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They Are Here!
Spotted Lantern Fly In NC
It was not a matter of if but a matter of when this unwelcome visitor would arrive. A little refresher on this insect invader, Spotted Lantern Fly (SLF) is a native of China, India, and South East Asia. SLF entered the United States via a shipment of Chinese landscape rock around 2014. Berks County, Pennsylvania (eastern portion of Pennsylvania) was the site of initial detection and identification. Since 2014 SLF has traveled to several additional states. Please see the attached map. The following is a list of SLF progression by state and year of detection: New Jersey (2018), Virginia (2018), Delaware (2019), West Virginia
(2019), Maryland (2019), Connecticut (2019), New York (2020), Ohio (2020), Indiana (2021), and Massachusetts (2021). North Carolina is the latest state to identify an infestation of SLF on June 29, 2022 the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer service announced the discovery of SLF in Kernersville a suburb of Winston-Salem. Treatments and control measures are already underway in an effort to reduce SLF populations.
This expansion is a huge accomplishment for a plant hopper like SLF which are at best sub-par fliers in comparison to other insects. SLF relies on alien modes of transportation for travel such as vehicles, railroad cars, cargo, trailers, firewood, etc. it is suspected that SLF probably arrived in NC by rail. The grape industry has the most to lose in NC, because a vineyard infested with SLF can see reductions in yield of up to 90%. This insect does damage by piercing and sucking out plant nutrients and leaving behind frass (or honeydew) that molds or ferments which attracts wasps, ants, and other unwelcome guests. This infestation in regards to population numbers and the vast amount of frass generated greatly reduces
photosynthetic activity thus weakening the plant which in turn leads to poor health and disease susceptibility. SLF feeds on fruit and native trees such as apples, plums, cherries, peaches, dogwoods, oaks, maples, and beeches. In fact, there are more than 100 species of plants that are susceptible to attack by SLF.
The first step to control is understanding the life cycle. SLF has to have the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima/TOH) to reproduce due to metabolites produced by the TOH which are essential for life cycle completion. Eradication of TOH on one's property is a good idea. Next month's article will look at control methods for TOH other than sawing. Please resist the urge to cut this tree down; this typically leads to a vast number of suckers which in turn increases the TOH population. Also, examine your vehicle and purchases for egg masses when traveling. Please educate yourself about SLF detection and TOH identification; this can all be done via NCSU Extension resources. A good place to start is forestry.ces.ncsu.edu.
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Tomato Workshop
The Mitchell Cooperative Extension Center receives a large number of calls during the growing season concerning poor tomato performance and disease control A workshop will be held May 20th at the Mitchell County Senior Center (152 Old Ledger School Rd Bakersville, NC 28705) from 9am-12pm. Topics will include cultivar
selection, growth requirements, disease suppression, and alternative production methods. The cost is $10.00, please contact the Mitchell County Cooperative Extension Center at 828-688-4811.
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SMALL FRUIT PLANT SALE
Our plant sale was a huge success. Thank you to all of our Master Gardener volunteers who helped out. Here is one of our favorite volunteers
(they are all our favorites), Jackie Wall with our Agriculture Agent, Shane Biddix.
If you don’t want to miss out on our sale next year get on our mailing list! Either sign up for the newsletter or call our office at 688-4811, and we will make sure you get the order form in plenty of time for next year's sale!
Also, Thank you to all of you that purchased plants, we appreciate your support!
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The Extension Master Gardener Is In!
Beginning in May, Mitchell County residents will have a new resource for help with their vegetable and ornamental gardens. On Mondays and
Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will respond to questions that come in to the Extension office via telephone, email or walk-in.
Call: 828-688-4811
Ask for the Extension Master Gardener on duty! You can still get answers other days and times by reaching out to the Michell County Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent. Our Extension Master Gardener volunteers look forward to helping you!
NC State Extension Master Gardener™ volunteers connect people to horticulture through science-based education and outreach that empowers North Carolinians to cultivate healthy plants, landscapes, ecosystems and communities.
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Pesticide Safety School
Looking ahead to next semester, our fall 2023 Pesticide Safety Schools are now open for registration. For your convenience, the link is included to the Pesticide Safety School registration webpage below and attached a mail-in registration form to this email.
Please mark your calendars with the dates of the Pesticide Safety School(s) near you. If you're interested in presenting at a Pesticide Safety School, we'd love to hear from you. Connecting the pesticide applicators with you through the Pesticide Safety School is a great way of becoming a known resource to them. The applicators become familiar with your Extension Center and quickly realize what a terrific resource they have in you!
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Teen Cook Camp
Teens from all over Mitchell County participated in Cook Smart Eat Smart classes during the week of Spring Break. A huge thank you to Spruce Pine First Presbyterian Church, who welcomed us into their kitchen and fellowship hall, to Mitchell County Transportation, who got the kids to camp everyday, and to our wonderful volunteers. 16 teens learned basic cooking skills including baking, roasting, steaming, meal planning, knife skills and much more. We had a lot of fun, and prepared a supper the last day of camp to share with the teens' families. Each teen who completed the class received a certificate and will also receive a $20 gift
card.
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Intermountain Children's Gardens
Work has begun on two new gardens in Mitchell County, at the Intermountain Children's Place and Roan View HeadStart. These gardens are funded by Steps to Health, North Carolina State University’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Program. Steps to Health empowers youth, adults, and communities through evidence-based nutrition programs to promote healthy eating behaviors and food resource management strategies.
