Growing Chatham NC Cooperative Extension ~ Chatham County ~ June 2022

Meet Jim Smith from Smithview Farm

Located in Silk Hope, NC Smithview Farm produces grain fed beef. Download the Visit NC Farms App to find Smithview Farm as well as other farms, farmers' markets, local foods, local events and more!

Spreading the Word about the Visit NC Farms App

Tiffany Hancock and Brandi King recently visited the Fearrington Farmers' Market to spread the word about the Visit NC Farms App. They met many people, explained to them how the app works and how it benefits local farms and businesses.

Spaces Still Available for BJP 4-H Residential Camp This Summer!

Camp registration is currently full for our Chatham County 4-H Adventures Day Camps, but spaces are still available for our fun-filled week of residential camp at BJP from July 24-29.

Campers will take part in swimming, canoeing, environmental education programs, ropes courses, archery, horseback riding, crafts, and much, much more! Registration info is included below; please inquire with Ginger or Liz if you have any questions.

Registration Now Open For the Dinah Gore 4-H Food Challenge

This is a contest that challenges a team of three to four 4-H members to create a dish that will serve three people using a predetermined ingredient, food category, and items from the pantry. Once the ingredient is revealed, the team will have 40 minutes to prepare the dish, clean up, and prepare their presentation for the judges. The team will make a presentation to the judges covering their dish, its health benefits, and the nutrients that the dish provides.

Betsy Jeff Penn Teen Retreat

On April 29-30, Briseydi Nava and Vladimir Vargas, representatives of the Clover Creators 4-H Club from Chatham County, attended the North Central District Teen Retreat. Each spring, district officers from each of our five districts help plan their district-wide 4-H event. Teen Retreat offers training and workshops centering on leadership, citizenship, and service learning for 4-H’ers ages 13 to 18. District teen council officers are elected either at Teen Retreat or District Activity Day, depending on the district.

County Activity Day Winners Move on to District

Presentations:

Giancarlo Lopez - Wheels & Engines

Reyna Nava - Etiquette

Avery Wright- Horticulture

Kenia Uribe - Science and Technology

Haliey Zarate-Cruz - Forestry

4-H Entertains:

Victoria Smith - Vocalist

Hailey King - Vocalist

All seven participants will move on to 4-H District Activity Day in Wilkes County on June 17th. We wish them the best of luck!

4-H district Project Record Book Winners

Congratulations to Miles Pica and Samantha Durham, Chatham County 4-H Members, who are district-level Project Record Book (PRB) winners!

Dr. Fosnaught's Turkey Talk Thursdays

For youth who are brand new to the Youth Market Turkey Show and are wanting to learn more about rearing their poults in preparation of the turkey show, please join in on the fun! Dr. Mary Fosnaught, NCSU 4-H Extension Associate in the Prestage Dept. of Poultry Science, will help facilitate discussions to help you navigate the specifics on how best to care for your turkey poults. Meeting information follows:

https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/93063658756 | Meeting ID: 930 6365 8756

The Chatham County Peeps Graduate

In 2018, the 4-H Chatham Peeps were the underdogs. They knew very little about poultry, but their hard work and determination to learn about poultry paid off in a big way. These youth went from the bottom to the top - like the very top! They came home as the NC State Champions in the 4-H Poultry Judging competition. Not only did they win the state championship, they were awarded scholarship money as well as they traveled to represent the state in the national competition. The time has now come for the Chatham County Peeps to use that scholarship money toward their college education. It's so hard to believe that you all are now heading off to college. We are so proud of each and every one of you! Keep working hard, continue to be determined, and as you well know, you will come out on top! Congratulations to the Chatham County Peeps!

Save the Date: Eggcellent Eggsplorers

Save the date: July 5, 2022.

There will be an Eggcellent Eggsplorers Project Record Book, Poster Contest, and Showmanship workshop offered to participants. More details to come!

Chatham County 4-H Butterfly Project Wraps Up in Local Classrooms

Many thanks to all the teachers and students who participated in the annual Chatham County 4-H Butterfly Project for Spring 2022! We had a record 42 classrooms participate from around the county to help aid in the instruction of life cycles and development with the assistance of 4-H curricula and kits. Thank you for helping us wrap up another successful 4-H School Enrichment Program this school year!

From NC State Extension Publications

Growing Edibles in the Landscape

Edible landscapes connect people with their food by serving up tree fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs, and edible flowers throughout the seasons. These productive gardens can offer beauty and function in the landscape, unique edible options for the table, and many other benefits.

