Growing Chatham
January 2024
N.C. Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center
The Growing Chatham Podcast Goes Global!
We're delighted to share that our podcast has been garnering listeners from across the world! Thank you for tuning in. If you're short on time, don't worry! You can catch a summary of our newsletter highlights by listening to the Growing Chatham Podcast, which is available now!
General Updates
PITTSBORO, NC — Children and teens are invited to participate in the Winter Reading BINGO Challenge at all Chatham County Public Libraries branches from January 2, 2024, through February 29th.
The Winter Reading BINGO Challenge is open to participants ages 2-18. Readers join the challenge by picking up a reading BINGO sheet at their local library branch and completing a 5-in-a-row BINGO to earn a free book (one book per participant, while supplies last). All readers who complete at least one BINGO will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to McIntyre’s Books.
Office Closures
Our office will be closed on the following days:
January 1st - New Years
January 15th - MLK Day
Chatham County Public Libraries branches:
Chatham Community Library
197 NC Hwy 87 N
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Goldston Public Library
9235 Pittsboro-Goldston Road
Goldston, NC 27252
Wren Memorial Library
500 North Second Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344
The Winter Reading BINGO Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.
For more information about the Winter Reading BINGO Challenge, or other youth events with Chatham County Public Libraries, individuals may visit www.chathamlibraries.org or contact Youth Services at youth.services@chathamlibraries.org.
4-H
Are you interested in volunteering for 4-H and hearing about our club wish list? Come and join us at our volunteer interest meeting in January. The specific date has not been set, but will be posted on our website after the holidays. Bring your friends and let's create some fantastic clubs for the youth of Chatham County! To learn more, please contact Emily Wyant.
Important Reminder: 4-H Online Re-Enrollment is Approaching!
To participate in the 2024 programming, youth must complete re-enrollment. It's a quick and easy process for those already enrolled in 4-H Online. Keep an eye out for the mid-January announcement to ensure uninterrupted participation.
A Reminder for All 4-H Members
Please note that Points-of-Success are due soon! For those submitting a points of success document, kindly submit it to the Extension Office on or before January 17th. If you're working on Project Record Books, kindly submit them on or before January 17th, unless your club leader specifies otherwise. If you need any assistance or further information, feel free to contact the 4-H team or your club leaders.
Your Chatham County 4-H Team
NC 4-H Academic Scholarships
The North Carolina 4-H Program offers scholarships to encourage members to pursue post-secondary education. The following provisions outline the eligibility requirements for these educational scholarships:
ELIGIBILITY:
- Must be a current North Carolina 4-H member and a graduating high school senior
- Must have a minimum of three years of 4-H experience
- Recipients must be full-time students
- Students must have completed the ACT/SAT to apply.
Completed applications are due to the Extension Office January 19th.
All scholarships will be paid directly to the college or university and will not be made payable to the 4-H member or their parents.
SAVE THE DATE!
4-H Achievement Night, celebrating the great wins and the amazing hard work of our 4-H clubs, youth, and volunteers throughout 2023!
We hope to see you there on March 8th, 2024 at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center!
More details will be made available closer to the event. Be sure to mark your calendars!
An Invitation to the Betsy's Bash
Friends and Family,
We cordially invite you to attend the second annual Betsy's Bash on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center from 4 - 8pm. The 2024 Bash will also celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Penn 4-H Center and will be a truly spectacular event that you don't want to miss!
This second annual celebration and fundraising event will honor the legacy and impact of Mrs. Betsy Penn and her vision for a 4-H Center focused solely on the health, wellbeing, and education of the youth of North Carolina.
Your $50 event ticket will include a meal, a s'mores dessert, adult beverages, and live music from the Sassafras Bluegrass Band.
All proceeds from the event will support the
Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center. If you would like to support the center by becoming an event sponsor, please refer to our sponsor packet for more information on sponsor levels and benefits. For questions, please contact the center at 336-349-9445 or by email to Center Director Stacy Burns at stacy_burns@ncsu.edu.
