August
Growing
Growing
Chatham
Chatham
2023
General Updates
Find More N.C. Cooperative Extension Broadband Resources NEWS here»
Contact Kenneth Sherin about Broadband Resources and News as it relates N.C. Cooperative Extension
Community Organizing Informational Session
with CORE in collaboration with IAF
- Date: Friday, August 4
- Time: 9:30 – 11am EDT
- Location: Chatham Community Library Holmes Room
197 NC-87 N.
About this event:
This is a meeting for anyone who wants to learn more about community organizing and how we can build a coalition to create changes you want to see in Chatham County!
Rural RISE NC
(Resources for Innovators, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurs)
4-H Updates
2023 Chatham County
4H Livestock Show
2023 Chatham County
4H Livestock Show
The Chatham County Livestock Show will be held Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center located at 1192 US Hwy 64W Business, Pittsboro, NC 27312. The show is open to all youth that have not reached their 19th birthday prior to January 1, 2023. All youth under the age of 8 (including Cloverbuds aged 5-7 and Pee Wees under the age of 5) will NOT be judged under competition, but will exhibit non-competitively and receive a participation ribbon. Exhibitors will automatically be entered into their showmanship classes.
Read more about the upcoming 4-H Livestock Show
Eggcellent Eggsplorers Chick & Biosecurity Training 2023
Biosecurity is a term used to describe the measures taken to protect your chickens from diseases and illnesses. It involves identifying potential threats to their health and implementing strategies to control them. Disease can easily be transmitted to backyard flocks, as well as commercial operations, so it is crucial to have biosecurity solutions in place. By doing so, you can help reduce the risk of infection, illness, and death in your chickens, without the need for antibiotics, and boost their overall health.
We are excited to announce that Chick and Biosecurity Training, will be held for those participating in our 2023 Eggcellent Eggsplorers Chicken Chain, on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. This is a mandatory training for all participants, and it will take place at the Chatham County Center's conference room located at 1192 US 64 W, Pittsboro, NC 27312, starting at 6:00 p.m. During the training, youth will learn the necessary procedures to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms in poultry. No registration is required.
4-H Electric Congress Ignites 4-H’ers for the 76th Year!
For the past 76 years 4-Hers have enjoyed participating in the 4-H NC Electric Congress, an annual educational event designed to recognize excellence in the Electric Program throughout the state. This year more than 75 youth participated in the program for “free” thanks to Dominion Energy and Duke Energy. Electric Congress travels from region to region of the state, thus allowing for a variety of programming opportunities for everyone. 4-H members participated in educational workshops, met Power Company Representatives, learned about careers in the energy industry, and interacted with other electric winners.
Read more about 4-H Electric Congress Ignites 4H’ers for the 76th Year
Horticulture
Updates
Native Perennials for the Home Garden
Extension Gardener Workshop and Webinar
September 20, 2023
9:00-11:00 a.m. (in-person) & 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Online)
Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Chatham County for a presentation and hands-on demonstration on how to garden with native herbaceous perennials and grasses. Participants will learn why native plants are so important for local food webs, how to select plants based on their adaptation to site conditions, aesthetic value, and their capacity to support beneficial insects and other wildlife vital to ecosystem health. We will also explore examples of native perennials adapted to different site conditions and how to provide habitat or leaf, nectar, and pollen forage throughout the year. Master Gardener Volunteers (SM) will help demonstrate proper planting and establishment techniques.
Identification of Trees of the Piedmont
Extension Gardener Workshop
September 23, 2023
9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Chatham County for a hand-on workshop about how to identify trees in the North Carolina Piedmont. Participants will learn about plant morphology and the terminology helpful for identification, as well as how to find
Image: Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
and use dichotomous keys for plants in our region. We’ll then practice using these keys in the classroom with sample tree parts. The workshop will conclude with a brief hike at White Pines Nature Preserve to learn about some of the field characters to ID local trees.
Gardener’s Directory
The purpose of the Gardener’s Directory is to support local area gardeners AND small businesses. We encourage buying local when possible! To help gardeners find garden centers, nurseries, and landscaping / irrigation companies in Chatham County and surrounding areas, Chatham County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers have compiled a directory of businesses that sell plants, supplies, and landscaping services to the general public. The Gardener’s Directory is available in two different formats.
