On Friday Afternoon, June 7th, we will offer two 
Concurrent Educational Workshop Sessions.
We are offering five tracks, from which, you will select your choice.    
While these track options and details are also listed on your Registration Forms, 
this page is specifically set up to educate you on your choices. 

TRACK 1:  Creating a Local Food Culture at the Farmers Markets

  • Session 1: Becoming a Local food “Activist”
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Are you a regular at your neighborhood farmers' market? Are you a member of a CSA? Do you know what a CSA is? There has been a dramatic increase in the number of farmers' markets and CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) in the last few years. Many of these new local food venues have volunteer opportunities for customers. Come learn what those opportunities are and how to take advantage of them.
  • Session 2: Joining the NC 10% Campaign
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Did you know that spending as little as $1.05 per person per day could add $3.5 Billion to the State's economy? That's a goal of the 10% Campaign, a joint venture of the NC Dept. of Agriculture, NC State University, and NC A&T University. Learn more about this effort that will put great food on your table and help build a prosperous economy at the same time.

Track 2: Creating a Local Food Culture through Community

  • Session 1: Steps to Building Broad-Based Support for Your Community Garden Project
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Speakers: Michelle Eley (Community and Economic Development Specialist) and Lisa Valdivia (Extension Associate & CYFAR Community Garden Project Coordinator) The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. Agricultural & Technical State University.

Community gardening is as much about the community as it is gardening.  Successful community gardens involve a great deal of planning, organizing and group decision-making on the part of those who will benefit from the garden -- that is, the local community. This session will equip Master Gardener volunteers with some practical tools for how they can help build a community gardening project with broad based community interest and support before officially breaking ground. Whether you are working with individuals or a local organization, the presenters will provide some steps for effectively engaging community members and particularly how to:
 · determine the garden’s purpose;
· solicit diverse ideas and adapt the garden project so it can address specific needs of your community;
· identify and build upon community assets and local leaders that can work with the local Extension agent/coordinator
to organize and manage important garden tasks; and
· gather the necessary resources for a community garden project
  • Session 2: Briggs Avenue Community Garden – Case in Community Garden Development Study 
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This is the story of the Briggs Avenue Community Garden located in Durham County. We will discuss the opportunities and the challenges we faced, the resources gathered and the partnerships that formed, the evolution of the physical garden and of the gardeners themselves, and we’ll end with where we are headed. If you are considering starting a community garden or are assisting others in starting or managing their own garden, hearing our story will help you on your path, inspire you, and prepare you for the days ahead. You will leave with some new ideas and guidelines to creating a successful garden that can make a difference in a community.

TRACK 3:  Creating a Local Food Culture At Home

  • Session 1 Growing Great Tomatoes
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
The tomato is the most popular vegetable? fruit? in America, if not the world. But often it's one of the most difficult to grow. From aphids to worms, there are many different challenges to growing the tomatoes we like to eat. Learn what those challenges are and how to deal with them.

  • Session 2 the Family Food Garden
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Can't find local food in your area? Grow it yourself! You can't get any more local than your own home. More people are growing fresh food at home, and it's easier than you think. Find out how to provide vegetables, fruits, and eggs for your family in the average backyard.



TRACK 4:  - REGISTRATION CLOSED -
Creating a Local Food Culture in the Kitchen 

  • Session 1 Cooking in Season
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Unless you live in California or south Florida, you won't find field grown fruits and vegetables all year long. In North Carolina if you want to eat local, how can you have a balanced, nutritious diet year-round? Come to the kitchen and get tips on feeding your family with the seasons of the year. Space is limited to 32 people for this class.
  • Session 2 Stocking Up: Food Preservation
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
You've grown those great tasting tomatoes in your family food garden and now there are LOTS of them! Preserving homegrown fruits and vegetables can be another family activity that will feed your family for weeks to come. Learn the basics of home canning and freezing so you can enjoy the "fruits of your labor" all year long! Space is limited to 32 people for this class.

TRACK 5:  The Community of the 
"Teaching Garden"

Started just a few years ago, The UCEMGVA Teaching Garden was intended to allow Extension Master Gardeners to demonstrate or "teach" the best management practices developed by NC State and NC A&T. It has instead taught us many things, as we have become a community of gardeners and supporters. And with the addition of Union County 4-H youth members and volunteers, we are becoming an even bigger community. During the afternoon concurrent sessions, volunteers will be in the garden to tell the story of the community that has become The Teaching Garden. A self-guided tour will take you through the garden, where EMG and 4-H volunteers will share this community with you.
  • Tour 1 Union County Teaching Garden Demonstrations - Q & A
  • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

  • Tour 2 Union County Teaching Garden Demonstrations - Q & A
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm