2024 Extension Success Stories

Reflecting on 2024 with Cooperative Extension

As we reach the end of the year, it is good time to pause and reflect on the year. 2024 brought some staff changes for the Catawba County Extension office, but despite changes the great work of our staff continues. This month our newsletter will highlight some successful programs of the year. You might only see a portion of our work based on your interest and what you brings you to Extension, but we offer a variety of research based educational programs in the area of Agriculture, Foods and Nutrition, Community Development and Youth Development with 4-H/Juntos.
In 2024, our staff provided educational information and programs that reached 57,511 individuals with 3082 educational sessions and meetings.

We don't work alone. Community partnerships and volunteers play a vital role in our outreach and education. Special thanks to 4-H Club Leaders and Master Gardener Volunteers, who are two primary volunteer groups associated with Cooperative Extension.
Feel free to stop by the office or give us a call if we can be of assistance with programs or information. Hope you enjoy a restful Holiday Season with those you love.

Local Foods Program Highlights

Small farms and a focus on buying local foods is supported through the work of Cooperative Extension. Some highlights from 2024:

* 325 individuals sampled chef prepared local foods at the Annual Farm Feast at Raising Roots Farm. 6 chefs were involved in creating unique dishes and using local produce valued at $7000.

* 272 individuals participated in the Local Foods Cooking classes led by April Vigardt, Local Foods Agent. Participants learned about some of the different local foods that are grown and sold in Catawba County. Approximately $2500 went back into the pockets of local farmers with the purchase of local items for these summer classes.

* Blue Goat Dairy in Vale was awarded a grant for $44,000 to update their pasteurizer and kitchen equipment, thanks to assistance from Catawba County Cooperative Extension Local Foods Agent.

Master Gardeners at Work

Master Gardeners volunteers complete a 40 hour standardized course (with a test) and then volunteer a minimum number of hours each year to maintain their status as certified Master Gardeners. These volunteers are involved in a variety of projects around the county. In 2024, Master Gardeners met regularly to maintain the demonstration garden at the Ag Resource Center where they harvested and donated 462 pounds of produce to those in need. Master Gardeners have volunteered a total of 2182 hours reaching a 1878 individuals in garden/horticulture projects in 2024 (Picture: Master Gardeners, Cynthia Martin and Lori Monroe,
from their summer at Sipes)

Just to highlight one specific Master Gardener project.......Cynthia Martin along with a few other Master Gardener helpers spent the summer enabling youth to explore gardening at Huckleberry Summer Camp at Sipes Orchard Home. Cynthia says, "they planted seeds, harvested food, and encouraged young minds" with this project. During the course of the summer, the children were able to grow and eat their own vegetables, build and use a compost station, use power tools, learned how pollinators help the environment, and more! Produce from the garden was harvested and prepared and used for meals served in the Sipes Cafeteria. The Master Gardener project is growing at Sipes with the addition of pre-school garden beds at Tyndall Center and weekly summer gardening workshops at Sipes for 2025.

If you would like to be involved offering youth gardening in the future, plan to attend the Junior Master Gardener training on January 14 at the Catawba County Extension office. Register by January 9.

Jr Master Gardener Volunteer Training

Livestock

Bull Breeding Soundness and Hoof Trimming Day
The bull plays a vital role in the success of a cow-calf operation, as a single bull is typically responsible for breeding up to 25 cows during a breeding season. With weaned calves often selling for $1,200 or more, a bull failing to impregnate cows can result in significant financial losses for producers. To avoid this, it is essential for farmers to conduct annual breeding soundness exams on their herd bulls to ensure fertility. Additionally, sound feet are crucial for cattle to effectively travel, breed, and graze. Hoof trimming can enhance mobility and prevent lameness. However, scheduling individual farm visits with a veterinarian for bull testing or hoof trimming can be prohibitively expensive for many cattle producers.

Catawba/Lincoln County Extension partnered with the Catawba Valley Cattlemen's Association to host a fall breeding soundness exam (BSE) and hoof trimming day with a local large animal veterinarian. These services were provided for cattle producers at a reduced cost, making it more affordable to ensure herd bulls were fertile and cattle had healthy feet for optimal performance.

Bulls from producers in Catawba and Lincoln counties were tested and all passed. Passing the BSE ensures that these bulls are capable of breeding the cows they are expected to cover during the breeding season unless a traumatic event occurs during the breeding season. With each bull typically breeding up to 25 cows and each weaned calf valued at $1,200 or more, a single bull can contribute $30,000 in calf crop value. Additionally, one cow received hoof trimming during the event, improving her mobility and overall health.

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Hickory American Legion Fair Livestock Shows
Livestock shows have been a cherished tradition at the Hickory American Legion Fair, offering youth a platform to display the skills and care they have invested in raising and training their animals. These events not only highlight the participants' dedication but also instill valuable life skills, such as responsibility and discipline. Beyond the competition, livestock shows create opportunities for youth to form connections with peers, share experiences, and celebrate their achievements in a community setting.

Each year, the Catawba County Cooperative Extension collaborates with the Hickory American Legion to organize open and junior livestock shows at the fair. These shows feature a variety of species, including beef cattle, sheep, goats, laying hens, chickens from the 4-H broiler project, and steers from the 4-H dairy steer project. Additionally, the fair hosts skillathon and judging contests, providing further opportunities for participants to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in animal agriculture.

A total of 137 exhibitors took part in the 2024 Hickory American Legion Fair Livestock Shows. Youth participants not only honed their showmanship skills but also cultivated a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. Additionally, they gained valuable insights into livestock production, a significant contributor to North Carolina’s economy. These events also served as an educational opportunity for the public, offering a chance to observe and learn about various livestock species firsthand.

