AAMU Hosting USDA-SBIR Webinar July 10

 

 

Monday, July 7, 2014

AAMU Hosting USDA-SBIR Webinar July 10

 
Alabama A&M University will team with the Technology Regional Innovation Cluster Huntsville (TechRich) and the USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to host a webinar conveying opportunities for small business and higher education institutions. The webinar will be held Thursday, July 10, 10:00 a.m. in the Dawson Building (room 225) on the AAMU campus. Virtual attendance can be accessed via http://aamu.adobeconnect.com/webinaraamu/ .

The webinar will be facilitated by Charles Cleland, USDA SBIR national program manager. In addition to providing access to the webinar from various remote locations, organizers are preparing for as many as 40 people to attend the physical campus site.

USDA’s SBIR program awards grants to qualified small businesses to research important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture and rural development. Other agency aims include stimulating private sector technological innovations; strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting federal research and development; boosting private sector commercialization of innovations; and fostering participation by women-owned and socially and/or economically disadvantaged small businesses.

SBIR Phase I grants top at $100,000 for a duration of up to eight months. However, Phase II grants are limited to $500,000 for a term up to two years for previous Phase I awardees. Participation by university faculty or government scientists as consultants or subcontractors in SBIR projects is strongly encouraged.

For additional information about the webinar, contact Christi Jackson, deputy project manager, Technology Regional Innovation Cluster Huntsville (christi.jackson@wbcna.org), at (256) 961-7956, or Dr. Teresa M. Orok, executive director of AAMU Small Business Development Center, at (256) 372-5603. For assistance with technical and connection issues related but prior to the webinar, contact Adolph Scissum at adolph.scissum@aamu.edu or Oliver Dillard at oliver.dillard@aamu.edu.

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Shake The Hand That Feeds You During Athens Saturday Market Events

 

Athens Saturday Market

107 N. Jefferson St.

Athens, AL 35611

Phone (256) 278-6436

Email: hhollman@athensal.us

TRISHA BLACK

Spirit of Athens Director

LAURIE GLENN

Market Committee Chair

HOLLY HOLLMAN

SOA Publicity Committee Chair

June 4, 2014

Shake the hand that feeds you during Athens Saturday Market events

 

Market goers can shake the hand of the person who feeds them when the Athens Saturday Market opens on June 7.

“You can be on a first name basis with the farmer who grew the tomatoes, okra, beans, herbs, watermelon and other produce that you buy for your table,” said Spirit of Athens Director Trisha Black.

SOA and its Athens Saturday Market Committee oversee the Saturday Market, which is sponsored by Alabama Farm Credit and other entities. SOA started the Athens Saturday Market last year, and it became a successful weekly event through the growing season.

The market is at the Green Street pavilion in downtown Athens at 409 W. Green St. The hours are 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through August.

“We have most of your favorites from last season plus almost as many new ones,” said Market Committee Chairwoman Laurie Glenn. “Come out early and meet your friends, renew some old acquaintances and get to know the people from whom you buy the food you eat.”

Some of the new items this year include beef and fresh sausage. Other items include:

Produce : Tomatoes, okra, beans, potatoes, squash, peppers, onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, plums, herbs, beets, eggplant, salad greens, black berries, fresh cut flowers.

Homemade items : Hummus, baked goods, sausage and biscuits, breakfast wraps, smoothies, gluten free baked items, honey, canned goods.

Crafts : Pottery, soap, lotions, wood work items, hand pressed stationery, crocheted items.

The opening day entertainment will be performances by Alabama Blues Man and Brotha Ric Patton.

“The committee cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for our second season,” Glenn said. “We are planning events for children and adults throughout the season to make this your Saturday morning gathering spot.”

To stay updated about upcoming Market produce and events, follow on Facebook at Athens Saturday Market. To receive weekly emails, contact athenssaturdaymarket@gmail.com.Those interested in becoming a vendor can contact Market Manager Mandy Chesnut at 256-206-5897.

The Limestone County Commission manages the Farmers Market during the week. It is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Alabama Cottage Food Law - Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Alabama individual product producers, also known as Cottage Producers, now have limitation as to what they can now sell to the public and how they sell it.  Starting June 1st, new labeling requirements will be mandatory for all Cottage Producer products.  

The average consumer will notice these impact most at Alabama Farmers Markets and artisan shops where these items are commonly sold.

Make yourself aware of the new laws with this information sheet provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

 

New Agri-commerce Company Calls Limestone County Home

Written By
Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist, ALCTA

An upcoming and coming e-commerce business has made Limestone County Alabama its home
-- yardgardenhammocks.com.  Their specialty focus is outdoor furniture, decor, firepits and Caribbean hammocks.

