Pesticide Course September 1, 2009
Pesticide Course September 1, 2009 - Agricultural Services Center, Jefferson NC 1:00pm Private Applicators "X" and Commercial Applicators all ground Applications 3:00pm Private Applicators Only "V"

Pesticide Course July 28, 2009
Pesticide Course July 28, 2009 - Agricultural Services Center, Jefferson NC 5:00pm Private Applicators "X" and Commercial Applicators all ground Applications 7:00pm Private Applicators Only "V"

Pesticide Course May 14, 2009
Pesticide Course May 14, 2009 - Agricultural Services Center, Jefferson NC 1:00pm Private Applicators "X" and Commercial Applicators all ground Applications 3:00pm Private Applicators Only "V"

Pesticide Course March 19. 2009
March 19, 2009 Agricultural Services Center Jefferson NC 8:00am Private Applicators "X" and Commercial Applicators all ground Applications 10:00am Private Applicators Only "V" Exam: 1:00 pm

Regional Christmas Tree Marketing Conference
March 19, 2009 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Watauga County Extension Center Boone, NC Need to sell trees in 2009? Come learn from the experts at the Christmas Tree Marketing Conference, held on March 19th at the Agricultural Conference Center in Boone. This all-day conference was designed to help the small and medium wholesale Christmas tree grower to develop or expand a buyer-focused marketing plan. Participants will learn ways to reach more customers as well as strategies to improve customer retention. Topics include niche marketing, proven strategies, advertising, Internet marketing, guerrilla marketing, public and customer relations, and developing marketing plans. Several of these topics provide alternative marketing strategies that provide “more bang for your buck” as you involve other resources and stakeholders. Speakers include NC Cooperative Extension agents and specialists, NCDA marketing specialists, and regional tree growers. Participants will receive a marketing resource notebook that includes the steps to build a marketing plan. The registration deadline for this conference is Friday, March 13th. Registration costs $15/person and includes the resource notebook, lunch and refreshments. Contact the Ashe County Cooperative Extension Office for more information, 336-846-5850 or della_deal@ncsu.edu.

Conifer Grafting Workshop
March 26,2009, 1:00 pm at the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs. Grafting Fraser fir onto Phytophthera resistant rootstock, along with planting disease resistant plant species, is a promising way to utilize disease infected land for Christmas tree production. This workshop will provide hands on grafting instruction and practice; updates on pre and post graft handling and care; grower perspectives and an opportunity to see harvest size grafted and exotic fir species. Rootstock and scion material will be provided for attendees. Bring a grafting knife if you have one. Knives will also be available for purchase. For more information please contact the Ashe County Cooperative Extension Office at 336-846-5850.