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Growing Chatham NC Cooperative Extension - Chatham County - December 2022

Growing Chatham on YouTube

The Chatham County Center staff wish you and your family peace, joy, happiness, and prosperity in this holiday season.

Chatham County Establishes Agricultural Preservation & Development Trust Fund

On October 17, 2022, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to establish the first-ever county-based trust fund aimed at supporting agricultural preservation and development within Chatham County. This critical support will help fund a local working lands protection program as well as implement an ag economic development program, based on recommendations from the Farmland Preservation Plan.

Chatham Horsekateer Members Part of Winning NC 4-H Horse Teams at National Competitions

Sixteen North Carolina 4-H’ers represented the NC 4-H Horse Program at two national educational competitions this fall, capturing a total of five team championship titles, in addition to several high individual awards. The first set of contests was held in October at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio. The Congress is the largest single-breed horse show in the world. The first weekend in November, the youth and coaches traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. Eastern Nationals is held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition. The North Carolina delegation competed in Horsebowl, Hippology, Horse Judging, and Communications events. The Communications contests consisted of Individual Presentations, Team Presentations, and Public Speaking.

4-H Winter Craft Project

Meet our new 4-H Agent at the MOSAIC

Join Chatham County 4-H at the MOSAIC! Stop by and meet our new 4-H Agent, Bobbie McLean. Learn more about what Chatham County 4-H has to offer to Chatham County youth.

How to Choose the Right Poinsettia for You?

According to Erv Evans, select plants which have brightly colored bracts and dark green foliage covering most of the stem. Avoid plants that have dropped their leaves, are wilted, or have faded, torn, or discolored bracts. This indicates the plants were not properly cared for (i.e. not watered, boxed or sleeved too long, or diseased) and the length of enjoyment of the plant will be dramatically shortened.

Growing Poinsettias in the Home / Reflowering Poinsettias

Poinsettias are an easy to care for flowering plant that should easily last for the entire Christmas holiday season with a few basic suggestions.

Place the plants in well lighted location. Poinsettia generally do best at the same temperatures most people keep their homes in the winter from 60 to 68°F. Cold temperatures below 55°F will damage these tropical plants.

Water when needed, which is usually when the surface of the potting soil feels dry, but the plant still feels a bit heavy when picked up. If the plants dry out too much, they will lose their lower leaves. Drying out is probably the main reason plants die early in the home.

In a good location with proper care, many homeowners report that their plants will last until spring – which may be too long for many of us!

Meet Me Under the Phoradendron leucarpum

Meet me under the Phoradendron leucarpum! That does not flow very well! Many of us call this mistletoe. Find out more about mistletoe by visiting the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

Thanksgiving Cactus vs Christmas Cactus

Christmas Tree Care Resources

Find all the information in one place about Christmas Tree Care!

TIP for Using the Plant Toolbox on Your Mobile Phone

Having trouble using the Plant Toolbox on your mobile phone? The way that you hold your phone will make all the difference on how the Plant Toolbox appears and works. Holding your phone horizontally makes it easier to use the menus! Give it a try to see the difference.

Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to open up the Plant Toolbox on your phone.

Stormwater Runoff Issues Solved With Mitch Woodward

Mitch Woodward explains how cisterns capture and store rainwater.

Did you know that stormwater runoff from urban areas is the top pollution source in North Carolina? During Extension Master Gardener College 2022, NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ (EMG) volunteers gained knowledge of cost-effective, small-scale stormwater management techniques that can be installed in home landscapes. They will take this knowledge back to their communities and share it with local residents to help improve property values and protect water quality.

Chatham County 2022 Holiday Farmers’ Markets!

Two of Chatham County’s three farmers’ markets will be hosting special holiday markets to help folks get in the festive holiday spirit!

The Pittsboro Farmers’ Market will host Artisan Days at the Pittsboro Farmers’ Market on Thursday December 1, December 8, and December 15 from 3-6 p.m. They have some very special guest vendors from around the Triangle coming to Artisan Days to help make your holiday gifting extra special.