Their hope is to help make your outdoor decorating hassle free and easy to do.  With a wide variety of functional and decorative items to choose from, anyone can make their backyard an oasis.

Some of their items will have you thinking inside the home to.  Add a planter to kitchen for fresh herbs or windchimes, suncatchers or figurines to the sunroom, bedroom or that lonesome corner that needs a little something.

Check out their offerings at yardgardenhammocks.com

C.T. Garvin Adds Location In Elkmont, AL

Written By Cayce Lee, Social Media Specialist, ALCTA

C.T. Garvin is well-known in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee for its quality of goods they offer to farmers, breeders, cattlemen, home gardeners and pet owners available from its location in downtown Huntsville, AL.

This 75 year-old company, best known for milling its own feed, now has location in northern Limestone County at Interstate 65 Exit 361 at 22806 Sandlin Road at Elkmont.  The new C.T. Garvin location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-5:30PM and Saturday 7:00AM-3:00PM.  During prime planting season, hours may be longer  -- so be sure to give them a call first at  256-423-1800.

The conscientious home gardener will be happy to know that C.T. Garvin's has a complete line of organic gardening items by Fox Farms, and Espoma available at both locations.  The beginner gardener will be happy to know there's a wide range of  items, plants, and amenities to make any project home easier.  Any adventurer to C.T. Garvin will find a variety of vegetable seeds and plants; fertilizers; soil conditioners; fruit trees and bushes; flowers and shrubs; top soil (bag and bulk); potting soil; Vermiculite and Perlite; herbicides and insecticides; pesticides and fungicides; gardening tools; carts; gloves; hats; shoes; boots and much more.

Livestock and pet owners can purchase supplies for their animals including feed, toys and treatments - including dewormer and flea control.  If you need something for your herd, flock or four-legged animal member, don't hesitate to ask the friendly folks at C.T. Garvin.  If they don't have it in stock, they'll try to help you out by special ordering or connecting you with someone who can.

To see a full list of items from C.T. Garvin, please visit their website.

Two Limestone County Agritourism Producers Selected for 2014 Southern Makers

Written by Cayce Lee, Social Media Specialist ALCTA 

 

 

According to their website, Southern Makers is a one day event celebrating Alabama creativity and innovation by bringing together highly curated, handpicked top talent - artists, chefs, breweries, craftsmen, designers - for one fantastic gathering to explore the contemporary side of Alabama's heritage of textiles, music, craftsmanship, and food.

 

 

Natasha McCrary of 1818 Farms of Mooresville, AL and Tasia Malakasis of Belle Chevre of Elkmont, AL and their products have been selected as "2014 Makers" and have been invited to be part of this annual event in May at the Union Station Train Shed in downtown Montgomery, AL.  

 

 Part of the Southern Makers experience is exploring the movers and shakers of products made in Alabama.  The Conversation Series are packed with opportunities for "...discussions with Alabama's top talent centered on taking the best of southern traditions in architecture food, fashion and design and applying them in a modern, sustainable world."

 

 

Select "2014 Shakers" will have workshops - providing attendees with an opportunity to see them action.  In 2013, Tasia Malakasis brought the natural goodness of goat cheesemaking Belle Chevre-style to Southern Makers.

Tickets for this event go on sale in the spring at the Southern Makers website.

 

 

Follow Southern Makers on Facebook.

 

 

About Natalie McCrary and  1818 Farms 

About Tasia Malakasis and Belle Chevre

Weed Datings... Not Your Average Speed Dating

1818 Farms and Albany Bistro are happy to announce an exciting, new way for like minded gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts to meet and mingle in a setting that is fun and celebrates a healthy lifestyle: Weed Dating!

Weed dating is the on-farm version of speed dating. During the event, “weeders” will be paired up and positioned every 10-15 feet along a vegetable bed. After five minutes you rotate to a new weeding partner. Afterwards, light appetizers and drinks will be served around the fire pit by Albany Bistro! This will give you some extra time to mingle with your new friends.

Date: Sunday, March 2

Time: 2:00pm sharp. We will have a short orientation about what to “weed” and review weeding logistics. Our goal is to weed for about an hour.

What to Bring: A pair of gloves and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty!

Cost: $5 payable at the gate when you arrive.

The event is for ages 21 and older. Please reserve your spot at the Reservation Page. Green thumbs not required.

Rain Date: 3/9