Eastern:
(Columbus) Year-long adventure at Boondocks Adventure Farm
The seasons may change but the agricultural adventure never stops at Boondocks Adventure Farm in Nakina. This farm in Columbus County has historic memories within the N.C. Agriculture industry, being used for many years to grow tobacco, corn, and soybeans. When the original farmers passed away, James and Eric Pino took over and turned their focus to agritourism. In 2017, the first agritourism event was launched at Boondocks Adventure Farm and has been going strong ever since. The Panic Attack Haunted Attraction is for those courageous souls who dare to brave the 45-minute walking trail. “Anything you could possibly be afraid of is hidden in the haunted trail, from spiders and clowns to zombies and ghosts,” Eric said. “We started with this event because we knew that our land could pull it off well and, hopefully, attract a unique audience.” The Panic Attack Haunted Attraction runs at night through the month of October. During the day, however, the farm is bright and friendly, featuring many fun activities for kids and adults of all ages. “We have our interactive corn maze available during the daytime hours, which is set to a different theme each year,” Eric said, “as well as a variety of other fun games, rides, petting zoo animals and more. It’s a fun time for the younger kids to come out and enjoy a day on the farm with their families.” …
(Currituck) Finding peace and relaxation in the OBX at Sanctuary Vineyards
Agritourism is the heart and soul behind Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg because owner John Wright fully believes in hospitality. Throughout the years, the property that the vineyard now sits on has transitioned between many different crops, including corn, wheat, potatoes and cotton. After attending college at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, John decided to change direction with the farm and focus on growing grapes for wine making. “I learned to love wine throughout my time at Chapel Hill, and not just the taste of wine but the unique quality it holds to bring individuals from all aspects of life together,” he said. “I wanted the farm to be a place where people could come to relax with their friends and family and enjoy a quality product. So, wine was the most sensible option.” Today the vineyard is home to 15 European varieties of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah and Albarino. …
(Edgecombe) ‘They’ve been a great partner’; N.C. Forest Service cost share programs help woodland owners carry out recommended forest practices
Purchased in 2018 without any previous family experience with the property, Bennett Bradley and his family live on a 190-acre woodland tract in Edgecombe County. Bradley is currently working with the N.C. Forest Service, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and a consulting forester to implement forest management practices, manage for wildlife habitat and enjoy the recreational opportunities that follow. The N.C. Forest Service encourages private landowners to employ professional consulting foresters to help provide needed forestry services. Bradley states that since he’s a newcomer to woodland management, he’s relied on the input he’s received from working with these natural resource professionals. ...
(Pender and Sampson) Invasive Cogongrass Set to Bloom in Coming Weeks
As the weather across North Carolina continues to warm up, an invasive species will soon show its true colors. A weed called cogongrass will develop its seed head later this month or in early June, revealing its presence and offering the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division a chance to work toward eradicating it. North Carolinians in Pender and Sampson counties should be on the lookout for cogongrass’ distinctive puffy white seed head atop a tall blade of grass. “The grass starts to shoot up in mid-to-late May and if you have an early spring like we did this year, then maybe by late May you’ll start to see some blooms,” said NCDA&CS Weed Specialist Jared Driscoll. “June is the standard time in North Carolina to see these cylindrical seed heads. That’s the number one way to identify cogongrass.” …
Piedmont:
(Forsyth) Living the ag life at NOMAD Farms
A life of freedom can be found through farming, especially at NOMAD Farms, LLC in Tobaccoville, where freedom is the way of life. For ten years, Mark and Dana Nicholson lived on the Tibetan Plateau where they learned the down-to-earth lifestyle of the Nomads. Upon returning to North Carolina in 2013, the Nicholson’s wanted to bring a new face to farming in our state by offering a place where agriculture and their new way of life could merge. Thus, NOMAD Farms was born. Today, NOMAD Farms is home to a variety of livestock animals, including cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and turkeys. All of these animals are raised on pasture and live as they would in the wild. “Cows eat grass. Chickens peck for bugs and fresh salad. Pigs root and wallow. These creatures are nomads,” Dana said. This not only enhances their quality of life, but also produces a healthy and clean product for human consumption. In fact, food-integrity if so deeply ingrained in the heart of NOMAD Farms, it was the leading reason that Dana and Mark ventured into the agritourism realm in 2014. “We envision growing relationships with people and educating them on the importance of food-integrity as well as our way of life on the farm,” Dana said, “especially the younger generation who will one day carry the industry forward.” ...
(Franklin) Changing Hearts and Lives at Jewels of Health Farm
Growing up on a farm, Julius Griffin was always surrounded by the world of agriculture, but didn’t fall in love with it until it helped save his mental and physical health in later years. Jewels of Health Farm Inc. in Louisburg has been under family operation for twenty-six years. It transitioned five years ago, however, to focus solely on producing fruits and vegetables. “Our main crops are watermelons, ginger, herbs and vegetables,” Julius said. “We also produce cold-pressed watermelon juice blends, wellness capsules and dried spices.” For several years of his life, Julius struggled with kidney disease. During this season of life, Julius began to turn to agriculture for a cure. “I needed to heal my body and my mind, so I started researching how to grow my own food and make my own products,” he said. “Once I began eating the fresh products being grown on the farm, my kidney disease healed completely. I would like for everyone to have that experience, which is the reason why I work as hard as I do on this farm.” …
(Guilford) A passion instilled at birth leads to young farmer career in agriculture
Cooper Little has been a farm boy ever since he was old enough to drive the tractor. Since 2004, his family has owned and operated The Little Farm in Pleasant Garden. Cooper grew up helping his parents around the farm and he continues to work for them as manager of the cattle herd. As a beef cattle farm, there is a lot of hard work that goes into production, maintenance, care of the herd and more! “I am in charge of the overall welfare of the cattle,” said Cooper, “which means that I feed and water them, including salt blocks and minerals, maintain the fences, cut, rake and bale the hay and transport them to the stockyard for sale.” ...
