TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY CENTER
TRANSYLVANIA DECEMBER UPDATE
December 2020
Fraser fir, the predominant species of Christmas tree grown in North Carolina
taken by Jill Sidebottom
Home Gardener News
From the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers:

Looking for locally-grown fresh Christmas trees and wreaths?

For what to look for when selecting your fresh cut Christmas tree:
Green Industry News
For those employed in the Green Industry in Western North Carolina read the Green Industry News for the most up to date information and to enroll in educational programs.
Livestock News
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? USDA is implementing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.
USDA's Farm Service Agency will accept CFAP 2 applications from September 21 through December 11, 2020.
President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced on September 17 that USDA will implement an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, CFAP 2, will provide producers with financial assistance that gives them the ability to absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
CFAP 2 follows the first round of CFAP, which had an application period of May 26 through September 11. You can learn more about USDA's initial Coronavirus Food Assistance Program by visiting https://www.farmers.gov/cfap1

Forty-First Annual Waynesville Bull Test Sale
The forty-first annual Waynesville Bull Sale will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020. We will be selling the bulls at the WNC Regional Livestock Center and the start time will be at 11 a.m. All bulls will have a floor of $1750. For more information visit here.
Family and Consumer Science News
Looking for a simple yet creative gift idea?
How about a Gift in a Jar

Fermentation Workshop – Doing it the Right Way
What is fermentation? How long has it been around or is it a new method of food preservation? What are the health benefits of fermented foods?

If you want to learn more about fermentation, and how to make sauerkraut, kimchee, yogurt, and kombucha, a workshop is being offered by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Transylvania County Center.

Renay Knapp, Family, and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent will present this fermentation workshop on Monday, December 7th, at 2 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Transylvania County Center, 106 E. Morgan Street, Brevard. We will cover safe methods for the fermentation process, including sauerkraut, kimchee, yogurt, and kombucha. There is a $15 fee for the class.

For more information on the workshop or to register, visit this Eventbrite registration page.
Natural Resources News
The Transylvania Natural Resource Council will have it's monthly meeting via Zoom. This month we are honored to have a special guest, Dr. Jared Westbook with the American Chestnut Foundation.

Dr. Westbrook will present on research to introduce a transgenic version of the American Chestnut into our forests to fill the ecological niche once filled by our native chestnuts.

To join this presentation via Zoom please call our office at 884-3109 or email bmrenner@ncsu.edu and we'll send the Zoom link info.

Nutrition News
For timely nutrition tips and holiday preparation ideas, here is what the EFNEP team has to offer.
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program
Open Enrollment Ends December 7th
If you are in need of guidance with your Medicare choices while the option to make changes for 2021 is still available, call the Cooperative Extension immediately at 828.884.3109 and tell us you need to speak with a SHIIP counsellor.
NCSU Homegrown Monthly Digest
Homegrown is an ever changing source of information that will be of interest to everyone. Timely articles are posted continually throughout the year, covering topics relating to In the Garden, In the Kitchen and On the Farm.
You can sign up to receive a monthly newsletter directly to your inbox by visiting the NC State Extension Homegrown website.