Catawba County Juntos
Celebrating the Success of the Juntos Program in Catawba County

In 2016, Catawba County was included in a federal grant to offer the Juntos program to Latino youth and their families. The mission of the Juntos Program is to help Latino students and their families gain knowledge, skills, and resources to ensure high school graduation and broaden post-secondary career and academic opportunities. What began as a small initiative at St. Stephens High School with one graduating senior has blossomed into a thriving program. Over the years, we have celebrated the graduation of 88 additional high school students and even recognized a parent who earned her adult high school diploma. This school year, more than 150 students are enrolled across three sites, with about 15% of them being seniors. Catawba County Juntos is now supported through collaborative partnerships with Catawba County Cooperative Extension, NC State University, and Catawba County Schools. Through these partnerships and those with other community partners such as CVCC and Lenoir-Rhyne University, students and their families have gained access to valuable resources, helping them explore their academic interests and pursue their goals. The true heart of Juntos lies in the passion and determination of our students and their families. Their commitment to learning and growing has not only fueled the program's expansion, but also allowed them to share their newfound knowledge with others in the community. Together, we are building a brighter future, one student at a time.
For more information about the Juntos Program

please visit our website

4-H

In September 2023, the 4-H Cooking Clovers, a teen cooking club, was established in Catawba County to help youth build culinary skills while promoting healthy eating habits. The group meets monthly on the second Friday, where members plan and prepare meals together, fostering teamwork and creativity in the kitchen. Currently, the club has 17 members on their roster.

In May 2024, a team from the Cooking Clovers proudly represented Catawba County at the prestigious State Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge. This statewide competition challenged teams to create a nutritious dish within 40 minutes, using a mystery ingredient in their recipe. Food safety was a key focus, requiring participants to follow proper handling practices throughout the challenge. After preparing their dishes, teams presented their creations to judges, highlighting the nutritional value.

The 4-H Healthy Food Challenge not only emphasized cooking skills but also helped participants develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, budgeting, and critical thinking. By collaborating to overcome challenges, the Cooking Clovers showcased their creativity and passion for healthy cooking.

Catawba County’s Cooking Clovers team earned silver at the state level, and their success has inspired even more youth to join the program. We now have three teams in training for the 2025 Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge—one for each age category: 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds, and 14-19 year olds. Catawba County is excited to send strong representatives to the 2025 State Dinah Gore Healthy Food Challenge.

With the expansion of their teams, they will need to assemble additional cooking boxes for the State Competition and would greatly appreciate monetary contributions to support the purchase of these essential materials.

4-H offers STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Research indicates that students from low-income areas are less likely to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) compared to their higher-income peers. To address this gap, Catawba 4-H launched the First LEGO League Robotics program, providing hands-on STEM education to students throughout the county.

In partnership with STEM West and the Catawba County library system, Catawba County 4-H offered the program at three library branches this past year: Southwest Library, St. Stephens, and the Main branch in Newton. The program engaged 64 youth, allowing them to build, design, program, and problem-solve through robotics projects, which they then presented to their families.

Adult and teen volunteers were essential to the program's success, contributing a total of 165 hours to guide small groups of 3 to 4 youth participants. The program’s impact was significant, with many parents reporting that their children developed a stronger interest in STEM topics and expressed a desire to attend more STEM programs in the future.

Thanks to a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, Catawba County 4-H enhanced the program by training volunteer leaders across Catawba County and purchasing essential robotics kits. These kits include Spike Essential robots and First LEGO League Robotic Super Powered Kits, which explore various types of energy sources, storage methods, and consumption.

Currently, the program is being offered at the Catawba County Main Library in Newton. Registration is now open for the St. Stephens library branch, which will run from January 13th to February 17th on Mondays from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM. Youth can register for the series using the link below.

As the program continues to expand, Catawba County 4-H remains committed to empowering the next generation with the tools and skills needed for success in the digital age.

https://dev.go.ncsu.edu/legorobost25

Supporting Catawba County Cooperative Extension with a Donation

Consider supporting the work of Cooperative Extension with a financial contribution to the Catawba County Cooperative Extension Endowment.

Interest from the Extension Endowment accounts fund and support programs offered by Catawba County Cooperative Extension. The Catawba County Agricultural Extension Foundation was established in 1985 and was initially funded by the sale of some large farm equipment, when the Terracing Association ceased operation.

The Edwin and Jean Nolley Program Endowment was established in 2007 to support 4-H and youth programming in Catawba County. Mr. Ed Nolley was a native of Davie County where he was active in 4-H and President of his local 4-H club. After graduating from Clemson University and serving 2 years in the US Army, he started work with Cooperative Extension in Polk County as their 4-H Club Agent. In 1958, he moved to Catawba County and continued as the 4-H Club Agent for the next 10 years. He established the first community-based clubs and trained some of the first community 4-H club leaders for NC, when clubs moved out of the schools. He also served as the Livestock Agent and County Extension Director for Catawba County, providing leadership for the Cattlemen's Association and establishing the Master Gardener program. He retired in 1988, after working 31 years with Cooperative Extension. In addition to working with Extension, Mr. Nolley retired with the rank of Colonel and Commander for the 2nd Brigade, 108th division. He was an active member of Kiwanis, Lions Club, and First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Jean Nolley was a faithful supporter of Cooperative Extension and assisted Mr. Nolley in community work.

The endowment accounts are managed through NCSU with local oversight by the Ag Extension Foundation Board. Most recently, funds from these accounts have provided assistance with programs such as Eat Drink Be Local, Farm-City Dinner, 4-H Dairy Steer project, 4-H Poultry Team travel expenses, 4-H Achievement Night and more.
Donations can be made online at http://go.ncsu.edu/catawbacounty4h

(picture: 4-H Dairy Steer Project, Luke Kanupp)

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.