With Gratitude, Penn's Pals
The Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center has been a marvelous resource for the youth of Chatham County to learn and grow while experiencing the outdoors. Contact the local 4-H office to learn how your child can participate in all that it has to offer in Summer 2024!
SAVE THE DATE! 4-H KID ZONE COMING TO THE AG FEST!
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2024 Chatham County Spring Ag Fest! It will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2024 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center. For the first time ever there will be a dedicated kid zone hosted by 4-H! There will be lots of engaging and educational fun to be had for all ages! We can't wait to see you there!
Chatham County 4-H Holiday Festivities
Chatham County 4-H Holiday Festivities on December 15th was a sweet and sticky success! We had so many expertly decorated gingerbread bread houses from our 4-Hers in attendance, it looked like the North Pole had come to Chatham!
Check out all of the fun that we had!
Winter Fest 2024: Spreading Warmth and Joy to Our Community
WHEN: January 13th
WHERE: Guilford County Extension Center
3309 Burlington Rd., Greensboro, NC 27405
TIME: 9a.m. - 3p.m.
COST: $25.00 per person (youth & adults)
EXTENDED AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR 4-H'ERS TO ATTEND WINTER FEST! WINTER FEST IS NOW OPEN TO 4-H'ERS 11-18.
Join us this Winter Fest for an exciting opportunity to give back to our community. We will be making popsicle stick snowflakes to decorate assisted living homes, and 4-H District Officers challenge every county in our district to bring NEW fuzzy, grippy socks to share with our neighbors. Don't forget, the non-skid bottom is a must! The county that brings the most pairs of non-skid fuzzy socks will receive a special award from our district office team. After our morning activity, we'll head to the Greensboro Icehouse for group ice skating. Be sure to dress for the cold weather!
Horticulture
Tree Identification in Winter
Extension Gardener Workshop
Correct identification is a critical first step in making management decisions for any plant in the landscape or garden. Identification of tree species is of particular interest for landowners managing woodlands for wildlife or timber, for farmers with livestock browsing near potentially toxic species, and for naturalists seeking to enhance their familiarity with native trees.
Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) and the Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Chatham County for a lecture and hands-on workshop on winter botany for landowners, landscapers, farmers, park managers, naturalists and anyone curious about trees. Participants will learn about the types of tree characters used for identification, as well as how to use free, online tools (such as dichotomous keys) from NC State University. Gain experience through both guided and individual practice identifying provided native tree samples.
Two identical sessions of this workshop are available to accommodate your schedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. REGISTER
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, 5:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. REGISTER
The workshop costs $12 per person, which includes a 10x hand lens and light refreshments for all participants. Registration and fee payment is required by Jan.15th, 2024. Select a time and click on the REGISTER link above. Additional classes may be offered if there is sufficient demand. If spaces are full, add your name to the waitlist on the registration page.
Both workshops will be held at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center (1192 US 64 W Business in Pittsboro). These classes are part of the Extension Gardener series of workshops that are open to everyone. It is also part of the Extension Master Gardener℠ program.
More information about becoming a Master Gardener volunteer in Chatham County. QUESTIONS? Contact N.C. Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center by calling 919-542-8243 or email matt_jones@ncsu.edu
Ilex verticillata
Preventing and Managing Ice and
Snow Damage to Landscape Plants
Preparing Landscapes for Snow and Ice
Snow in the Carolinas is often heavy, piling up on plants sometimes breaking limbs and branches. What to do before the storm to minimize damage:
- Select resilient plants that are resistant to wind damage.
- Tie up narrow, upright, evergreens with multiple leaders to prevent breakage and splaying.
- Avoid using sodium chloride-based de-icing salts
- Prune for structural strength and durability.
Recovery from Snow & Ice Damage
- Remove snow from shrubs. Begin at the bottom of the plant, sweeping the snow off the branches with a broom.
- Assess damage. If only small limbs and twigs are damaged, the tree will likely make a full recovery on its own.
- Prune & care for trees and shrubs damaged by ice
- A series of guides to explain when to prune, where to cut, what tools to use, and how much to remove.