The Chatham Mills Farmers’ Market will host a Holidays at the Market on Saturday December 3, 10, and 17 from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m. Each week will feature visiting craft vendors in addition to the usual vendors.

The Fearrington Farmers’ Market is a year-round market and will be open every Tuesday from 3–5 p.m. until spring when they resume their normal hours of 4–6 p.m. Vendors will be taking pre-orders for holiday pies and similar items so visit the market website for details and vendor info.

Buy Local: Chatham County Christmas Trees

For those who like to buy local and are planning to get a Christmas tree and/or wreath, Chatham County has two great options for you to get locally grown!

Jordan Lake Christmas Tree Farm offers both Choose & Cut trees as well as pre-cut trees and many exciting activities including hayrides, a Christmas shop with locally made and sourced items, a very popular concession stand, and more. Freshly made wreaths can also be ordered through their website. Note that reservations are required for visitors (at no cost) during the weekend after Thanksgiving (Friday-Sunday) and the first weekend of December. This helps to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable visit with limited delays. Book your reservation for these two weekends on the farm’s website.

Phillips Farms of Chatham is located a few miles west of Pittsboro right on Hwy 64. They have been growing their own Choose & Cut trees for over 15 years and also offer fresh-cut Fraser firs from Alleghany County, NC. Visitors can also pick up fresh wreaths and garlands while at the farm. Phillips Farm will open for the season the day after Thanksgiving and will be open seven days a week through the season.

Fall Snapshots From Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Garden

Fall has been beautiful in Cooperative Extension's Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden in Pittsboro. There are currently over 38 different species still in bloom!

Registration Open for 2023 Chatham County Beekeeping School

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association (CCBA), is excited to announce our in-person eight-week beekeeping school is back!

Dates: Mondays, 6:30-9:00 p.m. from January 9-March 6, 2023

Location: Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, Pittsboro, NC

December ForestHer NC Webinar: Taking Action…Where to Start

Join other ForestHer participants on Thursday, December 8 for the final webinar in the four-part ForestHer NC Conservation Webinar Series. Participants will explore the process of going from “I have land!” to actively practicing conservation on their property. It can be tough to know where to start, so we’ll be breaking things down into a clear, step-by-step guide. Landowners will find out where they are in the process and practice honing their goals to provide the best chance of success. The webinar will be from 1:00-2:30 pm.

Fall Chores in the Pollinator Garden: Leave the Leaves and Save the Stems!

Lots of folks have been planting pollinator gardens to benefit bees and butterflies and other insects. Did you know that how you maintain your garden after planting has a big impact on the benefits it to provides to wildlife?

Visit Cooperative Extension's Growing Small Farms website for tips (and lots of photos!) on fall maintenance chores to maximize benefits for pollinators and other wildlife.

Save the Date: Women in Ag Day

February 1st, 2023 - Carthage, NC

Join us as we celebrate women in agriculture and discuss marketing and funding, network together, and have on-farm demonstrations. Both livestock and horticulture producers are welcome.

Registration opens January 1st!

Chatham County 4-H Cattle Working Team Going to States!

On November 17th, 2022, four members of the Chatham County Youth Livestock Team travelled to the Upper Piedmont Research Station to compete in the Regional Cattle Working Contest. This competition involved identifying a set of beef breeds, equipment, and feed stuffs and also completing a Beef Quality Assurance test and a beef cattle husbandry test. Members worked together to develop a cattle processing plan and work two heifer calves through a chute weighing the animals, vaccinating, applying dewormer, and ear tagging based on Beef Quality Assurance protocols.

The Chatham County 4-H Team included Nathan Barbour, Mykalah Pettitt, Lilli Pilkington, and Emma Langley (alternate). Our team placed 3rd in our region and has been invited to compete in the state competition in April 2023. This team has had many nights of practice and we’re incredibly proud of how hard they’ve worked. Huge thank you to Loretta Batchelor and Ashley Robbins for hosting cattle working practices.

