dbmcgiff@ncsu.edu

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Farmers Grew the State's Number One Economy

In a previous newsletter, I quoted NC Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler 's announcement that stated NC agriculture had surpassed and contributed over $100 billion to the NC economy in 2022. The fact that only 1% of the NC population is represented by farmers just emphasizes the entrepreneurship inherit in agriculture.

As highlighted in the August 4th issue of The Carolina Journal, author, Felix Jarvis-Earle, suggests that the strength of NC agriculture and agribusinesses stems from their ability to succeed in an atmosphere of continual shifting and changes in markets and laws. For many farmers, the answer to their endurance can be derived from agritourism and by utilizing efficient technologies that can efficiently supply the food chain. Regardless, their strategies, their production capabilities have resulted in the current economic milestone.

Jarvis-Earle goes on the explain that it is essential to nurture the economic sector that feeds our families. To find out what solutions that Jarvis-Earle poses for supporting agriculture, read his editorial opinion:

The $103.2 billion in NC ag is about more than dollars. It’s about people.

The entrepreneurial spirit of NC farmers empowers and promotes innovation that sustains farms and puts food on our tables.

Deborah McGiffin, County Extension Director
Moore County

Home Remedies in Your Garden

The names are exotic and quaint. Manroot. Goldenseal. Bloodroot. Feverfew. False unicorn.

They sound like something out of medieval literature, perhaps a mystery set in a monastery. “Brother Cadfael applied a poultice of black cohosh to heal Sir Gareth’s sword wound.”

Or maybe a folklore tale from the Appalachians. “Jedidiah’s stomach ailment laid him low, but Mammaw mixed a tincture of yellowroot that fixed him right up.”

There’s nothing fictional about medicinal plants, though. Herbs have been used as traditional medicine since prehistoric times. Today they’re more popular than ever. Medicinal plants are grown for home remedies or simply as attractive and interesting additions to any landscape.

In a previous edition of Homegrown, watch the video, Growing Medicinal Plants in the Home Garden, and listen to NC State Extension agricultural crop experts Craig Mauney and Margaret Bloomquist introduce us to several medicinal herbs, and why they might work well in your home garden or landscape.

Flagship Demonstration Garden

The Moore County Master Gardeners maintain several demonstration gardens as part of their efforts to educate the public about horticulture and the unique issues that come from growing plants in the Sandhills. The Flagship Garden is one example. This circular, 1300 square-foot demonstration garden, comprised mostly of native perennials, is located in Carthage in front of the Agriculture Center at 707 Pinehurst Avenue.

The garden was designed to provide residents of Moore County and all visitors to the county office complex with an example of how plants native to the Southeastern United States can be used in an assortment of situations to provide colorful landscape plantings or to replace non-native or invasive species. The need is urgent to assist wildlife, particularly pollinators, by providing them with the host /food plants required for their survival.

Back in 2016, this area was overgrown and neglected. A newly-graduated Master Gardener, Cheryl Stuckey, took the lead in the planning, plant selection, and installation of a wide variety of native plants. The assistance of the Moore County Facilities Department was crucial to the removal of the old plant material. Next, a group of Master Gardeners set about designing the three sections of the area that are divided by brick walkways. Each entrance to the walkway features an arbor with a native vine. And each section of plantings supports a theme: the east section features plants that are particularly drought resistant, the north section features herbs and medicinal plants, and the southwest section features flowering perennials.

To make the garden not just attractive but also educational, each species in the garden is labeled and includes a QR code that visitors may scan with their smart phones to get more information about the plant of interest. In addition, a large graphic replica of the garden is located in the Ag Center lobby.

Anyone interested in choosing pollinator-friendly plants for their own landscape will find a helpful resource by making a visit to the Flagship Garden.

