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Iredell Informed March 2023

Horticulture

We are still looking for sponsors and vendors for the 2023 Iredell County Garden Fair, Saturday, April 29, 2023. Email iredellgardenfair@gmail.com for more info.

Family & Consumer Sciences

March is National Nutrition Month -- This year’s theme is “Fuel for the Future” and focuses on eating with sustainability in mind in tasty ways that nourish us during every phase of life while protecting the environment.  Click here for 20 Healthy Tips



Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe







What's in season? Download the VISITNCFARMS app to keep up to date!

Easy Homemade Pizza

Agriculture

Pullet sale: Due to avian influenza in the area, our supplier does not have pullets available. If/when this changes, we will send out an email or letter to those on our list. 

4-H & Youth Development

4-H Presentations Workshop
March 28th at 6pm at the Iredell Extension Office

Do you have a special hobby that you want to share with other people? Are you passionate about a certain topic? 4-H Presentations are a great opportunity for you to share about the things that you are passionate about while learning self-confidence and how to speak in-front of a large audience. During the workshop we will learn what 4-H Presentations are, why we do them, view examples so you know what to expect, tips and tricks on preparing your presentations, and more. There are 10 different categories to choose from including an open class so I am sure we will find you the perfect fit for you and your presentation. Opportunities with 4-H Presentations: Compete at County Activity Day, District Activity Day, and State Presentations. To register for the workshop visit: https://forms.gle/iSgyh4kNUpH5EzRW8

Avian Bowl and Livestock Skillathon Teams Showstoppers 4-H Club is putting together some teams to compete in Avian Bowl (quizbowl for poultry) and Livestock Skillathon and are looking for more team members! You do not have to be a current member of the club to join a team, but they will be practicing during their club meetings sometimes. Contact Adreanna for more info or if you are interested in joining a team, awhite6@ncsu.edu or 704-873-0507.

Trouble Shooters Safety Meeting
April 6th at 6pm at the Ag Center
Any family, new or returning, should be in attendance for this safety meeting. We will cover all of our safety guidelines and procedures that we use while at the shooting range. We will also cover shooting positions and more information about the club. Contact Adreanna if you have any questions, white6@ncsu.edu or 704-873-0507.

Piedmont Rabbit Project
Learn how to raise, care for, and show rabbits with the 6 week Piedmont Rabbit Project. Don't have a rabbit? That's okay! We will have rabbits available for you to borrow for this project. 
When: Starts in late March and ends with the Rabbits Show on May 6th
Where: Pick-up will be at the Iredell Extension Office and the Rabbit Show will be at the Rowan County Fairgrounds.
Keep an eye on our facebook page for more information in the near future. Contact Adreanna, awhite6@ncsu.edu) if you are interested in participating in this project.

4-H Needs Assessment

As we begin another year, we invite you to provide feedback about our county's 4-H program. We want to know what the community needs and wants from 4-H in the coming year and in the future. We appreciate all the feedback that we receive. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know. To fill out the needs assessment, please visit: https://go.ncsu.edu/2023iredell4hneedsassessment

Dairy

Initial Animal Waste Operator Certification Training

Do you need a new animal waste certified operator for your farm?  If so, there will an Initial Animal Waste Certified Operator class held on Tuesday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 28 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm both days.  You must attend both days of the training.  The class will be held at the Iredell County Agricultural Resource Building, 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville.  Please call 704-873-0507 by Friday, March 17 so that we have adequate materials available for the class.

Iredell County Dairy Youth Compete at NC Dairy Quiz Bowl and Skillathon Competition

 The NC 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and Skillathon competition was recently held in Chatham County. Congratulations to all of the participants from Iredell, Alexander, Surry and Cleveland counties that completed spots on our teams.  We had two junior teams and one senior team in the contest.  The senior team (3 Mooseketeers) members were Alleigh Johnson, Macy Chapman and Kylee Seats).  The senior team was 1stplace in the skillathon competition and 3rd in the quiz bowl contest.  Alleigh Johnson was high individual in the skillathon contest followed by Macy Chapman 2nd and Kylee Seats 3rd.  Congratulations girls!!

The junior teams competed in both the quiz bowl and skillathon competitions.  Both teams did a phenomenal job overall and had a great time for their first time participating in either competition.  The Milk Shakers team was comprised of Bryson Baldwin, Cooper Grebe, Stella Fortenberry and Grayson Sparks. The Cheese Puffs team was comprised of Reece Shook, Bryson Stroud and Bentley Snook.  Thanks to Ryan Shoemaker and Grant Snook for assisting with all of the teams.  Great job!!!

