 4-H Training Opportunities
Start the new year with new ideas. Workshops planned for 4-H Club leaders, teen leaders, and parents.
* Saturday, January 9 - 4-H Volunteer Academy
A variety of morning workshops to fit your needs. Topics include Leader Basics, Awards and Contests, Project Book Basics, and Lunchtime Curriculum Fair.
* Tuesday, January 12, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - 4-H Curriculum Night
Discover the treasures at the Extension Office. Sample activities from different 4-H curriculum. Learn about resources and materials to use with club programs. Win a curriculum kit of your choice to use with your club!
* Thursday, January 28. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - 4-H Club Basics
Perfect for new leaders, parents that want to know more about 4-H opportunities, or those who are considering starting a 4-H club. Location: TBA.
Workshops on January 9 and 12 will be held at the Catawba County Extension Office. No charge to attend and a light meal will be provided with each workshop session. These workshops will count as leader training for those clubs working toward the Emerald Seal (which requires leaders attend 2 training workshops each year).
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 Soil Management - Feed the Soil For a Productive Garden January 14, 2016 6:00 - 7:00 PM Patrick Beaver Memorial Library 375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Join Dr. George Place, Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director in a presentation about better soil management for improved garden productivity. Whatever you are growing - flowers, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruit, trees, or simply a green lawn - soil management is one of the most critical components for success. Learn how to sample your soil for analysis, manage fertility, lime or acidify your soil, and begin to build your soil organic matter content. This presentation will be the initial presentation for the Advanced Gardener Series. Participants that attend all 11 presentations and conduct 20 hours of community garden service in 2016 will receive certification as Advanced Gardeners with additional gardening incentives (coupons and gift certificates) from some of our local garden supply businesses and an official library gardening program T-shirt! More information on this program will be provided at this first session. Come out and be a part of this great gardening group!
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 National 4-H Congress Kat Stulpin, 2015 Delegate
I'm Kat Stulpin and I recently attended National 4-H Congress. I have been actively involved in 4-H for several years now. National Congress takes place in Atlanta, GA once a year. Teens from all over America and Puerto Rico attend. We participated in several Community Service projects and learned about ways to better our community. It was five days of pure fun! Every day we had some sort of different treat to reward us for our achievements in 4-H from attending local sites, to dances, and chances to learn about different cultures. I received this trip through a competition called AIRE, which is simply application, interview, resume, and essay. Ninety-three youth participated in this contest and I was one of the 12 delegates from North Carolina selected to go to National 4-H Congress. It was a rewarding trip and I would highly recommend that everyone participate in AIRE for the chance to go! (submitted by Kat Stulpin).
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 Enhancing Farm Profitability Jan 19, 2016 9 AM to 4 PM Cost: $20 (includes lunch) Newton Public Library
Cooperative Extension Service will be hosting the farm profitability workshop on January 19 with the Center For Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at the Newton Public Library. See the below link for more information and on-line registration.
Online Registration |
 Soil Management - Feed the Soil For a Productive Garden January 19, 2016 6:30 - 7:30 PM Newton Public Library
Join Dr. George Place, Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director in a presentation about better soil management for improved garden productivity. Whatever you are growing - flowers, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruit, trees, or simply a green lawn - soil management is one of the most critical components for success. Learn how to sample your soil for analysis, manage fertility, lime or acidify your soil, and begin to build your soil organic matter content. This presentation will be the initial presentation for the Advanced Gardener Series. Participants that attend all 11 presentations and conduct 20 hours of community garden service in 2016 will receive certification as Advanced Gardeners with additional gardening incentives (coupons and gift certificates) from some of our local garden supply businesses and an official library gardening program T-shirt! More information on this program will be provided at this first session. Come out and be a part of this great gardening group!
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School-Age Child Care Workshop
Health Rocks - January 20, 2016
Location: Children's Resource Center, Hickory
Did you know that 4-H partners with school-age child care programs to offer 4-H in after-school settings? Learn more about resources, curriculum, and how to include 4-H in your school-age programs (after-school or summer camps).
Cooperative Extension is partnering with the Children's Resource Center to offer workshops designed for school-age child care staff with training credit award for those attending. While the training is designed for child care staff, 4-H volunteers are welcome to attend to learn more about 4-H and resources to use with your clubs. To register or receive more information, contact Kate Littlefield at KLittlefield@catawbacountync.gov or 828-465-8240.