Online Plant Identification and Use
Identifying plants begins by learning their language. NCSU Department of Horticultural Science is partnering with Longwood Gardens to provide a fully-online introduction to plant identification. These courses will introduce you to the language of botany, plants with global popularity, a few special plants from breeding programs at top horticulture institutions, and cultivation information for key plant species. By learning the fundamental language of botany, testing it with games, and being exposed to a carefully selected cast of plants that exhibit key identification features, participants will be ready to deduce mystery plants anywhere in the world!
Organic
Updates
Howard's Farm, has an Abundant, Mouth-Watering
Supply of Ripe Peaches!
Community Scientists Trained to Participate in Bumble Bee Atlas Project
Summer is in full swing and that means juicy peaches and it just so happens that Howard's Farm has a bumper crop of peaches this year. The peaches are literally falling off the trees...I thought one might hit me in the head when I walked through the orchard recently. But no worries, they have them all picked for you along with the veggies they grow. Head on out to Howard's Farm & Mema's Fruit Shack for some huge peaches and Mema's delicious homemade peach ice cream! Located right on Hwy 64 just a few miles west of Pittsboro, open 10 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday and 1-5 pm on Sunday.
In mid-June about 16 pollinator enthusiasts gathered at N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Garden in Pittsboro to receive training as community scientists for the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas Project. Volunteer community scientists are recruited for the project to help collect data about the bees and their habitat.
The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas project launched earlier this year with the goal of gathering data to track and conserve bumble bees in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Throughout North America, 25% of the approximately 50 species of bumble bees are experiencing serious population declines.
Critter Spotlight: Camouflaged Looper
Recently while working in my Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden I was observing all the bee activity on the lemon beebalm when I noticed a slight movement out of the corner of my eye on one of the blooms. It took me while to figure out what I was looking at, because it seemed like a part of the flower was moving! Turns out I was observing a tiny inchworm called the camouflaged looper. The camouflaged looper is the larva of a moth called the wavy-lined emerald. It gets its name from its ability to disguise itself from predators: it bites off pieces of the flower it is feeding on and attaches the flower pieces to its back so it blends in with the bloom and is practically invisible to predators such as birds!
Visit Cooperative Extension's Growing Small Farms website to view photos of this charming critter.
View Recording of CCP’s Popular Snake Webinar
Chatham Conservation Partnership (CCP) conducted a webinar on Snakes of the North Carolina Piedmont on July 20 and we had a great turnout of about 140 folks. Now everyone can view the recording! The two presenters, Jeff Beane and Jeff Hall, did an amazing job regaling us with their many decades of experience and knowledge about the snakes of the North Carolina piedmont. The presenters showed beautiful photos and discussed Basic Snake Biology, Snake Awareness & Safety, Snakes of the NC Piedmont, and How to Identify Venomous Snakes.
Livestock
Updates
Pasture Walk & Sheep Workshop
- Date: Thursday, September 7
- Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm EDT
- Location: Living Well Farm 770 Old Dam Rd.
Liberty, NC 27298
- Price: $15.00 per person
The Pasture Walk & Sheep Workshop will take place at Living Well Farm in Liberty, NC. We will start the evening with a farm introduction/overview with farm owner, Geoff Morrison before we dive into the workshop topics. This on-farm workshop will look at different forage systems such as annuals/perennials, warm/cool-season, novel endophyte fescue, and silvopasture. We will also take a look at small ruminant handling facility design along with a herding/handling demonstration. You will be able to see a visual on all of the topics discussed.
NC Wool Pool 2023
We are not accepting alpaca fiber at this event.
We are excited to announce that there will be a pick-up location in the Piedmont for this year’s wool pool! We will be accepting wool on August 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 290 in King, NC (446 S Main Street King, NC 27021)
Wool pools have taken place in NC for several years now and offer producers the opportunity to market wool. Wool is difficult to market for individual producers, so pooling wool together from NC and VA allows producers to market their wool and receive a better price.