By: Larry Allen, EMGV, Moore County
Photo: by Larry Allen

For more information, contact the Extension Master Gardener Helpline at 910-947-3188, Monday-Friday

Summer Means HOT Seasonal Produce

Moore County Farmers' Market
www.moorecountyfarmersmarket.com

Thursdays,
Year-Round, 9 AM-1PM
(closed Thanksgiving)
604 W. Morganton Rd (Armory SportsComplex)
Southern Pines, NC 28387

Seasonal, Saturdays, April 15-October 28, 8AM-12 Noon
Downtown Southern Pines
156 SE Broad Street. So Pines, NC 28388

Sandhills Farmers Market
https://www.facebook.com/SFGMarket/

Season hours:
Saturdays from April 15-October 7, 2023
(except Memorial & Labor Day Weekends)
10 AM-1 PM
Wednesdays from April 19-October 4, 2023
3:00 PM-6:00 PM

Sandhills Farm to Table Open for 14th Season

April 18 & 19 - November 8 & 9

Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative is a multi-farm CSA (community supported agriculture) of farms throughout the Sandhills and beyond that brings to member subscribers the best variety of seasonally fresh produce from our farms to your tables. Subscribe to a box that's packed with the abundance of Sandhills fresh-picked fruits and veggies and have them delivered to your door or to a pick-up site on a weekly, bi-weekly or on a selected week basis. Click to subscribe and find out about the freshest seasonal choices available. As a consumer member, you will have convenient access to the highest quality of local food, at a price comparable to current retail food prices!

Conservation Easements:
Powerful Tools for Land Owners

Recently, Barry Hull, a representative from Three Rivers Land Trust visited me about conservation easements that are available to landowners that surround the Fort Liberty (Bragg) periphery. Farmers and landowners who own land in the vicinity of Fort Liberty may qualify for conservation easements funded by the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) implemented through Three Rivers Land Trust. The easements help to protect Fort Liberty from development and loss of habitat by ensuring the military is not impeded or restricted from its operational ability to train personnel safely. Landowners benefit financially and are able to preserve their land for succeeding generations. The description below provided by Barry explains how conservation easements work and how they can be an essential estate and succession planning tool:

What is a conservation easement? A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows you to limit the type or amount of development on your property while retaining private ownership of the land. The easement extinguishes development rights and authorizes a conservation group, such as Three Rivers Land Trust, to enforce the terms of the easement. The easement ensures the property will be conserved from unwanted development, regardless of who owns the land in the future. The easement is customized for the natural resources of the property and the needs of the owner.

What land is eligible for placing into a conservation easement? Land eligible for a conservation easement must demonstrate significant conservation values. Woodlands, wetlands, farmland, endangered species habitat, scenic areas, wild and scenic rivers and historic areas are common examples. How long do conservation easements last? Conservation easements are perpetual. They apply to the existing owners and all subsequent owners thereafter. The easement “carries with the land.” The land can be sold, leased, left to heirs, or transferred but the easement will always remain.

What are the benefits of placing a conservation easement on your property? The benefits of placing a conservation easement on your property include potential lower property tax rates on the land, reduced estate and inheritance taxes, and reduced federal income taxes for a period of time. Occasionally grant funding can be available to purchase all or a portion of a conservation easement from a landowner.

How do the tax incentives work? When you donate a conservation easement on a property, you reduce the value of the property because it can no longer be developed to its “highest and best use”. The landowner gets a conservation easement appraisal as a first step. This appraisal shows the value of the property before the easement is placed on it, and the value after it is placed on it, and the difference is the value of the conservation easement.

What are the income tax benefits? In terms of federal income tax deductions, landowners can claim a deduction of up to 50 percent of their adjusted gross income in any year. Qualifying farmers and ranchers can deduct up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income in any year. Landowners can take those deductions the year of the gift and carry them forward for up to 15 years (or until the value of the deduction is exhausted). As always, TRLT staff are not licensed accountants, so please consult your own financial advisors to see how conservation easement donations can benefit your particular situation.

The conservation easement donation must meet the requirements of Section 170(h) of the IRS tax code, and every deduction must be based on a thorough, honest, realistic and independent appraisal prepared by a qualified and licensed appraiser. The appraiser, landowner and land trust accepting the easement all sign IRS form 8283.

