October 2020
We Grow Youth
October is National 4-H Month!
Every year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, Opportunity4All, is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.
#Opportunity4All Campaign
North Carolina 4-H gave each county yard signs to share with local 4-Hers. 4-H Agent Crystal Starkes and Program Assistant Leah Joyner went into the community to drop off yard signs to 4-Hers within the county. Within the office, we asked staff members to explain what opportunity for all meant to them. To learn more about 4-H and youth development opportunities, contact Crystal Starkes at crystal_starkes@ncsu.edu.
True Leaders: Storefront and Videos
Union County 4-H observed National 4-H Week this year in various ways. Thanks to the generosity from Monroe Hardware, we were able to decorate the storefront in downtown Monroe showcasing the different projects within 4-H as well as displaying Union County 4-H’s True Leaders - both current and alumni members of the 4-H program. We also created some feature videos which focus on 4-H alumni and current members to share what 4-H meant to them. These videos included: Chairman and 4-H Alumnus Jerry Simpson of the Union County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner and 4-H Alumnus Dennis Rape, 4-H Alumna Unique Perez, and current 4-Hers Nikki Tuttle and Kendall Kennedy.
We Grow Knowledge
Master Gardener Tree Walk Class
Each year as part of the training for the new Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, we visit Davidson College Arboretum. The students are each assigned three to five specific trees to research learn about. As we come to their tree during the walk, they tell the class about the tree’s characteristics, how the wood is used, environmental services that plant provides for wildlife, and other interesting facts they may have learned. To engage with our Master Gardeners, contact Debbie Dillion at dddillio@ncsu.edu.
'We Garden Union County' Newsletter
The UC Master Gardeners have transitioned to a monthly newsletter format that will also include timely tips and topics. Thanks to Union County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Susan Yost, Donna Thrasher, Sheila Jeffrey, and Lilly Melademas for helping to get this effort off the ground! The newsletter will inform subscribers of upcoming educational programs related to consumer horticulture that are being offered, as well as information on the three annual plant sales. So be the first to know, by subscribing to We Garden Union County!
Virtual Small Ruminants 101 Series
The Virtual Small Ruminants 101 series kicked off in October and will continue through November. A partnership between agriculture agents in Union, Anson, and Stanly counties, this educational series is geared towards beginning farmers who are starting with sheep and goats. The series started with participants learning about selecting the right animals, production timelines, and matching goals with production decisions. For more information about future small ruminant educational opportunities, contact Rachel Owens at rachel_owens@ncsu.edu.
Med Instead of Meds Virtual Program
Health and Wellness agent, Marcus McFarland, collaborated with several county other agents to provide a virtual 7-week nutrition program around healthier eating habits based on the Mediterranean eating pattern during the time of COVID-19. The Med Instead of Meds Program provides education on implementing more fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and leaner proteins into our daily food patterns. Participants are provided with wonderful tips through virtual classes and short informational videos which include recipes as well. For more information on healthy eating, contact Marcus McFarland at marcus_mcfarland@ncsu.edu.
Good Morning Union County! Leadership Union: Ag Industry Day
Each year, UC Extension partners with the UC Chamber to provide an agriculture industry educational session for their yearlong Leadership Union program. This program highlights local business leaders across Union County and enables them to learn more about other aspects of industry. With this year's program moving to a virtual platform, UC Extension was given the opportunity to showcase more aspects not only Agriculture but also the amazing work that UC Extension does to support Agriculture in Union County. Be sure to check out the UC Chamber of Commerce YouTube page to see the full video!
We Grow Community
SEC Construction is Under Way!
The Union County Special Events Center construction project really made progress this past month. Concrete was poured, plumbing was ran, and electrical conduit was installed. There are many local businesses and individuals working together to make this project a success, and we would like to just say THANK YOU for all your hard work. To learn more about the project, contact Andrew Baucom at andrew_baucom@ncsu.edu.
1st Annual Community Partners Food Drive: EXTENDED
Our Food Drive to benefit the Community Shelter of Union County has been such a wonderful success, collecting over 973 lbs of food so far, that we are extending it into the month of November. We will continue to accept food donations at our partnering locations through November 20th, just in time for Thanksgiving! The Union County Ag & Conference Center is also accepting monetary donations. These donations should be made out to the Community Shelter of Union County, and can be mailed to the Union County Ag & Conference Center, 3230-D Presson Road, Monroe, NC 28112. For more information, contact the UC Ag Center at 704 - 283 - 3801.
