Clay County Center July 2019 Newsletter

Protect the Pollinator NC State Works to Preserve Billion Dollar Bees Dwindling honey bee colonies are a growing concern – a $15 billion concern. And that just accounts for the value of honey bee pollination to agricultural crops each year in the United States. Considering the whole of honey bees’ contributions to our economy, food production systems and environmental well-being, any decline would sting. Honey bees act as pollinators – transferring pollen from one flower to another, without which many plants could not produce fruit – for more than 100 crops, providing invaluable support to North Carolina’s $87 billion agriculture industry. Click here to read more»

Pesticide Recertification Trainings These trainings are for those that already have current private and/or commercial pesticide licenses. Every three years Private Applicators will need 2 hrs of "V" training and 2 hrs of X training. If you do not have hours in either X or V and your license is going to expire in 2019, you will need to attend one or more of these trainings. Commercial licenses need only recertification hours for the category listed for the type license you have. The number of credit hours also depends on the type license you have. If you want to check the credit hours you need for private licenses, go to  https://apps.ncagr.gov/licensesearch . Following are the dates and locations of trainings. Most of the demonstration X trainings will include categories B G H I K L N O T D and X. Call before coming to make sure your category is approved. All training categories are 2 credit hours: July 29th , V & X, 1:00-5:00, Clay Co. Extension Office For locations and times of other trainings in the area, visit http://www.ncagr.gov/index.htm.

Good News for Baby Boomers Baby Boomers unite! I recently pitched an idea that I had about a program idea for people born between 1946 and 1964-Baby Boomers. I reached out to the National Council on Aging and learned that they were already ahead of me with this concept. As I delved into their research, I discovered that they had already developed some concepts for this particular group of people. Baby Boomers are the children of people dubbed as the Greatest Generation. This Greatest Generation endured the Great Depression, World War II, and consequently had a deep sense of patriotism, liberty and the love of God and country. Click here to read more.

4-H Sewing Camp Sewing camp was a lot of fun for all! The youth were able to make five different projects starting with a cinch sack and ending with a stuffed animal. The adults were impressed by the teenagers learning so quick and creating their own projects. Two weeks went by fast and everyone is anticipating the class for next summer. 4-H would like to thank Misty Mountain Quilters Guild and Teresa Goley for providing a wonderful camp. You do not have to be a 4-H member to participate in the summer camps.

4-H and Pathways Students in the Hayesville Summer Program, Pathways, are learning about gardening this summer through 4-H gardening lessons. The Master Gardeners are sharing their knowledge with the students when they visit the garden.

Balsamic Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich 2 Slices of bread 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1 tbs balsamic vinegar Fresh spinach or arugala 1 1/2 tbs brown sugar Plenty of white cheese(Havarti,Swiss,Brie,White Cheddar,etc) In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar and vinegar. Turn on medium heat and let come to a slow boil. Use a utensil to crush berries as you stir. After boiling for about 5 minutes, pour mixture into a mesh strainer and let the juice syrup separate from the solid berries. Spread blueberries onto a piece of bread, top with cheese, some spinach/arugala, then more cheese! Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Top with your other slice of bread and toast. Enjoy!

 N.C. Cooperative Extension Clay County Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4th

N.C. Cooperative Extension Clay County Center 25 Riverside Circle, Suite 2 Hayesville, NC 28904 828-389-6305 http://clay.ces.ncsu.edu/

Soil Testing Stop by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office and pick up soil sample boxes to get your soil checked for FREE!! Shipping and testing is free until November.

FAMILY time Tips Hugging Hugging/appropriate touch provides a sense of safety no matter the age of the person. Babies need to be held close for hours. Children feel safe and secure in the arms of a trusted adult. Click to read more

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension. Extension's 4-H program is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina. We help over 247,000 young people grow into active, contributing citizens each year. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by [INSERT DATE] to [CONTACT NAME & PHONE/EMAIL].