Catawba County Cooperative Extension Service

Upcoming Workshops and Activities
   
Bulb Forcing Workshop - Jan 10, 6PM

Auxin Herbicide Training - Jan 28, 2-4 PM


Outdoor Hiking and Nature Club - Feb 25, 4:30 - 6:00 PM

Market Gardener Class 2019- March 9 - April 20  10am-2pm

Advanced Gardener Program 2019

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library - 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-7 PM
Newton Library - 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6-7 PM
Maiden Library - 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30 PM

Agritunity 

 
Feb., 9th 2019
8:30 am-2:30 pm
Free Educational Conference and Trade Show for Small and Beginning Farmers
Iredell Cooperative Extension
444 Bristol Dr. Statesville, NC
 
This third annual agricultural conference and trade show was designed to meet the economic and environmental needs of small farmers and beginning gardeners.
For schedule and more info visit NC Agritunity
 
Keynote Speaker: 
Carol Coulter from Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy
Three Concurrent EducationalTracks
Livestock, Alternative Crops, Small Farms
 
Lunch available from The Fusion Mexican Grill Truck
 
marketgardener
 
Market Gardener Class 2019
 
Classes meet four Saturdays in March and April 2019 for four hours 
March 9 & 23, and April 6 & 20, 2018, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

In this four- day intensive course, you will learn how to take the step from gardener to growing for market. Our classroom will be in the field, where we will grow four different crops, harvest and prepare to sell.
Contact April Vigardt at alvigard@ncsu.edu or call 828-465-8243 for more information

Class Cost is $100 
includes thum drive of farmer resources
WarmSeason Annuals Novel Fescue   
C atawba Valley Cattlemen's Association
 
Meeting Cattlemen
   2nd Tuesday of the month, Dec. 11, 2018
We welcome all people interested in our educational topic.

Location
:   Agricultural Resource Center 1175
                       South Brady Ave. Newton, NC 28658
Speaker:
                    4-H Speakers: Regan Mitchem,  Jordan Mitchem
                    Main Speaker:  Mr. Sam Dobson 
Educational Program: 7 PM - 
4-H Speakers:  Regan Mitchem: Hormones in Beef - Dispelling the Myths.
                   Jordan Mitchem: Two Step, Low Stress Weaning Method.
Main Speaker:  Mr. Sam Dobson is involved with Hickory Nut Gap Meats grass-fed beef and owns an organic dairy in Statesville.  

6:00  Supper is served.
8:00 Meeting Adjourned
Visitors eat free but need to initial the attendance sheet. 

Educational Meeting Strip Grazing Holcomb blend Beef Expo 2018
ornamental

Home Horticulture and  
Green Industry

Home horticulture classes!

Bulb Forcing Workshop - Jan 10, 2019 ($15 cost)
Sustainable Landscaping Ideas - Feb 5, 2019 (free)
Tree Cleanup and Chainsaw Safety Class - Feb 7, 2019 (free) ISA arborist credits available
Killians Hardware Spring Pro-Day - March 7, 2019 (free) pesticide, ISA arborist, and NC Landscape Contractor CEUs available.

Visit the  horticulture webpage  to find out more information about classes and to read articles about home landscaping topics.
ornamental
4-H Happenings......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Teen Opportunities in 4-H - January 8, 6:30 p.m.
All 4-H families are invited to join us for January County Council and learn  about 
the amazing opportunities offered to teens through 4-H, such as National 4-H trips, college scholarships and leadership roles. We will be electing our 2019 adult and youth county officers and all 4-H'ers attending are eligible to vote for county officers. 

4-H'ers, parents, and leaders are also have the option to come early at 4:45 and be part of the Achievement Night Planning Committee. I will be ordering pizza so the planning committee can eat between the planning meeting and County Council. All 4-H families that want to help with planning this annual event are welcome. Serving on a county committee counts as a leadership role for your 4-H project books. If you plan to be part of the committee, please sign-up at  https://goo.gl/forms/v282uJAPqZQTi7Dy2


NEW 4-H Clubs Starting 
We have several new 4-H club starting in 2019. If you are not already part of a club, check-out these options to get involved:

Hiking and Wildlife Club -  New Hiking and Wildlife Club will meet on the 4th Monday of the month from 4:30- 6:00 p.m. The club will rotate meeting locations, mostly alternating between Bakers Mountain and Riverbend county parks. There will also be a few seasonal Saturday hikes at nearby state parks. The kick-off meeting is planned for February 26 at 4:30 at Riverbend Park. Attend the February meeting to learn about 4-H, plans for the new club, and meet the club leaders. This group is recommended for ages 8 and older and children need to be accompanied by an adult. Leaders: Emily Kanupp and George Place. 

Dog Club - All Dog lovers ages 5 and older are invited to join our new club.  The club will be learning about care of dogs, different breeds,  and all things doggie! The kick-off and Informational meeting is Monday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ag Resources Center. Leader: Nancy Dick

If you would like to be part of the New Clubs, join us for the kick-off meeting. Enroll in 4-H with 4-H Online at  https://www.4honline.com/. Since it is a new year, all those who were part of 4-H in 2018, will also need to re-enroll for 2019. 





A variety of 4-H clubs are available in Catawba County for youth ages 5 and older. The clubs are led by volunteer leaders and meet at different times and places. Most of the clubs are special-interest, meaning they focus on a particular topic or theme.General interest clubs are also part of 4-H. 



    


Auxin Herbicide Training - Jan 28, 2-4 PM
Cooperative Extension Office 1175 S. Brady Ave, Newton

Take a look at these short articles for the latest info on hemp in our area:




Soy growers can sign up now through Jan. 15, 2019 for the 
Market Facilitation Program. Info and instructions are here

Take a look at the Ag Tech Toolshed from the United Soybean Board


 Family Consumer Science (FCS) - 
Food and Nutrition

Foodbusiness
"Farm to Fork" Recipe Page

Visit the " Farm to Fork"  recipe page for recipes and resources to help you prepare produce that you grow or purchase at local farmers markets.




Attention - Aspiring Food Business Entrepreneurs:  

Click on the link below for answers to questions regarding starting a food business. Whether you are interested in selling value-added products at a farmers market or starting a 
food truck. You will find information to help you, including agencies that regulate food businesses.





Need help with food preservation?

Stop by the Extension office and pick up a complimentary guide with instructions on how to can and freeze selected fruits and vegetables. For your convenience,  the guides have been distributed to several local libraries but supplies are limited.

You can also visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation  website for extensive information on how to preserve your favorite foods. 
                                                                                                       
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Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination statement

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equaopportunity regardless of racecolor, religion, creed, national origin, sexage, disability, or veteran'status. In additionthe 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, George Place, at (828) 465-8240 or gtplace@ncsu.edu or in person at the County Extension Office at least 14 days prior to the event.

Contact:
Dr. George Place
Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director
Agricultural Resources Center, Newton, NC 28658
828-465-8240