NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION - GUILFORD COUNTY |
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APRIL 2024
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In This Issue:
Welcome, Mara!
Spring Intern Stories
Celebrating March Extension Events
Eating the Med Way Recipe
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Upcoming Events
Supplemental Resources
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Welcome, Mara!
In March we welcomed a new addition to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Guilford County Team. Maritzaida (Mara) Amador will serve as a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with a focus on Financial Literacy. She completed her BA in humanities with a concentration in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus, and is currently finishing up her Ed.D in Leadership and Leaning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University focusing on DEI and Social Justice. Ask her about her time working in Japan or her career as a musician in Bolero music! Mara can be reached at mcamador@ncat.edu.
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Thank You to Our
Spring Interns!
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We are fortunate enough to have two Spring interns, both studying at the UNCG Dept. of Public Health, to help facilitate and develop programming for our office. We asked Kaitlyn and Kyle to share about their experiences with our programs so
far:
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“I have had a wonderful time at the Extension office while doing my internship this semester. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet our clients in the community while teaching classes or doing outreach. Everyone here is so passionate about their
work in Guilford County and are some of the nicest people you will interact with. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had with FCS because of my own passion for nutrition and community education.” -Kaitlyn Shelton; Family & Consumer Sciences Spring Intern
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“During my internship with NC Cooperative Extension, I have been able to work on two major projects. The first project is to help answer a question posed by our community partners being, "How much land is being used for community gardens in Guilford
County". I have worked on this by going through an outdated list of associated community and school gardens, updating their contact information and activity status, using Google Earth to find rough measurements of applicable sites, and visiting a location in person to survey the garden. The second project is the updating and adding to a grant list for school and community gardens. This list is currently accessible on the Extension website and provides numerous grant opportunities.” - Kyle Anderson; Food Security Spring Intern
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4-H Chicken Chain
The Eggcellent Eggsplorers 4-H Chicken Chain program culminated in their annual show in March at the Guilford County Ag Center. Twenty youth from across four counties brought their birds to compete in showmanship and type classes. In addition, all participants completed a Project Record Book as part of their poultry project. For information on how you can participate next year, or support this opportunity for youth, contact Sarah Paschall.
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Embryology
Program
4-H is wrapping up the spring session of embryology. Over 1100 elementary-age youth studies the life cycle by hatching out chicks in their classrooms. We look forward to our next life cycle adventure, butterflies, starting April 10th. There is still room available!
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Racial Equity Workshop
The Racial Equity workshop titled: Racial Equity 101 with a Focus on the Food System was held at the Ag Center on Tuesday, March 26th. Coordinated by our Food Security programming, we extend our gratitude to facilitator LaShauna Austria with Seeds of Change Consulting, who engaged 40 participants in guided conversation around the history and persistence of racism in agriculture and beyond, and strategies of combatting racism in the food systems work we do. If you missed this workshop, keep track of future Food Security Programming events through their quarterly newsletter. Sign up and check out their most recent issue here.
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SHARE Program for Guilford County Schools
Watch the newest video on our YouTube Channel to learn about the SHARE Fridge program in Guilford County Schools through A Simple Gesture. This video was taken in partnership with the Food Security Program at Guilford County Cooperative Extension.
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View from outside the Karen C. Neill Demonstration Garden, behind the main Extension building.
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There are countless curated mini gardens within this one garden for you to see!
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Spring has Sprung at the Karen C. Neill Demonstration Garden!
Stop by our public Demonstration Garden and learn all about NC's native plants! Bring a book, a snack, a friend (furry or human) and enjoy the sights and floral aromas of this 1.5 acre garden. The garden is a living educational resource maintained by the Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Guilford County, and is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
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Pond Questions?
Spring is here and Guilford County is actively helping agricultural producers with planting and soil issues. Please reach out to Ben Grandon or Cole Maness with your soil and planting questions and concerns. This is also the time to address pond weed issues, so feel free to drop off a sample of your pond weeds to our office for identification and
remediation recommendations.
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Agriculture - SEVAD Conference
The 2024 Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference that will be co-hosted with the Carolina Meats Conference this year in Boone, NC, July 30-31. Optional pre-conference dairy tours will be scheduled on July 29th as well. Event highlights include local meat and cheese tastings, workshops, live demos and presentations. Dairy participants may apply for a scholarship now! For more info and registration click here.
