Private Applicator License Renewal
& Early Weed ID and Control
Mark your Calendar now for April 3, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
Private Applicator License Renewal
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
NC Pesticide Credits Available: 2 hours of V
Early Weed ID and Control
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 | 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM
NC Pesticide Credits Available: 1 hour of D, O, N, X
Catawba County Extension Ag Resource Center
1175 Brady Ave. , Newton, NC 28658
RSVP by calling the Catawba Co. Extension Office at 828-465-8240 by Monday, April 2nd.
- 10:00AM, "V" Training - Travis Snodgrass, NCDA&CS
- New Rules and Regulations
- 11:00AM - Glenn Detweiler
-
Practical Safe Use of Sprayers and Spray Tip Technology
- 12:00 D,O,N,X (Your choice) - Dr. George Place, and Glenn Detweiler
- Early Weed ID and Correct Chemical Controls
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4-H Small Fruit Plant Pick-Up
Tuesday & Thursday, April 3 and 5
12:00 - 5:30 p.m.
*
Strawberry Plants
* Blueberry Plants
Thanks to everyone that placed an order for plants. The blueberry plants will be available for pick-up on Tuesday. April 3 for blueberries and Thursday, April 5 for strawberries and blueberries. We anticipate having a few extra plants that will be available, in case you missed placing and order and would like some plants. C
ontact Cooperative Extension at 828-465-8240 or [email protected] if you would like to purchase the extras. Proceeds from the sale benefit Catawba County 4-H scholarship fund.
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Are You Wanting to Get Rid of Fire Ants
and Earn
Pesticide Credits?
***Controlling Fire Ants in Yards and Gardens
Mark your Calendar now for
April 10, 2018, 5:15 - 6:15 PM
NC Pesticide Credits Available: 1 hour of D, L, N, X
Speakers: Mr.
Tom Dyson: Extension Director
(20 years experience in Fire Ant Country)
& Dr. George Place
RSVP to stay for the Cattlemen's Complementary Meal after the meeting
Call our office to allow plans for food.
828-465-8240
By Monday April 9
served by Catawba Valley Cattlemen's Association
Following the meal
CVCA Cattlemen's Association Educational Meeting
***Managing Fire Ants in Pastures and Hay Fields
Mark your Calendar now for
April 10, 2018, 7:15 - 8:15 PM
NC Pesticide Credits Available: 1 hour of D, K, O, N, X
Speaker: Dr. Wes Watson, NCSU Entomologist
All are Welcome
Catawba County Extension Ag Resource Center
1175 Brady Ave. , Newton, NC 28658
To assist us with food preparation
RSVP by calling the Catawba Co. Extension Office at 828-465-8240 by Monday am, April 9
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Advanced Gardener Program 2018
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library - 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-7 PM
Newton Library - 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 PM
Maiden Library - 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 PM
Jan - Pruning - How, When, and on What
Feb - Manage Your Lawn
Mar - Soil, Composting, and Plant Nutrients
April - Flowers, Shrubs, and Pollinator Gardens
May - Vegetable Gardening For a Resilient Community
June - Garden and Landscape Diseases and Disorders
July - 2 Minute Talks - Fire Ants, Brown Patch, Soil Testing, and 20 Other Topics
Aug - Identify and Control Your Weeds
Sept - Home Food Production - The 4 Season Strategy
Oct - Edible Landscaping With Fruit
Nov - Landscape Design - Putting It All Together
These presentations are
free and open to the public. Persons can attend programs of interest or attend all presentations for program certification.
This year's curriculum will offer two different certification programs
Master Gardener Certification
Cost: $100
Requirements - Attend all 11 presentations, complete 10 hours of extension workshop education , complete on-line quizzes and exams, complete weed collection project, complete home landscape project, complete 1000 ft2 garden design project, complete 40 hours of community service in gardening activities.
Advanced Gardener Certification:
Cost: Free
Requirements - Attend 9 of the 11 presentations, complete 20 hours of service/learning activities.
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Annual Garden Calendar For Catawba County
When should you prune, fertilize your lawn, start a fall garden, dig up your bulbs
Find out what will be in bloom this month!