Don’t Move Firewood: Limit the Spread of Invasive Pests

The sale and transport of firewood increases as temperatures drop across the United States, but promotional efforts by the “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign are also up and running again. The “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign is an outreach partnership managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The overarching goal of the campaign is to protect trees and forests across North America from invasive insects and diseases that can travel in or on contaminated firewood. While seemingly harmless, moving firewood can enable the easy movement of destructive forest and agricultural pests. When firewood is moved from one area to another, the invasive emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly often “hitchhike” to destroy crops, infect more trees, and sometimes even entire forests. As such, it is important to buy local firewood. The “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign maintains a local firewood map and other resources.

Registration Open for Certified Arborist Prep Course and Review

Registration is now open for the Certified Arborist Prep Course and Review. This course is hosted by the NC Urban Forest Council, NC Cooperative Extension, and the Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). During this two-day course, participants will receive professional instruction to improve their technical competency as an arborist in the tree care industry. The course can be taken to prepare for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam or as a refresher for those with an existing certification. ISA and NC pesticide CEUs will be available. The course will be held December 14-15 in Greensboro at the Guilford County Extension Office.

NOAA Releases 2022-23 Winter Weather Forecast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released their 2022-23 winter weather forecast where La Nina has returned for the third year in a row, resulting in warmer temperatures for most of the United States. Starting in December 2022 through February 2023, NOAA also predicts drier-than-average conditions across the South with wetter-than-average conditions for areas of the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, northern Rockies, and Pacific Northwest. These conditions can have considerable implications for agencies or landowners practicing prescribed fire or wildland fire management in those regions.

NC AgVentures Grant Program Application Portal is Now Open

NC AgVentures is an NC State Extension program that provides cost-share grants to North Carolina family farms and community organizations that work with family farms. This is a great opportunity for any independent farmer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.

Deadline to apply is December 15th, 2022, at 8:00 PM. Submissions are limited to a total of 250 applications. Please only submit one application per farm or community group.

Free Entrepreneurial Mindset Course

Do you have a new vision for your future? One that you’ve never had the chance to bring to life? It’s time to act on that vision. Do the things you’ve only dreamed possible, with help from your Chatham County Public Library.

Budget Recipe Challenge Winners

Thank you to everyone who submitted a recipe showcasing healthy and affordable meals that you enjoy making!

Participants of the challenge were tasked with providing a recipe that included a fruit or vegetable and also included either beans, a whole grain, or a healthy fat.

Chatham County Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Public Libraries selected a first and second place winner who have graciously shared their winning recipes for you to enjoy.

Amanda Jones is the first place winner with a delicious Farro Salad that is versatile for the flavors you enjoy or what produce is in season. Amanda's recipes uses an affordable whole grain (farro), beans (chickpeas), several vegetables, as well as heart healthy oils (olive oil can also be used in this recipe if that's what you have on hand).

Amanda suggests this salad makes a great dish for a potluck or gathering. Thank you, Amanda!

Elizabeth Krijgsman the runner-up with her Cabbage Braise, a comfort dish with cabbage, potatoes and sausage that can easily be made with beans. This recipe is full of potassium rich potatoes, especially with the skin left on, and vitamin C abundant cabbage. Elizabeth says this dish has big taste for little money!

If you missed out on the Budget Recipe Challenge, send your winning recipe to Tara for a feature in the newsletter. Email Tara at tara_gregory@ncsu.edu

Holiday Challenge

Last year 47,675 individuals joined the Eat Smart, Move More Holiday Challenge. You can be on this year! The overall goal is to maintain your current body weight and not gain during the holiday season. While our weight can fluctuate by several pounds from week-to-week, or even day-to-day, it's helpful to have support and guidance for healthy eating and active living during this busy, food-filled season.

