Introduction to Canning Classes Offered 
Classes will be offered at the Conover and Claremont libraries and
are designed for those new to home canning and for those who need an update.
The sessions will cover when to use pressure canning and boiling water bath canning, canning procedures, equipment, and choosing a research-based canning guide.
Dial-gauge canner lid testing will be offered from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. before each class. You are not required to attend a class to have your canner lid checked. For more information or to register, call 828-465-8240 by July 3, 2017. There is no charge.
Conover Library, 403 Conover Station S.E., Conover, N.C. on Wednesday, July 5 from 3:00 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Claremont Library,
3288 E. Main St, Claremont, N.C.
on Thursday, July 6 from 3:00 p.m. until 5 p.m.
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Beans, Peas, and
DIY Fertilizer
Advanced Gardener Series
Thursday, July 13, 2017
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
6:30-7:30 PM
Newton Public Library
115 West C Street,
Newton, NC 28658
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
6:30-7:30 PM
Maiden Public Library
11 S A Ave,
Maiden, NC 28650
Beans, peas, peanuts, clovers, and vetches are just some of the types of legumes that you can incorporate into your garden for food production, pollinator attraction, soil improvement, and a key fertilizer element - nitrogen. Come find out why this program won the Best Adult Education Library program for the state of North Carolina. Take a look at
the entire schedule here
and find out how to become a certified Advanced Gardener.
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NC Farm School Summit -
Practical Production Practices for Successful Farms
Mountain Horticulture Research and Extension Center; Mills River, NC
Event Date:
September 14-15, 2017
Cost:
$30 per person for Main Event
Event Contact:
Molly Sandfoss - 828-652-8104 or
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Young Chefs in Chopped Summer Fun.
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4-H Summer Fun
4-H Summer Fun is in full swing. The Ag Center rooms are filled with excited children learning and exploring lots of new topics. We are still accepting registration for the following classes with openings remaining:
* Creating a Healthy YOU - July 6
* Farm to Fork - July 11- 13
* Green and Growing - July 14
* College Pathways - July 24-27
* Robotics Basics - August 2
* Advanced Robotics - August 3
* Irish Step with Sarah - August 3
* Mini-Society - August 7-11
* Lego Mania - August 8
* Healty You for Tweens - August 9
* Agri-Science Camp - August 15-17
* Real World Real Money - August 22-23
Contact Donna Mull at [email protected] or call our office at 828-465-8240 to request the Summer Fun brochure and registration form.
It is not necessary to be in 4-H to enroll in Summer Fun. Thanks for Duke Energy for their generous donation to 4-H that enabled us to provide scholarships for selected youth to participate in Summer Fun class
es this year!
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Congratulations to 4-H Presentation Winners
Catawba County was well represented at District Activity at June when 4-H'ers participated in the annual presentation contests.
Gold Winners:
Selah Sigmon - Citizenship and Community Service, 9-10 year old
Joanna Kanupp - Bugs and Bees, 11-13 year old
Luke Kanupp - Wheels and Engines, 9-10 year
Kat Stulpin - Horticulture Science, 14-18 year old
Saniya Bennett - Bugs and Bees, 9-10 year old
Samuel Holdsclaw - Open Class, 11-13 year old
Lauran Surratt - Careers and Entrepreneurship, 14-18 year old
Josh Wilson - Open Class, 14-18 year old
Shawn Mearse - Safety, 9-10 year old
Tobias Oakley - Agriculture Science, 14-18 year
Silver and Bronze Winners:
Sarah Wilson and Kylee Carpenter
Cloverbud Participants:
Lydia Smith, Brayden Carpenter, Uriah Sigmon,
Best of luck to our Gold winners that will advance to the district contest in July!
Special thanks to Duke Energy that provided funding that enabled each of the 4-H'ers to earn scholarship money for their presentation when they participated at the county and district level. Many of these 4-H'ers are using their scholarship money to participate in 4-H summer activities.
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Dial-Gauge Pressure Canner Lid Clinics
Pressure canners are used to preserve low acid foods such as green beans, corn, okra, meats and other foods that have not been acidified. When a dial gauge canner is used, these foods must be processed at 240ยบ F at 11 pounds of pressure for a specified period of time to kill the bacteria that produces botulism.
Pressure canner gauges should be tested for accuracy at least once per year. Inaccurate gauges can lead to improperly processed food. Food that is not properly processed may cause food borne illness.
Cooperative Extension offers dial-gauge pressure canner lid testing as a service to the community. The schedule for June and July is below, however if these times are not convenient, call Ann Simmons at 704-878-3157 for an appointment.
July 5, 2017: 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. at Conover Library, 403 Conover Station S.E., Conover, N.C.
July 6, 2017: 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Claremont Library,
3288 E. Main St., Claremont, N.C.
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Catawba Valley Cattlemen's Association Meeting
(2nd Tuesday of the month, July 11)
All are invited
Informational Program:
High tech Marketing for Small and Medium Size Cattle Producers
(Marketing Cattle Using the Internet)
Speaker:
Dr. Brian G. Bolt
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Location: APP-address: Agricultural Resource Center:
1175 South Brady Ave. Agenda Newton, NC
6:00 pm - Supper is served.
6:45 pm --- Business meeting - Donald Beard, president
7:00 pm Informational Meeting:High Tech Marketing 8:15 pm - Meeting adjourned
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Canning and Freezing Tips at the Market
Stop by the Family & Consumer Sciences "How to" table
at the Hickory Farmer's Market
in downtown Hickory.
 Wednesday, July 12, 2017,
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pick up Instructions and information for canning and freezing your farmer's market favorites.
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ServSafe Food Safety Manager's Certification Course
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Agricultural Resource Center, 1175 S. Brady Ave., Newton, N.C.
call 828-465-8240
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NCDA&CS offers organic certification cost-share assistance
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) is offering organic growers the opportunity to recoup up to $750 of their certification cost. Growers must have been certified between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 and complete an application available at
www.ncdaorganic.org
.
Visit the
NCDA website to see more information about this cost share opportunity.
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USDA Low Interest Loans For Storage Facilities
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns and facilities for cold storage.
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NC State Gardening, Agriculture, and Pest Updates
You can sign up for the latest news on gardening, pest advisories, livestock, energy, and many others. Check out the
complete list of NC State News that you can subscribe to and get the latest research based info. Be the first to know!
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Got To Be NC Agriculture
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NC Farm Link
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Small Farm Grant and Loan Assistance
We will post various grant and loan opportunities that arise in this space of our monthly updates. Simply click on the opportunity of interest for more information.
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Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination statement
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran's status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all person without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Catawba County Extension Director, George Place, at (828) 465-8240 or [email protected] or in person at the County Extension Office at least 14 days prior to the event.
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