February 2024
Growing Chatham
Growing Chatham
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General Updates
Consider Enrolling in the Chatham Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Program Today!
The Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) promotes the agricultural values and general welfare of the county by raising awareness of the importance of our agricultural community and its way of life. This is accomplished by encouraging the voluntary preservation of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry lands from non-farm development.
Does your farm qualify as a Voluntary
Agricultural District?
To qualify, farmland must:
- Be engaged in agriculture as defined by
NC G.S. 106-581.1 or meet the bona fide
farm definition as defined by
NC G.S.153A-340. Essentially, the farm
land must either produce a crop, grow ornamental plants, raise livestock,
produce timber, engage in aquaculture, produce and market on-farm
value-added products, maintain farm structures, or store grain.
- Manage farm to address Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) defined Highly Erodible Land, if necessary.
- Agree to prohibit non-farm use or development for at least 10 years.
- Be located in unincorporated area of the County or in a municipality with a Voluntary Agricultural District Memorandum of Understanding.
For more information on the VAD program (and to access an application),
Staff Contact:
Chatham County Farmland Preservation Coordinator
Andrew Waters
919-545-8447
andrew.waters@chathamcountync.gov
Chatham County's Spring Ag Fest 2024
Get ready to put on your boots, folks! The long-awaited Chatham County's Spring Ag Fest 2024 is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for March 23, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. and don't miss out on this fun event!
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to attend! Bring your entire family and enjoy the excitement as you explore the best of agriculture in Chatham County and beyond!
Community Resource Hub
4-H
4-H STEM Day
An Electrifying Fun-Filled Day!
Join us on February 19th, a Chatham County Schools Teacher Workday, to explore fun STEM activities! Learn about electricity, explore aerodynamic concepts, and more! Make your own pizza lunch will be included! 9:00am - 3:00pm. Ages 7-13. $5 fee
North Central District WinterFest
Six youth with Chatham County 4-H spent their Saturday learning, serving and having fun at the North Central District WinterFest. One of those Chatham County 4-H'ers, Emma Langley, is serving as the 2023-2024 North Central District Membership Engagement Officer. The participants were able to attend workshops, do service projects for assisted living homes and finish the day out ice skating together.
Enroll in 4-H Online Today for Exclusive Access to Programs and Clubs
Don't miss out on any of our upcoming events and activities. Be the first to know by enrolling or
re-enrolling in 4-H Online.
Please note that 4-H Online enrollment is required before joining any 4-H event.
Are you ready to enroll in 4-H Online?
Chatham County 4-H Adult Volunteers
Chatham County 4-H hosted two interest meetings for adult volunteers and new club ideas. Volunteers play a vital role in the ongoing growth and development of those in the 4‑H Youth Development program. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Emily Wyant for more information.
Equine Safety Clinic
The Horsekateers 4-H club recently hosted an Equine Safety Clinic that had an excellent turnout. Participants gained valuable knowledge on safety measures and emergency rescue techniques for horses. We extend our gratitude to 4Hooves Large Animal Services for organizing such an informative and engaging clinic.
Save the date: Chatham County 4-H Achievement Night
Save the date: Chatham County 4-H is hosting it's annual Achievement Night! This event is to celebrate all the great achievements the 4-H'ers had in 2023. Achievement Night will be Friday, March 8th at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. Be on the look out for more information and registration soon!
Click here
Horticulture
Travel Study Adventure to the Netherlands
Join Us for a Travel Study Adventure to the Netherlands!
Keukenhof Gardens (Elena Laps CC BY-SA 4.0)
A unique opportunity for a guided tour of a country famous as a global leader in floriculture, this trip includes visits to botanical gardens, arboreta, private gardens, estates, and flower markets, as well as other important historical and cultural sites across four Dutch provinces.
Read more about this exciting opportunity!
2024 Chatham Landscape and Green Industry Conference
Vegetable Seed Starting
— Written By Matt Jones
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.
