Publications & Factsheets
Would you like to receive the latest Extension publications and factsheets by email each month? You can subscribe to Extension Publications and Factsheets or to many other Extension websites, like Gardening News, Soybean News, or Energy News by clicking on the link below.
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/subscribe/
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Canning Classes
July 15 & 26, 2016
You asked for them -- you got them. Canning classes will be held in July. On July 15th from 3:00 - 5:00 pm we will have a hands-on Water Bath Canning Class. On July 26th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm we will have a class on Pressure Canning. The cost of these classes is $10 each. Please call our office at 828-764-9480 to register.
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Burke Extension Advisory
July 26, 2016
The Burke County Extension Advisory Council will hold its quarterly meeting on Tuesday, July 26th at 6:00 pm. The program will be given by Brittany Clay, NCSU Intern, on her experiences with Burke County Cooperative Extension. In addition, there will be updates on Extension programs and concerns.
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Drexel Community Fair
August 8 - 13, 2016
Save the date for the Drexel Community Fair coming up in August. Watch for more information to come in our August Newsletter.
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4-H Summer Fun
July, 2016
Friday, July 22 - Farm Animal Day for ages 8 & up. Join us as we visit Six Meadows Farm. Youth will learn about cows, pigs, chickens, and other livestock on the farm. Wear tennis shoes and bring a bag lunch and drink. Cost $15
Coming up in August:
Wednesday, August 3 - Crawdad's Baseball Game. Join us at the stadium for the game and lunch is included. Transportation will be provided until the van is full. Others can meet us at the stadium. All participants will meet outside the front gate at 11:45 to get your ticket. The game starts at 12:00 noon. All ages welcome. Cost is $8 (in advance)
The first week of August will be all about cooking with 4-H Chefs In Training. Kids will learn about kitchen safety, food preparation, meal planning, table setting, serving & handling food, and much more. There will be something for all ages. Check our
website for the complete schedule for the week.
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Ask an Expert
Burke County residents can have the expertise of all of the nation's land-grant universities at their fingertips, thanks to a web tool offered by NC Cooperative Extension.
With this Extension resource, called
Ask an Expert, county residents can submit questions, via the county Extension web site, at any time of day or night. They'll get timely answers by email from Extension faculty from NC State University, NC A&T State University, a
nd other land-grant institutions.
Using a short online form, residents can submit questions about agriculture and food, health and nutrition, lawn and garden, youth development and 4-H, as well as a host of other topics. Users can also attach photos to their questions.
Click here to try out
Ask an Expert today!
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Burke County Beekeepers
July 12, 2016
The Burke County Beekeepers Association (BCBA) meets monthly at the Burke County Agricultural Building located at 130 Ammons Drive in Morganton. There is a featured speaker each month and the public is invited to attend. The BCBA is a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
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Control Algae in Livestock Water Tanks
Livestock producers who water their animals in water tanks often battle with algae buildup during the summer months. Algae growth is just a nuisance and some algae are toxic. So what can producers do?
First, it's a good idea to clean the tanks periodically. A stiff brush with a long handle will ease the task of cleaning the tank and is a real time and back saver. Scrub the sides and bottom and rinse thoroughly to reduce algae buildup, and impede its development.
Producers can utilize chemical products to kill algae. There many commercial products designed and formulated to kill, or reduce algal growth in both tanks and ponds.
Common, unscented household bleach also works as an algaecide. By adding 2-3 oz. of bleach per 50 gallons of water, producers can safely reduce algae problems in livestock watering tanks.
With a few minutes devoted each week to stock tank maintenance, producers can provide their animals a clean source of water free of algal growth.
For more information,
click here.
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July Lawn & Garden Chores
Fertilize warm season grasses (bermuda, zoysia, centipede) now but Do Not fertilize tall fescue.
Prune bleeder trees (Maple, Birch, Dogwood, Elm) as needed now. Do Not prune shade trees such as Oaks, Hickory, Poplar, Gum, Beech or Ginko now.
Now is also a good time to prune blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.
If the weather is dry, both your vegetable garden and landscape plants will benefit from a good soaking watering. Slow watering will penetrate the root zone better.
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Canner Gauge Testing
If your canner has a pressure gauge, it should be tested for accuracy to ensure safe food processing. Dial gauges on canners should be checked for accuracy and overall condition every year prior to the beginning of canning season.
You can get your canner gauge tested for
FREE at our office on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Other days by appointment only. Give our office a call at 828-764-9480
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July is National Ice Cream Month
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in the month of July.
Here are some interesting facts from IceCream.com
- Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the U.S.
- California produces the most ice cream in the U.S.
- It takes 3 gallons of milk to make 1 gallon of ice cream.
- A cow gives enough milk to make 2 gallons of ice cream per day.
- The perfect temperature for dipping ice cream is between 6° & 10°F.
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