Fall Festivals and the NC State Fair

Come celebrate North Carolina's Homecoming at the North Carolina State Fair Oct.17-27th.

http://www.ncstatefair.org/2013/index.htm

Where are you going this fall?
Tell me at @ecosmartparent

Many state agencies have educational exhibits including:

• N.C. Forest Service
• Wildlife Resources Commission
• Got to be NC Agriculture: Discover food products from across N.C
• Agriculture Today
• Soil and Water Conservation

Fuquay-Varina's Chili Cook off-Oct. 26th 

http://www.fuquay-varinadowntown.com/events-in-downtown-fuquay-varina/chili-cook-off.html

Fall Pumpkin picking and activities:

NC State Fair Poster from 1937, NCDCR

http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?Fall-Fun-2013-Pumpkin-Patches-Corn-Mazes-Halloween-Events-in-the-Triangle-3571

Magic in the Garden and Campout Carolina this Weekend!

Looking for something to do this weekend with the kids. Look no further, Magic in the Garden at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, and Campout Carolina. See below for details.

In partnership with Kidzu Children’s Museum… The young and young-at-heart are invited to our annual“Discovering Magic in the Garden” program next Saturday, Oct 12; 10 am – 12pm for an enchanting morning of family fun in the Children’s Wonder Garden!  Build magical homes for fairies and elves using Nature’s materials, make a fall leaf crown, craft a wand, listen to a local storyteller spin “fairy tales”, play games, and more.  Bring your 

imagination and love of nature… children (and their grown-ups) are invited to wear their most magical costumes, so don your favorite cape or fairy wings and join us in the Garden!

Fee, per child: $10 ($9 NCBG members)

Age: 4 & up w/ adult caregiver

---------------------------------------

To REGISTER:

1. Go to http://ncbg.unc.edu/for-children-and-families/ and click the yellow “Calendar + Registration” button
2. Select program from list
3. Sign in with your login + password (or create an account)
4. Check real-time availability, register, pay!

Photo courtesy of  http://campoutcarolina.org/ 

Pull out the sleeping bags!

Join thousands of North Carolinians the weekend of October 11-13, 2013 and take part in EarthShare North Carolina’s 7th annual Campout! Carolina.

Campout! Carolina is an annual event that encourages people to turn off the lights, unplug from the computer, and enjoy a night under the stars.  On this weekend people across the state campout in backyards, campsites and favorite backwoods spots to celebrate and show their support for a healthy environment.

Taking part is easy.  Register, explore the website for ideas and information to help plan your campout, share your camping tips and recipes, and more.

http://campoutcarolina.org/

October is National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month

October 2013 Contest Calender Winner, http://www.ncfarmtoschool.com/htm/downloads/artcal.htm

Farm to school can play a strong role in promoting good health and creating strong economies.  In recognition of this, Congress designated October as National Farm to School Month in 2010.  This is a time to celebrate the connections that are happening all over the country between schools and local food!  The NC Farm to School program has been supplying school cafeterias across the state with 

the freshest, locally grown produce from NC 

farms since 1997.

http://www.farmtoschoolmonth.org/

For more information please visit

http://www.ncfarmtoschool.com/htm/promotions/f2smonth.htm

North Carolina Poundage of food from the Farm to School Program

2011-2012 Figures:

1,003,921 students served

1,599 schools

1,574,975 pounds of produce

$1,210,523.53 of produce from NC farmers sold to NC schools.

2010-2011 Figures:

In the 2010-11 school year, NC Farm to School served 943,368 students, which was 1,343,275 pounds

of NC produce.