Growing Chatham
N.C. Ccooperative Extension Chatham County Center
May 2023
Chatham County Center
The Growing Chatham Newsletter has a New Look!
After receiving feedback from our readers, we realized that our previous format was not user-friendly for those with motion sensitivity and that navigating through the content was challenging when searching for specific information. Our team has worked hard to create a new format that is more user-friendly, and we hope this month's newsletter is a step in the right direction. We value your input and encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey at the end of the newsletter. Thank you for your help in making the Growing Chatham Newsletter better for everyone!
Tips for Navigating the Newsletter
To navigate our newsletter, you have two options. You can either scroll through all the content like the previous newsletter, or click on the tabs located at the top of the page. By clicking on the tabs, you will be automatically directed to the specific section of the newsletter you're interested in.
We're proud to announce that video content is now readily available within the newsletter. This new format allows our videos to play directly in the newsletter without redirecting you to YouTube.
This new format also provides us with more control over the presentation of our content, significantly improving the organization of the newsletter.
We hope that you will enjoy this month's newsletter!
General Updates
Chatham County Center
No time to read the newsletter? No problem! Listen to the newsletter anywhere.
Are you a Chatham County farmer, agribusiness, or simply interested in the future of Chatham County agriculture? Your help is needed to develop the 2023 Chatham County Farmland Preservation Plan! Three surveys have been created to collect data to support this plan. This plan, which is an update to the 2009 Chatham County Farmland Preservation Plan, will contain the current state of agriculture and forestry, outline the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and forestry that exist, and develop recommendations to help maintain family farms and forests in Chatham County.
2023 Chatham County Farmland Preservation Plan
INPUT NEEDED: Help Frame the 2023 Chatham County Farmland Preservation Plan
Office Closure
Please be advised that the Chatham County Center will be closed on Monday, May 29th.
The Chatham County Center Releases
Annual Report to the Community
We are proud to present our annual report, highlighting our significant achievements and impact in the region. Our unwavering dedication to serving the people of Chatham County is demonstrated through our wide range of programs, which have made us a valuable resource for both locals and out-of-county individuals seeking our assistance. We remain committed to serving our community and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.
Access the Annual Report to the Community
4-H
Enrollment for the 2023 4-H Summer Camp is now open!
Chatham County 4-H is offering both day and residential camp programs once again this summer! We’re excited to offer these fun educational learning opportunities for youth in the community, and thanks to the continued generous support of the United Way of Chatham County, we will be able to provide need-based scholarships to qualifying families as well.
(Weeklong Camp)
4-H Adventure Day Camp
Kitchen Creators Camp with Ms. Tara
Junior Master Gardener Camp
(Weeklong Camp)
Girls in Ag Day with Ms. Kristina
Betsy-Jeff Penn (BJP) 4-H Residential Camp (Reidsville, NC)
(Weeklong, Overnight Camp)
4-H Clover Creators Research Solutions to Global Food Security Challenges
The North Carolina Youth Institute is a life-changing experience hosted by North Carolina State University where high school students engage with local leaders and experts on critical global food security challenges, participate in hands-on science activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in North Carolina and around the world. Students research issues they care about and propose their ideas to solve these grand challenges.
On April 14, 2023, Avery Wright and Reyna Nava Catalan attended the daylong institute at NC State University’s Plant Sciences Building on Centennial Campus. To participate, they were challenged to research a global issue and wrote a 2-3 page paper under the supervision of a their club leader Lindsay Shore-Wright. Avery Wright focused her research on Sustainable Food Sources in Madagascar while Reyna Nava Catalan focused on Supporting Young Mothers in Belize. Both students shared their research papers among peers and a panel of experts. Hands-on workshops, field trips, keynotes, and career development will rounded out the event.
North Central District 2023 Teen Retreat
Another retreat is in the books for our North Central District 4-Hers. The 2023 Teen retreat was held Friday March 31- April 1, 2023, at Betsy Jeff-Penn 4-H Camp in Reidsville, NC. This year's theme was Finding Your Footing in 4-H and it proved to live up to the standard of fun! This was an overnight stay, and many were first time attendees. Although it rained outside the spirit and fire of these 4-H youth could not be drenched! It did not take these teens long to begin bonding as a 4-H family.
2023 Chatham County Activity Day
Chatham County Activity Day is an opportunity for All 4-H youth ages 5-18 to share their talents and interests. This is a learning competition experience that starts at the county level and continues up to the state level, for ages 8 and up, and to the national level in some categories. Those who want to compete at the district level must participate in our County Activity Day where they will experience what district competition is like, receive feedback on their presentations, and meet other youth in our county. Youth are encouraged to prepare an oral presentation with a visual aid such as a PowerPoint, trifold/poster, or prop, and will need to speak for 5-12 minutes in front of a panel of judges. County Activity Day also showcases participants entered in 4-H Entertains. Youth are encouraged to showcase any talent such as performing arts (singing, dancing, or playing an instrument), handmade crafts, clothing and fashion, cooking, pets, and photography! Youth participants will need to review the categories, listed on the registration form, and signup for the topic that looks most interesting to them.