How do I get more info? In the central Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina, contact Three Rivers Land Trust or visit them on the web at https://threeriverslandtrust.org/. They have experts on staff that can answer your questions, explain and guide you through the process.

To determine if you are qualified for the REPI program or other available options, contact Three Rivers Land Trust at https://threeriverslandtrust.org/

Deborah McGiffin, County Extension Director
Moore County

What's in a Label?

When purchasing meat, you’ve probably seen various claims printed or stamped on the packaging like raised without hormones, raised without antibiotics, and many others. The sheer number of different claims can be overwhelming. And there are no definitions on packages to tell you what these really mean. While some label claims sound pretty self-explanatory, some are more ambiguous. Label claims can refer to how an animal was raised, describe how the animal was processed, or be an indication of the quality of the product. So how can you make informed choices when purchasing meats?

Basically, packaging claims fall into two regulatory categories: those that are regulated by a governmental agency; or those claims that are verified or certified by a third party. Some claims that are regulated by governmental agencies have published definitions and others do not. For governmental regulated claims, a farmer or a business has to submit documentation that justifies the claim in the jurisdiction of the appropriate federal and/or state labeling division. The labeling division reviews the paperwork for accuracy before allowing the claim to be used on a package or on point-of-sale materials. Third party claims are not regulated by a governmental agency but are certified by a third-party agency that has visited the farm or business, and has verified that the farmer has met a published set of protocols before the farmer is qualified to make certain packaging claims. Some of the more common third-party claims include American Grassfed Approved, Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership and others. Though there are many claims that various producers use to appeal to certain consumer groups or concerns, the following definitions provided by NC Choices from Extension’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems give a basic understanding of three of the most common claims you may see on meat packages:

Claim: No Added Hormones:

This claim refers to how the animal was raised and applies to cattle (for beef and dairy production) and lamb. The claim means that animals have been raised without added hormones (also referred to as growth promotants). The FDA does approve growth promotants that are frequently used in conventional farming practices to speed growth and increase weight gain for more efficient production. If cattle or lambs are raised without added hormones after complying with federal regulations and getting approval from the USDA, the label of No Added Hormones can be used. However, there seems to be confusion when chicken or pork have a label of no added hormones. The fact is that federal regulation prohibits the use of added hormones in chicken and pork. So, if the claim is used on pork and poultry packaging it must also contain the disclaimer "Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry and pork.”

Another point of confusion is when customers misinterpret the label No Added Hormones to mean that the product is hormone free, when in actuality there is no such thing as a hormone free animal product. All animals have naturally occurring hormones just like humans, hence the claim No Added Hormones is used instead of Hormone Free, which, as pointed out, is often misleading to customers. Customers who are interested in purchasing products raised without added hormones, should seek third-party verification, when possible, although there is no company or organization required to audit the farm to ensure proper use of the claim.

Claim: Raised Without Antibiotics

This claim also refers to how the animal was raised and applies to pigs, chickens, cattle, and lamb. The meaning of the claim refers to consumer concerns about antibiotic use in livestock and poultry. Because of antibiotic resistance many consumers are concerned that antibiotics used to treat sick animals could be passed on to humans through consumption.

Yet, routine-use of antibiotics to promote growth have been banned in the US. However, if an animal is sick and needs antibiotics to treat an illness, a farmer can treat the animal. Under this circumstance, the farm must document that antibiotics were used, and then the animal has to be pulled out of the supply chain. Federal regulation requires a withdrawal period before slaughter so that the drugs can fully leave the animals’ systems before entering the market. The labels of processed animals that were treated with antibiotics cannot state raised without antibiotics.

Customers interested in purchasing products raised without antibiotics, should seek third-party verified claims when possible. Although the USDA approves the use of claims like Raised Without Antibiotics based on documentation provided, no independent third-party verification system is in place for this claim (meaning no company or organization is required to audit the farm to ensure proper use of the claim).

