Cleveland County Cooperative
Extension Impacts
Spring Edition 2006
From the Director's
Desk:
Spring and summer are particularly busy times for Cooperative
Extension. Agricultural agents are busy assisting farmers with
decisions related to planting, insect and weed control. Hay harvest
is in full swing. Fruit and vegetable growers are busy developing
plans for harvest and marketing. Livestock producers look for
guidance in controlling flies and internal parasites. Farm ponds
teem with aquatic weeds, sending landowners to Cooperative
Extension in search of chemical and biological solutions.
Beekeepers seek advice for preventing swarms, establishing new
hives, and preventing devastating bee pests. Homeowners call in
record numbers with questions and problems related to their lawns
and gardens.
Family and consumer science agents focus on food safety,
stressing the importance of safe outdoor grilling and teaching home
food preservation. Family caregivers look to Extension to help them
maintain their own physical and emotional health while dealing with
the stresses of meeting the needs of a loved one. Limited income
families with young children are taught the importance of
incorporating fresh, in-season fresh fruits and vegetables into
their diets because of their abundance, low cost, delicious flavor
and high nutrient content.
The 4-H youth development program kicks into high gear with
Summer Fun, a series of hands-on learning activities to help young
people gain new knowledge and valuable life experiences. With
members out of school, clubs focus on community service and special
interest projects. Youth polish up their presentations in
preparation for Southwest District Activity Day and State 4-H
Congress.
We hope that this newsletter finds you well and provides you
with a glimpse into some of our focus areas and recent successes.
As always, we thank you for your continued support of Cooperative
Extension and your dedicated service to the citizens of Cleveland
County.
Sincerely,
Greg Traywick
County Extension Director
Highlights in
Agriculture
Pesticide Education:
Fifty-three farmers were involved in a 2-hour workshop focusing on
pesticide safety. The April 25 workshop, conducted by county
extension director Greg Traywick , equipped farmers to train
farm workers and protect them from pesticide-related hazards.
Participants were also taught to maintain accurate records on the
pesticides they use in their daily farming operations. In addition
to meeting federal and state requirements, these records provide
information to help growers improve their individual farming
operations.
Improving Beef Quality:
Cleveland County is part of a statewide initiative to maximize
consumer confidence in beef. This initiative, the North Carolina
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, is focused on the safety,
wholesomeness, and quality of beef. It seeks to assure a great
eating experience each and every time for beef consumers. Local
cattlemen recently completed an intensive two-hour training program
and passed a required exam, thereby achieving certification under
program guidelines. This places them in an elite group of cattlemen
who are using science, research, and education in their daily
farming operations.
Meat Goats:
Local landowners are looking for ways to generate additional
family income. A growing number are turning to meat goats, the
fastest growing segment of North Carolina's livestock industry.
They find meat goats easy to manage, safe around young children,
helpful in controlling weeds, and fun to produce. NC Cooperative
Extension is supporting their efforts by teaching them important
management practices. We recently established a meat goat pick-up
station at Cleveland County Fairgrounds, providing growers with a
convenient, reliable marketing outlet for their animals. Greg
worked with three Cleveland County meat goat producers to supply
research animals for a USDA- sponsored grazing trial conducted in
West Virginia. Producers worked together to assemble a load of
goats meeting the specifications of the contract. In doing so, they
netted almost double current market value, earning an
additional $1,595 from their part-time livestock operations. Greg
also conducted a May 9 educational program for meat goat producers,
with 43 growers from Cleveland and surrounding counties
participating. Participants gained insight into current trends and
research impacting the meat goat industry. They also learned
practical ways to control hoof growth and reduce parasite
problems.
Fruits & Vegetables:
Knowing the cultural requirements of fruits and vegetables is
important, whether they are grown commercially or for home use.
Extension horticultural agent Daniel Shires is currently developing
a Fruit & Vegetable Demonstration Plot on county-owned property
located behind the County Office Building. This plot will be open
to the public and will serve as an interactive learning site for
the citizens of Cleveland County. Individuals will be able to see
(and taste) different varieties of fruits and vegetables. Daniel
will use the plot to demonstrate important cultural practices,
including proper planting, trellising, pruning, fertilization, weed
control, and harvest techniques. The demonstration plot will also
support local research related to the production of fruits and
vegetables. To raise funds in support of this project, Cooperative
Extension held is first annual small fruit plant sale in March,
2006. Strawberries, blackberries, muscadine grapes, and blueberries
were offered for sale to the public. The sale was an enormous
success, generating a profit of approximately $4,000. In addition
to raising funds, the sale brought people to the Extension Center,
where they met and conversed with Extension staff and received
useful publications from NCSU on growing small fruits.