Photo: NC State Extension
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. Two identical sessions of this workshop are available to accommodate your schedule:
Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 2024, 9:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. REGISTER Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 2024, 5:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. REGISTER
QUESTIONS? Contact Matt Jones
Friday, February 23, 2024
Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center
1192 US 64 W Business,
Pittsboro, NC 27312
The Chatham Green Industry and Landscape Conference provides continuing education and re-certification credits for green industry professionals, including landscapers, grounds and turf managers, and greenhouse and nursery producers. Home gardeners, HOA grounds managers, and anyone interested in these topics are also welcome to attend.
CEUs NC LCLB Landscape Contractor 5 Landscape Technical N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Pesticide continuing education credits: 3 D, L, N X. ISA Arborist: 3 Note that the NCDA&CS Pesticide CEUs are administered in two blocks, so you must attend the entire morning and/or the entire afternoon to receive credit. The NCLCLB and ISA CEUs are administered as a single block, so you must attend the entire conference to receive CEU credits.
Read more and access the agenda.
Register online by February 16, 2024.
The registration fee is $25, which includes lunch catered by 39 West
Garden for the Birds With the Plant Toolbox
You can select plants for your garden that attract and support our feathered friends. The Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox tagged the plants in the Plant Toolbox that are also listed in North Carolina Audubon’s 700 Bird-Friendly Native Plants for North Carolina. By typing “Audubon” into the search box on the Plant Toolbox, you’ll find 653 plants native to North Carolina that support birds by providing:
- Shelter, cover, & nest sites
- Berries & seeds Nectar (for hummingbirds)
- Caterpillars (host plants for butterfly & moth larvae)
A hummingbird visits the flowers of Lobelia cardinalis. Jen Goellnitz CC BY-NC2.0
Robin eating a small fruit. Jen Goellnitz CC BY-NC2.0
/
Sustainable Ag
Farmers' Markets Open in February!
In February our farmers and vendors are still working hard to bring you amazing local food and other products at our Chatham County farmers' markets!
Visit the Fearrington Farmers' Market on Tuesdays from 3-5 pm (winter hours)
https://fearringtonfarmersmarket.com/
Visit the Pittsboro Farmers' Market on Thursdays from 3-6 pm
Seeking Feedback From Chatham
Landowners on Natural Areas Inventory
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP)
is conducting a county-wide inventory of natural
communities and rare species in Chatham County.
The information gathered during NHP inventories
helps project planners and landowners make
decisions that have the most benefit for society
and the economy, while having the least ecological damage.
NHP staff are seeking input from the Chatham community to help prioritize the geographic focus of the inventory and encourage participation from landowners interested in having their property surveyed for rare species and important habitat.
If you’d like to offer your input, and/or if you are a landowner interested in learning more about having your property included, please fill out the survey by Friday, February 9, 2024.
Animal and Plant Fiber Producer Survey Request
Piedmont Fibershed is seeking to support a regional textile economy (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) that connects local fiber producers with processors, artisans, and consumers.
They want to find out how much and what kind of fiber is being produced in our region so they have created a survey for fiber producers (animal and plant). This information will make it possible for the organization to identify challenges in the local supply chain and seek funding to overcome them (that could be anything from support for small businesses to getting more mills in the region).
Learn more at Cooperative Extension's Growing Small Farms website.
Extension's Farm Tax Webinars Start in February!
The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension is conducting a Farm Tax Webinar Series starting on February 12 and ending in early April. All webinars will be from 6–8 p.m. EST.
Target audience: farmers (vegetables & fruits, cut flowers, livestock, hemp, row crops, etc.), nursery growers, beekeepers, aquaculture producers.
The webinars will be taught by Guido van der Hoeven. Guido retired as an Extension Specialist/Senior Lecturer at NC State University, and we have been collaborating on farm tax workshops in Chatham County for over a decade.
