Author: NC Strawberry Assoc

Letter from Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler

Letter from Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler

Message shared from Debbie Hamrick, Director of Specialty Crops, NC Farm Bureau Federation

Attached please find a letter from Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler for you to use for employees traveling to work in the event of a shelter at home order and travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

We have seen shelter in place orders in Mecklenburg County, the City of Durham and more are expected. Additionally, other counties have implemented their own restrictions to protect public health.

Agriculture has been deemed an essential part of our country’s infrastructure. Our NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services added important language regarding the green industry in the list that describes essential agriculture infrastructure (see page 2 of the attached letter).

Click on link below >>> (PFD)

UPDATED SIGNED WORK AUTHORIZATION AG GROUP PERSONNEL

NCDA&CS is trying to help our industry and commodity partners who are an  essential part of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure. Along those lines  and given the multiple counties who have issued “shelter in place” directives,  NCDA&CS has developed a “Notice of Essential Food and Agricultural  Employee” that can be carried with workers in these critical infrastructure  industries.

Click here for the document.

The Department has shared this document with law enforcement associations  across the State to educate and notify them that drivers with this notification are  part of the critical infrastructure of food and agriculture.  

Please feel free to distribute within your organization or business and/or forward  to contacts you may have in agriculture and food. NCDA recommends people in  agriculture carry this with them while traveling.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Questions can be submitted to: covid19questions@ncagr.gov

 

COVID-19 Resources

Below please find the latest resources for growers on Covid-19 for farmers markets and U-pick operations from Ben Chapman.

https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/covid-19-resources/

We have a Farmers Market and U-Pick guidance information sheet that has been peer-reviewed

Farmers-Market_COVID-19_031320

U-Pick-Farms_COVID-19_031620

Mass-Gatherings-Document_FINAL

Interim Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers_031320

Additional information that might be of interest……

FARI will be offering mini-grants that may help some of our strawberry growers/agritourism farms during this time.

“RAFI-USA will be offering emergency mini-grants for farmers who have experienced a drastic loss of income as a result of the virus and need immediate assistance for household expenses. Please sign up here to receive updates via email, or check our social media channels for updates (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).”

More details here: https://www.rafiusa.org/blog/rafi-usas-response-to-covid-19/

 

2020 SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLY TODAY!

Scholarship Application 2020

The North Carolina Strawberry Association’s Scholarship Program continues to grow! Our award began with two $500 awards in 2011, and the program has had the good fortune of growing a little bit each year. NCSA currently offers three $2,000 awards to be given in 2020. Funds for the scholarship come from member dues – $2 per membership – and funds raised at the auction during our Annual Southeast Strawberry Expo.

The intent of this scholarship is to promote future leadership in the strawberry industry. Applicants should be high school seniors or current college students accepted to or currently enrolled in a land grant university who are interested in or have declared a major in a program of study directly related to the strawberry industry (for example, small fruit production, marketing, food science, nutrition, entomology, agronomy, etc.). Applications from family members of NCSA members, both in North Carolina and in other states, are encouraged. This scholarship is renewable; however, a new application must be submitted each year.

The application must be emailed or postmarked on or before May 1, 2020.
Scholarship Application 2020

GET YOUR 2020 PROMOTIONAL CATALOG!

Place your order TODAY!  Order signs, Strawberry Time coloring books and other promotional materials from the NC Strawberry Association

We print materials based on pre-orders from our growers in March so we may not be able to fulfill late orders.  Click on links below to download PDF order form and catalog.

Promotional Items CATALOG 2020

Promotional Items ORDER FORM 2020

EMAIL order form to Kristy Phillips – info@ncstrawberry.com

or MAIL order form to NCSA, PO Box 543, Siler City, NC  27344

NEW COLORING BOOK!  In 2018, the Marketing Committee developed a new edition of our “Strawberry Time” coloring book. The new book is the same size, with the same number of pages, but features a brand new full color cover.  It tells the story of the strawberry plant from fall planting to spring harvest.  The book now includes pages that encourage handwashing before picking fruit in the field and washing fruit before eating it at home.  Also tips on how to pick strawberries were added.  Each page has new black and white drawings to color and the activities in the back of the book are all new as well.