Claim: All Natural

The All Natural or Natural label is a widely misunderstood claim, because consumers often assume the label refers to the farming practice, and/or how the animal was raised: was the animal raised outdoors, were antibiotics or hormones used, etc.? It is important to remind customers that this claim does not describe anything about how an animal was raised or other production practices. Rather, it simply refers to the processing/characteristics of the final meat and/or poultry product. In other words, all fresh meat such as a fresh pork chop, would be considered natural since the meat is in its original state, and has been minimally processed without artificial ingredients or additives.

The USDA approves the use of claims like Natural based on documentation provided, but no independent third-party verification system is in place for this claim (meaning no company or organization is required to audit the farm to ensure proper use of the claim).

Deborah McGiffin, Extension Director
Moore County

Tomato Troubles

You’re heading out to the garden to harvest your beautiful, ripe tomatoes, but when you get there, you find fruit that has dark brown spots on the skin. It is common to jump to the very typical problem with tomatoes, blossom end rot. However, there are two other conditions that are copy-cats in their symptoms: Late blight and buckeye fruit rot both cause similar dark spots on the fruit of tomatoes.

With blossom end rot, the dark spotting will occur on the terminal end of the fruit, where the flower once was. If you see spots on the side or top of the fruit, this is a good indication that the fruit is not affected by blossom end rot.

Late blight and buckeye fruit rot differ in several ways. Late blight tends to have noticeable symptoms on the leaves and stems as well as the fruit. Plants affected by buckeye fruit rot may have plants that appear to be perfectly, but with rotting fruit. The lesions on the fruit with buckeye fruit rot will be firm and smooth with concentric rings, like ripples of lighter shades protruding from the spots. Whereas, the spots on fruit with late blight will be rough and will not have these concentric rings. Ultimately, if you still can’t decide based on the symptoms, consult the recent weather patterns. Late blight thrives in cool, wet conditions, and buckeye fruit rot prefers warm, wet conditions.

If you’re still unsure what is ailing your tomatoes, please give your local NC Cooperative Extension office a call and discuss the possibility of submitting a sample to the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NC State University.

Savanah Laur, Horticultural Agent
Moore County Extension

How to Make Your Own Dry Rub

Dry rubs can be as complicated or as simple as you want them. We’re of the mindset that simpler is better. The meat should be the showcase, after all, not the rub!

Nonetheless, the right rub makes good grub better. So tune in and take notes as Dana Hanson, NC State Extension specialist in meat science — we wish we’d known about that major in college, too — shows us how to make a simple dry rub using only salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

A good rule-of-thumb when preparing meat for large groups is 3/4 to 1 pound of raw meat per person you plan to feed

This versatile seasoning works well with many kinds of meat, including beef briskets, chicken or pork. Use it as a base rub to enhance whatever sauce or signature flavor you prefer. Your friends and neighbors will love you for it.

To learn more, click here and watch the video below.

Food Safety is the Main Ingredient to a Successful Cookout

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2023 – Whether you’re a grill master or a first-time barbecue cook, food safety should always be part of your routine to ensure a healthy and happy Fourth of July.

“Recent USDA consumer behavior studies have shown that individuals don’t always properly wash their hands or use a food thermometer,” said USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. “Show your family and friends that you’re a true grill master by cooking food to a safe temperature and washing your hands after handling raw meat and poultry.”

Ensure your food is safe to eat this Fourth of July by following these food safety steps:

Clean: Scrub the grill clean before use. Clean utensils and plates before they touch food. No access to a faucet? Carry bottled water, soap and paper towels. Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Follow proper handwashing steps to stop bacteria from spreading from your hands to your meal. Make sure to wet hands, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry.

Separate: Avoid cross contamination. Separate raw meat and vegetables by using different cutting boards. Place raw meat or poultry on one plate and cooked meat and poultry on another. Don’t use the same utensils to place raw meat and poultry on the grill and take cooked food off.

Cook: Use food thermometers to ensure your grilled food is ready. Insert the thermometer through the side of the patty until the probe reaches the center. Color is never a reliable indicator of doneness. Cook food to a safe minimum internal temperature by using a food thermometer:

Cook whole cuts of meat to 145 F with a three-minute rest time.
Cook fish to 145 F.
Cook ground meats to 160 F.
Cook poultry (ground or whole) to 165 F.

