April Newsletter - Burke County

Welcome our new
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent!

Brandi Silver will be joining N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke Center as the new Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Agent on April 25, 2022. She has been an educator for 20+ years and is looking forward to delivering researched-based solutions to local issues in the community.

Brandi is married to Keith Silver. They have an 18-year-old son and three adorable dogs. She enjoys traveling, considers herself a foodie and loves people. As the FCS Extension Agent, she will focus on issues related to nutrition, health and wellness, food safety, preservation, aging, and more for youth and families.

National Volunteer Week
April 17-23, 2022

Volunteer contributions to NC Cooperative Extension are tremendous. In addition to the 22,000 + advisory leaders across the state, there are an additional 56,000 volunteers who contributed 871,804 hours, valued at $17.1 million

These volunteers serve in such roles as 4-H leaders, Master Gardeners and Extension & Community Association members. Cooperative Extension relies on volunteers to assist with programming, marketing, advocacy and resource development, as they help to expand Cooperative Extension’s educational programs to more citizens across the state.

We would like to especially thank the many volunteers for contributing to the success of Burke County Cooperative Extension. The differences we are able to make in the lives of the citizens across Burke County are not possible without the assistance of volunteer leaders. So I want to take this opportunity to recognize those volunteer contributions, to thank all of our volunteers for all of your efforts and to let you know that you are very much appreciated.

If you are not a volunteer for Cooperative Extension, please find one and thank him or her for helping to fulfill Cooperative Extension’s Mission to partner with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of Burke County citizens.

Please join us in expressing thanks to all of Extension’s volunteers!

N.C. Tomato Growers Association Offering Scholarship

The N.C. Tomato Growers Association is offering a $1,000 merit/need-based scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Any North Carolina resident who pursues a horticulture or agribusiness undergraduate or graduate degree at a four-year North Carolina college or university is eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is May 31st, 2022.

The award will be based on a student’s demonstrated scholastic achievement, initiative, leadership, financial need and extracurricular activities. The scholarship is contingent on the recipient maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 on all course work during the scholarship period.

The recipient must be enrolled for the entire school year to receive the full scholarship. Scholarship funds will be distributed through the financial aid office of the attending student’s college or university. The scholarship will be paid in two installments, $500 per semester.

Applications and more information are available at:

https://www.ncagr.gov/markets/commodit/horticul/tomatoes/

Blackleg in Cattle

Blackleg is a soil borne bacterial infection of cattle. It primarily affects young cattle from 6 months to 2 years of age. The causative organism is related to the tetanus organism. The disease is fast progressing. One morning you go out into the pasture and find a dead calf, or two. This disease progresses so fast that there is often no opportunity to observe the sick animal before death.

One of the unique symptoms is the formation of gas bubbles just under the skin. If you press on these, you will often get a crinkling sound as the bubbles burst. But if the disease attacks deep inside the animal involving the heart or diaphragm, this symptom will not appear.
If you happen to find an animal in the early stages of the disease, he will have a fever and be unwilling to walk. If he does walk it will be with a stagger.

The really bad thing is that it seems to affect your fastest growing calves first. This makes sense when you consider that this is a soil-borne disease and it is the fastest growing calves which are most likely to graze closely and pick up a little dirt with their grass.
The good thing is that its so easily prevented. Very effective and inexpensive vaccines are available. In many cases the syringe costs more than the vaccine. Simply vaccinate your calves between the ages of 4-6 months, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Youth ages 10 -19 will learn sewing basics, fabric details, fashion design, clothing upcycling and repair, entrepreneurial opportunities as well as how to use and make patterns.

We will also visit local fabric, quilt and clothing shops. This camp will be held 9am to 4pm, April 19, 20 & 21 at the Burke Agricultural Building.

The cost for the camp is $100 and youth will need to bring a packed lunch each day. Call our office at 828-764-9480 to register. Spaces are limited.

4-H Teen Leader Training

Youth ages 12-18 can participate in training modules that will equip them with the skills to assist club leaders and county level programming while serving as mentors to younger youth.

These skill building workshops will cover Ages & Stages of youth development, Team Building, Leadership, small & large group activities, first aid/CPR, lesson planning, resume' building, communication skills, and more!

Youth will be qualified to assist with 4-H Summer Fun programming and possibly be asked to continue through the school year. Contact Nicki Carpenter at 828-764-9480 or nicki_carpenter@ncsu.edu to sign up.

Horse Without A Horse! Free. Youth can explore their love and interest in horses without having their own horse! Club youth will gain knowledge to prepare for county 4-H horse bowl competition, horse project record books, 4-H presentations, Horse Photography & Creative Expression, and possible career interests. Learning experiences may include visiting farms, horse lab learning, discussions with Equine Specialists, Veterinarians, Therapists, Ferriers, and more! Youth will build strong social skills through activities, games and "horsin' around" time!

828-764-9480

Club starts meeting in April

Spring Chores

Spring is here-mostly. Lawns are greening up and the willows have a touch of light green about them that tells me that our plants and landscapes are getting ready for warm weather.

With spring comes the onset of weeds, insects and a wealth of other challenges but these first suggestive days that give us a taste of good things to come are so exciting that we only think about the pleasant aspects of warmer weather. There's nothing like those first couple of Saturdays of almost spring weather when folks get motivated to get out of the house and spread some mulch or go to one of the local garden centers to see what plants have arrived.

Don't get too motivated though. It's still very early and even though there are plenty of garden chores than can be done, the cold weather is far from gone and tender plants will be killed by frost and cold temperatures or chilling wind.

Spend this time getting ready to plant. Clean the yard of any fallen limbs. Rake up those last fallen leaves and cut back your liriope and other perennials to get rid of old foliage. Perennials can be divided and moved now also and now is the perfect time to make sure your garden power equipment is good working order.

Get the prep work done now and be ready for that last frost around April 20th. Make your plans and be prepared for a great growing season.