Cleveland County Ag Statistics:
| Total Area in County, Acres |
297,178 |
| Number of Farms |
1,131 |
| Total Land in Farms, Acres |
117,092 |
| Average Farm Size, Acres |
104 |
| Harvested Cropland, Acres |
32,424 |
| Average Age of Farmers |
58 |
| Average Value of Farm and Buildings |
$341,012 |
| Average Market Value of All Machinery and Equipment |
$31,676 |
| Average Farm Production Expenses |
$30,318 |
| Cash Receipts - 2003 |
Dollars |
Rank within State |
| Livestock |
$29,169.000 |
34 |
| Crops |
$12,438.000 |
66 |
| Government Payments |
$ 2,894.000 |
35 |
| Total |
$44,501.000 |
48 |
Field
Crops:
Extension agricultural agent Steve Gibson has been
monitoring cereal leaf beetle in the county's wheat crop. For the
third consecutive year, levels of this devastating pest are very
low. Steve attributes the good news to an extensive educational
program that has led to the development of local treatment
thresholds and taught farmers to use special nozzles tht extend
spray width and reduce traffic damage to the crop (damaged wheat is
more prone to insect attack). Most importantly, Steve has developed
a cooperative project with teh NC Department of Agriculture's
Beneficial Insect Divsion. This project involved the release of two
very small parasitic wasps which prey on cereal leaf beetle. Over
the years, these wasps have become well established and now are
signficantly reducing cereal leaf beetle populations. The success
of these wasps and several other natural enemies of the cereal leaf
beetle has been greatly enhanced by the adoption of no-till
planting by our field crop producers. Promoting no-till has been a
major part of Steve's educational program since the early 1990's.
Beekeeping:
Cleveland County is home to more than 150 beekeepers. These range
from hobbyists with one or two hives to commercial operations with
over 250 hives. Steve's educational program for area beekeepers is
not into its third year. He plans and conducts the program in
conjunction with the Cleveland County Chapter of the North Carolina
Beekeepers Association, which he helped to form about two years
ago. The local Chapter meets monthly to discuss bee-related issues
and to find solutions to common problems. Field tours,
demonstrations, and educational seminars are conducted several
times each year. Steve collaborated with the USDA Carl Hayden Bee
Research Center and NCDA apiarist Don Hopkins to evaluate the
effectiveness of two new pesticides against a devastating and
relatively new bee pest, the Varroa mite. The test was conducted in
a bee yard operated by Milton Hester (Cleveland Countys major
commercial beekeeper). Test results were used to benefit beekeepers
nation-wide. Gibson is also conducting a honeybee strain
demonstration behind the County Office Building. One strain from
the Balkan region are showing promise by having resistance and
tolerance to the Varroa mite.
Highlights in Family & Consumer
Sciences
Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program
(EFNEP):
EFNEP nutrition educator Peggy Jackson recently completed a
series of nutrition lessons with a group of pregnant teens/new moms
at Crest High School. The topic of one lesson was "Introducing
Solid Foods to Infants." Peggy gave a demonstration on preparing
baby foods using a blender and foods found in their pantries at
home. Students then participated in a taste test, learning that
"homemade" baby food is both tastier and cheaper. Since the young
ladies are on a very limited income, they could appreciate the
savings between the products. Even if they did not prepare their
own baby food on a regular basis, students learned how to suplement
when needed. Jackson offered suggestions on preparation and a
timetable of when to introduce various solid foods in the diet. The
sessions were so successful that Peggy was invited to resume
classes later this fall.
ServSafe® Food Safety Certification
Training:
Extension family and consumer sciences agent Nancy Jones is
helping food service managers, employees and church volunteers
learn proper food handling procedures to make their establishments
safe places to eat. Eleven food and restaurant establishments were
represented by thirteen participants who successfully completed the
March certification course and examination. The National Restaurant
Association (NRA) has estimated the cost of a food borne illness
outbreak to an establishment to be about $75,000. If each of the 11
establishments prevented one food borne illness outbreak, food
safety education provided an estimated cost savings of $825,000.
