GROW AND GRAZE E-NEWSLETTER
November 2020
|
|
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:
Thank you for your understanding and support.
|
|
Welcome to the
NC Cooperative Extension - Cherokee County Center
Online Newsletter,
"Grow & Graze"
|
Every month, we share our online newsletter which features our upcoming programs, news and information featuring our Extension experts in three categories: Ag & Horticulture, 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Science.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter as we move forward with using new technology.
|
|
This Month's Featured Video from Our
"Grow & Graze" YouTube Channel:
|
This month's featured video is "Soil Sampling" by Randy Collins, County Extension Director in Graham County, NC. He talks about the importance of taking a soil sample and how to do it correctly.
|
|
Be A Volunteer
Learn about the exciting volunteer opportunities with N.C. Cooperative Extension.
Volunteers are our most important resource. They help us provide exciting educational programs to youth such as beekeeping, gardening, and healthy lifestyles. N.C. Cooperative Extension volunteers also take on some of the biggest community service projects through the Extension Master Gardener℠ program of Cherokee County and the Extension Community Association. Volunteers also help us with office management and teaching educational programs in the community, such as Firescape. This online event will help you understand how you can be a part of some of the largest volunteer efforts.
|
|
Firewise USA Awareness Training
The national Firewise USA® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. A 1.5-hour training will be provided to anyone to learn the steps of the program and resources available on the federal, state, and county levels. The training opportunities will occur in December and January. If you are interested please complete the Google Forms Questionnaire. You will receive information by email when the training will occur. Please call Douglas Clement at 828-360-4389 or mail at doug_Clement@ncsu.edu for further information.
|
|
Zeta Storm Damage
If you have experienced any storm damage on your farm, please contact our office. There may be some assistance available if county wide damage is significant.
|
|
4-H Gratitude Challenge
4-H wants you to take our 2020 Gratitude Challenge! 2020 has not been an easy year, but we still have plenty of reasons to give thanks.
|
|
Video: How to Preserve Meat in a Pressure Canner
N.C. Cooperative Extension of Polk County Family and Consumer Sciences Agents Renay Knapp and Jimmi Buell recently held a comprehensive demonstration of pressure canning techniques focused on canning meats and poultry. They taught attendees all aspects of pressure canner safety, differences between types of pressure canners, adjustment for altitude, canning both cooked and raw meats, and much more.
We’re pleased to announce that the workshop was recorded and is now available to the public. We hope you will enjoy following along with Jimmi and Renay as they guide you through the basics of preserving meat in a pressure canner.
|
|
Production Techniques for High Tunnels
Please join N.C. Cooperative Extension, ASAP, and EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems for a Series of Regional Seminars on High Tunnels
These workshops are aimed at training growers considering the production of crops in a High Tunnel for direct market outlets (tailgate markets, farm stands, CSA, etc.). Craig Mauney, Extension Area Specialized Agent, Lisa Gonzalez, Clay County Extension Director, and Mary Jac Brennan, Heartplace Farm Consulting will lead the group of Specialists, Agents, and Farmers from various locations to provide 3 seminars.
Specific topics include equipment & infrastructure, enterprise budgets, soil management, crop planning, seeding and transplanting, best crops and cover crops for high tunnels, pest management, food safety, and marketing. The workshop includes lectures, question and answer periods as well as a farm focus case study..
|
|
4-H Hay Bale Decorating Fun!
We are excited to announce a fun opportunity for our 4-H’ers and families during this fall season. Each year during the NC State Fair, we have a hay bale decorating contest for counties. Since the fair is not going to be happening this year due to the pandemic, we are excited to announce the 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Fun for your 4-H families and 4-H’ers.
|
|
Have you heard about the Spotted Lanternfly? The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive plant-hopper native to China that could cause billions of dollars in loss to North Carolina agriculture, tourism, and trade. It is not in North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continually traps and scouts for it. Youth can play a role by being aware of this invasive pest and if they see one, report it to NCDA&CS.
|
|
|
|
The Fuels Removal Program Is Back for the 2nd Year |
the wildfire risk by providing a road-side debris
removal service. This is a free service to
communities/homeowners within North
Carolina. This program is funded by the North
Carolina Community Firewise Mitigation Grant.
Applications for the winter 2021 projects will be
accepted beginning October 28, 2020.
|
|
Winter Garden Chores
Winter weather will soon arrive and activity in the garden will slow down. For gardening enthusiasts, their green thumbs might be itching to be outside doing something in the garden during this time of year. Winter is a great time to do several garden activities that can pay off in the spring.
Read More
|
|
WNC AgOptions Grant Applications
On September 1, 2020, WNC Agricultural Options released its Call for Proposals for the 2021 grant cycle. Applications are being requested from farmers diversifying or expanding their businesses. With funding from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, WNC AgOptions is distributing a total of $216,000 to western North Carolina farmers in 2021. The application deadline is November 20, 2020.
Applicants should have contacted their local N.C. Cooperative Extension agents by October 23 to set up an appointment to discuss their projects. Although this date has passed, you can still still submit an application. Call our office and set up an appointment if you want to discuss your proposal. Applications are available at WNC Ag Options. N.C. Cooperative Extension agents remain a resource for farmers throughout the year as they complete their projects.
|
|
4-H Face-to-Face Programming
Cherokee County 4-H Families and Friends:
As you know, North Carolina 4-H halted all face-to-face 4-H programming back in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan has been to start back up with face-to-face programs once we reached PHASE 3 of Governor Cooper’s plan, that time has arrived!
