GROW AND GRAZE E-NEWSLETTER
October 2020
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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 beenand 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:
Also, our information can be located at cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu
Thank you for your understanding and support.
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Welcome to the
NC Cooperative Extension - Cherokee County Center
Online Newsletter,
"Grow & Graze"
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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.
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This Month's Featured Video from Our
"Grow & Graze" YouTube Channel:
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This month's featured video is "Selecting the Perfect Pumpkin". Randy Collins, County Extension Director in Graham County, NC talks about how to select a pumpkin from the field that is right for you.
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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.
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4-H Virtual Craft Fair
We are excited to announce the North Carolina 4-H Virtual Craft Fair. Each year our 4-H’ers have the opportunity to showcase the crafts they have made all year at their local fairs and or the NC State Fair. Since many of the fairs are canceled as well as the NC State Fair, due to the pandemic, we are excited to offer this opportunity to our 4-H’ers.
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Pesticide Collection Day
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in cooperation with the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Cherokee County will be offering a Pesticide Collection Day for residents in Cherokee, Clay, and surrounding counties. The local site manager will be Keith Wood, Agricultural Extension Agent for Cherokee County. Collection will be October 20, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wayne’s Feed Store in Murphy.
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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.
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It's 4-H Paper Clover Time!
Tractor Supply proudly began our partnership with 4-H in 2010 and we have since helped raise over $14 million through our Paper Clover fundraisers. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 69,000 youth by providing them with hands-on learning experiences through projects in STEM, agriculture, healthy living, and civic engagement.
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Zoom Training for Participating in Our Online Classes
More on More of our programs are being taught online or hybrid (part online and part in the classroom/in the field). We are offering a class to learn more about the basics of Zoom.us. This class will show how to do audio and video checks, how to chat, and how we use Eventbrite for program registration. Our first class will be taught online September 8. You can register at go.ncsu.edu/cherokeecounty and if you have more questions email me at doug_clement@ncsu.edu.
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WNC AgOptions Grant Applications
On September 1, 2020, WNC Agricultural Options will be releasing 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 contact their local N.C. Cooperative Extension agents by October 23 to set up an appointment to discuss their projects. A series of virtual information meetings will be held in September and October for those interested in applying. Applications and details on how to join an information meeting will be available at WNC Ag Options on September 1, 2020. N.C. Cooperative Extension agents remain a resource for farmers throughout the year as they complete their projects.
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National 4-H Week October 4-11
Take advantage of this important week to highlight the remarkable 4-H youth in your communities and showcase the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people..
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Learn to Prepare for Wildfires With Firescaping on October 6 and 17
Every year, hundreds to thousands of wildfires occur in each southern state. Conditions that increase wildfire risk, like drought, are expected to become more common in years to come. Homeowners and communities most at risk of wildfire live in the boundary between natural areas, or wildlands, and human development. These areas are known as the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Fortunately, there are actions homeowners and communities can make to protect their homes from wildfire, such as firescaping.
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Check out Local 4-H Alumni Michael Hopkins!
National 4-H Week is October 4-10 and there is a lot going on for our 4-H’ers to participate in. To help promote National 4-H Week, 4-H Alumni produced a video, in the video you will find one of our former local 4-H members, Micheal Hopkins, who is also a NC 4-H Honor Club member. He is the bearded young man with the purple 4-H Honor Club shirt on in the video: National 4-H Week
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Transplanting Landscape Ornamentals
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center is offering a demonstration class on transplanting landscape plants. We will cover best time of year, soil preparation, amendments, choosing plants, and more. The class will be on October 27, 2020, at the Cherokee Co. Educational Classroom on 699 Connahetta St., Murphy, NC starting at 10 a.m. There will be a short lecture and then a short walk to demonstrate how to properly set out a plant. There is a $10 charge for the class and you will need to pre-register on Eventbrite by October 26.
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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.
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Backyard Poultry Symposium Rescheduled
Backyard poultry flocks have gained tremendous popularity in recent years. Many folks have come to enjoy fresh eggs each morning or even having fresh chicken at mealtime. Although backyard flocks are convenient, there is a certain degree of responsibility associated with keeping the flock happy and healthy.
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center has planned a program entitled “Backyard Poultry Symposium” to be held Tuesday, October 20th, 2020, at the Extension Educational Classroom, 699 Connahetta St., Murphy. This program was originally scheduled for this past May, but was postponed due to the pandemic. Depending on what meeting rules and guidelines are in place at the time of the program, seating could be limited.
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Come Join Cherokee County 4-H!
Joining Cherokee County 4-H Clubs looks a little different right now in the COVID-19 world. While not meeting in person, currently, we are welcoming new members into 4-H. To join 4-H you can enroll in any of our currently active 4-H clubs or enroll at large. To enroll, go to 4HOnline. If you would like to access a step by step video on how to enroll using 4HOnline you can get help through this YouTube video. Also if you have trouble enrolling or would like to know more about Cherokee County 4-H you can email shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or call 828-837-2210 ext. 4.
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The Grow Box
The Grow Box gives youth and their families the opportunity to explore their backyard or the natural spaces near them with guided activities designed to develop their science skills. You’ll grow plants together, search for seeds, observe pollinators, and get creative with the hands-on activities in each box.
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AG H.O.P.E.
Agriculture- Helping Others, Providing Education
Learn about the history and heritage of agriculture in WNC and what agriculture is today such as milking machines and drones.
Fall sessions will be virtual.
Dates: 2nd Thursdays of each month: October 8, November 12
Time: 4:00-5:00
Location: Online via Zoom (link will be sent after registering)
Ages: 8-11
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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