Alexander County Center
September, 2016
Alexander County Center

September Gardening

Plants in Flower
  • Crapemyrtle, Rose-of-Sharon, Dahlia, Canna, Ginger Lily, Chrysanthemum, Spider Lily, Fall Crocus, Liriope, Sedum, Asters, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, and summer annuals
Fertilizing
  • Lawns Only-see lawn care in calendar
Planting
  • September is a good time to set out landscape plants. Shop early to find the nicest shrubs.
  • When planting containerized plants, try to be certain to disturb or "open up" the plants' root ball.
  • Set out new chrysanthemum plants this month.
  • Plant pansies to add color to your yard in the autumn, winter and spring months.
  • Groundcovers will become well established if planted now.
  • Transplant any evergreen trees or shrubs that need moving this month.
  • Plant the following fall vegetables in September: mustard, onion, radish and turnip.
Pruning
  • Do NOT prune shrubs in September or October..
  • Remove "weed" or unnecessary trees from your landscape.
  • Rootprune any trees or plants you plan to move next spring.
To see a complete September Garden Calendar please click the following link:   September Garden Calendar

Alexander Junior Livestock Show

The Alexander Junior Livestock Show was recently held at H&H Arena in Taylorsville and coordinated by Alexander County Cooperative Extension.  27 youth, ages 4 to 18 years of age, from Alexander and surrounding counties participated.  Competitions included showmanship and conformation classes for beef cattle, goats, sheep and dairy heifers.  Ed Birdsell of Harmony was the official judge for the day and sorted out the following champions: 

Beef Cattle Show
  • Senior Showmanship Champion - Cole Todd
  • Junior Showmanship Champion - Chloe Lawson
  • Grand and Reserve Champion Beef Heifer exhibited by Chloe Lawson
  • Grand Champion Steer  exhibited by Eli Herman
  • Reserve Champion Steer exhibited by Lawson Hicks
 
Meat Goat Show
  • Junior Showmanship Champion - Garrett Brown
  • Cloverbud Showmanship Champion - Lanie Crouse
  • Grand Champion Market Goat exhibited by Charity Rodatz
  • Reserve Champion Market Goat exhibited by Trent Crouse
  • Grand Champion Doe - Meat Goat exhibited by Trent Crouse
  • Reserve Champion Doe - Meat Goat exhibited by Cooper Crouse
Sheep Show
  • Senior Showmanship Champion - Kierston Walser
  • Junior Showmanship Champion - Charity Rodatz
  • Cloverbud Showmanship Champion - Cayte Mitchell
  • Grand and Reserve Champion Market Lamb exhibited by Charity Rodatz
  • Grand Champion Ewe exhibited by Charity Rodatz
  • Reserve Champion Ewe exhibited by Corey Lawson
Dairy Heifer Show
  • Senior Showmanship Champion - Isaac Chapman
  • Junior Showmanship Champion - Kade Payne
  • Cloverbud Showmanship Champion - Micah Chapman
  • Grand Champion Holstein Heifer exhibited by Kade Payne
  • Reserve Champion Holstein Heifer exhibited by Kyndall Hammer
  • Grand and Reserve Champion Jersey Heifer exhibited by Isaac Chapman
A huge thank you goes to Kent and Colby Herman of H&H Arena for the facility accommodations.  Major sponsors of the show were Alexander County Farm Bureau and Carolina Farm Credit of Taylorville.  Other sponsors were Johnson Milling & Feed, G&M Milling, Rocky Creek Vet Services, Wesley Rexrode of Alexander County Farm Bureau Insurance, Johnson Farms, Reese Dairy Farm, Draggin W Farm, South Corner Farm, and G&M Sales. 

WHEP 
Wildlife Habitat Education Program

Alexander County 4-H will hold it's first 2016-17 WHEP class at the Extension Center on Monday, September 12, from 3:30-5:00. WHEP's purpose is to teach youth about wildlife identification and general wildlife knowledge, wildlife foods, aerial photo interpretation, and on-site wildlife habitat recommendations.

WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Education Program) is a 4-H program teaching youth about wildlife and the management of their habitats. Extension Forestry, within NC State  University's College of Natural Resources, supports and promotes the WHEP program in North Carolina.

The WHEP Team will meet once a month in the fall then step it up to a few times a month in the spring as they get ready for the State WHEP Contest. Some sessions are outside, but most are inside. Great guest speakers are invited at times as well. If you are interested or want to know more about WHEP contact our office and speak to Lenny Rogers who coaches the WHEP Team.


Alexander County Beekeepers Association
Monday, September 12, 2016 7:00-8:00 p.m. (Always the 2nd Monday of each month)

Where:  Alexander County Extension Center

Monthly county beekeepers meeting.  Meeting in the Extension Learning Center. For more information please contact Lenny Rogers at 828-632-4451 for more information.   

To go to ACBA's website:   Alexander County Beekeeper's Association

Nursery Crop Field Day
Sept 23, 2016  8:00 AM to 3 PM
Hard and Flossie Clark Park
Collettsville, NC

The event features hands-on educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, and a trade show. Four NC pesticide credits (categories, L, N, D, and X) and 3.5 landscape contractor credits will be provided.


For more information, contact Amanda Taylor at  828-475-2915 or  amanda_jo_[email protected]. This event is hosted by North Carolina Extension and the Caldwell County Nurserymen's Association.


Nickels for Know-How Referendum
November 1st, 2016 8:00am-5:00pm

Where: Alexander Extension Center, 376 1st Avenue SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681

The Alexander County Nickels for Know-How Referendum will be held on  Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Alexander County Extension Office from  8am to 5pm.

The referendum is being held to let users and produces of feed or fertilizer decide if they wish to continue the self-assessment program. This program has been in place since 1948, and the law requires that a new referendum be held every six years.

A 2/3 favorable vote will mean that growers are willing to continue to assess themselves to support agricultural research and education. The assessment is fifteen cents per hundred pounds on feed and fertilizer produced in North Carolina.

The funds, about $1.4 million annually, are collected by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and then allocated by the NC Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc.'s 148 volunteer Board of Directors to support agricultural research and extension projects at NC State University benefiting agriculture in North Carolina.

For more information on the referendum please call Alexander County Extension Office at: 828.632.4451.


Successful 4-H Summer Opportunities

This was T'neal Herman's, 4-H Agent, first summer with Alexander County 4-H Program.  The summer was successful offerin g 12 programs and reaching 68
4-H20 Camp - Youth canoeing
 youth.  We had many new faces this year, as well as those that have attended our summer program for several years.  We thank all the volunteers that helped this summer with the program.  
Contact:
Julie Campbell, Administrative Assistant
376 1st Ave. SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681
828-632-4451