While we are excited to be able to start back with our 4-H programs, there are protocols that must be followed to help ensure the safety of our 4-H members, volunteers, and Extension agents.
|
|
Move-mber: North Carolina 4-H Fall Moving Challenge
The goal of the North Carolina 4-H “Move-mber” Fall Moving Challenge is to get our youth outside and moving. With so much screen time these days with virtual learning, our goal is to encourage and inspire our youth to get outside and exercise. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children and adolescents be active for at least 60 minutes every day! These guidelines can contribute to overall health, reduce stress, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Walking is a great way to get the physical activity needed, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with family or friends!
|
|
|
|
Agritourism Training Coming in January 2021
Do you have or plan to start an Agritourism business? Training will be offered in January. Learn about resources available, risk management, developing a business concept along with other exciting topics. The training will be conducted virtually through Zoom. Don’t worry if you do not have internet a stream of the training will be provided at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center and other county locations.
If you are interested in the training please complete the Google Form Questionnaire and you will be provided instructions on registering as soon as it is available through Eventbrite.
|
|
|
|
Nature Adventures with NC 4-H
Join us for a fun exploration of the great outdoors during our Nature Adventures with NC 4-H Camps. Learn more at NC 4-H Nature Adventures.
|
|
Grow and Graze YouTube Channel Launched
Cherokee County has launched a YouTube channel. Grow and Graze is about growing agriculture products, young leaders through 4-H, and volunteer development. Grazing is about foods for a Healthy Lifestyle and pasture management for livestock. Grow and Graze will provide information on all these topics and much more. Check out our new YouTube Channel and subscribe today.
|
|
NC 4-H Going Abroad?
Are you interested in learning more about the NC 4-H Outbound Exchange Program? NC 4-H has opportunities for current or past 4-H members to apply for a 2021 Summer delegation to Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Norway, Taiwan, Romania. and new this coming summer, Argentina.
The 2021 NC 4-H International Exchange Programs’ information is on the NC 4-H website under Youth: International Programs. The information on the website gives information about opportunities for Inbound and Outbound delegates. There are direct links below.
The Outbound program is open to current or recent 4-H members who have participated in a county or state program.
ONLINE Applications for 2021 Outbound are due by
Friday, November 13, 2020!
Please direct any questions to Daniel Collins, State Coordinator – NC 4-H International Exchange Programs at dpcollin@ncsu.edu or 919-515-4795.
|
|
Grow and Graze Podcast Launches in November
The Grow and Graze Podcast will begin in November. Episodes will be available on this website with show notes. You will also be able to listen to the podcast on Spreaker, Buzzsprout, and Anchor. The podcast with feature topics about 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Agriculture. Learn about the latest garden varieties, healthy lifestyles, volunteer opportunities with Master Gardeners, how to become a volunteer for 4-H, Firescaping, and many other topics. To be considered for an interview on an episode, please complete the Google Form, so we contact you. We are looking to interview past 4-Hers, farmers, Agritourism businesses, gardeners, and many others. The podcast has been made possible by Matthew Gutierrez with Carolina Farm Credit.
|
|
|
|
Pesticide Safety Schools Are Transitioning to Online Through 2020
In light of the NC State Extension policies for in-person programming during COVID-19 set forth by Dale Monks, Associate Director and Program Leader for N.C. Cooperative Extension, we have decided to transition our in-person Pesticide Safety Schools to the online Zoom format through December 2020.
The pesticide and safety education team has successfully completed six Pesticide Safety Schools using the online Zoom format. This transition ensures stakeholders’ safety and optimizes our resources to better serve them.
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a list of pesticide training and exams offered. If you have any questions about the Pesticide Safety Schools or renewal credit classes, contact our office 837-2210.
|
|
|
|
Pesticide Exams Offered
On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, starting at 10 a.m., the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service will be partnering with N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Pesticide Section to offer Pesticide Applicator Exams at the Cherokee County Educational Classroom on 699 Connahetta St., Murphy, NC.
|
|
|
|
Identifying Large Hornets
Do you see exceptionally large hornets flying around your home? Some residents think they are the Asia Hornets (murder hornets) that have been in the news recently. There have been no confirmed reports of the Asian Hornets in Cherokee County. What we do have are the European Hornets. They do look similar, but after looking a little closer and knowing what to look for, identification becomes a little easier. We put together a short video on social media titled Asian Hornet vs European Hornet to help with identification. If you are still unsure what you are seeing, you can call our office for help 837-2210.
|
|
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.
|
|
Troubleshooting General Canning Problems
During this time of following a "Stay at Home" order, it is a good time to share some of our more popular publications. This publication, "Troubleshooting General Canning Problems" is an excellent publication that could save you a lot of work and help keep you and your family safe from foodborne illnesses.
Other Helpful Links Related to Home Canning and Food Preservation:
(Please always make sure you are following researched based resources!)
National Center for Home Food Preservation an online resource for safe home food preservation information that includes the recipes below, recipes from the USDA’s Complete Guide to Home Canning and other recipes that have been research-tested by the University of Georgia
|
|
MORE POPULAR EXTENSION YOUTUBE CHANNELS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
