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Alexander County Center
Newsletter
February 2021
Inside this Issue:
The Alexander County Center is now open to the public. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the health of county employees, citizens who are sick or running a fever should not visit these facilities. Citizens who do visit are required to wear a cloth face covering and maintain social distance of at least six feet.  The county still encourages business to be conducted via phone or email when possible, but realizes that in-person interaction is necessary in some cases.  Agents are still available, so please call them at 828-632-4451 or email.  For a list of email addresses click the following link:  https://alexander.ces.ncsu.edu/people/
plantsale
berries_on_table.jpg
Plant Sale is happening now....Order today!!

Plant varieties and order details can be found at the link below:


quarantinevday
 
Have you ever had that feeling where your lose your breath for a few minutes, your palms starts to sweat, you feel a little bit shaky and light headed and your heart just start to race? Where you feel like your heart is being squeeze or burst out of your chest? No I'm not talking about falling in love, I'm talking about symptoms of a heart attack. Did you know that every 40 second, someone in the United States has a heart attack?
 
To read the full article click the following link:
ncfgcvirtualconference
Please click on the image above to register for this event. Registering for this event will give you access to event links.

agritunity
For more information and to register please click on the image above.
fourhupdateWelcome back to the new 4-H year!
The first step to becoming an active 4-H member, volunteer, or participant during
 this year's 4-H program (2021) is to re-enroll.  If you are a 4-H member under 18, your parent or guardian can renew your membership. *New youth members, volunteers and participants are strongly encouraged to enroll now too.  

North Carolina 4-H uses an online system, called 4-HOnline 2.0, to manage 4-H memberships, clubs, projects, activities, and communications. *All members who participate in North Carolina 4-H must have a 
4-HOnline 2.0 profile (Note: *Due to COVID-19 local 4-H programs may not require youth who participate in "virtual - only" programs to complete the entire 4-HOnline 2.0 enrollment process.)

4-HOnline 2.0 accounts are family-based, which means every family creates a "master" profile with its own login ID and password. A member file is then created within the family profile for each individual involved in North Carolina 4-H.
If you were previously enrolled and / or if someone in your family was involved in North Carolina 4-H from 2018 to 2020, you probably have an existing family profile in 4-HOnline 2.0. Previous members should use their existing login and password to access their family profile in the new 4-H Online 2.0 platform. *Members who are re-enrolling should NOT create a new account.  If you need assistance accessing your existing family profile, review the steps in this guide. If necessary, contact your local 4-H Office for assistance.

Click on the image to register to access link



NC 4-H Summer Camp Dates Available!
Want to attend 4-H Camp at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC this summer?  Great!!  Alexander 4-H will be taking a group June 20-25, 2021.  4-H Camp is open to youth ages 8-14 and offers a variety based upon age.  If you would like more information please contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension-Alexander County Center at 828-632-3125.  For more information about the Eastern 4-H Center please click the following link:   http://www.eastern4hcenter.org/

Concerned about COVID-19 at camp?  Here is a quick overview of the protocols that will be implemented for all staff and campers.  COVID-19 Parent FAQ


4-H Monthly Subscription Boxes
We hope you are taking part in the new program Alexander County 4-H is offering to the youth of Alexander County.  We are excited about the monthly subscription boxes that will be sent to the kids with interactive, educational and fun activities.  Upcoming months will have themes such as: bird watching, gardening, rocketry, fishing, and robotics.  Some months will include a contest that will give youth a chance to win prizes.  The program was offered to the first 50 to register and wow did it fill up in a hurry.  If you are on social media, please follow along with the program. We have asked participants to use the hashtag #Alexander4hFun.

fnsprogramBenefit Increase for Food and Nutrition Service Participants
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Food and Nutrition Services recipients will see a temporary increase in the amount of benefits they receive. This increase is part of the federal Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020.

The maximum benefit amount for households receiving FNS will increase by 15% until June 30, 2021 and then benefit amounts will return to their current levels. 

Recipients can find out the amount of their benefits they'll be receiving by using one of the following methods below.

1. Visit www.ebtedge.com. Click on "More Information" under "EBT Cardholder." You will be prompted to login and/or register your account.

2. Download the ebtEDGE mobile app. The app is available as a free download on the Apple Store and Google Play.

3. Call 1-888-622-7328 on the day you normally receive benefits.

Food and Nutrition Services is a food assistance program to help low income family purchase food. Benefits are issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT cards). For more information about FNS, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps.

People can apply for FNS in English or Spanish online with ePASS, by filling out a paper application and mailing it to or dropping it off at their county Department of Social Services office or applying in person at their county DSS office.
 
For more information on FNS benefits or the increase in benefit, feel free to reach out to our More in My Basket staff with the NC Cooperative Extension at North Carolina State University at 919-515-9565 for English or 919-515-9568 for Spanish. The More in My Basket team provides SNAP outreach in North Carolina through education about program eligibility, program benefits, and resources to stretch limited resources. More in My basket gives individual assistance to help people apply for SNAP benefit. Learn more about More in My Baskets and their programs at morefood.org

smallfarmsweek


frostseedclover
Frost Seeding Clover to Improve Pasture Quality
 
Frost seeding in February can be a low cost, practical method of improving pastures. Incorporating clovers into a predominantly fescue based pasture is a good way to dilute the effects of the endophyte found in fescue that can cause fescue toxicosis. Here are a few things to remember:
  1. Soil Test - Proper pH and soil fertility are essential for forage production.
  2. Site Selection - Choose pastures that do not have heavy weed infestations. It is counteractive to seed clover and then use a broadleaf weed control the following summer. Chosen pastures should be heavily grazed to expose some soil for good soil to seed contact. Dragging a harrow can help improve
     soil to seed contact or a temporary high stocking rate for livestock trampling.
  3. Seeding Rates -
    • Red Clover               6-8 lbs/acre
    • Ladino Clover           2-3 lbs/acre
    • Alsike Clover            2-3 lbs/acre
  4. Seeding Time and Method - Frost seeding works best by freezing and thawing of the soil in late winter. This helps incorporate broadcasted seed into the soil surface. In order to take advantage of nature's seeding mechanism, broadcast seeding should be done in February.

  5. Seed Treatment - Seed treatments for legumes that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria are necessary if that legume is not currently present in your pasture. Most seed sold will already be inoculated, but its best to check and make sure.  

  6. Post Seeding Management - Avoid overgrazing. Plants that continuously have their growing points removed will die. Utilize grazing management to extend the life of your newly renovated pastures.