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Family & Consumer Sciences - Podcast
In their latest episode of "Penne For Your Thoughts," FCS Agents Vincent Webb (Guilford) and Jordan Jefferies-James (Rockingham) discuss everything from meat labeling to animal welfare. Listen and get some updates on the meat industry from our special guest from Guilford County Livestock and Forage Crops Agent Cole Maness.
Tune in.
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Community Gardens - Plots Open!
Gardeners in the Mixed Greens Community Garden (est. 2000) are getting to work tilling beds, mulching pathways, tending to spring crops, and preparing beds for summer crops!
The Mixed Greens Community Garden is situated in the back of the Agricultural Center and has a total of 57 beds, each 50 ft long. There are still a few beds open if you are interested in joining our network of community gardeners! For more information about joining, or finding the right community garden for you, explore our website and contact Community & School Gardens Agent, Crystal Mercer (336-641-2427).
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Soil Tests Free After April 1st
Testing Services for Nutrients and pH is provided by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Soils Lab for free to North Carolina residents except during peak season (December 1- March 31) when there is a $4 fee. Soil test boxes are available at the Ag Center. Please mail your soil test boxes to the testing lab in Raleigh using the address listed on the form. Learn More
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Med instead Meds - Recipe of the Month
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Eating like those who live in the Mediterranean region has been shown to promote health and decrease risk of many chronic diseases. The Med Way includes healthy and nutritious meals that are also delicious and satisfying. We teach Eating the Med Way through the Family & Consumer Sciences Program.
Quick Burrito Bowl
Skip the Chipotle line and make this quick, tasty, and versatile burrito bowl at home! Incorporate your choice of rice, protein, veggies, and toppings.
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| RECIPE |
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Upcoming Classes & Workshops
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Grow With Us |
For 2024, the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers will be offering free gardening classes to the public both virtually and in-person. Feel free to sign up for as many classes as you like!
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| CLASSES & REGISTRATION |
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Internet Safety for Families |
April 8th, 2024
12-1pm Online
Consider helpful tools and conversations in establishing internet safeguards for your family in this workshop facilitated by our Digital Skills Agent, Jeffrey Cates.
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Presentation Workshop |
April 10th, 2024
6-7pm at the Ag Center
Join us for a fun and interactive workshop for youth interested in doing a 4-H presentation this year. Presentations allow youth the opportunity to practice their public speaking skills.
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"Ask an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer" Booth |
April 14th, 2024
9-2pm, 501 Yanceyville St, Greensboro
Got a question about home gardening? Our Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be onsite at the Go Green Annual Spring Plant Sale at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market.
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Guilford County 4-H Dairy Calf Interest Meeting |
April 15th, 2024
5:30-6:30pm at the Ag Center
This is the interest meeting for our popular 3-week Dairy Calf Program, where youth can learn how to handle and train a dairy calf and show in the Greensboro District Junior Dairy show on July 16th.
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Digital Literacy: What Is Artificial Intelligence? |
April 16th & 30th, 2024
10-12pm at the High Point Public Library
In this hands-on series, learn about the different ways AI is already a part of your daily life. Practice using it for greater personal and professional productivity.
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Super Foods! |
April 16th, 2024
12-12:30pm, Online
Learn kitchen skills and cooking tips for great meals with FCS Agent, Vincent Webb. In this session, you will learn the power of phytochemicals that make "Super Foods" nutritious as well as how to incorporate them into your diet.
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NC Safe Plates Course |
April 23-24th, 2024
8:30am-4pm at the Ag Center
NC Safe Plates is a food safety certification course developed by NC State University. Passing this exam satisfies the North Carolina requirement for a certified food protection manager.
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Brew Your Own Kombucha |
April 25th, 2024
5:30-7:30pm at the Ag Center
Join us in our lab kitchen as we brew kombucha. Clients will learn how to safely brew a good strong batch of kombucha as well as the health benefits.
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Come to 4-H Overnight Camp This Summer!
We know your child will love canoeing on Lake Hazel, hiking, climbing the rock wall, swimming in our pool, riding horses, and learning archery at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center in Reidsville this summer!
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| INFO & REGISTRATION |
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Upcoming Events
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The Office of Sustainability and Resilience (OSR) presents the City of Greensboro's Earth Day Festival at Keeley Park. Guilford County Extension staff will be onsite with resources and interactive Earth Day activities! Expected to draw 3,000+ people and 50 vendors, don't miss this event in the heart of GSO!
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Our annual Pass-Along Plant Sale returns May 3-4th! To shop on Friday, sign up for a time slot. Time slot registration opens 9:00AM EST on 4/24. No appointments required Saturday.
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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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Guilford County Center, 3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405, United States
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