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Attention - Aspiring Food Business Entrepreneurs:
Click on the link below for answers to questions regarding starting a food business. Whether you are interested in selling value-added products at a farmers market or starting a
food truck. You will find information to help you, including agencies that regulate food businesses.
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We have extended the
The challenge will now run through May 2018!
Participate individually or with a team of classmates, co-workers or friends for the chance to win some prizes to help you eat healthy!
Click here to download information and registration forms.
Coordinated by the Catawba County Library, Newton Branch, Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences and
Catawba Valley Medical Center.
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Real World Real Money
Volunteer Opportunity
April 24 - Newton-Conover Middle School
May 18 - Grandview Middle School
Cooperative Extension is working with middle schools to offer Real World Real Money, a financial literacy program developed by Ohio State Extension. Find out more about the curriculum at
https://realmoneyrealworld.osu.edu.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the budget simulation that will follow classroom lessons. No special financial background is needed, more information and lunch is provided to volunteers, and it is an eye-opening day for students! If you would like more information and/or would like to volunteer contact Tina McGillvary at Cooperative Extension at 828-465-8240 or [email protected] or Donna Mull at [email protected].
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Putting Small Farms to Work
Small Ruminant Production: April 17, 9 AM to 3 PM
Catawba County Extension office
Pastured Pork Production: May 22, 9 AM to 3 PM
Catawba County Extension office
Each workshop includes a classroom session, followed by a nearby farm visit
Lunch is included with each session
Topics for
each session include site selection/
facilities/infrastructure needed to get
started, production systems, breed/
variety selection, start-up costs, expected
return on investment, basic
animal husbandry, best management
practices, post-harvest handling, processing,
marketing, etc.
Cost:
$25 for each session
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4-H Presentations
County Presentation Day - May 19
District Presentation Contest - June 19
State Presentation Contest - July 21
It's time to start preparing for 4-H Presentations! If you are new to 4-H, presentations are a contest that involve youth giving a short talk with visuals on a topic of their choice. Youth first give their presentations at our County Presentation Day and then have the chance to advance to a district and state contest. Catawba county youth participating in presentations earn 4-H clover cash (scholarship money) to use for 4-H activities of their choice. District presentation winners can earn scholarships to attend NC 4-H Congress. State winner can attend cash awards.
If you want to try a slightly different option, consider the public speaking contest or Outdoor Grilling contest. 4-H'ers ages 5 and older can participate in presentations. If you want to participate in presentations for 2018, contact Donna Mull at [email protected] or
register online here. Register by May 11.
What to learn more about presentations or want some help get started on your presentation? Contact Donna Mull, 4-H Agent.
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Catawba Valley Cattlemen's Association Meeting
(2nd Tuesday of the month, April 10)
Speaker: Dr. Wes Watson,
Entomology & Plant Pathology Professor
and Interim Head Grinnells Lab
Educational Program: 60 minute Educational Program, Managing
Fire Ants in Hay Fields and Pastures
One Hour of Pesticide Credits available in one
of the following: D, K, N, O, or X.
Location: APP-address: Agricultural Resource Center 1175 South Brady Ave. Newton, NC
28658
Meeting Agenda:
6:15 Supper is served.
7:00 Business Meeting - Dr. Greg Whitener, president
7:15 Educational Program - Dr. Wes Watson, Professor, NCSU
8:15 Meeting Adjourned
We welcome all people interested in our educational topic. Visitors eat free but must initial the attendance sheet. Members pay dues to Dr. Amanda Whitener.
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The next ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification Training will be held on Thursday, May 31, and Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The first day of class covers the content in the book. The second day you will participate in a comprehensive review, a question and answer session with an Environmental Health Specialist and take the certification exam. Call Beth Rogers at
828-465-8240 for registration information.
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4-H Clubs & Groups
A variety of 4-H clubs are available in Catawba County for youth ages 9 and older. The clubs are led by volunteer leaders and meet at different times and places. Most of the clubs are special-interest, meaning they focus on a particular topic or theme.General interest clubs are also part of 4-H. Below is a list of clubs and 4-H affiliated groups. Email or call Donna Mull at 828-465-8242 or [email protected] to request a club list with details about meeting times, locations and ages..
