Burke County Extension Staff is here to serve YOU!
While we have had to move many of our programs online and field visits are usually getting done virtually, we are still here to provide you with the answers and training you need, every day!
As we move forward, please check out our
website
or
Facebook page, for up to date information on our programming and services.
Our staff can be reached by calling (828) 764-9480.
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Exciting news to share! We've completed new COVID-19 training and are now a participating #CountOnMeNC site!
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Grow Your Own Food Project
Thanks to the generosity of Banner Greenhouses, N.C. Cooperative Extension Burke Center was able to provide tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce transplants, to more than 238 families. Banner Greenhouses grew the plants from seeds and donated the transplants to N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke Center to distribute to citizens throughout the county.
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Webinar Series: 
Covid-19 Guidance for Agricultural Operations
U-Pick and Roadside Stands
June 2, 2020
9:00 - 10:00 am
In order to help you get ready for operating your U-pick or farm stand during the COVID-19 crisis the Henderson County Extension Office & Area Specialized Agents Elena Rogers and Lynette Johnston will be offering an on-line educational program via Zoom to discuss the following topics
- Communicating New Policies to Customers
- Employee Health & Safety
- Best Management Practices
- Disinfecting High Touch Surfaces
- Social Distancing Layouts
- Q&A Session
Packinghouses
June 9, 2020
9:00 - 10:00 am
COVID-19 can spread quickly in settings with close person-to-person contact or by contact with contaiminated surfaces making packinghouses a business of concern. In order to help you get ready for operating your packinghouse safety during the COVID-19 crisis the Henderson County Extension Office & Area Specialized Agents Elena Rogers and Lynette Johnston will be offering an on-line educational program via Zoom to discuss the following topics
- How to Operate Safely with COVID-19 & Prevent Transmission
- Worker Training/Monitoring
- Disinfecting Equipment
- Hygiene & PPE
- Distancing Layouts and Work Teams
- Q&A Session
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Cooking with Herbs - Online Class
Join us for an introduction to cooking with herbs! Learn to prepare herbs for culinary use, flavor pairings, best practices for storing and preserving herbs and take home access to resources and delicious recipes.
This workshop will meet via Zoom 12 noon - 1pm on Thursday, June 18, 2020. The session will be recorded for later viewing, if needed, but live participation is encouraged.
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Congratulations to Extension Advisory Member!
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke Center would like to congratulate one of our Extension Advisory members, Andrea Gladden. She was recently named Burke County Teacher of the Year! Thank you for all you do for the youth in our county and your willingness to serve on the Burke County Extension Advisory Council for the 4-H Youth Development Program!
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North Carolina Statewide Marketing for Forest and Wood Products Project
The US Forest Service has awarded NCSU Wood Products Extension a grant to work with the NC primary and secondary in North Carolina from now into 2022. Working with NCSU WPE is the NCFS and West65thInc on this project that has its goal to grow sales, profitabity and employment. In 2020 we are planning a series of thirteen regional meetings based on the thirteen NC Forest Service Districts that divide the one hundred counties into thirteen districts. We will be announcing these meeting dates and locations soon that will run from March to November. Additionally we will have an interest online survey asking for input for each meeting on topics to cover specific to each district. Harry Watt at NCSU WPE is the contact person for this meeting. Contact at
[email protected] and cell at 704-880-3067.
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Emily Troutman is the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for Burke County and she is here to provide research-based answers to your questions about Food, Food Safety, Cooking, Nutrition, and Food Preservation. If you have a question that you would like to see featured on Ask FCS! please email it to
[email protected] or look for the Ask FCS! posts on our
Facebook page and put your question in the comments section.
To check some of the questions that have been answered so far Visit the
Ask FCS! page on our website.
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June 4, 2020 @ 6:30pm on Zoom
Controlling weeds is all about identifying the weed, controlling it at the best time and using the proper herbicide. This workshop will address these issues and help guide the homeowner towards the best solutions for his or her lawn. We'll be realistic and talk about how many weeds are too many weeds. Pesticide safety will also be discussed. Using pesticides correctly results in better weed control and insures the well-being of the applicator.
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Get Your Pesticide Credits Online
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n response to current COVID-19 gathering restrictions, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is allowing N.C. Cooperative Extension to host live online classes for providing pesticide applicators continuing education credits. It is important to note that a webcam or smartphone with camera is required for attendance.
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Burke County 4-H Updates
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4-H Presentation Videos are due by June 12. Please email raw cut video to
[email protected]
- 4-H Discovery will NOT be held in June or July (as we focus on summer fun)
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Forage Sampling
Do you know the nutrient composition of the hay you have baled or purchased? If not, you really have no idea what you are feeding your livestock. Profitable livestock production is dependent on quality forage, so consider sampling your hay.
When taking forage samples, grab sampling and core sampling are the methods used. Core sampling is the most effective. Samples should be taken from each lot, or field, and producers should store hay so that each lot can be identified later. Sample bales 4-6 weeks after packaging, as moisture level and other qualities may change.
In grab sampling, bales are opened to reduce leaf shatter, and scissors are used to cut stems into 1" pieces. Do this on 10-12 bales from each lot, mix samples thoroughly, and put a composite sample in the sample bag. About 1 pint of material is sufficient.
Core sampling is done with a metal coring bit with an electric drill, and samples are mixed thoroughly, and a composite sample bagged for analysis. Square bales should be cored from the ends, and round bales from the side, both at right angles.
Sampling kits are available at the Burke County Extension office. If you'd like more information contact Damon Pollard at 828-764-9480 or by email at [email protected].
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Weed Control
With the recent rain we've had, weeds are going to take off. Whether it's the lawn, flower bed or vegetable garden this shot of moisture along with warm soil are the perfect conditions for fast weed growth. Young weeds are much easier to control no matter which method you choose.
Pulling weeds is never a bad idea when weeds are small and roots are young. New weeds usually come up quickly and just after a rain the ground is softer and easily worked, but when there are a lot of weeds, pulling can get tedious and ineffective.
The use of herbicides can be a good choice, but even then, better control is achieved when applications are made to young weeds. Plants are growing the fastest when they are young and full of energy. This is when they are the most sensitive to herbicides. Getting rid of weeds before they disperse seeds is also a great way to prevent additional weeds!
There are many different herbicides and formulations- granulars, liquid concentrates, ready-to-use, selective and non-selective formulations. Deciding which one is the best for you will depend on where the herbicide is to be applied. Obviously, not all herbicides can be used in the vegetable garden and when using in the landscape, care must be taken to prevent damage to ornamental plants.
The pesticide label contains all of this information along with personal protection requirements and precautions. The label should always be read before using any pesticide. If you need help in deciding which herbicide is the best choice for your garden, give our office a call at 828-764-9480 and an agent will be happy to assist you.
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Importance of the Data
The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.
It's NOT too late -
The 2020 Census is happening now. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail.
Your Response Matters
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Benefits of Buying Local Foods 
Spring is in the air, temperatures are rising, and people are coming out of isolation. One great way to enjoy the outdoors is to visit your local farmers' market and support your local farmers who have been greatly affect by COVID-19. According to the 2017 USDA, Agriculture Census, we have 508 farms in Burke County. Having the option to purchase locally grown food provides health and economic benefits to consumers, farmers, and the community. Burke County has three Farmers Markets for you to visit depending on where you live in the county. Visit
Burke County Farmers Markets for a complete schedule.
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NC State Extension is committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability.
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