Extension E-News
June 2020
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Mitchell County Extension Center
Covid-19 Phase Two Operational Plan
On Tuesday, May 26th, the Mitchell Extension Center reopened with a staggered staffing schedule and visits by appointment only. All staff are working every day and are available by phone and email but only two staff are physically working in the office daily. Please call us at 828.688.4811 for an appointment should you need to meet with a staff member personally.
As the COVID-19 situation unfolded, many Extension Centers closed to the public. Each staff member exercised the option to telework as much as possible but we are all happy to be able to spend some time in the physical office 2-3 times per week.
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Twig Aphids May be Problematic this Year
With cool, wet weather (conditions in which twig aphids are adapted) and limited good weather
spraying, Jill Sidebottom, Extension Specialist (Mountain Conifer IPM), expresses concern about the presence of twig aphids in Christmas Tree fields. But there is good news - Lady beetles - a
natural predator of the twig beetle - are making their presence known! To learn more, read
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Count On Me NC
NC State Extension has announced an exciting partnership with NC Department of Health and
Human Services, NC Restaurant and Lodging Association and Visit NC on a program called
Count On Me NC.
The Count On Me NC program is focused on providing the necessary
knowledge and information needed to manage COVID-19 within businesses as restrictions are
relaxed. As part of the voluntary program there are free, online courses that provide a consistent
approach based on state and national guidelines. The program is also partnered with a marketing
campaign and customer expectations, with the intent to create shared responsibility for preventing
the spread of COVID-19.
NC State Extension is serving as the training partner for this initiative. Extension's food safety group
is developing and managing these courses. Extension is a long-time champion of small businesses,
and it is hoped these resources not only equip them, but also help them stay in business!
The
General Best Practices for COVID-19 Management is excellent for ANY business!
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Fall 2020 Pesticide Safety School Schedule
Pesticide Schools are hosted by the N.C.
Pesticide Safety Education Program with
the help of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(NCDA&CS).
Each school takes place over a 1 1/2
day period and reviews pesticide material
(manuals) so that attendees may be better
prepared to take the NCDA&CS pesticide
exams, which are offered at 1:00 p.m. on
t he second day of the school.
N.C. State Extension Specialists, County Extension Agents, and NCDA&CS Pesticide Inspectors
present lessons from the Pesticide Education Program's manuals and answer questions or offer
of locations near you as well as registration information.
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Internal Parasites Infestations and "Deworming"
Unfortunately, with the gorgeous weather and warm temperatures comes an issue that all livestock producers face in their herds, the infestation of internal parasites or "worms". Many producers treat their animals with anti-parasitics on a routine schedule to help avoid the complications that can arise in livestock that are infested with internal parasites. Unfortunately, these routine schedules can contribute to the anti-parasitic resistance. Anti-parasitic resistance is when parasites become unaffected by anti-parasitics or "dewormers", thus, allowing the parasites to live through the treatment. When this occurs, the surviving parasites reproduce, making the anti-parasitic useless.
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4-H County Activity Day
With so many face-to-face activities postponed or canceled, it is wonderful to
have opportunities available virtually. Mitchell County 4-H'ers are continuing to compete in the
public speaking competitions at the county, district, and state level.
The North Carolina 4-H Presentations program is an opportunity for youth to learn about a new topic, develop a presentation, and utilize public speaking skills at the county, district, and state
levels. Confident public speaking skills is a crucial but often overlooked and
undeveloped skill. Developing effective communication skills and techniques provide youth with
a positive sense of self and higher levels of self-confidence. This will empower them to achieve and succeed in any situation they encounter. Additionally, presentations are fun! Presentations
allow 4-H'ers to explore an area that interests them. There are also scholarship prize opportunities for those who win!
Youth ages 8-18, research, write, practice, and deliver a 5-12 minute presentation on a topic of their choice. Youth ages 5-7 can also participate by presenting a 2-4 minute presentation on a subject of their choice. Competitors are judged on their topic, subject knowledge, presentation content, voice level, visual clarity, and presenter manner and appearance. The winners at the County level are invited to compete at their District Activity Day and those winners are invited to compete at the state level. Youth from across the state come together to compete!
Our 4-H youth did a great job tackling the new challenges of single cut virtual presentations and we are so proud of their hard work.
Here is a list of everyone who participated in this year's County Activity Day:
A big "thank you" to our wonderful judges for their time and support of our 4-H County Activity Day event: Dan Barron,
Carolyn McKinney, Gary Hyatt, Jessica Strictland, Jill Sidebottom, Shayna Cole, Brandon Roberts, Bob Hensley, and Harley Masters.
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