A Place for Every Child
For some children, summers can be daunting times filled with uncertainty, lack of clear schedules and even hunger. But agents and staff are working hard to make sure at-risk kids have a place at North Carolina’s 4-H summer camps.
Julie Hayworth-Perman
As summer approaches, thoughts turn toward a relaxed, carefree time. For many of us, summer plans are already in the works—the family vacation, weekends at the pool and, best of all, summer camp for the kids.
While summer is a time of great anticipation for most children, for others it can be a daunting time filled with uncertainty, lack of a clear schedule, and sometimes even hunger as school breakfast and lunch programs take a break.
Economic disadvantages manifest themselves in many ways, from the child lacking supervision because a single parent works three jobs to pay for rent and food, to the foster child bounced from home to home because of trauma that was not their fault, to the teen living in a home where there is drug abuse or other addictions. Kids facing situations like these need a supportive adult to help them clear the hurdles life has in store for them.
Summer vacation and summer camp have just been more dreams unfulfilled. For 4-H agents and staff, those are kids’ dreams worth fulfilling.
Commercial Ornamental & Consumer Horticulture
Online Course: Garden and Landscape Design
Herbaceous, Woody, and Native Plants
This fully online, asynchronous course is part of a series of Garden and Landscape Courses offered by The North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science. Each course in the series includes Interactive forums, Hands-on activities, and Presentations by experts around the state. You can complete the courses on your own schedule during the 6-week period and you will have access to the course material forever! This is NOT an Extension Master Gardener℠ certification course. If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer please contact the Extension Master Gardener Coordinator in your county for information on training requirements and volunteer opportunities.
Growing Knowledge to Protect Pollinators
Volunteers with the NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ program help grow knowledge of sustainable gardening practices by taking part in citizen science and research projects.
An ongoing research project is investigating how to improve habitat for pollinators in residential landscapes. As some pollinators build nests for their offspring in hollow stems, Master Gardener℠ volunteers are helping determine if changing the way we manage herbaceous perennials in the landscape can provide more of this nesting habitat. Read more
How to Become a Master Gardener Volunteer:
2023 Training Schedule
5/16/2023 4:30 -5:30 p.m. ONLINE
5/17/2023 9:30 -10:30 a.m. IN-PERSON
Applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program on June 10, 2023.
Find out more about becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer
Sustainable / Organic Production
Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas Training
Webinar & Workshop
Register Now for a Spring Tour of
the Pollinator Paradise Garden!
Spring tours of North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden in Pittsboro start in early May!
The garden features over 225 species of perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses, and 85% of them are native to North Carolina. This is a great opportunity to visit the popular gathering spot for honey bees, native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects in addition to their human admirers! The tours are led by Chatham County Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos.
There is no charge for the tour but registration is required to limit group size. The tours fill up very quickly so don’t delay in registering if you really want to attend.
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms. The southeastern U.S. is home to about 20 different bumble bee species, at least 20% of which are undergoing population declines. Existing data suggests that many species of bumble bee face an uncertain future, but we often lack the data needed to implement effective conservation measures.
To tackle this gap in knowledge, several states have joined together to launch the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas, a large-scale community science effort aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserve southeastern bumble bees. Community scientists spread out across our project states to survey for bumble bees and report back with whatever they find! Surveys can be run on your own or with a group of people. Survey methods are also catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed. All you will need to participate in the surveys is an insect net, some vials or jars, a decent camera (including cell phone cameras), internet access for data submission, and a way to get to your survey sites.
With your help, we can quickly cover large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas project joins a growing nation-wide network of Bumble Bee Atlas projects managed by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and partner organizations.
There will be an in-person training for folks interested in helping with the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas on May 13 at the NC Zoo. Anyone with an interest in bees and a desire to help them in a hands-on way is encouraged to attend – no prior experience needed! Note: If you are not able to attend the May training you will be able to watch a recorded webinar that provides the same content.
Visit the Growing Small Farms website for complete details about the training.
Provide Nesting Habitat for Native Bees
Through Plant Stems in Your Garden
Planting flowers for pollinators and other wildlife is an important first step in their conservation, but how you maintain your garden after planting has an impact on the benefits it provides. About 100 species of native bees in North Carolina nest in stems and wood, and we can provide that nesting habitat in our gardens if we take a little time to understand what the bees need and then manage our gardens to provide it.
