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Today’s Email Announcements

See Paths of Glory at the Watauga Library on Jan. 21

January 21st, 2016 – Watauga County Public Library – Meeting Room

The Watauga County Public Library’s movie group invites you to join us for a viewing of Paths of Glory on January 21st from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Director Stanley Kubrick’s 1957 film Paths of Glory shows the futility and irony of trench warfare during WWI as a unit commander in the French army must deal with the mutiny of his men and a glory-seeking general after part of his force falls back under fire in an impossible attack.

This film has an MPAA rating of Unrated and an approximate run-time of 88 minutes.

For more information please call (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

Snowshoeing at Grandfather Mountain State Park

Have you ever wanted to try snowshoeing, or you like snowshoeing but do not have a pair? Well, this is your chance.  Join Ranger Sicard for a snowshoe hike that will begin at the Boone Fork Parking Lot (milepost 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway). There will be a limited number of snowshoes available and will be given out on a first come first use basis, so please plan to arrive on time.  The hike will begin at 2pm and will last approximately 2-2.5 hours. Please dress accordingly for the weather and bring any snacks, water, and personal items you will need to be out in the weather for the duration of the hike. To make the hike more comfortable, we suggest you wear the sturdiest winter weather shoes you have (boots with firm soles and insulation to keep feet dry and warm). This hike is not appropriate for pets.  If there is not enough snow to snowshoe, a program on Winter Weather Hiking will be substituted and will be at the same location(s) as mentioned above.

** This hike will count toward our park’s 100-Mile Centennial Challenge **

DATES FOR THE SNOWSHOE HIKES:

Jan. 23  2pm

Jan. 30  2pm

Jan. 31  2pm

Feb. 12  2pm

Feb. 13  2pm

Feb. 26  2pm

Feb. 27  2pm

START LOCATION:

Boone Fork Parking Area (Just north of the 300 Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway)

(GPS: 36.120076,-81.781358) http://goo.gl/dEizYH.     If the Parkway is closed, we will meet at the entrance to the Asutsi Trail on Hwy 221 (Located South of Holloway Mtn Road – GPS: 36.116397, -81.777301).

If you would like more information on the 100-Mile Challenge or if you have questions about the snowshoe hikes, please contact Ranger Sicard at the park office 828-963-9522 or email: grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.

Business of Farming Conference Set for Feb. 20 in Asheville

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) kicks off 2016 with their 13th Annual Business of Farming Conference and an expanded matching funds program supporting farm marketing efforts. Both initiatives help provide farmers with tools and resources they need to improve farm businesses.

 The Business of Farming Conference will be held on February 20, 8:00 am-4:30 pm at UNC Asheville and promises to offer valuable learning and networking opportunities for both beginning and experienced farmers. Experienced farmers, regional business and agricultural professionals will lead 15 business and marketing workshops including “The Dos and Don’ts of Selling to Restaurants,” “Farm Business Planning,” and “Making Social Media Work For You.” Returning participants can also expect new sessions this year including discussing legal topics with Ward & Smith P.A., “Crafting Your Farm Story,” and a workshop focused on the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce rule and how it will affect farm businesses. The popular Grower-Buyer Meetings also return with more than 15 buyers including area restaurants, grocers, distributors, and more.

“I look forward to the Business of Farming Conference every year. Making a successful business out of a farming enterprise is by far the most challenging aspect of agricultural production. ASAP pulls together an excellent menu of local farmers to make presentations about how they are making a go of it,” said Steven Beltram, owner of Balsam Gardens.

Western North Carolina farmers have the opportunity to put what they learn at the conference into action through a cost share program for Appalachian Grown™ custom farm marketing and promotions. These matching funds, made possible through support from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, can be used for design and production of labels, packaging, or promotional materials. A new aspect of the cost share program this year is that Appalachian Grown certified farmers markets in North Carolina can apply as a farmer group to support market signage and promotional materials.

Registration for the conference is now open at asapconnections.org/conference; attendance is $70 per person by February 1, and $90 beginning February 2. More information about the cost share program is available at asapconnections.org (“Tools” tab) or by contacting the ASAP office at (828) 236-1282.

The Business of Farming Conference is made possible with support from the Buncombe County Service Foundation, USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program, Golden LEAF Foundation, Southern Risk Management Education Center, UNC Asheville Dining, and many more community partners. A grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission allows ASAP to offer the marketing cost share for farmers again in 2016.

ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)

ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more about ASAP’s work, visit asapconnections.org, or call (828) 236-1282.

Republican Women to Meet Jan. 27

The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 27th 2016 at the Sagebrush Steakhouse in Boone, NC. The meeting will begin at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in The High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828-295-9020 for more information. The WCRWC meets the last Wednesday of each month. There is no meeting if schools are cancelled due to weather.