Although frozen products may appear to be pre-cooked or browned, treat them as raw food and cook thoroughly. Products labeled as “Cook and Serve,” “Ready to Cook” and “Oven Ready” must be cooked.

Chill: Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 F and 140 F — aka the Danger Zone. Perishable food should be consumed or refrigerated within two hours (one hour if outdoor temperatures are 90 F and above).

For more food safety information, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Access news releases and other information at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) website at www.fsis.usda.gov/newsroom. Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

USDA Office of Communications

Janice Roberts, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
Moore County Extension

Moore 4-H Youth Are Achievers

A delegation of Moore County 4-H members attended 4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus, which was held in Raleigh, North Carolina and sponsored by NC Electric Cooperatives. The Moore County delegation returned home from three days in which more than 100 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the state gathered to exchange ideas, gain knowledge and learn through hands-on experiences about the importance of being an active and engaged
citizen.

Sarah Baker represented Moore County at the June 21-22 conference. Through various conference sessions and facilitated discussions, delegates learned and shared information related to state government. Delegates also participated in sessions related to youth voice and community change. While at the conference delegates had a chance
to visit the Legislative Building in Raleigh to meet with their elected officials and their staff as well as participate in service activities throughout Raleigh.

In addition to the citizenship conference, Moore County 4-H’ers competed in the 4-H State Presentation Finals on July 22nd. This event was hosted on the campus of NC State University. 4-H Presentations are a significant part of North Carolina 4-H. It is one of the most successful ways to help a young person gain public speaking skills. Speeches entail members teaching others what they know about a particular project/subject matter. Three Moore County 4-H’ers excelled in their presentations at the finals. Macy Baker, 9, won 3rd place Bronze in the Fruits and Vegetable Use Category for the 8–10-year-old age division with her presentation entitled “Macy’s Charcuterie Board.” Sarah Baker, 16, won 1st place Gold in the Fruits and Vegetable Use Category for the 14-18 age division with her presentation making a lavender peach smoothie using ingredients from Moore County farms, the Lazy Fox Lavender Farm in Cameron, and Highlander Farm in Carthage. Isla Riggsbee, 13, won 3rd place Bronze in the Poultry category for the 11-13 age division with her presentation entitled “How Covid, the Avian Flu, and the Price of Eggs Made People Go Crazy about Chickens.” Both Macy and Isla were 1st time presentation participants this year. All three Moore County 4-H participants had qualified for state presentations by previously presenting at 4-H District Activity Day and winning first place in their respective categories. District Activity Day was held this year in Rowan County on June 17th, 2023.

Following the 4-H State Presentation Finals, 4-H members, Sarah Baker and Emily Carson, represented Moore County at NC 4-H Congress, which was held in Raleigh on NC State University's Campus. This year’s 4-H Congress, held July 22-25, attracted more than 400 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the state. During the 4-day event county delegates participated in general sessions, educational workshops, community service projects, attended an award ceremony for the 4-H State Presentation winners, and elected State 4-H Officers for the upcoming year. Sarah Baker represented Moore County as the outgoing 2022-2023 South Central District 4-H Member Engagement Officer, and Emily Carson represented Moore County as the outgoing 2022-2023 South Central District 4-H Vice President. During the event Sarah and Emily taught a workshop for 4-H delegates statewide educating youth about NC native plants and their importance to the NC ecosystem. On the final day of NC 4-H Congress delegates participated in the “Hooked on Books” community service project. Here youth selected donated books they wanted to share with youth in their home counties. Participants put in book plates in selected books with encouraging messages

4-H is North Carolina’s largest youth development organization, equipping more than 200,000 young people each year with the skills to succeed and improve the world around them.

For more information about 4-H camps or to get involved in Moore County 4-H, contact Kaley Lawing at kaley_lawing@ncsu.edu or call
910-947-3188.