By planting edible landscapes, gardeners can also

• enjoy more control over their food with a wide array of choices of species and varieties;
• select heritage varieties and thus promote genetic diversity in edibles;
• choose varieties based on flavor, nutrition, and color rather than shelf life, which is a higher priority in commercial production;
• choose what types of fertilizers and pesticides, if any, to use on the food they grow;
• minimize their carbon footprint by reducing the resources required to store, transport, package, and market store-bought produce;
• produce a bounty for the family and share fresh produce with others;
• improve health through exercise and better nutrition; and
• stimulate the senses with diverse colors, flavors, scents, and textures.

Manage Compost and Soil Contaminated with Broadleaf Herbicides in Residential, School, and Community Gardens

Persistent broadleaf herbicides are a group of chemicals used to kill weeds. The group includes both pre-emergent herbicides, applied to the soil to interrupt the germination process, and selective post-emergent herbicides applied directly to the plant to kill broadleaf weeds and not grass. Though they do not kill grass, they can be taken up by grass, consumed by horses or cows, passed through the digestive tract, expelled as manure, and still remain active after composting. Plant injury caused by herbicide residues in compost or manure can be similar to injury caused by herbicide drift or volatility (evaporation) from these same and other auxin-like herbicides.

During thermophilic composting, high temperatures and microbes destroy most herbicides. However, persistent herbicides (such as the ones described in this publication) may remain viable for many months.

Anthracnose on Liriope

Liriope, often called Lilyturf, is a broadleaf evergreen, clump-forming, perennial. It resembles ornamental grass but it is not a true grass.

Climate Change Lessons

This three-part series of lessons covers climate change from the global perspective to what is happening here in North Carolina. In addition to the science of climate change, these lessons explore the topics of climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. Each lesson is provided as a self-paced slide show for learners and as a set of downloadable slides and instructor notes for educators. These were developed to target an audience of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers but will likely be relevant for most adult audiences.

Farmers' Market News!

All three of our Chatham County farmers' markets are in full swing and offer amazing local produce, meats, dairy, artisanal foods, flowers, and much more. And we have big news: starting June 2 the Pittsboro Farmers' Market will be moving to its new location at The Plant at 220 Lorax Lane on the eastern edge of town out by the State Employees Credit Union. The market will still have its regular vendors but just in a new spot, so make sure and check it out!

Cooperative Extension's Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden

Visitors have been flocking to Cooperative Extension's Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden to enjoy the beautiful spring blooms! Garden tours are in full swing and currently there are over 50 species in bloom. Check out these snapshots from early spring in the garden!

Wild Herb Weekend in the NC Mountains

Registration is open for the Wild Herb Weekend on July 22-24, 2022 in Valle Crucis, NC. For over 30 years folks have been convening in this beautiful mountain location to attend this annual conference featuring hands-on workshops, lectures, plant walks, and networking with other herbalists and growers.

Registration is open for the second webinar in the four-part ForestHer NC Conservation Webinar Series

Participants get an overview of the landscape-level conservation challenges faced in NC and how their land can be a piece in the larger puzzle that can tackle these issues. The webinar will be on June 9 and will be recorded. For a detailed agenda and a link to register, visit the Growing Small Farms by clicking on the link below.

Congratulations, Kristina!

Congratulations to our 2022 CALS Award for Excellence Winner, Kristina Britt! Interim Dean Dole presented Kristina with her awards during a luncheon at the University Club located on NC State’s campus. We're very proud of Kristina and so glad she's part of the Chatham County Center - we appreciate all she does for the community!

The Chatham County Youth Livestock Team Updates

The Chatham County Youth Livestock Team is gearing up for their first competition on June 8th. This team has been studying breeds, tools, feeds, judging, and more. Excited for our upcoming farm tours and livestock judging practices!

Small Ruminant Herd Health Workshop

Small Ruminant Herd Health Workshop: June 23rd, 6:30-8PM. Dr. Andrew Weaver, NC State Small Ruminant Specialist, will be discussing herd health including vaccination programs, parasite control, and a fecal egg counting demo. Please register at (will send eventbrite link once it comes through)

How to avoid heat stress in livestock

With temperatures warming up, it's incredibly important to avoid heat stress in all of our livestock species. Heat stress has shown to negatively impact reproduction, decrease feed intake, and more. Here are some tips to avoid heat stress in your livestock herds this summer:

- Avoid intense handling, transporting, and moving animals in the hottest parts of the day. If it's necessary, complete these tasks first thing in the morning.

