Extension E-News March 2021 |
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Spring is just around the corner and N.C. Cooperative Extension of Mitchell County is preparing for the 2021 Annual Spring Plant Sale! Since you have purchased plants in the past, you are receiving this notice before the sale is formally publicized. The order form can be found by clicking on the link below and we invite you to place your order now!
This year the following apple tree varieties are offered: American Golden Russet, Goldrush, Gala, Newtown (Albemarle) Pippin, Stayman Winesap, Summer Banana, Virginia Beauty, Wolf River, and Yellow Transparent. Also offered are Allstar and Galetta (June-bearing) as well as Albion and Seascape (ever-bearing) varieties of strawberries. Two varieties of grapes (Concord and Niagara) are for sale. And asparagus (Millennium), blackberries (Triple Crown thornless), blueberries (highbush and mixed for proper pollination), and black (Jewel) and red (Heritage) raspberries round out the offerings!
Please review this year’s order form at your earliest convenience. If you choose to place an order, return the completed form and check made payable to: Mitchell County General Fund. Note the Monday, March 15, 2021 deadline.
Orders will not be accepted without payment.
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Are your food scales accurate? Are they in need of certification?
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Standards Division - Measurement Section inspects weighing and measuring devices for accuracy (scales, scanners, motor fuel dispensers, fuel oil meters, and many other devices). NCDA&CS uses the National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines to determine tolerance levels on the scales. A tolerance level is the amount of weight a scale is allowed to vary. Scales used for any purpose where “money changes hands” are checked by NCDA&CS (i.e., farmers markets, grocery stores, agricultural-supply centers, scrap metal facilities and more!).
Randy Ramsey, NCDA&CS Calibration Standards Inspector, will be at the Mitchell County Extension Center to certify market scales soon!
WHAT: NCDA&CS Food Scale Certification
WHEN: 8:30am-4:00pm, Wednesday, March 3, 2021,(BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) Call
time to drop off your scales
Scales will be available for pick-up on Friday, March 5, 2021 (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY).
WHERE: NC Cooperative Extension, Mitchell County Center,
10 S. Mitchell Street, Bakersville
There is no charge for this service.
Make sure your scale is approved for trade and fully operational with appropriate chargers/batteries included. Scales need to be National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) approved/legal-for-trade in North Carolina.
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What is pH and why is it important? pH is an abbreviation for potential Hydrogen and is used to determine if a solution is acidic or basic (alkaline). A 10-10-10 fertilizer for example is10%-Nitrogen, 10% Phosphorus, 10% Potassium, growers are concerned primarily with
Nitrogen since it’s the limiting element for plant growth. Nitrogen is often delivered to plants by a fertilizer through the Ammonium Nitrate form NH+4(NO-3). When NH+4 is converted to Nitrate (NO-3), HYDROGEN is added to the soil. This is a crucial process since NITRATE(NO-3) is the form of Nitrogen plants use to grow.
The previous addition of Hydrogen will make a grower’s soil more acidic, a decline to the left of 7 on the pH scale. A grower can correct this problem by adding lime as discussed in last month’s article. This addition of lime will cause the pH reading to shift towards the right which is towards the basic side. Plants tend to thrive in a pH range of 5.8-6.5, if a grower keeps adding fertilizer without maintaining the pH within this range money is being wasted, due to the soil becoming more acidic, in short the plant can’t uptake the nutrients from the soil. A brief example of pH, the scale works on tenths, a pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 6 in comparison a pH of 4 would be 100 times more acidic than a pH of 6. In closing keep your soil tested and your pH in the desired range to get the most bang for your fertilizer dollar.
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4-H Project Records
must be turned in to the Mitchell Extension Center by
March 8th at 5pm
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A word from Emma Baker, West District Reporter about Teen Retreat:
My name is Emma Baker and I am serving as West District Reporter this year. My fellow officers and I are super excited to announce this year's Teen Retreat! As you all already know, we have been unfortunately forced to move all scheduled in person events online due to the continued presence of Covid-19 in our area and around the world. Although it has saddened us to have to make this move, we are confident that this year's virtual Teen Retreat will be a success and we look forward to seeing everyone's smiling faces again!
We will be holding this event on Saturday, March 27th from 3:00-5:15 via Zoom for ages 13-18. Currently, we are asking that all 4-Hers pay a small registration fee of $10. This will help us to offset the cost of purchasing some supplies needed for a fun and memorable activity we have planned. In planning meetings we were able to discuss what makes a good Teen Retreat and one of the things that we decided on was the feeling of togetherness. Although we will only be together via Zoom, we have worked hard to plan a Teen Retreat that captures that same feeling of togetherness without actually being together. I don't want to spoil anything but I will say that this year's Teen Retreat will be one for the books!
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This year marks the 35th year of our annual salute to small famers across North Carolina. The 35th annual Small Farms Week will take place virtually March 21-27 with the theme “35 Years: Resilience. Strength. Diversity.” The event will offer a variety of educational programs designed to inform the public about their agricultural neighbors and provide research-based information to support small-scale farmers. A virtual kickoff preceding Small Farms Week will take place Friday, March 19, and highlight agriculture in Avery County, the home of the 2020 Small Farmers of the Year, Amos and Kaci Nidiffer.
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4-H Youth In Action Awards
4-H programs support youth to find their purpose, develop their passions, and inspire others to do the same. Now through March 29th, 4-H’ers ages 15-19 can share their incredible stories and apply for the 4-H Youth in Action Awards! National 4-H Council will recognize four dynamic young leaders who are making a difference in their communities in Agriculture, Civic Engagement, Healthy Living, and STEM with a $5,000 scholarship and the chance to share their stories at a national level. Applications are available at www.4-H.org/YouthinAction.
Youth in Action Applications
The 4‑H Youth in Action Program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in our core pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM. Each year, Pillar Winners will experience an exciting year of telling their 4‑H story and celebrating their leadership. Winners receive:
- A $5,000 higher education scholarship;
- A promotional video showcasing their 4‑H impact story;
- An all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards;
- Networking opportunities with 4‑H celebrities and other prominent alumni; and
- Recognition as the official 4‑H youth spokesperson for their pillar.
Applications should be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PT on Monday, March 29, 2021.
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Being Smart About Social Media
Most teens use some form of social media and have a profile on social networking sites. According to GlobalWebIndex, social media has been a form of communication and has lessened the loneliness of isolation for 65% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials. Gen Z is considered those born between 1997 and 2012, while millennials are those born between 1981 and 1994. There are plenty of good things about social media, but there are still risks of which teens should be aware and avoid.
Let talk about what is good about social media:
Social media can help kids:
- Stay connected with friends and family
- Enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music, and art
- Meet and interact with others who share similar interests
- Communicate with teachers and fellow peers
- Research on topics or get involved with a campaign, non profit, or charity
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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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