The process on August 14th will be simple. You will bring your bagged wool to the location above, where it will be weighed and marked with your name. You will receive a receipt with your name and the amount of wool dropped off. In a few weeks, you can expect to receive a check in the mail for wool submitted. You will be paid on a per pound basis. There will be a premium for Rambouillet, Merino, and other premium wools.
Anyone in NC that would like to drop wool off on August 14th is welcome to do so. There are no minimums to participate. Please let us know what time you plan to drop off at go.ncsu.edu/piedmontwoolsignup
Upcoming Pesticide Credit Courses
Don't wait until the last minute to renew your Pesticide License. The Randolph County Center is offering courses that provide pesticide credits. Take advantage of this opportunity and sign up now to avoid missing out.
Looking to keep track of your pesticide license? It's easy! Simply look it up online to find out when it is set to expire.
Genomic Testing and Its Uses in Beef Cattle
What is genomic testing?
The production of beef cattle in North Carolina is based primarily on cow-calf grazing systems. In recent years, there have been advances in all facets of the cow-calf production system from the increased adoption of defined breeding seasons to nutritional strategies that are tailored to wean heavier calves. These technologies have become more common as the demands of the marketplace have increased. Buyers are now emphasizing the genetic sources of their cowherds and are seeking bulls with documented genomic testing. The main benefits of genomic testing are parent verification and the calculation of genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs), which reflect an animal’s genetic value. In addition, genomic companies and breed associations offer other tests (add-ons) that cover breed-related genetic defects and screen for other tests such as persistently infected bovine viral diarrhea virus (PI-BVDV).
Quick Tip: Check Your Pesticide License Status Online
Join Our Team as an Extension Agent!
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity? Look no further! Our Chatham County team is currently seeking a qualified Extension Agent with experience in livestock, equine, forages, and field crops.
Forestry
Updates
Tick Abundance and Diversity are Substantially Lower in Thinned vs. Unthinned Forests
One lesser-discussed benefit of thinning your forests as a management technique is decreased tick abundance. This study done in the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve found that tick abundance and diversity were substantially lower in thinned vs. unthinned forests. This could possibly translate into similar situations here in North Carolina.
How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke
With more than 400 wildfires burning in Canada and a jetstream that is bringing the resulting smoke into our communities, understanding how you can protect yourself from wildfire smoke may help those who are most susceptible to poor air quality. Carrie Berger and Kara Baylog from Oregon State University have developed a peer reviewed fact sheet for that very purpose, entitled "Our Future in Our Hands: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke."
Find that resource linked here.
What’s Happening With North Carolina’s Timber Prices?
Dr. Robert Bardon, NCSU Department Extension Leader and Professor of Forestry & Environmental Resources, reports that North Carolina timber markets continue to be impacted by the state of the economy. Compared to a year ago, second quarter 2023 standing timber prices were down across all product classes but pine sawtimber. The most significant decline in timber prices from a year ago occurred with pulpwood, with pine and hardwood pulpwood prices declining 27% and 36% respectively. Pine sawtimber prices increased a modest 2%, while oak and mixed hardwood sawtimber prices declined by 16% and 9% respectively. Decline in prices from a year ago are reflective of the uncertainty in the market. The worsening market conditions in pulp and paper has brought about several mill closures across United States, to include Pactive Evergreen closing its mill in Canton NC.
Health & Nutrition
Updates
The program will begin on Wednesday, September 6th, from 12 pm to 1:15 pm, and will run for five weeks, ending on October 4th, 2023. There's no cost to join this program!
If you're struggling with high blood pressure, we have fantastic news! Our program offers practical tips and tricks to better regulate your blood pressure through stress management and nutrition. You'll join a small group of like-minded individuals for five classes that will teach you about the best foods for blood pressure and how to prepare them, as well as stress-management techniques that are easy to use. Each class will be led by our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Tara Gregory, a Registered Dietitian. Plus, participants will receive weekly vouchers to purchase fresh, local food at the Pittsboro Farmers Market.
