October 2023 Extension Newsletter

Discover the food, landscapes and agriculture of North Carolina at http://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu. Roasted, smoked, fried. However you cook a turkey, it’s yummy. If you do decide to fry your turkey, there are extra safety issues to consider - good thing we have a food safety rockstar on our team! At Homegrown, we share everyday solutions for everyday lives, whether that means preparing a nutritious seasonal recipe, learning the best way to start your garden, or discovering where your food comes from. Subscribe to our monthly digest so you don't miss out on timely tips and tools from our Extension experts in three categories: https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/....

Cherokee County 4-H hosted its first ever Pumpkin Painting Contest at the Cherokee County Fair this year. Youth had to preregister their pumpkins and they had to be decorated in an agricultural theme. We original had 44 preregistered youth with 38 entries coming in on the day of the fair so it was super hard to choose a winner from all the entries. We had some of our 4-H youth helping out at the fair, as well as, a bunny from our Bunnies, Bovines, Bees, & Birds 4-H Club.

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Taking a walk is becoming more enjoyable as the Summer temperatures are being replaced by cooler Fall days! We invite you to join the upcoming Walk for Wellness group every Tuesday from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in November. We will begin each session at the Extension Meeting Room with useful information related to walking and healthy lifestyles then set out on a self-paced group walk for 30-45 minutes. Everyone is welcome to attend, however, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. We hope you will join us in taking the first step towards a healthier, happier you.

Reserve Your Spot:

Beginner's Sock Knitting Workshop
Join us for an exciting and hands-on Beginner's Sock Knitting Workshop! This workshop is perfect for an experienced beginner (who has mastered the basic knit stitch) and is interested in learning the art of sock knitting. Our skilled instructor will guide you through each step, from casting on to turning heels and creating a beautiful pair of socks.
Date: Tue Dec 5, 12, & 19, 2023
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: 699 Connahetta Park, Murphy, NC 28906
During this in-person workshop, you'll have the opportunity to meet fellow knitting enthusiasts. We'll provide all the necessary materials, including yarn and knitting needles, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a desire to learn.
By the end of the workshop, you'll have completed your very own pair of cozy socks. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to delve into the world of sock knitting. Sign up now and let your creativity soar!

If you would like to learn more about what it takes to be a Extension Master Gardener in Cherokee County it is required to attend one of the informational sessions below (click on the date to register online):

October 19 at 1 p.m.

November 2 at 7 p.m.

January 11 at 3 p.m.

January 13 at 10 a.m.

Informational class will be online or in person. In-person classes will be held at the meeting room at 699 Connahetta Street in Murphy, NC 28906.

Learn the process to become an Extension Master Gardener in Cherokee County.

Classes will be taught in 2024 to renew private pesticide applicators license (V training) and commercial applicators can attend the X training for 2 hours credit. Classes will be taught at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Meeting Room at 699 Connahetta Street in Murphy, NC . If you have a commercial license and do not a private pesticide designation then you only need to attend the training X training. Registration is required. Seating is limited to 40 participants and registration will end 1 day prior to the class.

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There will be a Holiday Craft Show at Peachtree Community Center, 125 Memory Lane, Murphy NC on November 11th at 10 am – 3 pm. Food, fun, & art! Over 55 vendors with local, hand-made crafts (baskets, wood working, fiber arts, jewelry, painting etc. With appreciation, the Club offers each veteran a free sausage biscuit or a free hot dog in recognition of his/her service to our country. Silent auction, raffle, free parking, free admission, free WiFi. Pet Adoption Event with the Valley River Humane Society will be held throughout the day. Outside booths available $30. Call 828-557-9265 for details.

The Spring Garden Classes are open to the public (anyone can attend), and also serve as a foundation for understanding research-based home gardening and horticultural practices for prospective NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers. Prospective Extension Master Gardener trainees can miss only 1 of the spring garden series classes to be eligible to attend the Extension Master Gardener certification program. There is a $90.00 fee (online credit card payments through only and no refunds) to attend 1 or all the classes. The fee includes access to attend all the training classes, hands-on activities, and lifetime access to the online information “Extension Gardener Handbook” through TopHat.
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Lifelong Improvements Through Fitness Together is an 8 week strengthening program consisting of 16 one-hour sessions. Participants will focus on 8 core exercises with a warm up and cool down at each session. Nutrition education is a large part of the program with a focus on eating more vegetables and fruits.

Classes begin on January 9th and will be held every Tuesday and Friday following from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Classes are located at the Bellview Community Center and will conclude on March 1st.
Reserve Your Spot!

Our local 4-H clubs could use extra sets of hands during their meetings and we would love to have some new volunteers ready to start new clubs as club leaders. So whether you want to help co-lead or be a volunteer 4-H Club leader we have a space for you. If you don’t want to be the leader but want to help a in another way, we may have a place for you as well. We always need some volunteers for some of our school enrichment programs and summer programs. So if you have a heart for kids and hands for service, please contact Shannon Coleman by email shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or by phone 828-837-2210 ext. 4 to get more information on how to become a 4-H volunteer.

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Take Control is an 8 session chronic disease prevention program that provides strategies to help adults manage their health. It informs, empowers, and motivates participants to change their eating and physical activity patterns. The program provides opportunities for participants to track their goals and progress toward healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Sessions are 1-hour in length and participants receive recipes and nutrition handouts. Evaluation of the program is conducted via a pre- and post-behavior survey.
Class Dates and Times and How to Register

Cherokee County 4-H has not had a new needs assessment survey in five years so to better understand the needs of Cherokee County youth and families we have created a new Youth Needs Assessment Survey. Since the COVID-19 pandemic things have changed from how programs are delivered, how we need to be marketing programs to families, and what program topics are now of greatest interest to and needed by county youth. We would greatly appreciate it if you would share this link with other Cherokee County youth, parents, nonprofits, or anyone else that interacts regularly with youth in a formal or informal capacity.

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Your safety and well-being matter, and this program is an excellent opportunity to take proactive steps to ensure you enjoy this beautiful season and many more to come without the fear of falls. Join us in the quest for safer, healthier, and happier senior living.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining a future offering of “A Matter of Balance” we encourage you to reach out to Marlana Baker. She can be reached at the following contact information: Email: marlana_baker@ncsu.edu Phone: (828) 837-2210 ext.5

Did you know we have a Facebook page? This is a great way to follow N.C. Cooperative Extension — Cherokee County Center and view our upcoming Extension events. Over the last 9 months, our Facebook page reach has increased from under 5,000 to over 30,000 users and continuing to grow! On our Facebook page you will find agriculture education, upcoming Extension classes and events, program success stories, 4-H happenings, healthy recipes, food safety tips, relevant research articles, Homegrown videos and more! It is our hope that you would partner with us by following our page and sharing our posts to reach as many people in the community as possible! Visit us on Facebook and we hope to see you at an upcoming event! If you have any questions about information posted, please call the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center office at (828)837-2210.

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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