Community-Based Clubs & Grioups
Snowy Creek 4-H Horse Club
Catawba County Livestock Club
Balls Creek Adventurers 4-H Club
Robotics Competition Team
Catawba County Youth Council
Bow Masters and More Archery Club
Sew Awesome Sewers
Junior Rangers
Snack Makers 4-H Club
DIG (Discoveries in Gardening)
Top Shots Shooting Sports
Bright Ideas STEM Club
Global Cultures Club
Electric SPIN Club
Montessori Leadership Club
St. Stephens High School Juntos 4-H Club
Banoak School 4-H Garden Club
Our club offerings change, so check this spot each month for club updates. We welcome the chance to grow this list, add new clubs, and new 4-H'ers! Contact Donna Mull or Tina McGillvary at Cooperative Extension to learn more about starting a 4-H Club.
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Need help with food preservation?
Stop by the Extension office and pick up a free guide with instructions on how to can and freeze selected fruits and vegetables.
Call Ann Simmons at 704-878-3157 or email [email protected] if you have questions or need to schedule an appointment for dial-gauge pressure canner lid testing.
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Extension Video Highlight
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2017 Advanced Gardener
Photo Competition Winners
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Does your farm business donate food? Read this article to understand how food donations can help your tax expenses.
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N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Grants
County governments, nonprofit groups and certified beekeepers pursuing farmland preservation projects and beehive grants have until Dec. 15 to apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This year's request for proposals includes statewide general appropriations for traditional farm preservation projects and the new N.C. Beehive Grant Fund for the purchase and construction of beehives.
The trust fund's purpose is to support projects that encourage the preservation of qualifying agricultural, horticultural and forest lands to foster the growth, development and sustainability of family farms.
Grants can be awarded to secure agricultural conservation easements on lands used for agricultural production; to support public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; for the development of agricultural plans; and for the purchase and construction of new beehives.
The N.C. Beehive Grant Fund is accepting its first cycle of applications this fall for certified beekeepers to establish new beehives. The request for proposals includes $25,000 for beehive projects on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible recipients.
"The new beehive grants will further support family farms in North Carolina," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "NCDA&CS is committed to conserving working lands throughout our great state and enhancing the agribusinesses that keep farms productive."
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15.
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NCSU Official Variety Test Results for Wheat and Oat
The 2017 NC OVT Wheat and Oat data is now available, and can be found on the new NC OVT website (
www.ncovt.com) or by clicking the following link:
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NCDA&CS offers organic certification cost-share assistance
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) is offering organic growers the opportunity to recoup up to $750 of their certification cost. Growers must have been certified between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 and complete an application available at
www.ncdaorganic.org
.
Visit the
NCDA website to see more information about this cost share opportunity.
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USDA Low Interest Loans For Storage Facilities
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns and facilities for cold storage.
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Food Safety During a Power Outage
When the power goes out, you may wonder about the safety of your refrigerated or frozen foods. If the power is out for 48 hours or less, and your freezer is nearly full, your food may still be fine. According to food safety experts, a closed freezer can keep food at 40°F or below for up to 48 hours--if full and kept cold. A closed refrigerator will keep food 40°F or below for about 4 hours after a power loss.The following link will take you to a fact sheet that will help you decide what you need to keep and what you should toss when the power is out longer than expected:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/when-the-power-is-out-when-to-save-refrigerated-food- and-when-to-throw-it-out
If you still have questions after reviewing the fact sheet, please call Ann Simmons at 704-878-3157 or email [email protected] for more information.
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NC State Gardening, Agriculture, and Pest Updates
You can sign up for the latest news on gardening, pest advisories, livestock, energy, and many others. Check out the
complete list of NC State News that you can subscribe to and get the latest research based info. Be the first to know!
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Got To Be NC Agriculture
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NC Farm Link
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Small Farm Grant and Loan Assistance
We will post various grant and loan opportunities that arise in this space of our monthly updates. Simply click on the opportunity of interest for more information.
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Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination statement
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran's status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all person without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Catawba County Extension Director, George Place, at (828) 465-8240 or [email protected] or in person at the County Extension Office at least 14 days prior to the event.
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