Livestock & Forages
Field Day for Horse Owners to Enhance Pasture Health
You're invited to join us for an educational event on pasture and hay management. Discover new techniques that can help improve your forage while reducing costs, and learn about best practices to enhance your horse's health.
Date: Friday, May 5
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Carolina Horse Park Foundation
2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376
Webinar Recording Now Available:
The Last of the “Over the Counter” Antibiotics
NC Horse Blog: Purchasing a New Horse
In-Person Auction
Auctions have a bad reputation among some horsemen, but they are a reasonable option for purchasing a horse as long as you avoid the pitfalls. Arrive early so that you can see the horses ride in the warmup pen and ask lots of questions. You shouldn't bid on a horse if the first time you laid eyes on it was entering the sale pen. You probably won't be able to ride a horse, but that's not because the seller is trying to hide anything. Auctions can be a stressful environment for horses and letting lots of people the horse doesn't know take a ride won't help them relax. If you want to see the horse perform a certain maneuver like backing or taking a lead in each direction, ask the rider to show it to you in the warmup area. Auctions can be a way to purchase a horse at a cheaper price, but not always. Make sure you know what you are willing to spend before you start bidding and stop when you hit your threshold.
Online
Who hasn't gone browsing on Equine Now to see what's out there every now and then? Buying a horse is not quite as simple as "add to cart," but online browsing is a great place to start. Searching online marketplaces or watching online auctions gives you an idea of what people are asking for the type of horse you're searching for. You'll start to pick up on what is a reasonable price and what seems high or low. Bargain shopping can be a dangerous game when buying a horse. Low price can indicate underlying health or soundness issues. When searching online, always schedule an appointment to see the horse in-person if possible. Though there are options to purchase site-unseen and have them delivered.
Off-the-Farm
The greatest advantage in buying a horse directly off-the-farm is that you can have the opportunity to ride the horse before you buy it. By making an appointment to purchase a horse from the owner you will be able to see the horse in its home environment and ask lots of questions. You also have the option for a vet to perform a pre-purchase exam. The downside to this purchasing option is that you usually pay more.
Rescue
There are so many horses in need of a home. Retired race horses or cart horses. Abandoned or neglected horses, ponies, and donkeys. If you are interested in pursing a rescue horse for the right reasons, it can be very rewarding. I would not suggest rescue if you are trying to purchase a horse at a cheaper price. Often rescues are very affordable to purchase, but they come with hidden fees. You may need to pay more for a special diet so they can recover properly. There will be veterinary expense and possible hidden medical issues that didn't present at time of purchase. If you are unwilling to spend the money needed to properly rehabilitate a rescue horse, one of the other purchase options may be a better fit for you.
Tips for Success
Regardless of the purchase method the following are always best practices.
Best of luck finding your new trail or show companion.
Beef Quality Assurance Training
Date: Tuesday, May 9
Time: 5:30 - 8:30pm EDT
Location: Alamance County Cattlemen's Association
Facility 7351 Beale Rd.
Snow Camp, NC 27349
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
Join us on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for an evening training on Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). The training will start at 5:30 p.m. with the National Beef Quality Audit and BQA management guidelines. After the classroom session, participants will participate in two more in-depth hands-on sessions including a chuteside demonstration on general herd health techniques (led by Dr. Tom Van Dyke and Lauren Langley) and trailering/transportation (led by Cole Maness). The teaching part of the training will finish by 8:00 p.m. Participants seeking BQA certification will then take a test to become certified which is good for three years.
Registration Fee: $5 per participant (paid at time of registration either online or by check) If writing a check, please make payable to "Alamance County" and send to Lauren Langley, 209-C N. Graham-Hopedale Rd. Burlington, NC 27217 with your registration information.
BQA Fee: BQA Certification fee is $15 if you are a member of NC Cattlemen’s Association. If not, the fee is $40. Fees will be collected on-site (please bring a check). *Student cost is $15 and that includes a one-year membership to NC Cattlemen’s Association.*
Questions? Contact Lauren Langley at 336-570-6740 or lauren_langley@ncsu.edu.
Forestry
Navigating Heirs' Property
Over half of U.S. forestland is owned and managed by more than ten million private owners. Most of this land is family owned and the average parcel size is smaller than twenty-five acres (National Association of State Foresters, 2023). These owners represent a diverse group of people who have many reasons for owning their property but provide an all-important resource for the forest industry.
Learn more about heirs' property in this breakdown written by Dr. Kurt Smith.
Women's Chainsaw Workshop
When: Thursday, May 11th, 2023
Time: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Location: Mountain Training Facility
Avery County North Carolina
6065 Linville Falls Highway Newland, NC 28657
Did you know North Carolina has an average of 4,400 wildfires per year? In this workshop, we will look at practical uses for chainsaw skills by creating defensible space around the home. Participants will learn about adapting homes to mitigate wildfire risk and gain hands-on experience with bucking, limbing, and home hazard assessments.
