August 2020
We Grow Knowledge
Successful Gardener Series Meets Virtually
Kathleen Moore, NC State Program Assistant, welcomed 29 Union County residents via Zoom for the most recent UC Successful Gardening program. Attendees learned how to navigate through the brand new NC Gardener Plant Toolbox website. This tool can be used to help you select the right plants for your growing conditions in your garden. To learn more, check out the Plant Toolbox at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu and for more information on future Successful Gardening classes, contact Debbie Dillion @ dddillio@ncsu.edu.
Fall Master Gardener Training Classes Begin!
This month consumer horticulture agent, Debbie Dillion, welcomed her newest group of soon to become NC Extension Master Gardener volunteers. This class will be a little different than most, as each lecture will be held virtually through Zoom, with hands-on labs and activities being done while social distancing. Debbie is looking forward to the challenge and is excited about her newest trainees! To engage with our Master Gardener volunteers, contact Debbie @ dddillio@ncsu.edu.
Soybean Field Days Connect Growers with Local Research
Field crop producers from Anson, Stanly, and Union County attended field days this past month. Topics at the field days included fertility and pest management, variety selection, and insect ID. Growers shared that they were excited to see new strategies being studied and tested on the local level. We would like to thank Union County Farm Bureau and Foothills Crop Insurance for their assistance with sponsoring these events. To learn more about upcoming field crop activities, contact Mikayla Graham @ mikayla_graham@ncsu.edu.
Extra Green Beans? Why Not Give Canning a Try.
If you have more green beans from your garden than you can eat, or enjoy having the fresh taste of green beans during the winter, look no further than this video from FCS agent, Marcus McFarland. In this video, he shares how to pressure can green beans, and how to make sure you are using proper food safety measures. For more home preservation ideas, reach out to Marcus @ marcus_mcfarland@ncsu.edu.
FSC@Home Creates a Tasty Seasonal Salad!
Want to make a fresh, summer salad? Check out FCS agent, Marcus McFarland, and his favorite Caprese Salad recipe! This recipe can be easily created using local, seasonal ingredients. Be sure to share with us if you enjoy it! Reach out to Marcus @ marcus_mcfarland@ncsu.edu for more FCS@Home videos.
We Grow Community
EFNEP Leads Outreach Efforts
EFNEP Nutrition Educator Cheri Bennett, recently participated in a regional partnership with EFNEP program participants from the Burnsville Learning Center, Dr. Carolyn Ford of Wingate University, and members of the Union County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to provide community outreach. Volunteers unloaded, sorted, and distributed food to over 100 families in the Anson and Union County area. To learn more about outreach in your community, contact Cheri @ cheri_bennett@ncsu.edu.
New Community Garden in Wingate!
You may have seen raised garden beds on the corner of Wilson Street and Main Street in Wingate. This is the beginning of a partnership between UC Extension and Wingate University to create a Community Garden for local residents in the Wingate area. The newly formed Wingate Community Garden currently has picnic tables under the pecan trees and raised beds for growing vegetables. The raised beds also have signs that will be used to educate and inspire visitors with information about common sights in the garden as well as a poem on each sign to provide an opportunity for reflection and inspiration. There’s also a newly constructed produce pantry. This pantry will be stocked in the future with fresh produce from the garden that can be utilized by the community. As the Community Garden progresses, both Cooperative Extension and Wingate University will be reaching out to invite the community to participate and learn in this space.
4H Books & Mask Drive Exceeds Goals
Our 4-H Books and Masks drive is continuing to be a success. Our initial goal was to collect 50 masks and 50 books to donate to the little libraries without the county, and we are happy to report that we have exceeded that goal already. We have collected more than 50 new and gently used books as well as 100 masks. Donations are collected throughout the month of September at the Union County Agricultural Center in the main lobby of the center. To get involved with 4-H, contact Crystal Starkes @ crystal_starkes@ncsu.edu OR Leah Joyner @ leah_joyner@ncsu.edu.
We Grow Economy
Local Family Farm Recognized
UC family farm, Medlin Farms, was recognized this month on the cover of Southeast FarmPress magazine. Everette and his son Drew farm in partnership over about 3,500 acres of corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and wheat. They are also both heavily involved in the community assisting with the annual Unionville BBQ, UC Farm Bureau, and the Union County Young Guns. We would like to congratulate the whole family for their recognition!
More UC Local Foods and Products
Each month we are proud to share stories of our Union County local foods and products producers, and this month is no different. Our goal is that this project brings greater awareness and appreciation for the diversity and importance of agriculture here in Union County. We hope you enjoy this month's selections! To learn more about local foods and products here in UC, contact union_local_foods@ncsu.edu.
Southern Breezes Farm & Carriage
Founded in 1999, Southern Breezes Carriage operates for the love and joy of horses. Their teams of Belgian and Percheron horses, and fleet of Amish made carriages add extra style to any event. Southern Breeze Carriages offers a variety of services, from weddings and funerals to birthday parties and tours.
J. Brooks Family Farm
J. Brooks Family Farm is a four generation operation that specializes in growing premium protein products for local consumers.
Volunteer Spotlight
For our volunteer spotlight this month, we have one of our Extension & Community Association (ECA) volunteers, Judy Boswell, of the Farmer’s Market ECA club. Extension & Community Association is a statewide education and service organization that partners with North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Their mission is to strengthen families and communities through leadership development, community action, education support, and research-based education from NC State and NC A&T State Universities.
One of the biggest project's her club is working on is making cloth masks for the community. Several ECA members including Judy have produced up to 16,000 masks for the state so far. Judy says, "ECA is helping to provide masks to people in Union County like nurses, who need it the most". Judy has also been practicing making smile masks with a plastic visible window for better communication. They hope to reach a community of veterans with hearing disabilities for better communication and safety. ECA was even able to make masks for our Union County Cooperative Extension office during our Weekend Family Fun Packet Distributions at Union County School Nutrition Sites for families.
Staff Highlight
Jessica King, Local Foods Coordinator
You have probably seen her if you have visited the UC Farmer's Market on Saturdays, but this month we are proud to introduce our Local Foods Coordinator, Jessica King. A native of Union County, Jessica is proud to support and advocate for our local farmers and crafters. Jessica is responsible for the wide array of quality vendors every week at the market, assisting vendors and local food producers with marketing their goods, and connecting local businesses with local growers.
Jessica has been with UC Extension for just over a year now, and the farmer's market has grown tremendously during that time period. So come out this coming Saturday, talk to Jessica about the newest market items, and enjoy supporting your local Union County foods and products producers.
Credits:
Union County Cooperative Extension Rachael Holzman, NCSU Summer Intern