Expanded SDBII Funding Now Available for All Dairies

Brittany Whitmire, Dairy Extension Associate Agricultural & Resource Economics
NC State Extension

The grant application period is now open for two new grant opportunities through the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII). This is not limited to value-added operations; dairy farms are eligible!

The Farm Infrastructure Improvement Grant will provide funds for projects that increase milking parlor throughput to reduce labor costs, improve animal comfort to increase production, and facilitate milk marketing efficiencies by expanding storage and ease of transportation of raw milk. Applicants can apply for up to $100,000.00 in reimbursable funds through this grant program. $3.2MM in award funding will be available in this category and around 32 grant awards will be funded under this call. Applicants must provide a cash match of 25% on eligible expenses. Find more information on eligibility and how to apply.

The Precision Technology Investment Grant will support the utilization of new and existing technologies that help farmers track and manage key farm metrics to maximize the impact of inputs like labor, feed, and fertilizer and improve farm efficiency. Applicants may apply for up to $200,000.00 in funding from this grant program. $2.13MM in award funding will be available in this category and at least 10 grant awards will be made. Applicants must provide a cash match of 25% of eligible project expenses. Find more information on eligibility and how to apply.

Applicants may apply to either the Precision Technology and Management Grant or the Farm Infrastructure Improvement Grant in a calendar year, but not both. Both grants are due 5:00 p.m. EST on June 2, 2023.

North Carolina Dairy Producers Association Annual Meeting March 23, 2023

North Carolina Dairy Producers Association annual meeting will be held on Thursday March 23, 2023 at 10:00 at the Iredell County Extension Office. Lunch will be provided by NC Farm Bureau; please RSVP for lunch by Monday, March 20!  NCDPA welcomes the North Carolina Dairy Advantage Board members to attend as well. 

 To RSVP follow the link below or call the Iredell Extension Office at 704-873-0507.

https://forms.gle/ZtrVQSNo2qQhtzWUA

Proposed Agenda 
Business Meeting
Minutes of last annual meeting
Financial Report
Election of Directors
President Report
Legislative Report and NCDPA/NC Dairy Advantage merger report
Update on Federal Order 5,6, & 7 
Old Business
New Business
Program 
SBDII Grants—Brittany Whitmire 
Potential Markets for Dairy on Beef—Will Thompson
Lunch
Adjourn

Row Crops

Join us on your lunch break the last three Fridays in March for our series on early season soybean management. The free webinars are being offered by Science for Success, a national team of soybean extension specialists led by Dr. Rachel Vann, NC State’s Soybean Extension Specialist. The content will be focused on the new research and materials that we have recently released specifically for US soybean producers. Each virtual event will include a live Q&A session so that you can get answers straight from the source!
All Events will be held at Noon Central, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
For more details click on the flyer below:

March 17, 2023:  When Early Planting Doesn’t  Work Out – Do I Replant, Repair-Plant or Leave This Pitiful Stand? 


March 24, 2023:  What’s New In Planter Technologies? 

March 31, 2023: N-Fixation and Sulfur Fertility In Soybeans 

Livestock

CONTINUE TO CATCH EXTENSION ON WAME

Extension has daily slots on the local radio station, WAME 92.9FM/550AM! 

Check them out at 6:40am and 6:40pm 

Mondays-      Adreanna White-Foxx & Kelly Pierce for 4-H/Youth Development 

Tuesdays-       Andrea Sherrill for Family & Consumer Science

Wednesdays- Melinda Roberts for Horticulture

Thursdays-     Laura Elmore and Jenny Carleo for Crops and
                         Livestock 

Fridays-          Nancy Keith, Dairy and Extension Director News


Need to get in touch with Extension Staff?

--Just click on the person below--
Agents/Associates:
Nancy Keith: County Extension Director, Dairy 
Andrea Sherrill: Family & Consumer Science 
Jenny Carleo:  Area Specialized Agent, Grain Crops 
Laura Elmore: Livestock and Crops
Adreanna White-Foxx: 4-H and Youth Development
Kelly Pierce: 4-H Program Associate
Melinda Roberts: Horticulture

Associate Support Staff: 
Beth Cloninger
Latoya Boller


NC Cooperative Extension 
Iredell County Center
444 Bristol Drive Statesville NC 28677
704-873-0507


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