These workshops always prove to be very popular; in fact, 100% of participants from our last farm tax webinar series reported that knowledge gained from the webinar series would allow them to make informed tax and business management decisions that will benefit their farm.
Here is a list of the 2024 Farm Tax Webinars:
February 12: Farm Tax and Business Info 101
February 19 and February 21: Schedule F Income & Expenses
February 26: Open Q & A Session
April 3: Sales and Property Tax Issues for Farmers
Farmers can register for one or all of these webinars. If you are interested in attending these webinars contact Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos at debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
Livestock
Central Piedmont Winter Grain Meeting
Feb. 2, 2024
The Area Winter Grain Meeting will be held at the Randolph County Cooperative Extension office on Feb. 2nd from 10am - 1pm. Presentations from NC State University soybean and weed specialists will highlight the day. Lunch is included. Two hours of N, O, D, and X pesticide credits will be available. Space is limited, so register today!
The Southern Farm Show
January 31 - February 2, 2024
The Southern Farm Show is
the largest annual agricultural
exposition in the Carolinas and
Virginia. Filling the NC State
Fairgrounds, the show hosts
over 400 exhibitors, agricultural
meetings, workshops and training, and everything farmers need to prepare for the coming growing season.
What if Cows Could Talk?
Virginia Tech researchers hope to shed new light on the animals' health, welfare, and environmental impact.
BLACKSBURG, Va. — You may not know it, but cows share information every time they burp, moo, and chew that speaks volumes about their health and welfare.
Through the work of researchers in
Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences, we may soon
know more about what cows are
“telling” us and be able to use that
information to improve their well-being.
Virginia Tech researchers plan to use audio data from cows to uncover patterns in their vocalizations that may shed light on their well-being, emotions, and “language.” (Photo by Madi Hahn for Virginia Tech)
Join this virtual two-day Crops Conference featuring specialists and Penn State Extension educators with region-specific agendas. These presentations will focus on agronomic topics pertinent to the previous growing season.
Learn about:
A disease year in review
Pollinator and pesticide stewardship
Soil-applied herbicide dynamics
Sponsor reviews
Drones – how they are used for applying pesticides
Selecting farm machinery based on cost
Field trials review of nitrogen-fixing microbials in corn
How healthier soil creates healthier crops and, ultimately, healthier people
Forestry
Triangle Prescribed Burn Association Holds First Organizational Meeting
Mart Bumgarner, Ag Extension Agent - Orange County, is assisting the community with establishing a PBA covering five counties in the central Piedmont: Orange, Alamance, Durham, Chatham, and Person Counties. The intent of the PBA is to give landowners the tools to help themselves and others gain the benefits of prescribed burning on their properties to improve forest health, increase habitat for wildlife, and reduce fuel loads which increase forest fire potential.
Read more about the Triangle Prescribed Burn Association Organizational Meeting
Dr. Bob Bardon (NCSU - Forestry & Environmental Resources) noted that in a review of standing timber price data for Eastern and Western NC, Eastern NC’s fourth quarter 2023 average standing timber prices were up from the third quarter 2023 prices for the five major product classes. Standing timber prices in Eastern NC were up 26% for hardwood pulpwood, 12% for hardwood sawtimber, 10% for pine chip-n-saw, 8% for pine pulpwood, and 3% for pine sawtimber. Western NC did not fare as well, seeing standing timber prices decrease by 2 percent to 9 percent for all five major product classes. Pine sawtimber, chip-n-saw, and pulpwood prices were down 9%, 4%, and 2% respectively. Hardwood sawtimber and pulpwood prices were down 5% and 3% respectively.
North Carolina Timber Prices Fare Better in the East
Woodland Stewards Webinar Series
"Silvopasture: Managing Your Woodlands & Livestock in a New-Old Way"
This webinar series is part of the Woodland Stewards regional extension program for landowners.