- Avoid removing more limbs than necessary which reduces the tree’s ability to feed itself through photosynthesis.
- When to hire an arborist Stay safe! Never cut limbs tangled in power lines – call the power company instead.
Vegetable Seed Starting
Extension Gardener Webinar
Growing your own vegetable transplants from seed can give you a head start on the growing season and access to varieties not commonly found as transplants at garden centers.
Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) for a hands-on workshop on planting and establishing vegetables from seed. Participants will learn about seed biology, vegetable variety selection, growing media, containers, growing conditions, and diagnosing common problems. Following the lecture, participants get to practice planting seeds and transplants to take home.
The workshop costs $10 to cover materials expenses and refreshments.
Sustainable Agriculture
Celebrating 15 Years in Pollinator Paradise!
2023 marked the 15 year anniversary of North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro!
I had no idea when we planted this garden in 2008 of the impact it would have on me, our community, and
our pollinators! I'm so thankful to the many volunteers who have helped me along the way.
Late Fall Snapshots from
Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Garden
In late fall we can still have dozens of species still in bloom in the pollinator garden and it's a time when the asters, native grasses, and dried seedheads really shine. We let all the plants stand through the winter to provide benefits to wildlife.
I posted some of my favorite snapshots from late fall in Cooperative Extension's Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden on
my Growing Small Farms website.
View Recording of NC State Extension Webinar on Farm Planning Resources
A team of NC State Extension Agents and Specialists conducted a webinar in December to introduce participants to a variety of farm planning resources including NC Farm School, NC Farm Planning Portal, Small Farm Bootcamp, NC FarmLink, Farm Law for Producers and Landowners Portal, and the Growing Small Farms Portal.
Visit our Farmers' Markets in January!
Even in winter you can still visit our Chatham County farmers' markets for the best local produce, meats, value-added products, and more!
These markets are open in January:
Livestock
NCSRIP 2023-2024 Winter Webinar Series
We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for our 2023-2024 Winter Webinar Series. Join producers and specialists from across the Southeast for engaging panel discussions. To secure your spot, click on the flyer below and you'll be redirected to the registration page for the various webinars.
Conservation Stewardship Program
Info Added to the NC State Dairy Portal
NC State Dairy Extension hosted a Zoom info session on NRCS’s Conservation Stewardship Program on December 13, 2023.
NC Farm School Starts February 2024 in Randolph County
North Carolina Farm School (NCFS) is a unique strategic business planning program for aspiring, new, or transitioning farmers. Its mission is to increase the number of successful farms in North Carolina. Farm School is a blend of classroom activities and field days.
Forestry
Heirs Property: NC State Teams Up
With NC A&T for Education Series
Under a USDA Risk Management Agency subaward from Alcorn State University (Mississippi), NC State is partnering with NC A&T for an education series across North Carolina to be held throughout winter and spring of 2024. The initiative results from an increased interest and awareness of heirs property resolution. Heirs Property is generally defined as a parcel of real property owned by individuals with fractional (undivided) interest, each of whom have inherited their interest from an ancestor – the original owner or a descendant of same – under a state’s intestacy law, which distributes interest in property in the absence of a last will and testament. Because of the fractionalized ownership – often with interests owned by unknown or hard to locate individuals – effective management and disposition of the land is often hindered, in that it cannot be encumbered for a loan (e.g. for farming purposes) or sold (with clear title) without 100% agreement of all interest owners.
Thinking About Selling Timber?
Learning from experience can be very expensive when it comes to timber sales. Years of growth and value are accumulated in a mature timber stand, and the combined annual income from all those years is frequently marketed in a single transaction. When and how you sell your timber can influence how much money you make, your overall financial plans, the cost of forest regeneration, and other management objectives. Check out the following resources from NC State Extension Forestry professionals to help you become better informed on selling timber.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Introducing a new Cuisines Around the World highlight for 2024!