The Holiday Challenge is a free, seven-week challenge that includes newsletters, weekly challenges, daily tips, healthy recipes, blogs, and social media support.

While the challenge began on November 14th, it runs through December 31st. Registrations remains open during this time. You do not have to be signed up for all seven weeks to benefit.

Nutty Gift Ideas

Have you ever tried spiced almonds or walnuts? Cooking nuts with spices or herbs is a quick way to add some pizazz to a nutritious go-to snack. You can choose spicy or sweet or a combination.

Bonus: Pack them into a festive jar or bag and give them as a holiday gift!

Try these recipes to create a yummy, festive treat!

Food Safety During the Holidays

Extension Today: Holiday Finances

Do you often go overboard with buying things for your holiday celebrations, gift-giving, and festive meals this time of year? Keeping holiday spending under control can be a true balancing act for your finances! Learn how to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank.

Past Magical Christmas Parades

From the November 29, 1990 Edition of The Chatham Record

When I was a child, I always looked forward to the Pittsboro Christmas parade. To me, the parade was magical because of the amazing floats, marching bands and seeing friends as they passed by me. I always stood in front of the Dime Store waiting for the parade to begin. The Dime Store, (that's what my mama called it), was located where the ladies fitness business is currently located next to S and T's. When I was in 4-H, I remember how excited I was because I was going to be in my first parade. I couldn't wait to help decorate the float. We created a living room scene, including a fireplace and a Christmas tree! We threw out candy and sang Christmas carols. The parade ran right through town, on 15-501. Those were the best parades! That's one thing that I miss about our old parades, there was just something magical about standing in front of the businesses catching candy, waving to friends and family in the parade and waiting to see Santa, who was always at the end of the parade. Once the parade was completed, children would rush to Sears and would wait for Santa's arrival. Every child that visited Santa received a candy cane. Those childhood memories were magical! As an adult, the excitement of going to a Christmas parade is not the same, the innocence of childhood left me many years ago. I will always treasure the memories that I made at the Christmas parade.

From the November 23, 1989 Edition of The Chatham Record
From the November 19, 1970 Edition of The Chatham Record
From the December 7, 1989 Edition of The Chatham Record
From December 2, 1971 Edition of The Chatham Record
From the December 9, 1976 Edition of The Chatham Record

Other Memorable Parades from the Past

I came across the video below on YouTube of a Fourth of July Parade in Siler City from the 1960's.

Early 1980's Pittsboro, possibly Northwood Homecoming Parade
Created By
Tiffany Hancock
Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Zamurovic Brothers - "Wireless headphones and Christmas bauble decoration with red background. Creative Holiday party concept. New Year flat lay." • Pixel-Shot - "Set of happy children with reindeer horns on colorful background" • nadin333 - "Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)" • photohampster - "Red poinsettia flowers border isolated transparent png. Flor de Pascua horizontal seamless pattern. Christmas Eve plants hedge." • vermontalm - "Red Poinsettias ready for sale for the winter Holiday season" • unicusx - "Christmas mistletoe on a tree" • nataba - "Christmas card with funny birds sitting on a branch in winter in the snow in a red festive hat" • driftwood - "red retro pickup truck and horses by rural barn in winter with Christmas wreath" • Dusan Kostic - "Young woman drives tractor in field" • Olena Bloshchynska - "Closeup of Christmas tree" • VK Studio - "Cropped shot of faceless man in black jacket carries pile of firewood poses against blurred forest background." • vegefox.com - "forecast" • magdal3na - "Woman legs in home interior with fireplace.Woolen socks and jeans.Free space for your decoration.Christmas cold winter night.Copy space. " • eelnosiva - "business inertia concept" • Rawpixel.com - "Group of diverse people are gathering for christmas holiday" • Africa Studio - "Sweet honey and different nuts on wooden table" • stokkete - "Santa Claus checking bills"