May / June 2023
We Grow Agriculture
The Ashe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) recently took a group field trip to Arborcrest Gardens in Boone, NC. Arborcrest Garden is a private botanical garden located on 26 acres near King Street. The Garden boasts a huge collection of specimens, ranging from annual vegetables to perennial tree species. The EMGVs took this opportunity to see what landscape species do well in our climate. One of Dr. Ron Stanley’s, owner and curator of Arborcrest Garden, goals is for High Country residents to visit the garden for ideas on what will grow well in their home landscapes. The EMGVs mainly were interested in low maintenance perennial ground covers as we have been receiving many requests for grass alternatives for steep slopes. The group had a wonderful day visiting the gardens and would highly encourage you to enjoy this hidden gem of the High Country.
Livestock Agent Micah Orfield and 4-H Agent Caroline Goss worked together at the Ashe County Farmers Market to educate and demonstrate the importance of shearing sheep and how to shear during the Fiber Day Festival in May.
On Saturday, June 17th, The Ashe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers returned to the Ashe County Farmers Market to Host a plant clinic. The event was a huge success, with several community members utilizing this opportunity to get their sick plants diagnosed and receive research based advice on how to treat the issues. The group also prepared several handouts on common diseases and pests in our area. The Ashe EMGVs will be hosting another plant clinic at their next appearance at the market on July 15th.
During Dairy Appreciation month, Livestock Agent Micah Orfield had the opportunity to visit the summer program at Blue Ridge Elementary School and teach the youth about dairy farming and different breeds of dairy cattle. Cow cup crafts and ice cream afterwards added to the fun!
We Grow Nutrition
Our FCS Agent Amanda Butalla returned to Ashe County Farmers Market with the first local food demonstration of the season on June 3rd. Together, Amanda and our EFNEP Educator Rhonda Church cooked up some delicious gnocchi with local pork tossed in local garlic scape pesto. This generated so much demand for the local ingredients that farmers sold out of their garlic scapes at the market.
On June 29th, Livestock Agent Micah Orfield and FCS Agent Amanda Butalla and EFNEP Educator Rhonda Church joined forces to deliver a “Dairy Day” education session at Generations Ashe Child Development and Adult Day Center. Together, youth and adults discussed different kinds of milking cows while coloring and tagging their own “cow cups.” While having a nutritious vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberry snack cup, attendees were taught about the benefits of vitamin C, found in strawberries, and were encouraged to list all the different dairy products they have tried or have seen in the grocery store.
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) had a table at the Ashe County Health Fair held at Generations Ashe. Many Ashe County residents stopped by to take a look and speak to Rhonda Church, EFNEP Educator in Ashe County. The most asked question was about determining how much added sugar was in packaged foods and beverages because they didn’t know what a gram looked like. They were happy to learn that you divide the grams of added sugar listed on the label by 4 to know how many teaspoons of added sugar is in the product.
EFNEP was asked to present a food demo at the Sizemore Head Start parent appreciation night. EFNEP Educator Rhonda Church and Regional Nutrition Extension Associate Kyle Hood made a pasta salad with a simple vinaigrette salad dressing that they could make at home. Fun ideas were shared with parents about getting their children involved in helping to prepare meals at home. Each parent was invited to enroll in a nutrition education program next fall to learn simple ways to plan, shop, fix and eat nutritious meals for less money.
We Grow Youth
On June 4th, youth and volunteers came together to host a 4-H Shooting Sports Fundraiser, sponsored by Ashe County Wildlife Club. The fundraiser raised $2,000 for our Ashe 4-H Shooting Sports which will contribute to the ongoing success of the club along with the positive youth development outcomes that come from participating!
May and June have been jam-packed with fun and educational 4-H activities in partnership with all program areas within the office as well as community partnerships. Some of these activities have included our Crafty Cloverbud Day Camp which allowed youth to explore their artistic side while STEM Camp encouraged scientific exploration of the Red Planet including engineering of Mars rovers, and participated in many engaging activities. Critter Camp encouraged youth to explore their environment while getting outside, and Pollinator Palooza gave youth a better understanding and appreciation of our pollinators which included an afternoon with Ashe County Beekeepers. Many more activities are scheduled for the remainder of summer 2023!
High Country Commercial Kitchen Spotlight
O. Benton
O’s Thai Express
O’s Thai Express is moving into its second year of operation and is located in downtown West Jefferson on Third Avenue, right beside New River Brewing.
O. Benton uses the High Country Commercial Kitchen for much of her food prep due to the compact size of her restaurant kitchen. She is very passionate about bringing healthy Thai cuisine to the area, and sources fresh herbs and vegetables from local growers as much as possible.
O’s Thai Express is the perfect place to sit outside under the shady canopy, sip on a sweet Thai tea, and enjoy one of her truly authentic daily Thai specials.
Her restaurant is open Wednesday through Friday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and Saturdays 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Credits:
Mark Stebnicki, NC Farm Bureau and NC Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center Staff