- Provide additional water. Water is the most important nutrient in an animal's diet and is especially important during these summer months. Ensure all watering sources are working properly with daily checks and ensure animals have easy access to water.

- Provide shade and adequate ventilation. If animals are on pasture, make sure that each paddock has some kind of shade to alleviate the heat (trees, overhangs, etc). If animals are in a barn or enclosed area, make sure that space has adequate ventilation. You can also provide fans or sprinklers to help alleviate heat stress.

Always monitor animals for abnormal behavior like labored breathing, drooling, or foaming. Have more questions about heat stress? Contact Kristina by clicking on the button below.

Eastern Alliance for Production Katahdins Field Day and Grazing School

Fly Control in Horses

Although most of us love spring and summer with the warmer temps, longer days, and more chances to spend time outside and with horses, spring time also brings along some not-so-nice things like pollen and FLIES. Now is the time to start making some preparations to deal with these pests. Here are a couple of key things to remember:

1) There is no silver bullet; you'll likely need multiple methods to reduce (not eliminate) flies

2) Know what flies you are dealing with, their life cycle and how to best control them

3) Be aware that chemical resistance can develop

Pine Sawtimber Markets Continued to Improve in North Carolina

Dr. Rajan Parajuli, NCSU Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, explains that in the first quarter of 2022, with the exception of pine pulpwood, markets for all stumpage products maintained an upward trend in North Carolina.

An Explanation of Ownership Rights in Property

Andrew Branan, NCSU Extension Assistant Professor in Ag & Resource economics, reminds us that essential to decisions concerning resources for forest management and legacy transfer planning is understanding the nature and extent of your ownership rights in the land and things available to you for disposal for personal and business use. Sometimes, particularly with some inherited or gifted property, determination of ownership requires an extensive examination of the public record and may have to be proven in court. This recent publication discusses the basics of how property is classified and how title (ownership) to property is held, and the legal rights of disposition associated with that ownership.

In the kitchen with Tara

May was National Beef Month, but beef is consumed monthly. Tara shares with us a time-saving tip for quick beef based meals.

Taking Care of Your Blood Pressure Series

High Blood Pressure? Learn about eating to improve your blood pressure, cooking tips and skills to help you prepare nutritious meals and snacks, and stress management techniques in a series of five classes.

In addition to the small group classes with FCS Agent Tara Gregory, a Registered Dietitian, you will receive kitchen gadgets to practice the new cooking skills you learn and will receive weekly vouchers to buy fresh, local food at the Pittsboro Farmers' Market!

This series will be offered twice this summer: June 8, 2022, and then again July 28, 2022.

It's Blueberry Season

Blueberry Season is upon us! Delicious, colorful berries bursting with flavor and nutrition. If you find yourself with more berries than you can eat, try freezing them to enjoy all year long.

The National Center for Home Food Preservation has a safe way to freeze your blueberries while retaining their quality.

Freezing Blueberries or Huckleberries

Preparation – Select full-flavored, ripe berries. Remove leaves, stems and immature or defective berries.

Dry Pack – Do not wash blueberries. Washing results in a tougher skinned product. Pack berries into containers, leaving headspace. Berries can also be frozen first on a tray and then packed into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal and freeze. Wash before using.

Crushed or Puréed – Wash the blueberries. Crush, press berries through a fine sieve, or purée in a blender or food processor. Mix 1 to 1 1/8 cups of sugar with each quart (2 pounds) of crushed berries or purée. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Pack into containers, leaving headspace. Seal and freeze.

Use your frozen blueberries in oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, baked goods or just as a cold snack even in the winter. Since your blueberries were picked and frozen at the peak of freshness, more flavor and nutrients can be retained.

Celebrate blueberry season with these kid-friendly recipes

RALEIGH, N.C. — With students out of school and families cooking more meals at home than usual, here are five kid-friendly blueberry recipes just in time for the start of N.C. bluberry season, which runs mid-May through mid-July.

For breakfast, try Blueberry Almond Overnight Oatmeal. The simple recipe includes many ingredients already in your pantry, takes just five minutes to prep and is ready to eat when the kids wake up. Sweet Potato Toasts with Blueberries and Tahini Sauce is a nutrient-packed lunch that incorporates blueberries with another great N.C. crop – sweet potatoes. For dinner, the recipe for Savory Blueberry Pizza offers a new way to add variety to a make-your-own pizza night. Those looking for easy snacks that can be made with their children will enjoy Blueberry Creamsicles and Blueberry Sparklers.

