November Newsletter

National Farm-City Week

National Farm-City Week shines a light on the vital link between farm fields and city tables. Celebrated the week leading up to Thanksgiving, this time honors the teamwork between rural farmers and urban workers. Together, they ensure we all enjoy safe and abundant food.

Why do we celebrate it? The week acknowledges the hard work on both ends – from sowing seeds to stocking shelves.

It reminds us of the journey food takes to reach our plates. Farmers grow it and many hands help it travel from fields to our families. This celebration strengthens the bond between rural and urban communities, highlighting their joint effort to feed the nation.

The importance of this week lies in appreciation and awareness. It’s a chance to recognize the effort behind our meals. Everyone plays a part, from the farmers who raise crops and livestock to the city folks who bring it to our tables. This week encourages us to think about that process and be thankful for it.

This year to celebrate National Farm-City Week, we will be featuring local farmers throughout the month of November on our website and Facebook page. Follow us to learn more about farms in our county.

Read more about Farm-City Week at Days of the Year.

NC Cattle Industry Assessment Referendum

The North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association has announced that the N.C. Cattle Industry Assessment Referendum vote will take place on Thursday, October 30th, 2024.

While the National Beef Checkoff does a tremendous job of promoting beef and the US beef industry, returning $11.91 per dollar invested. Our state keeps .50 cents from each $1.00 collected but can only use those funds for specific promotional events.

This North Carolina assessment will continue at one dollar per head sold, and will be used within our state. Producer education, cattle research, youth programs, issues management and the promotion of NC cattle and beef, are where the dollars will be used. National beef check off dollars cannot be used to promote any of these within our state. A positive vote would continue the North Carolina Assessment that has been in place since 1957, for a period of six years, with a recurring referendum if requested. Producers will be eligible for a full refund of their North Carolina assessment by request, within 60 days of the sale of the animal, with proof of sale.

All North Carolina cattle owners over the age of 18, as of October 30th, 2024, are eligible to vote from 8am-5pm at the Burke County Cooperative Extension Office located at 130 Ammons Drive, Suite 2 in Morganton.

Kale
Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture

Kale is a common leafy green that has seen rise in recent media and nutrition needs. Kale is high in vitamins and minerals with the added benefit of lower calories. Kale usually has a slightly bitter taste that is enjoyed primarily in salads.

Kale is a cool season crop meaning that once temperatures reach above 70F the crop will “bolt” meaning the plant will go to seed and lose its coveted flavor. Kale also needs the frost to increase its sugar content within the leaves to taste sweeter. If you prefer more bitter flavors then let your kale grow to full maturity. Spring and Early Fall is the best time to grow Kale. Like most Leafy Greens, Kale prefers Full sun to Partial Shade Light Requirements. Refer to the seed packet for specific planting instructions, but about six inches between plantings is a good general rule of thumb. Thinning will need to be done once plants reach maturity. You must also put into perspective your end goal. Do you want to use kale for salads or juicing? You will need to grow kale from seed to get the smaller baby leaves that are suitable. To do this continuously throughout your growing season. You will need to stagger your plantings. Sow new seeds every two to four weeks, harvesting when the plants are four to six inches tall.

Harvesting will depend on preference like with most leafy greens. Baby kale can be harvested within 20 to 30 days. Mature leaves will be harvested around 50-75 days after seeding. Frosty and cold weather can influence the flavor and provide a sweeter taste. Fresh greens can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator. There are select varieties that can be recommended for NC. Improved Dwarf Siberian, Red Russian, Redbor Hybrid, and Toscano. Many of these varieties are curly leaves that can persevere through the colder temps of fall. Red Russian does great as far as cold hardiness goes. Toscano is the least cold hardy and might need some kind of frost protection such as row cover or cold frame.

Fertilizer and other amendments can be added but only per a soil test. It’s always good to be aware of what your soil needs as opposed to just adding what you think it needs. There are certainly indicators like yellowing of the leaves, which as many know is indicative of a nitrogen deficiency. This is one instance where it is acceptable to add fertilizer without a test. Something simple like a 4-3-4 fertilizer may improve yellowing symptoms over time. Remember Don’t Guess: Soil Test

Firewood Tips
Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock

With energy prices high, many homeowners will turn to wood as an economical heating source this winter. Many will cut their own firewood while others must buy what they need. Look for three main things when buying firewood: whether the wood is dry, species of wood, and the quantity being sold for the price. Green wood makes a poor fuel. Splitting will speed drying time, and some species cure faster than others. Oak, while it makes an excellent fuel, dries slower than others. Look for cracks or checks in log ends, as a sign wood is seasoned.

Any wood species will make an acceptable fire, if it is dry, but some have more fuel value per piece, than others. Oak and hickory will last longer and produce more heat than pine. Pine and other lighter woods can be used for kindling and mixed with heavier wood for acceptable heating capabilities.

Firewood vendors sell wood in many different quantity variations. Ricks, racks, truckloads, face cords, bush cords and others. The only official measure is the cord-which is a stacked pile 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet wide. Firewood cut into 16" lengths stacked in 3 rows, is called a bush cord. Each row is called a face cord or rick. Firewood stacked neatly in the bed of a full sized pickup amounts to approximately half a cord.

Wood makes an excellent, economical and environmentally friendly fuel. As long as the species mix, degree of seasoning, and volume of the load are clearly understood by the buyer and seller, firewood benefits everyone.