Recipe:
Gà Kho Gừng - Ginger Braised Chicken
By Tien Hung, MS, RDN
Makes 4 Servings
Equipment:
❏ Large bowl
❏ Large pot with lid
❏ Rubber spatula/wooden spoon
❏ Tongs
Ingredients:
2 pounds chicken, skin-on, bone in and cut into 2” bite-size pieces (or can substitute with chicken wings or even shrimp)
1 thumb-size ginger, julienned
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar, divided (1 tablespoon into marinade and 2 tablespoons to caramelize for color)
3 tablespoon fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1.5 cup water or coconut water (omit if using shrimp)
Directions:
1. Marinate chicken with ginger, garlic, shallot, salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, fish sauce, and
pepper for at least 20 minutes.
2. In a pan, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar in 1 tablespoon of oil and melt over medium
heat. Move the sugar around a little and watch for the dark amber caramel color to
develop.
3. Quickly toss in the marinated chicken and combine well. Cook over high heat for 4-5
minutes before adding water/coconut water.
4. Bring the pot to a boil. Be sure to skim the top for impurities.
5. Lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered until the liquid is reduced by a third, about 20
minutes.
VIETNAMESE
Vietnamese cuisine, a mosaic of flavors and techniques, tells a story of cultural diversity across three culinary regions. In the north, light and balanced flavors are the focus with an emphasis on fresh ingredients like fish and prawns. The central region spices things up, showcasing bold flavors using chili peppers and shrimp paste to flavor many dishes. The south, a tropical haven, bursts with sweet and savory delights, driven by abundant fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Freshness is a cornerstone of Vietnamese cooking, with vegetables often consumed raw or lightly cooked through boiling or stir-frying. Little dairy is used and rice takes the spotlight as a main staple at the table.
What sets Vietnamese cuisine apart is its balance of "heating" and "cooling" properties in ingredients, aligning with traditional Vietnamese medicine principles. This thoughtful approach to food reflects a cultural connection to well-being.
Vietnamese family meals are a shared experience, emphasizing equality with round tables, serving dishes and communal trays. There's no "head of the table," and food is served in common dishes, fostering togetherness. In rural areas, meals are usually enjoyed on mats with a large tray, while urban settings often opt for tables and chairs. Daily meals feature rice and four side dishes and chopsticks are the utensil of choice.
Through the artful use of fresh ingredients, a variety of textures, and a delicate balance of flavors, Vietnamese cuisine captivates and delights food enthusiasts around the world.
Try Gà Kho Gừng - Ginger Braised Chicken for a taste of Vietnamese cuisine!
2024 Extension at Home Webinar Series
Looking for a way to learn about nutrition, physical activity, health and wellness topics from home? Family & Consumer Sciences Agents, from around the region, are teaming up to offer monthly webinars covering a variety of topics. Registration is free. If you’re not able to log in at noon, you can view the recording that will be sent to all registered participants. Find a comfortable spot and join the classes from home!
Chatham County Century Farms: Stories from the Farm
Chatham County's Rich Agricultural Heritage
Tracing the Roots of the Norwood Family Farm:
A Story of Generational Succession
NORWOOD
Not too long ago, Chatham County was a farming county that produced a wide variety of crops such as tobacco, cotton, soybeans, and vegetables. The county was also known for its thriving dairy and poultry farms. Unfortunately, many family farms have disappeared over the years due to a variety of reasons. However, a few family farms, including some that are over a century old, continue to operate today and carry on the county's rich agricultural heritage.
This month, we're highlighting the Norwood Family Farm in our new series, "Chatham County Farms: Stories from the Farm." Britt Norwood and his sister, Leonora Norwood Ingle, give us an inside look into their family lineage and how the farm has been passed down through generations.
Fourth Generation Owners of the Norwood Family Farm:
A.R. and Leonora Norwood.
Chatham County Century Farms: Stories from the Farm
Get ready to dive into a collection of captivating short stories from our century farms. Join us on a journey to meet the resilient families that have maintained and cultivated the very same farms that their ancestors established over a hundred years ago. Experience their tales firsthand and witness the rich history of these farms being preserved for future generations to come.