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| | Lauran (left) was part of the 2015 Health Rocks TRY Team. |
Congratulations to Lauran Surratt
Giving from the Heart Volunteer Award Winner
Lauran Surratt was selected as the winner of the 2015 United Way Youth Volunteer Award based on her volunteer work with 4-H. Lauran is the teen leader for the Brown-Penn Club where she works along with her mother and Recreation Center staff to plan monthly hands-on 4-H programs for community youth. Lauran started by participating in 4-H programs offered at Brown Penn and now she plays a key role in leading the 4-H program. She was also part of the Health Rocks TRY team and worked with the 4-H agent to lead healthy living programs at Viewmont after-school program during the 2014-15 school year. Lauran, along with Kat Stulpin (another Catawba 4-H'er) were part of the state team that led the training for other NC teens that will be teaching Health Rocks in 2016. Lauran has also been involved in teaching 4-H Summer Fun workshops for the past 3 years.
Lauran also received a cash award to direct organizations of her choice. She decided to use the monetary award to help purchase 4-H program supplies to use at Brown Penn and for her church youth programs.
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 Pasture Management & Hay Production Workshop January 26, 2016 10:00 AM - Noon Cleveland County Extension Office 130 S Post Road Suite 1 Shelby
Speakers: Dr. Matt Poore and Dr. Miguel Castillo
Lunch immediately following, register by calling 704-482-4365
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 Soil Management - Feed the Soil For a Productive Garden January 26, 2016 6:30 - 7:30 PM Maiden Public Library 11 South A Avenue
Maiden, NC 28650
Join Dr. George Place, Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director in a presentation about better soil management for improved garden productivity. Whatever you are growing - flowers, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruit, trees, or simply a green lawn - soil management is one of the most critical components for success. Learn how to sample your soil for analysis, manage fertility, lime or acidify your soil, and begin to build your soil organic matter content. This presentation will be the initial presentation for the Advanced Gardener Series. Participants that attend all 11 presentations and conduct 20 hours of community garden service in 2016 will receive certification as Advanced Gardeners with additional gardening incentives (coupons and gift certificates) from some of our local garden supply businesses and an official library gardening program T-shirt! More information on this program will be provided at this first session. Come out and be a part of this great gardening group!
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 District 4-H Winter Lock-In January 29-30, 2016 Ages 13 and older Cost: $15 Deadline to Register: January 25
Enjoy an evening of learning and fellowship with 4-H teens from the South Central District. The lock-in will focus on the State Council theme of the 4th H: Health with workshops on Teamwork, Decision-Making, Healthy Cooking, Speak-Up, and Community Service Project. A dance will close-out the evening before settling into night-time movies. The event will be held at the Union County Office, but we will travel and attend as a county group. We will leave from the Catawba County Office on Friday after school and return Saturday morning.
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 Forage & Livestock Area Meetings
January 28 - Forage & Grasslands Winter Conference Program (Statesville Office)
January 29 - Forage & Grasslands Winter Conference Program (Canton Office)
February 17 - NC Cattlemen's Winter Conference Series (Statesville Office)
February 18 - NC Cattlemen's Winter Conference Series (Canton Office)
February 25-27 - NC Cattlemen's & Dairymen's Annual Conference (Hickory Metro Center)
Statesville office - 704-873-0507 Cleveland County Office - 704-482-4365 Canton Office - 828-456-3575 Catawba County Office - 828-465-8240 NC Cattlemen's Association - 919-552-9111 |
 Master Gardener Course Registration Now Open Cost: $100 non-refundable deposit Agricultural Resource Center
The Master Gardener Course will take place from Feb 2 to April 28 with classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM to noon. The $100 fee will cover all course costs including the extensive Master Gardener manual and field trips. This course is for beginners and advanced gardeners. We will cover a wide array of topics covered by experts from around our region including: vegetable production, soil health management, berry and tree fruit, integrated pest management, plant problem diagnosis, garden disease management, home lawn maintenance, landscaping, and much more. The class will fill quickly and there are only 20 seats available. Register now by calling 828-465-8240. Register online here
CVMGVA offers one scholarship for the course, please contact Gene Brown @ (828) 328-6325 for more information. Certified Master Gardeners are invited to attend any class for review at no charge.
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ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)
13th Annual Business of Farming Conference
Saturday, February 20
8:00 am-5:30 pm
UNC Asheville, Highsmith Student Union
Agricultural leaders and 200+ farmers from across our region will come together to learn about business planning, marketing, sales models, and community resources. ASAP's conference features over a dozen workshops (see sample topics below), opportunities to meet with local wholesale buyers in the popular Grower-Buyer Meetings, one-on-one legal consultations, and time to engage in valuable networking with other farmers. We work hard to make this an affordable and valuable opportunity for all farms in our region, so please share this unique opportunity. Early bird registration ends January 15.
Sample Saturday workshop topics include:
- Farm business planning and financials
- Recordkeeping
- CSA models
- Market managers roundtable
- New market vendor orientation
- Agritourism
- Marketing and promoting your farm
- GAP and food safety
- Wholesale and direct marketing
- And more!