These one-hour webinars will be held weekly on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 pm CT from January 30 to March 5th. Webinars include:
-Silvopasture: An Introduction and Overview
-Establishing Pine Silvopastures When Starting from Pastures or Plantations
-Establishing Hardwood Silvopastures When Starting from Pastures or Woodlands
-From Forage to Livestock: Managing Animals in a Silvopasture system
-Moving Towards a Silvopasture System: Getting Started & Finding Help
-Silvopasture producers share their stories and Answer Questions: A Panel Discussion
More information can be found here.
Home & Nutrition
SNAP @ The Farmers' Market
The Pittsboro Farmers’ Market now accepts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) , increasing access to a variety of fresh, local vegetables, fruits, meats, breads, and more. EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards can be used at the year-round market each Thursday from 3:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. at The Plant (220 Lorax Lane).
Safe Plates
Food Safety Manager Certification Class & Exam
March 4th-6th
The market’s vendors are excited for this addition and see the value in adopting this program.
Lunch & Learn
Healthy Heart Habits: Steps to Better Cardio Health
Keeping your heart healthy is something you can work on every day.
We'll discuss how habits are formed and how we can change our habits to support heart health. Learn about strategies for developing healthy habits and common pitfalls and wrap up with a review of healthy lifestyle behaviors that support heart health to get you started with changing your habits.
Bring your lunch and learn with us during this virtual workshop!
This workshop is part of the 2024 "Extension at Home" series, brought to you by a collaboration of N.C. Cooperative Extension Agents. This series will feature a new topic each month related to Family and Consumer Sciences.
Cuisines Around the World Highlight
South African
Peanut Butter Greens
By Cordialis Msora-Kasago, MA, RDN, DiplACLM
Makes 4 Servings
Equipment:
❏ Large saute pan/pot with lid
❏ Spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients:
8 cups leafy greens of choice (turnip greens, mustard greens, collards, spinach, or pumpkin
leaves), cut thinly (chiffonade)
1 1⁄4 cup water
Salt to taste
1⁄2 cup diced tomatoes
1⁄4 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons peanut butter, natural, no sugar added (smooth or chunky)
Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil, add salt (if using).
2. Add leafy greens to the pan, and top with tomatoes and onions. Cover with lid and allow to
simmer for several minutes until vegetables are soft and reduced in size. Mix well half way into
cooking.
3. Remove the vegetables from the pot being sure to save the potlikker (the liquid leftover from cooking).
4. Thin the peanut butter by mixing it with the potlikker then add the vegetables back in. Add more water if needed. Cover and cook on low to simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Open the lid and if it is too watery, allow the peanut sauce to reduce. Add water if the sauce is
too dry. Mix well.
6. Serve hot.
Chakalaka
By Cordialis Msora-Kasago, MA, RDN, DiplACLM
Makes 8 Servings as a Side Dish
Equipment:
Large saucepan
Wooden or silicone spatula
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon neutral oil
1 cup yellow onion, chopped (about 1 onion)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons ginger, chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, diced (about 1 pepper)
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1⁄2 cup tomatoes, chopped finely
1 cup carrots, grated
1 cup baked beans in tomato sauce (about 1 16-oz can, see suggested type below)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Peri Peri or All Purpose Seasoning Salt, to taste (optional)
Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté onions until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger,
sautéing continuously until lightly browned. Add the bell pepper and sauté until soft.
2. Add the spices to the mixture and mix well until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and allow to
blend with spices.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Add the canned beans
and allow it to continue to simmer. Add salt to taste and allow to simmer for about 5 more minutes. Add the grated carrots and stir to combine.
4. Finish off with the lemon juice. Serve hot as a side, sauce, or accompaniment
Recipe Variation and Suggestions
- Add shredded cabbage or green beans instead of canned beans
- Prefer a little sweetness? Add 1 tablespoon of chutney
- May substitute salt for All Purpose Seasoning Salt
- Use Great Northern or British baked beans or something similar
Southern African countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Angola, and Botswana, share similar dishes focused on indigenous greens, home-garden grown vegetables, sweet potatoes or other tubers, grains and spices. Meat is not typically the focus of dishes and is usually served in small portions, if at all.
