April 2023 Extension Newsletter

Almost each year we get anxious to plant our outdoor garden. We will have a warm spell, we plant our seeds or plants to have them killed by a late frost. Another factor is soil temperature. Plants and seeds will not grow unless the ground temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit for cool season vegetable and 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit for warm season crops. Soil probes are affordable and will provide you with proper soil temperature readings for planting. A Western North Carolina Planting Calendar For Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs is also available for our region to remove the guess work of potential damage from frost and proper soil temperatures. Choose the correct planting time for cool season crops such as lettuce and onions and for warm season crops such as beans and tomatoes.
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The North Carolina Map Contest is open to North Carolina high school (gr.9-12) and middle school (gr.4-8) students who can analyze, interpret, and present data about North Carolina via an ArcGIS Online web app or story map. Ten equal prizes of $100 will go to the five best high schools and five best middle school projects in North Carolina. One high school project and one middle school project will be entered into a national contest, the Esri ArcGIS Online U.S. School Competition.
Contest Rules & Details>>

Honey bees are hardworking, tirelessly gathering nectar and pollen to share with their hive. They provide a vital ecological service by pollinating agricultural, garden and native plants. Explore more about these fascinating insects by participating in the North Carolina 4-H Beekeeping Essay contest. The essay provides a platform for youth to creatively express their working knowledge and research of the craft of beekeeping. The 2023 essay topic is, “The Importance of Beeswax.” Although honey bees are much beloved for honey, bees also produce beeswax that can be used in many ways. For this essay, a 4-H student should discuss why beeswax is so important to the hive (it’s a pantry, it’s a nursery, it’s the dance floor), but also discuss their favorite way to use beeswax outside the hive. Photos of candles, soaps, or lip balms that are made to show the 4-H’er’s skill in using beeswax are welcomed as are recipes or brief instructions.

Contest Rules>>

2023 Farm School

A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR FARMERS, HOMEOWNERS, GARDENERS AND YOUTH.

Cherokee and Graham County Centers have teamed together to offer a series of Farm School educational programs that will help farmers, homeowners, gardeners and youth learn more about farming, agriculture and rural living in our area. Most workshops are free to anyone who would like to register. However, there is a charge for the grafting workshop to help cover the cost of the materials. If you have any questions about our programs, feel free to contact us.

More Info and a List of Programs

To register for any of these programs go to:
go.ncsu.edu/cherokeecounty

Educational Programs Being Offered at New Meeting Facility
As spring time arrives, so does a host of educational opportunities being offered by the Cherokee County Center. Thanks to the support of Cherokee County Government, you can now be part of our programs at our newly renovated educational facility at 699 Connahetta Street in Murphy, NC with nearby parking options. N.C. Cooperative Extension offers educational programs in food safety, wellness, agriculture, Master Gardener program, beekeeping, farm succession planning, consumer horticulture, and other topics. Youth programs are also offered through volunteers along with 4-H Volunteer training. Also webinars through NC State Extension are streamed onsite for residents with limited internet access along with allowing participants to use our facilities to access the internet to complete hybrid (online and in person educational programs. Most program signups are available 24/7 through Eventbrite.

How to Become a
4-H Member in

Cherokee County!!

Cherokee County currently has four active 4-H Clubs. All of our clubs are open to youth ages 5-18 except for our Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club. It is open to grades 6-12. All of our 4-H clubs are free to enroll in. If there is no club that your child is interested in please give us a call and we will talk to you about other ways to be involved in 4-H. Or if you would like to start a 4-H club we would love to have new 4-H adult volunteers.

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If you are a citizen of Cherokee County and have questions that Doug Clement or the Cherokee County Master Gardeners can assist with, submit your request at this link. It is very important that you provide detailed information. This information request is for Cherokee County, NC citizens only. Please allow 2 days for a response. Access the entire NC State Extension database by visiting cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu and typing the keyword in the search bar located in the upper right hand corner of the website. Also enjoy our monthly newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our website and entering your email address."

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