This course is designed to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for women who are new to chainsaw use. Registration is $10 (includes lunch).
Wildfire Prevention with Smokey Bear
Forests are beautiful. They’re also important. They clean our air, filter our water and provide important habitat for wildlife. Being safe with outdoor fire is something we can all do to protect our forests. Together, we can keep our forests healthy and thriving. And as Smokey Bear says, only YOU can prevent wildfires.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Preserve Food at Home Spring 2023 Series
Spring has sprung, and with it comes an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables!
Have you ever wanted to learn how to preserve your abundance? Just interested in food preservation as a hobby? Either way, we’ve got you covered!
N.C. Cooperative Extension will have a variety of home food preservation classes available to you through June.
A team of family and consumer science agents from our region have teamed up to offer a series of free online home food preservation classes covering the following topics: Introduction to Canning, Water Bath Canning, Pressure Canning, Freezing, Sweet Spreads, and Fermentation.
In the time frames between these online classes, Family and Consumer Science agents Tara Gregory (Chatham County) and Elisa Phillips (Alamance County) will be offering hands-on workshops, for beginners, in both Alamance and Chatham counties that correspond to the online classes. We encourage you to attend the corresponding online class if you plan to attend an in-person workshop.
To register for any of the in-person workshops, please contact Tara Gregory (tara_gregory@ncsu.edu or 919-542-8247) or Elisa Phillips (elisa_phillips@ncsu.edu or 336-570-6740) or click on the link below for more details and access to the registration links.
Learn About Food at Your Library
Extension at Home:
Sleep Like Your Life Depends On It
In January 2023, Chatham County Public Libraries, in partnership with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center and the Chatham County Public Health Department, was awarded a Food Literacy Center grant from the State Library of North Carolina. The funds have been used to purchase a mobile kitchen unit that is housed, mainly, at Wren Memorial Library and is used to provide food demonstrations and hands-on learning.
How to Make Your Own Dry Rub
Dry rubs can be as complicated or as simple as you want them. We’re of the mindset that simpler is better. The meat should be the showcase, after all, not the rub!
Nonetheless, the right rub makes good grub better. So tune in and take notes as Dana Hanson, NC State Extension specialist in meat science — we wish we’d known about that major in college, too — shows us how to make a simple dry rub using only salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Money Matters
Experiencing a loss of income can be devastating. Perhaps you have been laid off, lost crops to bad weather, suffered a slow year with your small business, or the cost of living has increased to the point where your income is no longer adequate. Getting by with less may seem like an impossible task. You may feel like you are all alone and that you have nowhere to turn for help.
Making ends meet can be a challenge during the best of times. When there is less money, making ends meet becomes even more challenging. However difficult it may be, you are capable and can do it. People can and do survive, and many times wind up better off afterward than they were before. The keys to success: think positive, consider the possibilities, and map out your plan.
Losing a job or otherwise experiencing a loss of income is a challenge even in the best of times. This seven part series will help you map out a plan to get you back on your feet again.
Part #1: Moving Forward
From the University of Georgia Extension
Access Part #1: Moving Forward
When Your Income Drops
Extension & Ag History
Recognizing Those with a Passion for Community Service:
Meet Connie McAdams
From The Chatham Record
Connie McAdams, the 4-H Agent.
Have you ever come across individuals who find joy in serving their community? Regardless of their job, these people always seem to find a way to help others. Connie McAdams is a prime example of this in Chatham County. Connie is a former 4-H Agent, having joined N.C. Cooperative Extension in 1976 shortly after college.
Life After 4-H
Connie joined the Chatham County Library staff in Pittsboro following the conclusion of her tenure as the 4-H Agent in 1979. She served at the library, helping community members, before moving on to Child Care Networks where she provided support to families in need of assistance with their young children.
Back in 1992, Connie, now a 4-H volunteer leader, was organizing a new club. With two children of her own, she was eager for them to have the 4-H experience.
Connie spoke to the Chatham Record in 2003, where she discussed how Child Care Networks provide support to parents of young children.
In 1978, Connie, the 4-H Agent, briefly took a break from her work for a picture.
Connie remained dedicated to helping families with young children after joining the Division of Child Development in 2010. Four years later, in 2014, she decided to take on a new challenge and transitioned to a role at the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Connie is hiding in the back.
From The Chatham Record April 3, 2003
From The Chatham Record, October 15, 1992
Where's Connie Today?
From The Chatham Record February 2, 2006
Connie retired in 2015 from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. She remains an active member in the community by volunteering her time to the Chatham County Historical Society and the Grand Trees of Chatham County. Along with her community involvement, she has also embraced her role as a grandmother of three.
Retirement looks good on Connie!
Connie with the Grand Trees of Chatham County during Spring Ag Fest 2023.