Servsafe trainings will continue on a quarterly basis due to the
positive impact in preventing food borne illness.
Asthma Education:
The Cleveland County Asthma Coalition continues to serve as the
champion for air quality and asthma education in Cleveland County.
NC Cooperative Extension has been actively involved in the
coalition since its beginning in the spring of 2002. Extension
family and consumer sciences agent Nancy Abasiekong was
recently recognized as one of the Coalition's 2005 Asthma
Champions. Nancy was cited for her work as an instructor in the
Basic Asthma Classes (English and Hispanic) and No Wheeze Asthma
Camp. Participants report an increased understanding of their
environment, triggers, and the role they play in managing this
chronic disease. Nancy was one of the members who presented at the
2006 NC Asthma Summit in Burlington in March. She joined other
members in sharing information about the Cleveland County Asthmas
Coalition and the information about the educational role
Cooperative Extension plays. The Coalition has been contacted by
other coalitions for additional information. Cooperative Extension
assisted with planning and participated in the Asthma Expo (April
22) which was held at the Dover Foundation Family YMCA in
conjunction with Healthy Kid's Day. Nancy is also working with a
coalition committee and the Cleveland County Schools Safety
Committee to bring asthma trainings to school staff and parents in
2006-2007.
Family Caregivers:
The nubmer of family caregivers in Cleveland County, like other
areas of the country, is on the rise. As families find themselves
facing the complex issues of providing caregiving for longer
periods of time, it becomes increasingly important that they learn
more about self-care. Fourteen family caregivers participated in a
five-week class, Caring for You, Caring for Me. The class was
co-sponsored by the NC Cooperative Extension, Shiloh Baptist Church
Health Ministry, and the NC Family Caregiver Support Program. Nancy
provided leadership and led the training. Participants reported
that the quality of the instruction and information presented to be
excellent. All indicated that the training was very beneficial to
them and that they would recommend the training to others.
Participants indicated that they now better understand caregiving
and the need for self-care, they have identified and implemented
new coping strategies, they feel more confident in building and
utilizing a support system, they are more aware of community/area
resources, they know how to access resources, and they have taken
specific steps for self care. One participant said she was nearing
"burn-out" when she came to the first class session. She has now
learned ways to avoid burn-out and is glad she participated in the
class. Many indicated interest in participating in a support group
and a second part to this class. Some have already recommended the
class to others. Another participant indicated an increased
understanding of caregiving and she is now interested in pursuing a
career in this area.
Highlights in 4-H
Youth
The Cleveland County 4-H Program:
Cleveland County 4-H took five local teens to this year's
Southwest District Teen Retreat which was held during March at Camp
Walter Johnson. At this event teens gain leadership skills and
participate in several workshops throughout the weekend. 4-H
members also campaign for and elect district officers at this
event. Cleveland County is proud to have Will Houston represent
Cleveland County as Southwest District President.
Just back from a 6-week maternity leave, Extension 4-H Agent and
new mom Ashley Lee is gearing up for this year's summer
program. "Summer Fun" offers Cleveland County youth a selection of
workshops and day camps providing participants with fun, hands-on
opportunities to broaden their interests and build life skills. The
Mini-Garden contest also kicks off on May 30, teaching youth how to
raise their own vegetbles.
Cleveland County's 4-H Youth Development program continues to grow
with help from dedicated adult and youth volunteers.
4-H County Activity Day:
Congratulations to all presentation participants that competed
Saturday, May 20th at Cleveland County Activity Day. We learned a
lot of information and saw some great presentations. I would like
to say a special congratulations to Scarlett Reynolds for her first
appearance at County Activity Day. Great job everyone and keep up
the good work.
| Results were: |
|
|
|
| Jonie Stumbo |
Fabric & Fashion Design |
Cloverbud |
Participant |
| Scarlet Reynolds |
Safety |
Cloverbud |
Participant |
| Allie Stumbo |
Livestock/Dairy Production |
11-13 yr. old |
County Champion |
| Stephen Stumbo |
Forestry & Wildlife |
11-13 yr. old |
County Champion |
| Megan Houston |
Fabric & Fashion Design |
14-18 yr. old |
County Champion |
| Scott Stumbo |
Wheels & Engines |
14-18 yr. old |
County Champion |
| Will Houston |
Peanut Foods |
14-18 yr.old |
County Champion |
