. You can also discourage voles from invading your yard by keeping the grass mowed short and reducing the amount of thatch in the lawn. There are also poisons that can be used to kill voles but one must consider potential risks with pets, children, or non-target animals. Read the label in its entirety before using any vole poison products to avoid illegal usage and/or unintended harms. Mole Moles have large paddle-like forefeet used for digging. Image by Michael David Hill, Wikimedia Moles eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates living in your soil. Moles are not considered rodents. The tell-tale sign of moles is the visible ridges that are seen as a result of tunneling in the lawn. There is a tendency to try to control moles by applying grub killer to your lawn. Sometimes this isn’t a recommended approach since moles eat more than just grubs. The star-nosed mole, found mostly in the mountains and coastal plains, is listed as a NC Special Concern Specie and is protected by law. Reference NC law 15A NCAC 10B .0106 WILDLIFE TAKEN FOR DEPREDATIONS, found on the NCDA website for more info. The eastern mole and the hairy-tailed mole are under consideration for designation as pests. Currently, the use of poison is not labeled for moles in North Carolina. A easy control method is to simply put on your heavy boots and stomp on the ridge tunnels to flatten them. In the meantime, trapping is the recommended avenue for mole control. Article submitted by Chumper Walker, EBCI NC Cooperative Extension Director Original Article by Rob Hawk, Swain and Jackson County NCCE Director

June 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

Here is the June edition of our Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter! See the images …

— 1 month ago

A brown millipede, the greenhouse millipede

Heavy Rains Bring Masses of Millipedes

Recent heavy rains across the state have resulted in invasions of yards and homes by what some might call …

— 1 month ago, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Register Now for a Summer Tour of the Pollinator Paradise Garden!

Summer tours of North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden in Pittsboro start at the end of June! The tours …

— 1 month ago, Growing Small Farms

Leading the Local Food Movement With Leigh Guth

Leigh Guth is the County Extension Director for Pitt County. She has served in this role for six years, …

— 2 months ago, Local Food

Food Waste Recovery & Composting in Pitt County

Over 21% of waste produced in the United States comes from food. Whether it is being grown, harvested, prepared, or …

— 2 months ago, Local Food

Enjoy an April Virtual Tour of the Pollinator Paradise Garden!

Pollinator Paradise is a Demonstration Garden created by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center. Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos …

— 2 months ago, Growing Small Farms