ALEXANDER COUNTY CENTER
July 2020
The Alexander County Center is now open to the public.  To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the health of county employees, citizens who are sick or running a fever should not visit these facilities. Citizens who do visit are encouraged to wear a cloth face covering and maintain social distance of at least six feet.   The county still encourages business to be conducted via phone or email when possible, but realizes that in-person interaction is necessary in some cases.   Agents are still available, so please call them at 828-632-4451 or email.  For a list of email addresses click the following link:   https://alexander.ces.ncsu.edu/people/

Did you know we can check the dial gauge on a pressure canner to make sure you are processing all those summer goodies you have harvested at the correct pressure?  To make an appointment call the N.C. Cooperative Extension-Alexander County Center at 828-632-3125.  


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Be Prepared for Winter Grazing 
While Summer is still in full swing, winter grazing is probably the fartherest thing from your mind.  However it will soon be time to start stockpiling forage for winter grazing.  Stockpiling is leaving grass in the field, without cows, to be grazed at a later time.

Fescue grass is ideal for stockpiling for winter grazing mostly because it grows very vigorously in the fall, stays relatively palatable in the field, and has an ability to resist deterioration due to freezing/thawing. Fescue responds well to late summer nitrogen applications and maintains nutrients better than other cool season forage options. Fescue will inevitably lose some quality as winter progresses, as all forages do, but is a great option, especially for December grazing. Ultimately, stockpiling some fall growth for winter grazing, instead of putting it up for hay can help to reduce production costs if done well. 

Here are some tips to start thinking about now when it comes to stockpiling:
-   Most studies show that accumulation starting in late summer (August 1- September 1) is important, especially if rain is short.
-   Do not overgraze pastures that you will stockpile in, especially during hot weather, which could reduce carbohydrate reserves in the plant, reducing yield in the fall.
-   Nitrogen application is critical for maximizing fall growth. Apply based on soil recommendations, but no more than 60lbs of N/acre.
-   Fertilizer applications made prior to August 15th may encourage warm-season weed growth. Wait til late summer/early fall to make nitrogen applications to promote fescue growth.
-   Because ammonia in sources of nitrogen will volatilize in the hot, humid days of late summer, apply fertilizer immediately prior to a rainfall of >0.25".
-   Quality and utilization of the grass are increased by controlled grazing and are maximized by daily strip-grazing of the stockpiled fescue.


To register for the event below please contact DJ Salyer, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development at dj_salyer@ncsu.edu by July 6th.

NC 4-H Virtual Summer Programs

Keep your youth engaged all summer long!!

Registration still open!!


Coffee & Culture - Virtual Zoom sessions for teens 13-18. Teens will form a deeper understanding of themselves and others as they explore their own backgrounds, cultural knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes.

Back to the Basics - This virtual learning series will bring back some of the family and consumer sciences skills that many youth have lost touch with from sewing, cooking, table etiquette, baking, and financial management.

Plant Geeks Unite - Join us for a virtual, summer, North Carolina 4-H Plant Science Adventure! In this self-guided exploration for 8-12 year-olds, we will dig into soils, marvel and grow plants with wild abandon and say hello to creeping, crawling, diving, and flying friends and so much more.

Cloverbud STEM - This program goes through 3 main STEM topics: energy, kitchen science, and bugs. Youth learn STEM from their kitchen to their backyard and everywhere in between.

Junior STEM - The main topics focused on in this program is: kitchen science, energy, coding, and natural sciences. From the very basics of natural life to technological advances, youth will become more aware of STEM related topics.

Log on to Leadership - Leadership requires a set of skills that allow a person to influence others in a positive way to achieve great things. 4-H members will have the opportunity to develop their time management, goal setting, conflict management, and public speaking skills so they can be better for their clubs, communities, country, and world!

Down on the Farm - A fun learning experience to allow youth to learn about animals even if you aren't raised on a farm. Youth will learn about where their food and byproducts come from. Youth will learn also about the companion animals that you can find in houses that aren't on the farm. 

Explore Outdoors - Explore Outdoors is a fun way to learn about the environment right in your own nature patch - farm, suburbs, or city - it all counts! You can meet scientists and add your discoveries to a real environmental science database!

4-H Healthy Habits Family - This program encourages families to get involved in learning together! 4-H Healthy Habits Family is designed to guide a caregiver and their elementary aged youth through fun and engaging garden-based activities. 

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