(Moore) Step into a new world of NC agriculture at Misty Morning Ranch
Ostriches are the biggest living birds in the world, so how would you like to be up close and personal with one? Ryan and Gaby Olufs grew up in California and never dreamed of pursuing a career in agriculture. In fact, you know the old saying, “never say never?” Ryan and Gaby are living proof of that! In July of 2015, they moved to Robbins in pursuit of land and a home to raise their family in. “I had family stationed in Fort Bragg, so North Carolina wasn’t far off the radar for us,” he said. “We fell in love with the area, not only because of the cost of living was more reasonable than California, but because of the amount of beautiful farmland.” Although they had no dreams of starting a farm, they purchased a home on a 60-acre lot and the journey to founding Misty Morning Ranch was born. ...
(Richmond) Foresters and rangers with the N.C. Forest Service assist landowners with forest management plans
One of our nation’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, has long been attributed with the well-known phrase, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” While this approach offers no guarantee of success, these words of wisdom remain true more often than not as goals become more attainable through the action of planning. Just as a military unit establishes a battle plan before engaging in combat, or how a boxer plans his first several series of steps and jabs before entering the ring to face his counterpart, having an understanding a plan not only increases the chance for success, but executing that plan becomes almost instinctive. Assisting private landowners with managing their almost 14 million acres of forestland across the state is one of the many services offered by the N.C. Forest Service. …
(Wake) Young Farmer takes pride in feeding the community and telling her ag story
Sami Parker, with Marks Creek Farm Market in Knightdale and Parker Ag Inc. in Wendell, has been in love with the life of agriculture since she was a little girl. Growing up at Marks Creek Farm Market, originally started in 2003, she has had a major hand in the growing, harvesting and production on the farm since the very beginning. In fact, she is now owner of the farm and dreams of growing and expanding it to impact generations. As a recent graduate of N.C. State University, she is ready to take on the world of agriculture and inspire others to do the same. ...
(Wake) Creating memories and growing produce at Porter Farms
Ashley Porter has been farming all his life and loves the pride that it brings him each year. Not only does his fresh produce help feed his own family, but many others who come to visit from across the state. In 2001, he started opening up the farm to the public through the Farm Market on-site. Today, they see visitors all year long for u-pick events, ice cream gatherings and farm market visits. …
Western:
Keep your eyes peeled for the fall cankerworm this year
There are many types of forests in North Carolina, each representing a unique forest community with a distinct set of species, interactions and processes. A healthy forest is one that possesses the ability to sustain those unique species that exist within it, and the well-being of our forests must be managed, protected and conserved to accommodate the present and future needs of people for a variety of values, products and services. Like humans, the health of a forest is susceptible to stress agents that cause disruptions to the normal physiological and structural functioning of a tree. If a disruption is sustained long enough and is severe enough, a tree can suffer significant harm, damage and even mortality. Insects and diseases are a major disruption to forests as they claim more timber each year than any other forest menace, including wildfire. Proper forest management, early detection and protective measures can prevent or reduce the effects of insect and disease problems. More intensive management and control options are available when and if required. One of the more recent insect attacks currently causing defoliation in the state’s High Country is the fall cankerworm. The N.C. Forest Service is asking folks in this area and across the state to keep an eye out through the spring and summer months for additional tree defoliation. ...
(Yancy) Free to frolic with the goats
As a little girl, Christina Gordon fell in love with dairy goats on her great aunt and uncle’s farm in Georgia. “The goat seed got planted in me at a young age and, from that moment, I knew that agriculture and farming was the path for me,” she said. Today, Christina and her husband Bill are the owners of Fun Frolic Farm in Burnsville where they not only raise dairy goats, chickens, and pigs, but offer a variety of workshops and farm tours throughout the year to get the public involved with life on the farm. …
Statewide:
How A Tiny Wasp Could Help Fight Back Against Berry Pests
There’s nothing better than a fresh North Carolina blueberry or blackberry on a warm North Carolina day. Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only species that think that. An invasive species of fruit fly, Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD), poses a looming threat to North Carolina’s delicious berry crop. Unlike native fruit flies, which lay eggs in fruit that is already overripe and rotting, SWD burrows into the soft flesh of immature berries and lays its eggs as the fruit is ripening, ruining the fruit. A single SWD larva in the fruit can cause rejection of an entire shipment, leading to high financial risk for farmers of impacted crops. Luckily, work taking place at the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division’s Beneficial Insects Lab is moving us closer to protecting North Carolina’s berry crops from the risks of SWD. A species of wasp, Ganaspis brasiliensis (Gb), is a natural biological control to check the growth of SWD and may be one part of a solution to keep North Carolina’s berry harvest strong. The USDA approved Gb for release and further testing in 2021. If you have a fear of wasps, fear not. This species is less than two millimeters long and doesn’t have a stinger. It poses no threat to humans or animals other than SWD and doesn’t even really resemble a popular conception of what a wasp looks like. ...
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