Catawba County Cooperative Extension Service

Upcoming Workshops and Activities

Master Gardener 2020 Course Registration -  There are only 3 seats left!

Hickory Winter Farmers Market- Nov 2- April 11, Saturdays Only

Blueberry Pruning Practice - Hands-On  - March 3, 10 AM to noon


Weed Identification - March 26, 3-5 PM


House Plant Exchange -   March 31, 6 PM Conover Library

V credit pesticide training - April 1, 3 to 5 PM

Local Food Cooking Class- April 15- Oct. 14th
    



Take a look at this video on tiller counting for the details and call our office if you want assistance in estimating tillers in your wheat field.

Take a look at the soybean variety selection tool developed by Katherine Stowe, at the NC Soybean Producers Association.  

Search on the best performing varieties that meet your needs, for example you can specify a group 4 variety with the Liberty Link trait and good resistance to frog eye leaf spot and shattering. 

Advancedgardener

2020 Hands-On Gardener Program
This year the Advanced Gardener Program (inside presentations) will be moving outside for hands-on learning activities.

You can become a certified Hands-On Gardener!


Blueberry Pruning Practice - Hands-On - March 3, 10 AM to noon
121 25th Ave NW, Hickory 28601

March 11, 10 AM to noon
3526 Joe Johnson Rd, Catawba 28609

Weed Identification - Hands-On practice, 3-5 PM
Civitan Garden - 460 17th Ave NE, Hickory


Speaking of hands-on . . . our Master Gardener Course is a hands-on, learn-by-doing experience!
Wednesdays from 9 AM to noon
6 weeks in Mid March - April (food crops and pests)
6 weeks in Mid Aug - Sept (trees, turf, ornamentals)
There are only 3 seats left!


houseplants
House Plant Exchange
 
March 31, 6 PM
Conover Library
Wintermarket

Hi c kory Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays inside The Hickory Soup Kitchen
110 2nd St. Place SE
Saturdays Only
10am - 2pm
Nov. 2 to April 11, 2020 
Vegetables, Fruit, MeatEggs, Tea, Coffee, Honey, Bread, Baked Goods                                                    and Crafts
localfoodguide

Catawba County Local foods Guide
Time to update for 2020

Please let us know if you would like your farm or food business to be in the Local Food Guide.

 Requirements are that you produce, sell or utilize local foods sourced from within 50 miles of Catawba County.

The Guide will be printed in February and is also available in a mobile friendly version. See link above.

The listing is free, we just need a questionaire to be filled out and a picture or logo. Please contact April Vigardt at [email protected] for more information.
cattlemen
WarmSeason Annuals Novel Fescue   
Catawba Valley Cattlemen's Association Meeting 
(2nd Tuesday of every month EXCEPT January )

March  meeting: James Warren Citizens Center
115 West Main Street Lincolnton, NC
Educational Program : Understanding Soil Reports with an Emphasis on Using Chicken Litter for No-til Fields, Hay Fields and Pastures.
Speakers: Dr. Jon Havlin and Mrs. Lauren Greene
Meeting Agenda: 
Educational Program 5:00pm-6:00pm
Supper 6pm
Business Meeting: 6:45
Educational Program: 7:00
End: 8:00pm
Educational Meeting Strip Grazing Holcomb blend Beef Expo 2018
pesticide
  

Where:  Catawba County Extension Ag Resource Center
1175 Brady Ave. , Newton, NC 28658

  Agenda:

3  PM, "V" Training - Travis Snodgrass, NCDA&CS
New Rules and Regulations


 

4 PM - Glenn Detweiler - Catawba County Livestock

Practical Safe Use of Sprayers and Spray Tip Technology

  
Shopdrop
 
  
Millstone 4-H Camp
August 2-7
Ages 8-14

Make plans to attend 4-H Summer Camp. Catawba County will be camping at Millstone 4-H Camp in August.  Millstone offers a traditional camp program with activities like ropes course, shooting sports, horses, swimming, canoeing, lake and nature activities. Millstone is the oldest NC 4-H camp and is rich with 4-H history. The small cabins that house 10 campers make this camp ideal for first-time younger campers. Learn more about the camp at https://www.millstone4hcamp.com/.

It is not necessary to be in 4-H to attend camp. The cost for camp is $435 with a $200 deposit due at the time of registration. Transportation from Newton to Millstone 4-H camp is available for those that choose to ride the van to camp. 

Camp scholarships are available with applications due March 15.The camp scholarship application can be found on the Extension website at https://catawba.ces.ncsu.edu/4-h-camp-scholarship-application/. For more information about camp or the camp scholarship, contact Donna Mull at [email protected]

Families can choose to attend camp with their county group OR register for the camp  and week of their choice, OR attend a specialty 4-H camps, such as Shooting Sports, Fur, Fish and Game Camp, Cloverbud Camp or others. See the NC 4-H Camp website for a complete listing of camps and online registration at https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/camps-centers/. Scholarships for some speciality camps also available for qualified youth. Contact the Extension Office for details. 

Shopdrop
 
  

New 4-H Clubs

Check-out some of these 4-H club options and make plans to get involved in 2020!

* New Jr. Entrepreneur Club 
  Ages 7 and older
The group will have 5 programs at the Extension Office where youth will learn some business basics and then participants will have the opportunity to set-up their own summer business at the Conover Farmers Market. The group met for the first time last week, but it's not too late for a few more to join.  Next meetings are on Mondays, March 9 and 23, April 6 and 20. Youth will shadow Farmers Market Vendors on Saturday, May 2. There is no charge for youth to participate in the 4-H Club, but they are expected to complete a 4-H Entrepreneurship Project that will be due in the Fall, which will reinforce the importance of record keeping with business ownership. Youth under 12 must be accompanied by a parent. Club Leaders: Helen and Kurt Durrant and Michelle Long. For information or to enroll in the club, email [email protected]. Youth will need to attend all four remaining evening session to qualify to sell at the Farmers Market. 


* NEW Hickory 4-H Club - Ages 5-10
Meets monthly on a Friday evening at St. Luke's Methodist Church, Hickory
Next Meeting: February 7 at 6:00 p.m.  This will be a general interest with fun and different hands-on programs each month. Great group for exploring 4-H for families new to 4-H. Club Leader: Jessica Stamey.


For more information about these and other 4-H clubs, contact Donna Mull, 4-H Agent at 828-465-8240 or [email protected].

Explore 4-H:
Clubs and Much More!
March 17, 5:00-6:00 p.m. 
Agricultural Resources Center
1175 South Brady Ave, Newton

Did you realize that 4-H is more than just clubs! Clubs are a great way to get involved in 4-H but there is also more you can do in 4-H, in addition to participating in your 4-H club. Make plans to attend Explore 4-H and learn about different 4-H opportunities, include Presentations, Camp, National 4-H  trips and more. 4-H County Council will follow at 6:30 p.m. for those who want to attend the session on Explore 4-H and stay for County Council. 

Register to attend at https://forms.gle/bn3d3BY54W8wUZT49.



 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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Please answer these 4 simple questions by clicking on this survey link

In 2 minutes you will help us to improve how we serve Catawba County.  
This survey is completely anonymous

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 [email protected] 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 de
origen, 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, George Place, al (828) 465-8240 o [email protected] 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.
Contact:
Dr. George Place
Catawba County Cooperative Extension Director
Agricultural Resources Center, Newton, NC 28658
828-465-8240