Over the centuries, Southern African cuisine has experienced Portuguese, Dutch, Malaysian, and British influences through the introduction of ingredients and cooking techniques. One standout example is the peri peri pepper or red eye chili that is used in many traditional dishes in Southern Africa as a result of Portuguese influences. Dutch settlers introduced vinegar and spices enhancing the flavor profile of dehydrated meat is another example of the cuisine’s evolution. Fermentation, dehydrating, and smoking were common food preservation practices and are still relevant today.
A quintessential staple in Southern and parts of Eastern Africa is sadza, a starchy mixture crafted from various grains like corn, millet, and sorghum. Sadza takes on diverse forms, from a thin porridge to a thicker side resembling mashed potatoes or as a base for toppings such as peanut butter greens.
Exploring the wheel of common ingredients provides insights into the foods eaten daily (outside rim of the wheel), the central role of spices and flavorings (at the wheel's core), and other prevalent ingredients.
To experience the delight of this cuisine, try making peanut butter greens or chakalaka at home—a flavorful journey into Southern African flavors and traditions.
Home Finance
Couples and Money: Let’s Talk About It
From Oklahoma State University
By Sissy R. Osteen, Rachel A. Neal
All couples need to talk about money issues, such as who will pay the bills, what kind of checking accounts they will have (individual, joint, or both), and how much personal spending will be allowed. Trouble handling money can cause stress in a relationship and even lead to divorce. For example, large debts brought into a marriage often cause problems for couples because of the stress involved in getting the debts completely paid off. When money problems get out of control, so can the relationship. Arguments can cause tensions to escalate and put a couple at risk for violence. When money problems soar to this level, couples need to seek outside help immediately with a professional counselor. Hopefully, the information provided in this fact sheet will help couples find a way to discuss money issues before those issues get too serious. Dealing with money can be very difficult for couples. But it can be done!
Why do Couples Fight About Money?
There are a few reasons why couples fight about money. One reason has to do with power. Traditionally, men have made more money and have had more power in families, while some women have depended solely on their husbands for financial support. However, many women today are working as much as men and making a good deal of money. As women bring more money into the home, they feel more free to make decisions about what the couple does with money.
Couples argue about spending because of different priorities. One partner may think that saving money for the future is most important, while the other partner may believe that the money should be used to buy those things that are immediately desired. It is very important to discuss priorities so both partners’ needs will be met.
Talk About It
Talking about money is very important for a healthy relationship. Many couples say money causes conflict and stress in relationships, but often it is not the money that causes problems. Most people do not like to talk about finances, but for couples trying to maintain a good relationship, it is especially tough. First, no one wants to appear to be selfish. When talking about money leads to conflict, it may feel like the relationship is failing. Second, because men sometimes make more money, women think they do not have the right to express their feelings about money. This is more common if the woman does not work outside the home. If the woman does not make decisions about money, it may lessen the worth of the child care and management she provides in the home.
The best time for couples to begin discussing money is before the wedding so both know what the other expects and how they will spend their money. However, most couples do not discuss money before marriage. Here are some money issues that couples need to talk about:
- Goals about money
- What is expected?
- Put a plan into writing
Ag History
Exploring Chatham County Century Farms: "There's No Place Like Home"
In our latest episode of our Century Farms series, we delve into the Norwood family and uncover intriguing details about "Shock" Norwood's life – from his favorite candy to a remarkable tale that involves the sweet treat and his son Harry. Additionally, we take a closer look at the family's captivating ancestral home, from its construction to its unfortunate demise.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Dr. Ginger Cunningham, ginger_cunningham@ncsu.edu and/or 919-542-822. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.