May Newsletter - Burke County

Welcome Our New Horticulture Agent!

Matt Rodriguez joined the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center as the Consumer Horticulture agent on April 15, 2024. He graduated from Catawba College in 2020 with a degree in natural resource management & ecology. Since graduating Matt has worked in a variety of roles such as stream restoration and serving Catawba County as a park ranger. Matthew has always enjoyed working with people and educating others on the natural world. His horticulture interests include wild plant medicinals and viticulture.

When not working, Matt enjoys hiking, fishing, and anything outdoors. Matthew is married to Haleigh and just last October welcomed their first child, Damian, to the world. As the Horticultural Agent, Matthew is excited to assist Burke County citizens in learning about horticulture and learning practical skills.

Join us in welcoming Matthew Rodriguez to our Extension team in Burke County!

Explore the Healing Power of Hobbies

During the month of May, Brandi Silver, FCS Agent with the Burke County Cooperative
Extension office, is rolling out something exciting: Discover May: Explore New Hobbies for Mental Wellness. It's like a treasure trove of possibilities waiting to be uncovered!
Brandi's on a mission to help you dive into fresh hobbies that not only engage your mind
but also connect you with others who share your interests.

Imagine the thrill of trying out something totally new, whether it's Standup
Paddleboarding, photography, or even container gardening! With Discover May, you're
invited to step out of your comfort zone and into a world of exciting experiences. Who
knows? You might just discover a hidden talent or passion you never knew you had.
But it's not just about the activities themselves—it's about the journey of self-discovery
and the connections you'll make along the way. From joining a local art class to exploring
outdoor adventures with newfound friends, there's no shortage of opportunities to expand
your horizons and nurture your mental well-being.

So, mark your calendars for Discover May and get ready to embark on a journey of
exploration, growth, and connection. Brandi Silver and the Burke County Cooperative
Extension office are here to guide you every step of the way. Let's make this May one to
remember as we dive headfirst into the world of new hobbies for mental wellness!

May 6 Container Gardening 1-3 $30
May 8   Cookie Decorating 6-8. $30 Garden Tea Party theme
Creative Writing 5-7. Free
May 15  Pickleball for Beginners 9:15-11. Location- Mt View Rec.
Contact Allison at 828-438-5356 to register $5
May 16  Intro to Fishing for Adults 1-5 NC Wildlife 645 Fish Hatchery Road. Marion, NC
May 20 iPhone Photography for Beginners 10-12
Fly-tying for beginners 1-3
May 23  Paint and Sip Lemonade 5-9 $30
May 24  Stand Up Paddleboard (pool based) 10 am $5  YMCA Phifer
May 29  Loaf bread baking 10 am $10
May 31  Hike on Fonta Flora trail meet at 10:30 126 NC-126, Morganton, NC 28655

Workshops are located at 130 Ammons Drive unless specified.

Call 828-764-9480 for more information or to register.

Burke Wellness Initiative (BWI) is made up of community members and shareholders who live and/or work in Burke County and love the community they serve. The goals of this group of stakeholders are to remain up to date on the latest health information in our county, carry out the Community Health Assessment process, and work strategically to develop a quality Community Health Improvement Plan.

Brandi Silver, our FCS agent, is a part of this group and wants to invite all of you to complete the new Community Health Assessment Survey which will guide the next Community Health Improvement Plan. Burke County wants to hear from you. The vision of the Burke Wellness Initiative is to promote health equity for all Burke County residents while remaining updated on relevant health statistics and addressing health in a holistic manner. We need to hear from all residents of Burke County to make this happen! Please share with your networks.

If you are comfortable using the link, please do so. If you need assistance completing the survey, please call the Extension Office, at 828-764-9480, to schedule an appointment with Brandi. She can assist with any digital needs for completing the survey.

Access the Survey Here

Garden Tea Party Cookie Decorating Workshop - part of our Discover May: Explore New Hobbies for Mental Wellness series.

May 8th from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Burke County Agricultural Building

Space is limited. Call our office at 828-764-9480 to register. $30 Cash or Check required to reserve your spot.

*Cookie dough demonstration
* Royal Icing demonstration
*Step by Step cookie decorating process

Class taught by Brandi Silver, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences and Angel Jo's Cookie Art.

Are you worried about Cicada-geddon?
Here's what you need to know!
Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture

There are many who worry about the oncoming cicada invasion expected in May this year. The Brood that we are expecting is the 13-year cicada. They are not harmful to humans or animals and they actually provide a bountiful food source to birds, snakes, and insect loving mammals.

While it shows the love and care that our gardeners have for their gardens, it’s important to remember that the 13-year brood cicadas are not interested in our vegetables. Keep an eye on your blueberry and fruit trees though, they can be affected by the egg laying process. These insects are looking for pencil sized branches of young trees and woody plants to bore and lay eggs into. When soil temperatures reach above 64°F the juveniles will dig their way out and find a surface in which to molt their exoskeleton. Once mated, the females can lay up to 20 eggs in each nest. In about 6-10 weeks the cicada nymphs hatch and drop to burrow into the ground until the next 13 year cycle.

If you’re looking for a way to protect your young fruit and trees from this insect, try using fine netting similar to fruit tree netting that covers all of the branches and cinches at the base of the tree, that way the female cannot climb up. Increasing your use of bird seed can be a satisfying way of cleaning up your yard of insect carcases by attracting birds. As always do not hesitate to call our office at 828-764-9480 for more information.

Understanding Fertilizer Applications

Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock

Nitrogen is the most frequently applied nutrient in non-legume cropping systems. It must be added each year, with multiple applications of nitrogen needed in some cropping systems. For example, in hay systems, nitrogen fertilizer can be added after each harvest during the growing system. Multiple applications of nitrogen may be needed when soil conditions favor nitrogen loss, such as prolonged saturation of fields with water.

Potassium fertilizer is generally needed each year in continuous hay and silage cropping systems. Plants take up potassium in larger amounts than needed, called luxury consumption, and these amounts do not necessarily result in higher yields. Thus, when hay or silage crops are harvested, large amounts of potassium are removed, and soil test potassium levels will normally be low. So, it is best to add each year only the amount needed for reaching yield potential.

Other essential nutrients can reach very high levels in soils, and may not need to be added every year. Most micronutrients are usually present in adequate amounts. Again, a soil test can be used to determine what and how much soils are in need of.

Nitrogen should be applied near crop establishment, as a side dress application, or both. Phosphorous and potassium may be applied in the fall or spring if soil pH is acceptable, and soils are not sandy or subject to severe erosion or flooding.

Understanding Lime Application
Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock

When lime and fertilizers are applied to soils, the onset of many chemical reactions takes place. Some occur instantly, and others take months to occur. These chemical reactions have a major influence on how efficiently lime and fertilizers are utilized by growing plants, when they should be applied, and pronounce the economic returns from their usage. By understanding the nature of these chemical reactions, in relationship to soils, we can determine how to use lime, and fertilizer as well, to our benefit.

Surface area of soils exposed to contact with lime and fertilizer is key to making the most of soil amendments. The amount of clay present in a given soil, largely determines the surface area available. Most of a soil’s potentially reactive surface area is made up of clay particles, and clay particles per given volume, have more surface area than sand, silt or loam. The mineral forms of individual soil particles and the extent to which these particles have been coated with layers of oxides and organic materials, also affect the total soil reaction.