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 Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
February 23rd, 2016
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Agricultural Resource Center, Rm B
Properly trained and pruned fruit trees is important for both commercial growers and homeowners. Join us for a fun filled day about growing fruit trees and receive hands on training on how to prune your fruit trees. Dr. Mike Parker, Extension Horticulture Specialist will be demonstrating proper pruning technique for apple and peach trees. Deadline to register is February 12th, 2016. You can download the registration form via the hyperlink. or visit our county website at catawba.ces.ncsu.edu
The Fruit Tree Pruning workshop is the fifth session of the the six part Specialty Crop Series. For more information on the fruit tree pruning workshop or the Specialty Crop Series, please contact Der Xiong at der_xiong@ncsu.edu or 828-465-8248.
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 Insect and Weed Management in Row Crops
February 24th 2016
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1175 S. Brady Ave
Newton, NC 28658
Agricultural Resource Center, Rm B
Farmers in North Carolina are facing serious challenges with herbicide resistant weeds moving into the Piedmont region west of Charlotte. New recommendations to manage and avoid herbicide resistant weed infestations can save growers tremendous costs associated with these problems. There are also new recommendations on insect management that all of our row crop producers should be aware of to avoid resistance and unnecessary pesticide expenses.
Join us at the Newton Cooperative Extension Office as NC State specialists Dr. Wesley Everman, NC State Chemical Weed Mangement specialist, and Dr. Dominic Reisig, NC State Row Crop Insect Management Specialist, present information on serious pest management challenges that face our regional producers of soybean, small grains, corn, and sorghum.
Please call 828-465-8240 to RSVP for lunch following the two hour presentation. Participants will receive 2 CEU's for pesticide licenses in N, O, D, and X categories.
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Save the Date for Tax Workshop for Diversified Farms
Date: Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Catawba County Extension office,
1175 S. Brady Ave, Newton, NC 28658
The workshop will be taught by North Carolina State University Extension Specialist Guido Van der Hoeven.
Guido van der Hoeven is an Extension Specialist/Senior Lecturer at NC State University since 1995 and has experience preparing tax returns for nearly 40 years. Van der Hoeven is an Enrolled Agent and his extension focus is farm management specifically in the areas of taxation, estate planning and intergenerational transfer of productive farms.
Topics that will be covered include:
- Sales Taxes
- Sales tax exemption for purchase of inputs plus a discussion of the new NC law changes
- Collection and remittance of sales taxes on sales of farm products
- Q&A relative to NC law changes
- Income Taxes
- Walk through the Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming) line by line. Guido will discuss what can or can't be included on each line.
- Walk through IRS Form 4797 (Sale of Business Assets) and discussion of why it's important to understand the context of a transaction; briefly address capital gain
- Question & Answer Session
- Note: Registered participants will be invited to submit questions in advance that Guido will try to address during the workshop.
Stay tuned for registration information coming in January or Contact 704-922-2118
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Beginning Cut Flowers Workshop
Tuesday March 8th, 2016
ARC Building
Meeting Room B
9:00am-12:00pm
1175 S. Brady Ave
Newton, NC 28658
Interested in learning more about growing cut flowers? Want to know how you can incorporate cut flowers into your current farm business? Come join us in learning about varieties best suited for cut flowers and how to grow them. Other topics include harvest and post harvest handling, marketing, and a tour to a local cut flower farm. Deadline to register is March 1st, 2016. You can download the registration form via the hyperlink or visit our county website at catawba.ces.ncsu.edu
The beginning cut flowers workshop is the last session of the the Specialty Crop Series. For more information on the beginning cut flowers workshop, please contact Der Xiong at der_xiong@ncsu.edu or 828-465-8248.
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Wednesday March 16th, 2016
ARC Building--Meeting Room B
1175 S. Brady Ave
Newton, NC 28658
The North Carolina Agromedicine Institute has developed a First on Scene program to teach the importance of responding appropriately to
 emergencies. Farmers, family members, and farm workers are encouraged to participate
Topics include:
- Scene Safety
- Response to traumatic injuries
- Response to medical emergencies
Attendees will receive a free fire extinguisher and a free first aid kit. More than two people can attend per farm, but a maximum gift of two kits and two extinguishers per farm. Each farm is eligible for up to $250 cost share funds to defray safety and health related expenses.
Seats are limited to the first 30 individuals. Please RSVP Der Xiong via the registration form by mail, emailing at der_xiong@ncsu.edu, or calling 828-465-8248.
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Advanced Gardener Program For 2016
We have heard from several residents of Catawba County that would like to participate in the Master Gardener program but don't have the schedule flexibility to attend day time classes. We are responding to this with the Advanced Gardener Program in the evenings at three library locations.