 

New to Agritourism in North Carolina?

New to Agritourism? This webinar is for you.

Agritourism in North Carolina: The Benefits, Critical Success Factors and Marketing: (Recorded live on May 30, 2018). Agribusiness is North Carolina’s top industry.  North Carolina is also a leader in Agritourism.  Learn about the benefits of Agritourism, or welcoming visitors to the farm, the critical success factors and marketing opportunities for farmers.  Most importantly, learn how the collective force of rural assets of agriculture, local food and tourism, matched with economic development strategies, has limitless potential to boost community vibrancy across the state.

How Beneficial is Agritourism? North Carolina Farmers and Residents Respond

Agritourism, Farm Visits, Agro-Tourism— Oh My! Do Farmers, Residents, and Extension Faculty Speak the Same Language?

Agritourism in North Carolina: Comparison Report of 2005 and 2012 Survey Results

Agritourism in North Carolina: Summary of Pilot Study Results.

Visit NCDA&CS website at http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agritourism/

Strawberry -Pretzel Icebox Pie

Second Place Winner–Strawberry Dessert Contest 2013
Kristina G. Harris, Raleigh, NC

2 c. finely crushed pretzel sticks
¾ cup butter, melted
¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. strawberry gelatin (1/2 (3 oz) package)
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together first 3 ingredient
s, firmly press on bottom , up sides,
and onto lip of lightly greased 10-inch pie plate. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove from oven to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

2.Process strawberries in a food processor until finely chopped, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.

3.Beat condensed milk, cream cheese, and gelatin at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add strawberries, beat at low speed just until blended.

4.Beat ¾ cup whipping cream at high speed until soft peakforms; gently fold whipped cream into strawberry mixture . Spoon into prepared crust. Cover and freeze 8 to 12 hours or until firm

5.Beat remaining 1 ¼ cups whipping cream at high speed until foamy; gradually add granulated sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Spread over pie. Freeze 1 hour or until whipped cream is firm.

Serves 8

Source: Southern Living Magazine

Strawberry Rice Salad with Chicken & Almonds

By Betty Thompson Morton, Kernersville, NC
Honorable Mention

3 cups North Carolina Strawberry halves
1 cup North Carolina strawberry slices
1 cup uncooked brown basmati rice
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar or your favorite vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. seasoning blend (Spice Delight) or seasoned salt 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. local North Carolina honey
1 bag salad spring mix (3 cups packed leaves), roughly chopped
2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Slice and halve North Carolina strawberries. Prepare rice following package directions. When rice is done, fluff with a fork and cool.
While rice is cooling, in a large bowl whisk together vinegar, mustard, and seasoning blend. Whisk in olive oil in a thin steady stream until dressing thickens. Whisk in honey.

Add rice, salad mix, chicken, almonds, and halved strawberries to dressing bowl, tossing to combineafter adding each ingredient
. Garnish with strawberry slices. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until chilled. Makes 6-8 servings.

Variations:
• Cooked bulgur, quinoa, red or black rice, or whole-wheat couscous can be substituted for the cooked brown rice if desired.
• If a meatless meal is desired, cooked turkey or chicken can be left out.
• Toast almonds for extra flavor, if desired.
• For a quick salad, substitute Honey Mustard Dressing for the made-from-scratch dressing.
Continue with recipe as directed above.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

By Elicia Delapp, Stokesdale, NC
Third Prize Winner

1/2 cup butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 quarts strawberries, washed and capped
4 oz. cream cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter and pour in 9 x 13 pan. Mix egg, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk. Pour over butter. Add strawberries and pieces of cream cheese.

Bake for 45 minutes.