Extension E-News December 2020 |
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Welcome
New Family and Consumer Science Agent
Jessica Zucchino is a North Carolina native and has called Mitchell County home for the last four years. She holds a degree in education from UNC Wilmington and has always had a passion for helping others. For the past two years, she served as the nutrition educator at the Yancey County Extension Center teaching classes to both youth and adults. Outside of work, Jessica can be found experimenting in the kitchen, enjoying the outdoors, or spending time with family. She is thrilled to join the Mitchell County Extension team and serve her community as the Family and Consumer Science Agent!
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Drive-Thru Santa Visit and Drive-In Movie...Coming Near You!
Kick off the holidays with a drive-thru visit with Santa followed by a drive-in movie! Mitchell County 4-H, along with Blue Ridge Partnership for Children and Theresa Lewis Photography will sponsor these events as part of "Christmas 'neath the Roan" and...it's free!
Space is limited to 30 cars.One registration per car.
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We love to eat special dishes and goodies during the holidays, right? Why not set a goal to maintain your current weight from now through New Year's Day? The Holiday Challenge can help you do just that!
We are excited to have YOU participate in the Holiday Challenge. For the next few weeks, you will embark on a journey alongside thousands of people nationwide and across the globe to maintain the same weight from now through New Year's Day.
You will be more successful in this program, and of course have much more fun, if you encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to join you. Registration does not close, feel free to share the link HERE
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Let’s Talk About Hay Loss
Why?
It’s time to start feeding hay and thinking about how to minimize hay loss with proper feeding management. Hay loss due to feeding, can range from 2% to 60%. The more time and energy put into managing hay feeding, the less hay and money that will be wasted. There are a number of factors that affect the amount of hay lost, including feeding method, interval between feedings, amount fed, the number of animals being fed, weather conditions, the method of storage, and overall hay quality.
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Christmas Tree Shortage
Where can I find Fraser Fir trees for sale? Why are there so few trees? Local Extension Agents have been asked these questions by buyers daily for the past few months. Our local economy relies heavily on Fraser Fir production and while demand is high, numbers are low for the most common tree sizes (6-7’ and 7-8’). There are a couple of reasons for this shortage according to some area growers. First, after the economic downturn of 2008, many small tree farmers did not replant due to financial hardships and increased costs associated with production. Secondly, there has been a shortage of seedlings for production due to producers who were left with an overabundance of seedlings and no market. This factor forced many seedling producers out of business or they began to sow other seeds besides Fraser Fir. Keep in mind it takes about 10
years to grow a 6-7’ Fraser Fir from seed - another contributing reason to the shortage of trees.Local growers are getting back into seedling production due to this shortage and they are experimenting with new production techniques as well. A workshop on seedling production is being discussed, health protocol permitting. Stay tuned for more information.
Should you have questions about Christmas tree production or where to find trees, please contact
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Interested in College but Need Tuition Paid in Full?
Yes, you read it correctly - a full ride to college! High school and current college students are eligible to apply for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program which provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board, and a summer internship (which may convert to full-time employment with USDA after graduation). The scholarship is open to students pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related bachelor's degree at an 1890's university (and we have one in North Carolina!)
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4-H Holiday Mask Decorating Challenge
Since we're all wearing masks, let's make wearing a mask fun! Use mask kits with crafts supplies picked up on Dec. 5th at the Christmas 'Neath the Roan event to decorate your mask! Feel free to use any craft items you may have at home too! Once decorated, snap a picture and post it here by December 15! There may be prizes for the most creative mask.
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Cooking for Immediate Family
Cooking is a fun way to teach an important life skill that youth will use as they grow and become independent. As the holiday season approaches, there will be plenty of time to spend practicing and learning how to cook and bake. Let’s encourage our children to learn this skill and by supporting them, they will remember these lessons and the impact that you have on them. Let's get started! Continue reading and you will find 4-H recipes that are simple and delicious!
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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.
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.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made
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