CHEROKEE COUNTY

GROW AND GRAZE E-NEWSLETTER
February 2021
As our Center maneuvers through the COVID-19 situation, we want the thank everyone for your patience. The staff has been planning and providing programs virtually and they have been very successful. Programs have included gardening basics, canning, and preserving, small animal care, managing small poultry folks, growing small fruits, and 4-H Spark activities. 4-H provided Virtual 4-H Camps and Presentations. Because of the planning and success of programming, most of our classes were being taught virtually through July. Now we are starting to provide some in person programming where social distancing can be done on site. We have been and will continue to assist citizens on the phone, electronically through email, and by home visits. 

Our office arrangement has changed to assist walk-in customers.  To maintain social distancing,  we ask that you call and or email in advance if you plan to visit our offices so you can schedule an appointment. We invite you to bring a mask since one will not be provided.  Also by calling and making appointments ensures the staff is available because we do also work in the field also and are teaching classes.  Our contact information is:
Cindy Chastain or 828-837-2210 Extension 1
Keith Wood or 828-837-2210 Extension 2
Douglas Clement or 828-837-2210 Extension 3
Shannon Coleman or 828-837-2210 Extension 4
Information can be located at cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu
Other great links:
Ag and Garden chats each Monday at 7:30 PM: t.me/growandgraze
Thank you for your understanding and support. 
Welcome to the
NC Cooperative Extension - Cherokee County Center
Online Newsletter,
"Grow & Graze"
This Month's Featured Video from NCSU's "HomeGrown" YouTube Channel:
Insect, Plant and Disease Identification

Each year Cherokee County receives numerous requests on assisting with identifying insects, diseases and plants. It is our goal to provide you with resources that will help you with identification and the steps in getting assistance from our county center. The best options is to use the resources from our website to identify your problem. Here are some resources to help you with your identification journey.


Cherokee County 4-H annual plant and fruit tree sale continues through the middle of March. All proceeds will go to Cherokee County 4-H. As usual, the plants and trees will be of high quality and reasonably priced. The plant and tree sale started on January 26 and ends March 11, 2021. Plants will be available for pick up on April 8, location to be announced.


After serving Cherokee County citizens for the past 16 years as Agricultural Extension Agent, Keith Wood will be retiring effective March 1, 2021. Keith has provided leadership in building a strong Extension Master Gardener℠ program of Cherokee County along with cross-country educational efforts that have included goat schools, mushroom workshops, and beef cattle management schools.
Keith also assisted with providing high tunnel greenhouse workshops. He provided support to Murphy Middle School’s FFA program by teaching planting techniques and gardening instruction to students in the program. His efforts in grant writing has also assisted farm operations in receiving startup funds through many programs such as the Ag Options Grant. Best wishes to Keith on retirement.
Enroll or Re-Enroll in 4-H for 2021

North Carolina 4-H has more than 263,000 youth,and 15,000 adult volunteers,who are involved in 4-H experiences each year and we are pleased that you have decided to join 4-H! Here is some information about our enrollment process and how we need your partnership in getting your enrollment entered and approved. All participation records change to an inactive status on December 31st of each year. The NC 4-H Program runs on a calendar year. Open enrollment for youth and adult volunteers begins in mid-January and continues throughout the year.
Online ‘Beginner’ BEES School

The NC State Apiculture department is pleased to announce two options for online beekeeper training for new or beginning beekeepers. Our two online BEES schools will allow students to view the ‘Beginner’ Beekeeper Education & Engagement System (BEES) content but still interact online with each other and NCSU instructors. In two separate offerings (one week-long “self-paced” course and one all-day course), we will learn about honey bee biology, management, and industry including live Q&A using Zoom with instructors.
Master Gardener Training Being Planned for 2021

We are excited in planning the Master Gardener Training for 2021 but we need your help. Please complete the Google Survey below so we can determine the best possible time of year, time of day, and the best method to provide the information (online or in-person). We look forward in reading the responses and designing a training that allows you to attend.
In Person Vegetable Gardening Classes
Want to learn how to grow your own fresh vegetables? With rising food prices and shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, home vegetable gardening is once again regaining popularity. Many people desire to become more self sufficient. The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center is going to offer a three day class series on vegetable gardening for those wanting to learn how to grow vegetables or just improve your gardening skills. The dates are February 9, 10, and 11, 2021, starting at 9 until 11 a.m.

Registration for Spring 2021
Nature Adventures Open
Registration for our Spring 2021 Nature Adventures virtual learning program is live! Teachers, families and virtual learners of all kinds – you don’t want to miss this new series of adventures!
Business Classes Focus on Online Marketing and Branding

Beginning in March four classes will be taught to discuss and provide strategies for online marketing a business, The classes will also include the importance of business branding. The classes will include:





All classes are 1 hour online sessions and cost $10.00. If you Have questions, please call our email us.

Business of Farming Conference
ASAP’s (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) Business of Farming Conference is one of the region’s premier events dedicated to providing professional farmers with tools, skills, and information to build viable farm businesses. The conference plays a vital role in the success of farmers and in the expansion of our region’s food system. Workshops, networking events, and consulting opportunities will all take place within a virtual conference platform, accessible via your browser.

More 4-H Activity Kits Coming in February!
Be on the lookout to get youth registered to be able to pick up a low cost to sometimes FREE kit to do some fun activities that can include the whole family.
Soil Test Cost Update

Soil testing is one of the best ways to have a successful home lawn and garden. Soil samples are analyzed by North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). Soil sample testing for homeowners is free from April 1–November 30, except for postage. There is a $4.00 fee from December 1–March 31, as well as, postage. Forms and soil sample boxes are available at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center.
Grow and Graze Chat

You have 2 ways to join us for chats and conversations about gardening, farming, and agriculture. Beginning February 18, 2021, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month Through June at 9:00 a.m., you can join us virtually through Zoom for Garden Chat. The event will be updated monthly on the topics and resources of discussion. I will also be hosting a weekly session each Monday at 7:30 p.m. for us to discuss gardening, farming, and agriculture beginning February 8 utilizing Telegram. Telegram is a messaging app that allows for chat and voice conversations on the phone and computer.
Virtual NC 4-H
Volunteer Leaders Conference Coming Soon
North Carolina 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference is right around the corner. This event will be held February 5-6 over Zoom. Many people have worked very hard to put together an event that still has many of the traditional components of the Conference we all look forward to being part of.
Cherokee County E-Newsletters

Please feel free to browse the archive of monthly newsletters from your N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center. Each month we share news, information, and details about upcoming events specific to families in the Cherokee County area. If you aren’t already receiving our newsletter, subscribe today to get up-to-date communications on local agriculture, food, health, and opportunities for youth.


Eat Well in 2021 with Med Instead of Meds

Mondays,
February 1 – March 8, 2021
Each class starts at noon (EST)
FREE 6-week
Virtual Workshop Series

Extension professionals from across the North Central District of North Carolina have partnered to host a collaborative offering of Med Instead of Meds. The simple, delicious, and satisfying Med Way of eating will keep you coming back for more. It’s great tasting and good for you!

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