May 2024 Extension Activities

MAY ACTIVITIES

Presentation Workshop and Help Session - May 2, 4:00 or 6:00 PM
The Great Farm Day Getaway Bus Tour - May 4
Whistle Stop Tour - May 9 (Cleveland County)

Cattlemen's Meeting - May 14
Real Money Real World, May 20 (Volunteers needed)
Local Foods Cooking Classes - May 22 - Hickory Soup Kitchen

County Presentation Contest - May 28

Office closed for Memorial Day - May 27

Visit NC App https://visitncfarmstoday.com/

Local Food Guide catawbacountyfood.com

Hay Moisture Probes Now Available for Use

N.C. Cooperative Extension, Catawba County Center now has a windrow hay moisture tester and a baled hay moisture tester. Many factors affect getting hay baled at the correct moisture, and storing hay at the appropriate moisture level greatly affects the quality of the hay and reduces the risk of spontaneous combustion. Desired moisture levels also vary depending on whether you are making dry hay, baleage or silage.

If you want your hay moisture level to be checked, call the office, 828-465-8240, and our Livestock Agent, Carson Johnson, can come out to test your hay!

4-H Presentations

Presentation Workshop and Help Session-May 2, 4:00 OR 6:00 PM
County Presentation Contest-Tues., May 28, Afternoon

Presentations are a wonderful traditional part of 4-H! With presentations, youth ages 5-18 have the chance to develop a 5-12 minute planned talk with visuals on a topic of their choice. All 4-H'ers participating in presentations earn 4-H clover dollars for use for future 4-H activities of their choice.
If you want to some help with your presentation, want to learn more about presentations, or want sign-up to participate in the county Presentation Contest, contact Donna at donna_mull@ncsu.edu or call 828-465-8242.

Presentation Contest Registration Deadline to register is May 17

Real World Real Money Volunteers

Riverbend Middle School Monday, May 20

Cooperative Extension partners with schools to offer Real Money Real World financial education program, that lets students learn about the challenges of making adult real-life budgeting choices. We are seeking volunteers that would like to be involved in the Budget Simulation that follows the classroom Real Money lessons. It is really a lot of fun to see the students make these choices! Our volunteers are stationed at Budget Booths and student rotate through and make spending choices related to transportation, insurance, food, housing and more. While it is not necessary to have any special financial background to be involved, it is nice when we can involve volunteers with a real life connection to businesses related to the spending categories. Consider volunteering and being part of Real Money at Riverbend Middle.
Register Here to Volunteer Sign up by May 10

Explore 4-H
Want to learn more about 4-H or expand your 4-H involvement. Watch for more details coming soon.....
* June 5 - Pick-a-Project Night - paired with our Catawba County 4-H Leadership Council meeting. Learn some basics of 4-H project books and set some project goals for 2024.

* June 14 - 4-H Family Fun Night - learn about different 4-H activities and clubs available with some fun hands-on activities. Ideal for those who are participating in 4-H summer activities or those who have been involved in Library Lego Robotics this school year or any others that just want to learn more about 4-H.

Email donna_mull@ncsu.edu for more information or to help-out. We will be looking for clubs and current 4-H members to help-out and lead some activities or set-up some exhibits with both these events. A sign-up link and more details will be available soon.

4-H SUMMER SPARK

Summer is right around the corner. We have a summer packed with hands-on learning and exploration for youth ages 5 and older. Make sure to register your child for our 4-H Summer Spark workshops. We have limited space available and classes are quickly filling up. It is not necessary to be in 4-H to register but you will be asked to complete a 4-H enrollment with your registration.

You can find the complete schedule posted on the Cooperative Extension website and on the goggle registration form.
A few of the offerings include:
* Civic Spark - June 11-13
* Mini-Society Camp - June 24-28
* Farm to Table - July 9-11
* Animal Science - July 16 - July 17
* Aerospace Adventure - July 30- Aug. 1
* Discovery Day Trips

If you use a chemical that calls for the use of a respirator, then you are required to have an annual fit test done on that mask. We are making an effort to make it as easy and inexpensive as possible to get your annual fit testing requirements taken care of for this season.
Here are the instructions:
1. Get medical clearance on-line or at a doctors office. These are some possible on-line services to get your clearance. They typically charge for this step.
https://www.respexam.com/Default.asp

https://www.resptest.com/

https://www.respclearance.com/

2. Call 828-465-8240 to make a fit test appointment with us. It is about a 1/2 hour total process.

3. Be clean shaven everywhere that your respirator mask seals.

4. Bring your respirator and medical clearance document (image in your cell phone is OK). WE DO NOT CHARGE for fit testing.

I recommend that you get this done soon if it has been close to a year, or more since your last fit test. NCDA pesticide inspectors do check to see if you are current if you apply chemicals requiring a respirator.

We give you a laminated card, indicating that you are current and your respirator fits. The card is recognized as adequate evidence by NCDA inspectors.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination statement North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran's status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all person without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Catawba County Extension Director at (828) 465-8240 or in person at the County Extension Office at least 14 days prior to the event.

Las universidades NC State y NC A & T están comprometidas colectivamente a llevar a cabo acciones positivas para asegurar la igualdad de oportunidades y prohibir la discriminación y el acoso independientemente de la raza, el color de la piel, el país deorigen, la religión, la ideología política, el estado civil y situación familiar, el sexo, la edad, la condición de veterano de guerra, la identidad sexual, la orientación sexual, la información genética o la discapacidad de la persona. Colaboración entre las Universidades NC State y NC A & T, el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos, y los gobiernos locales. Las personas con discapacidades y las personas con dominio limitado del inglés pueden solicitar adaptaciones para participar comunicándose con el Director de Extensión del Condado de Catawba (828) 465-8240 or o personalmente en la Oficina de Extensión del Condado al menos 14 días antes al evento. Yog hais tias koj xav tau kev txhais lus Hmoob, thov hu rau peb tus extension thawj coj, George Place, ua ntej nws thiaj li yuav nrhiav tau kev pab koj. Nws tus xov tooj yog 828-465-8240. Ua tsaug.