These gardens will be used to teach the children at the preschool's about growing food, and will be used in a new Farm to Early Childhood Education curriculum taught by Katie Elkins with the assistance of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Mitchell County.
The gardens include blueberries, apple trees, a bean tepee, compost bins, a rain barrel to collect water, and new raised beds. A huge thank you to Sara Allen, one of our volunteers who has been working with Roan View.
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Mitchell County
Quilt Club will meet May 4th at 1:30 pm at the Mitchell County Senior Center. Our current project is a quilt for the Mitchell House. We are making nine patch squares as a group and individually. All are welcome!
Also, the Quilt Resource Center will be offering free quilting classes and sending out quilting kits to community centers in our county. These
kits include a sewing machine, cutting mats, irons, ironing boards, quilting hoops, thread, needles, and pretty much everything you need to quilt. Sue Robinson, the creator of the Quilt Resource Center project hopes to promote heritage quilting with quilters of all ages. Each kit will be managed by a Resident Quilter, who will receive a monthly stipend to give access to the kits at the centers. If you are interested in teaching a class, or in being a Resident Quilter, please fill out this form, or call Katie Elkins for more information: 688-4811.
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LIFT
Lifelong Improvements Through Fitness Together is a free class series offered by N.C. Cooperative Extension at the Buladean Community Center.
This program has been running since 1989 and has improved the lives of countless people.
"One participant shared that prior to LIFT, she: was completely walker dependent, unable to dress herself, had poor balance, and low energy.
She had hip surgery six months prior and set a LIFT goal for herself to become less reliant on her walker and more independent. Since participating in LIFT: she has increased her stamina and energy, improved her range of motion, can touch her toes, her balance has improved, can do more things for herself (dress herself, fix her hair, put on her socks, tie her shoes) and does not use her walker in her room area anymore. One of her biggest accomplishments came with the wide leg squats. During the assessment, she wasn't able to do any, but by the end of the 8 weeks, was able to do 12."
The class is 8
weeks, and meets twice a week from 4-5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our next series begins May 16th. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please contact us for the registration forms by May 9th.
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4-H ALIVE PROGRAM
Spring is off to a great start. Alive participant, Tanner Buchanan helping get the garden ready for planting.
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4-H Electric Congress
North Carolina 4-H Electric Congress is an educational event designed to recognize excellence in the Electric Program throughout the state. Electric Congress travels from region to region of the state, thus allowing for a variety of programming opportunities for everyone. Four-H members participate in educational workshops, meet Power Company Representatives, learn about careers in the energy industry, and interact with other electric winners.
The 76th 4-H Electric Congress will be held July 11th - 13th at UNC Wilmington. This is an all-expense paid trip for youth that have participated in the electric project and are eligible to attend. Participants must be 11 years of age (by Jan.1st) and registered in 4-H online.
If you are interested in learning more and seeing if you are eligible to attend, please call the 4-H Office at 688-4811.
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4-H Presentations
4-H
Presentations are a huge part of North Carolina 4-H. It is one of the most successful way to help a young person learn how to do a public speech. It focuses on members teaching others what they know about a particular project/subject matter. They are sometimes called demonstrations or illustrated talk or a formal speech.
Each year youth ages 5-18 compete in a variety of categories from foods and nutrition, safety, electric , animal science to outdoor cookery. Participants are chosen to compete at a district and possibly state level for scholarships and
awards. Our District Activity Day Competition will be held on June 16th in Rutherford County.
To learn more contact the 4-H Office at 688-4811. Deadline to register is May 26 and
youth MUST be registered in 4-H Online.
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Outdoor Cookery Presentation
Mitchell County 4-Hers have participated and been State winners in Outdoor Cookery 4-H Presentations. You can grill pork, chicken, turkey, beef, and even seafood as a demonstration as part of the competition at District Activity Day.
If you are interested in learning how you can do an outdoor grilling PRESENTATION, join us on Saturday, MAY 6, 2023 from 10am-1pm at the Mitchell County Office. We will be having an outdoor cooking demonstrations by several Mitchell County 4-Hers. You will learn skills and tips for presenting a winning outdoor cookery presentation!
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Congratulations to our very own,
Sharon Runion Rowland!!
Each year, North Carolina 4-H recognizes exemplary individuals who have provided exceptional support to programs around our state. These supporters, partners, volunteers and alumni are pivotal in ensuring that 4-H’ers can continue to make an impact on our state, nation and world.
Sharon was a recipient of the 2021 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award. She was recognized in Raleigh on April 29, 2023. Congratulations again and THANK YOU for all you do for Mitchell County 4-H and the State!!
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4-H Online Enrollment is Open
All 4-H members, leaders and parents must re-enroll for the 2023 year to participate in 4-H opportunities. In addition, if you are new to the program and want to participate in any 4-H events, activities, or programs, please go register in 4-H online.
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Citizenship NC Focus 2023
4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus will be held June 21-22, 2023 in Cary. Youth ages 13 and up are eligible to participate. Some of the highlights of the conference are: * Citizenship-themed workshops, * Distinguished speakers, * Visits with elected
officials, and * Citizenship Opportunity Fair.
Registration deadline is May 11, 2023. Youth MUST be registered in 4-H Online to participate. If interested, please call the office at (828) 688-4811.
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| NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made
to Spring Williams-Byrd @ 828-688-4811
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