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Making a Summer Budget For Fun

With the kids getting out of school soon and families planning summer vacations, we might find we need to stretch the budget a little more. Summer camps, weekday adventures, and finding ourselves planning more family activities on the weekends could find one going over their normal budget.

Making a Family Summer of Fun Plan can really help you plan out a budget for your family this summer. This will help get your kids involved in planning creative activities that will help keep them from spending too much time in front of a screen during the summer. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Media Children recommend limiting media use to no more than one or two hours per day. By having your family sit down and decide on the activities that they would like to do over the summer, will not only help you make a spending plan, but it will also help get your kids excited about activities that will encourage your kids to use their imagination and get active. Everyone can put in their wishes for the summer and after making a family list you can sit down and plan how much all those activities will cost and how to budget for them. We hope that everyone has a safe and healthy summer!

Some activities that you might want to add to the list:

• Picking berries

• Sidewalk chalk art show

• Family bike ride

• Camping

• Building sandcastles

• Library

• Lemonade stand

• Baseball game

• Splash pad

• Popsicle party

• Fly a kite

• Watermelon eating

• Road trip

• Dance party

• Fishing

• Baking cookies

• Swimming

• Movie night

• Water balloon fight

• Bonfire/smores

• Make a garden

• Pizza Night

• Ice Cream party

Memories Made and Stories Shared

Memories are made and stories are shared, but when those memorable stories are no longer shared they fade away. If memories are documented they can be shared for generations. I had already found the perfect article to highlight this month about 4-H summer camp, but suddenly I discovered another 4-H summer camp story. When it caught my eye, I began to read it. I then realized that I had to change course and share this summer camp memory.

It was the summer of 1964, and the two buddies, both named Edward, spent the week at Millstone 4-H Camp near Ellerbe, NC. They were attending the 4-H Wildlife Conference. While at camp, Edward M. documented his adventures. After I started reading this article, I realized who wrote it. I knew this family really well so I reached out to Edward's daughter and shared it with her. She was so happy to read this because it brought back memories, stories that her father shared with her when she was a child. Edward told his daughter about going to camp at Millstone and learning about wildlife. These memories had not faded away because he shared these fun, memorable stories with his daughter. Those memories could have faded away if he had not documented his adventures. Edward's daughter probably hasn't thought about this memory lately, but because of the newspaper discovery, Edward's camp stories came back to life through his daughter, who then shared with me that she knew this story because her dad told her about it. Another memory saved!

As we grow older in life, and the special people in our lives pass on, all we have are memories and the stories. Share the memories and the stories that were made in the past with the next generation. If you don't share the memories and the stories they will slowly fade away forever.

Below is a copy of the Chatham Record that Edward's story appeared in.

NEws from around the county

From the Chatham County Extension Office

We are Hiring!

Know someone who would make an exceptional youth development professional? Please let us know! Chatham County is looking to hire an Extension Agent - 4-H Youth Development professional to join the Chatham County Center team soon.

Extension Interns Gain Real-World Experience and Serve Local Communities

Pittsboro, N.C. – NC State Extension announced that Gracean Hoesli is completing an Extension internship this summer with the Chatham County Center.

An Extension summer intern works with Extension personnel to deliver hands-on, educational programs. Job shadowing and mentoring help interns learn about the mission and work of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

“Extension makes a positive difference in the community every day. We provide educational programs that connect communities with research-based information. Our internship program is another way we help prepare students for challenging and rewarding careers in food, agriculture, natural resources, and family and consumer sciences,” said Dr. Richard Bonanno, Associate Dean of the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of NC State Extension.

Hoesli is a sophomore from NC State University majoring in Agriculture & Extension Education. She grew up in Colorado, but moved to northern Orange County in 2019, graduating from Orange High School. Hoesli’s long-term goal is to obtain her Master’s in Agriculture & Extension Education, enabling her to teach agriculture education on the high school level or to become an Extension Agent.

“Gracean comes to us with sound experience in youth development and program planning work having already been employed by one of our State 4-H Camps just this past summer, so we are excited to have her share that valuable know-how with us as we execute our summer programming here in Chatham County,” stated Dr. Ginger Cunningham, Chatham County Extension Director.

Hoesli says she is excited to spend this summer with the Chatham County Center to gain valuable experiences through working with Extension. She will return to N.C. State this fall to continue her education.