We would like to thank our partners; UC Government, UC Public Libraries, the UC Sheriff's Office, UC Farmer’s Market, Agri Supply of Monroe, and the UC Antique Tractor & Power Club, for their continued support with this drive.
Wingate Community Garden Update
STRAWBERRIES HAVE BEEN PLANTED!!! Yes, you read that correctly. Just over 500 strawberry plants, encompassing 4 different varieties, were recently planted at the Wingate Community Garden. Be sure to take a look next time you pass through town! To learn more about the garden, contact Aaron Moore at jamoore3@ncsu.edu.
Local Food Donations Made to Wingate Elementary
The fruits of our labor are beginning to pay off at the Wingate Community Garden as UC Extension staff and Wingate University staff and volunteers supplied the first food donations to Wingate Elementary this month. Turnips, radishes, baby collards, mixed greens, and fresh herbs were all given to the cafeteria staff at the local school to begin incorporating into the lunches given to students.
We Grow Economy
Strawberry Variety Trials: PLANTED
Small farms agent Aaron Moore, along with other UC Extension staff installed a strawberry variety trial at the UC Ag Center this month. 3 different varieties were put in to give local growers a chance to see new varieties that they may be interested in growing in future seasons. Contact Aaron at jamoore3@ncsu.edu to learn more.
Corn Fungicide Trials: HARVESTED
This month, the Union County Field Crops Program harvested our Corn Fungicide Trials. These trials looked at fungicide products at low and high price points to help farmers make economically sound management decisions during the growing season. A huge thank you to Smith Brothers Farms of Wingate who allowed us to have the trial on their farm and assisted with harvest. Also, thank you to Nutrien AG for providing a weigh wagon to help collect the data for the trial. To learn more, contact Mikayla Graham at mgraham4@ncsu.edu.
UC Local Foods and Products
UC Extension has partnered with 14 other counties in the south-central region of NC to join a regional coalition for the Visit NCFarms App. Over the next couple of months, our staff will work to source local producers, artisan crafters, local businesses, and numerous other entities to populate the Union County page for the app. Check out the website to learn more and be sure to download the app onto your phone to help support our local agricultural businesses. To learn more, contact Andrew Baucom at andrew_baucom@ncsu.edu.
Rocky River Farms, LLC
Greg and Nikki Stephens own Rocky River Farms outside of Wesley Chapel North Carolina. They began their farm journey in 2015 as they sold their business and home in Charlotte and started looking for a different lifestyle. The farm currently offers beef cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, and rabbits, providing farm fresh products that are wholesome and taste good. The farm has been recognized and awarded an AWA (Animal Welfare Association) and Greener World certificates as an outstanding and caring farm. Be sure to take a look at their website!
Volunteer Spotlight
Meghan Edwards is a senior at Wingate University studying environmental biology. She is a 4-H alumna. For her senior capstone internship, she wanted to intern with NC Cooperative Extension to learn more about the organization and give back to an organization that taught her so much about agriculture through her experience as a 4-Her showing livestock and learning about poultry.
This fall, Meghan volunteered more than 100 hours during her internship helping the 4H program further expand their reach to provide accessible learning opportunities for all youth. Meghan was responsible for developing a digital learning space focused on the embryology project and creating a plan for a potential gardening 4-H club in the spring. She also co-led the Mad Scientist 4-H SPIN Club with 4-H Program Assistant Leah Joyner.
Staff Highlight
Kim Griffin - Union County Extension Administrative Assistant
This month we are happy to highlight Kim Griffin, our UC Extension Administrative Agent. Kim is also one of our newest employees, having only been with Extension for just over a year now. Kim mainly works behind the scenes providing support to our agents and their programming needs. She is also our liaison with NC State and Union County government for both budgeting and finance. Kim is a real backbone in our County office as she provides a steady calm that exudes throughout our staff, enabling everyone to do their job as efficiently as possible. Outside of work, Kim can be found on a ball field supporting one of her kids: Riley, Oakley, or Haven. We hope that you enjoy getting to know Kim, and please reach out to her at kim_griffin@ncsu.edu if she may be of assistance.
Credits:
Photos courtesy of: Union County Extension Staff, John Lambeth