Participants that attend all 11 presentations and conduct 20 hours of community garden service in 2016 will receive certification as Advanced Gardeners with additional gardening incentives (coupons and gift certificates) from some of our local garden supply businesses and an official library gardening program T-shirt! More information will be provided at the first presentation in January.
The 2016 curriculum includes: January -Soil Management - Feed the Soil For a Productive Garden Februrary - Spring Veggies - Get Growing Before the Heat March - Summer Veggies - Fresh Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and More April - Garden Insects - Identify and Manage Pests and Beneficials May - Weed Management - You Can Win the Weed War June - Garden Diseases - Identify and Manage Diseases and Disorders July - Fall Veggies - Harvest From Your Garden Before and After the Frost Aug - Food Preservation for the Garden - Eat Your Harvest All Year Sept - Cover Crops - Grow Your Own Fertilizer Oct - Seed Saving - Techniques to Maximize Seed Quality and Germination Nov - Garden Berries - Grow and Pick Your Own The schedule for these presentations will be as follows: Patrick Beaver Memorial Library - 6-7 PM on the 2nd Thursday of each month Newton Public Library - 6:30-7:30 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month Maiden Public Library - 6:30-7:30 PM on the 4th Tuesday of each month
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 Beginning Beekeeping Course Feb 1 to March 14, 2016 Monday evenings at 7 PM Cost: $40 Agricultural Resource Center
The Catawba Valley Beekeeping Association will begin registration for the 2016 Beginning Beekeeping class. Mark your calendars for every Monday evening at 7 PM beginning Feb 1. The course will run for 6 weeks with the option to test to become a certified beekeeper at the conclusion of the course.
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Demo Garden Fund Raiser
Garden Kneelers For Sale
Only $25
We are selling garden kneelers for $25 to help raise funds for the expansion of our teaching/demo garden outside of our office. Use it as a sitting bench or flip it over to comfortably kneel in the garden. Contact Beth if you would like to get yours before we run out 828-465-8240.
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Caldwell County Cooperative Extension Activities
Our neighboring Cooperative Extension Office in Lenoir has a lot of great activities, workshops, and general gardening recommendations listed for the month of January. Be sure to take a look at their January monthly update.
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 Enter now to WIN!!!! Monthly Constant Contact Contest
Pack your own food? How about packing it in this fashionable NC State lunch bag. . .for free? This month, we will be giving away a NC State lunch bag for our monthly constant contact contest.
All you have to do to be entered to win is look through our monthly update and email us the correct answer. The question for the monthly constant contact contest is:
What are the 4H training opportunities offered this month? Please list the title, date, and time. Please email Der Xiong your answer.
Congrats to Kim Fleitman for winning December's Constant Contact Contest.
You can be a winner today!!
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Highlights of Extension
More articles from the Catawba County Center
Excerpt from "Unlocking the Secrets of Shiitake Mushroom" by Der Xiong
"As the temperatures starts to cool down, a wide range of mushroom will start to flush. Shiitake mushroom is among one of the varieties that you'll start to see flush. These meaty flavored caps haven't always been this readily available."
One of Catawba County Cooperative Extension Center's goals is to provide readers with up-to-date research information about problems or situations that individuals may be facing through our weekly articles. You can find these in the Observer News Enterprise and Hickory Daily Record.
If you missed out on our articles in the local papers, you can still read these articles on our website at catawba.ces.ncsu.edu.
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Spotlight on AMAZING
Web Resources!!!
The SoilWeb is this month's spotlight web resource. This amazing website will allow you to obtain information regarding your property soil type. You can select various area sizes and obtain a description of the soil map unit.
SoilWeb provides soil data and information produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the University of California. With this information you can visit this Nutrient Management website, enter the soil type given for your property from the SoilWeb website and get an estimate of the Realistic Yield Expectation for a number of crops. This allows farmers to estimate how much fertilizer they should apply.
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Catawba County 
Farmer Spotlight
"The planters, the farmers, the mechanic, and the laborer...form the great body of the people of the United States, they are the bone and sinew of the country men who love liberty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal law" --Andrew Jackson
Catawba County is made of up of so many unique individuals including farmers. As Catawba County grows economically, we are reminded of our agricultural roots. The Catawba County Cooperative Extension is dedicated to connecting our local consumers with our local farmers.
This month's feature farmer spotlight is Reyanold and Martha Calderon from Calderon Produce. Not only are they one of our largest tomato and pepper producers in Catawba county, but they're also paving the way for our historically undeserved farmers. You can read more about these producers here.
If there is a farmer that you think would be a great feature, please contact Der Xiong.
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