Drying fruits and vegetables is a wonderful and beautiful way to preserve these foods. Drying as a food preservation technique dates back to ancient times when the sun would naturally dry the foods.
If you’d like to learn how to safely dry fruits and vegetables for best quality, join Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Tara Gregory on August 23rd at 12 p.m. for a live webinar.
Summer Meals in North Carolina
If you’re looking for a way to preserve this summer’s vegetable bounty or if you just need a refresher, this class will give you the information you need to safely pressure can at home.
When: August 31, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: N.C. Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center
1192 US 64 West Business
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Details on Venue Location: Join us at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, which is also home to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center, for this class.
During the 1-hour class, you can learn the following:
- Risks of home canning
- Selecting the best canning method
- Proper equipment and tools
- Steps of pressure canning
Sign up to join the Pressure Canning 101 class. Space is limited for this event.
Schools throughout Chatham County will welcome students back this month, but until then The No Kid Hungry NC team works closely with the NC Department of Public Instruction, schools, and community partners to promote information about how to find summer meal sites in NC.
USDA Tracks Moth Species That Can Destroy Packaged Food
WASHINGTON — Plodia interpunctella, better known as the Indian Meal Moth, is normally found where you store your grains. This means that it can move through tiny openings in plastic or cardboard packages in your pantry to feast on cereal, pet food, flour, cornmeal and other stored grains and dried fruit. It can also contaminate contents of larger food storage facilities and grain storage buildings.
Plodia interpunctella, adult Indian Meal Moth. (Photo courtesy of Matt Bertone, NCSU)
The moth is one of the top twelve moth species intercepted at U.S. ports and is closely related to many other highly destructive species that are not native to U.S. agriculture.
This Indian Meal Moth, or its larvae, are commonly intercepted in commodities by other USDA agencies and sent to ARS’ Systematic Entomology Lab, located at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, for identification. Once the lab receives the moth’s larvae, ARS researchers compare the external diagnostic characteristics such as hair, and general color, so that it can be distinguished from other closely related non-invasive caterpillars. These diagnostic tools are then provided to other USDA personnel at U.S. ports to distinguish between species.
“This particular research permits the USDA to identify invasive species that may be introduced to the nation,” said ARS researcher Alma Solis. “It also allows us to conduct research, identify, and exclude many other closely-related species that are potentially destructive species to the U.S. economy.”
Home Finance
Updates
Part 4: Insurance Matters
Every penny counts when your income drops. When times are hard, it is tempting to drop your insurance coverage. Sometimes that is okay, sometimes it’s not a very good idea. You may need to continue paying for insurance because not doing so could lead to greater financial hardship. Insurance protects you and your family against financial losses caused by illness, accidents and other perils. When you buy insurance, the insurance company agrees to pay some or all of your losses for perils you are insured against. Examining the risks you face and your current insurance coverage is particularly important when your income drops.
Evaluate your insurance needs. Everyone’s situation is different, so the decisions you make about what insurance to keep, reduce, or get rid of will be a personal decision. While trying to fit everything into your new budget, you may think insurance is not a necessity. This may be true for some insurance coverage, but not for others, so do not make the decision lightly. You do not want to put yourself in a worse financial situation than you are already in.
From the University of Georgia Extension
When Your Income Drops Series
Ag History
Extension Historical Milestones and Timeline
In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act created a national Cooperative Extension System to "extend" research and education to farmers and rural communities through state land-grant universities, including NC State and N.C. A&T State in North Carolina.
For more than a century, Extension experts from both universities have transformed science into everyday solutions that improve lives and grow our state. From agricultural and rural roots, Extension has evolved over the years to address an array of modern issues, from health and nutrition to community and youth development, from natural resources and environmental protection to disaster response and family support.
Today, more than 1,000 university experts deliver research-based Extension programs across all 100 counties plus the Qualla Boundary, connecting millions of North Carolinians with timely tools and information.
Working alongside federal, state and local governments, as well as N.C. A&T, NC State Extension helps generate $2.1 billion in annual economic impact for North Carolina.
Discover more at https://go.ncsu.edu/About-Extension.
"Growing Chatham"
edited and published
by Tiffany Hancock.