December 2020 / January 2021
We Grow Youth
Exceptional Children’s Party: Same Impact, New Look
The Exceptional Children's Party hosted by Union County 4-H looked a bit different this year. Traditionally, 4-Hers and their families will join the youth in the Exceptional Children's department at UCPS for a little holiday cheer. However, this year, Union County 4-H created 125 individual activity kits for young people to do in their classroom in addition to their gift bags. We also compiled a video from 4-H club members, staff, and a special music ensemble from the Matthews Playhouse which featured 4-Her Maggie Jo. Maggie Jo, her mom Gretchen, and some volunteers from the Union County Master Gardeners program helped put the kits and bags together.
Troop 267 STEM Badge Quest Completed
Union County 4-H led the charge to assist the Troop 267 Girls Scouts with earning STEM-related badges. These badges focused on cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, coding, and robotics. At the conclusion of the 10-week program, the participants gave a presentation on a woman in STEM.
Winter 4-H Robotics: A Kick Start to New Traditional 4-H Robotics Club
As a way to slowly emerge back into face-to-face programming, Union County 4-H held its Winter Break program in December and January featuring various activities including: vision board, livestock, and robotics. The robotics day focused on the LEGO WeDo 2.0 robots and an introduction to the FIRST Explore Set called Playmakers focused on outdoor activities. By the end of the program, each participant completed their model build and programmed it using the software. The 4-H program will start its traditional 4-H robotics club beginning in February for individuals interested in learning about robotics through the FIRST LEGO software. To learn more about UC 4-H Robotics, contact Crystal Starkes at crystal_starkes@ncsu.edu.
Students Explore Careers in Livestock
UC Extension hosted a workshop for high school students interested in exploring careers in the livestock industry. Students were able to hear about different career fields in the livestock industry as well as engage with hands-on activities to learn more about what some of these jobs entail. Activities included building model stomachs, using genetics to select the best bull, and reading a medication label for livestock health. The workshop finished with several guest speakers, representing different career fields such as marketing coordinator and large animal veterinarian. Contact Rachel Owens at rachel_owens@ncsu.edu for information on future 4-H Livestock activities.
We Grow Knowledge
Tri-County Livestock Newsletter
The second edition of the Tri-County Livestock Newsletter released in December. This months topics included nitrate toxicity in cattle, hay storage considerations, and winter shelter needs for small ruminants. This newsletter is designed for all livestock producers of all sizes. From horse farms and hobby farms to large cattle farms, there is timely and useful information for everyone. To sign up to receive this quarterly newsletter, contact Rachel Owens at rachel_owens@ncsu.edu.
Small Farmer Video Series Continues!
Aaron Moore, Small Farms Agent, and Rachel Owens, Livestock Agent, continued their two video series these past couple months. This month highlighted some growth and development in both species and covered topics like transitioning the pigs out to pasture, pig nutrition, and changes made in the brooder as the chicks get bigger. Be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels to see future updates. To learn more, contact Rachel Owens at rachel_owens@ncsu.edu.
Raising Laying Hens: Update from the Brooder
Raising Pasture Pork: Transitioning to Pasture
Raising Pasture Pork: Pig Nutrition Basics
We Grow Community
Eagle Scout Project Builds New Garden Beds
Local Boy Scout Troops have contributed to improvements on the grounds of the Union County Agriculture Center for many years. The newest addition to these contributions are a set of new garden beds. Mason Jeffers of Troop 226 worked with Union County Cooperative Extension to identify the garden bed renovation as his Eagle Scout Project. Eagle Scout is one of the highest achievements a scout can obtain. With help from his fellow scouts Mason prepared the site by removing old raised beds and soil. Then the scouts built four 16’x4’ garden beds and filled them with a soil mixture designed for raised bed gardens. This project will provide a space for hands-on education around growing fresh seasonal vegetables for our local communities.
UC Farmers Market Newsletter
The Market Minute is a newsletter that highlights happenings within the Union County Farmers Market. This publication informs you of the current vendors and the items they have available as well as information on using local meats, produce and value added goods in your everyday life. Please check out the Local Foods page on our Extension website for more information about the Union County Farmers Market, or contact Jessica King at Jessica_King@ncsu.edu to learn more!
Union County Joins Visit NC Farms
Union County has recently joined the South-Central Region on the Visit NC Farms app. This initiative highlights producers and business across North Carolina who represent anything grown, raised, caught, and made within our state. Download the Visit NC Farms app to discover 8 unique categories to connect with your community; from farms & fisheries, local food & drink, farm stays & lodging, to farmers markets, pick your own farms, tours & trails, and even special events. You can either search the map to find the many assets Union County contributes, or use the filters to discover exactly what you are looking for. And don’t forget to sign up for notifications to get updates from your favorite assets! If you or someone you know is interested in your farm or business being featured on the app, please complete this questionnaire.
We Grow Economy
Sprouting Broccoli Trial
With all the rain and cold weather outside you would think it impossible to find fresh local vegetables this time of year. But new growing techniques and appropriate variety selection make it possible for farmers to produce high quality produce in their fields year round. This broccoli demonstration shows off some of this potential. We have been harvesting broccoli out of this caterpillar tunnel since November and still have more broccoli to come. Yield data from this trial will be a valuable tool for growers choosing varieties suitable for our area. To learn more about Small Farms, contact Aaron Moore at jamoore3@ncsu.edu.
Soybean Variety Trial Results
The results are in! In 2020, an agent ran soybean variety trial was hosted in Union County. These results were released in December to growers to aid in making decisions on what variety to plant in the 2021 growing season. You can find these results on the Union County Field Crops Extension page. Contact Mikayla Graham at mgraham4@ncsu.edu if you have any questions about variety testing in Union County!
Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Coming Soon!
Union County Extension was recently awarded a grant from the Carolina Farm Credit Corporate Mission Fund. The Fund's mission is to build strong partnerships and alliances, leveraging the resources within the fund to preserve and promote the farmer, the family, and our rural communities. UC Extension plans to use the funding support to purchase materials to create a mobile poultry processing unit for backyard poultry producers. Stay tuned for more information!
Volunteer Spotlight
Lathan Farms
This month, Union County Extension would like to spotlight Lathan Farm for their work with the Union County Crop Production Program. This year, wheat variety and fungicide trials are being held at Lathan Farm with the help of Mike and Scott Lathan.
The Lathans have been farming for their whole life. Their father farmed before them, and his father before him, leaving a long standing business for Mike and Scott. The farm was incorporated and left to the two in 1988. The Lathans produce poultry, and field crops: corn, wheat, soybeans. Wheat straw is also harvested on the farm, which is majorly used at construction sites. In the past, the Lathans have aided in a company run test plot, but this is the first year they are volunteering for a Union County Extension research trial.
Staff Highlight
Elisabeth Purser - Union County Customer Support Specialist
This month we are excited to share our newest staff member, Elisabeth Purser. Elisabeth joined the Union County Extension staff in November as our Customer Support Specialist. In addition to her customer support role, Elisabeth is also in charge of the media and marketing outreach for our office.
Elisabeth is a native of Union County, and her and her husband, Brandon, have one son. They currently reside in Marshville. Next time you call the office or stop in to see an agent, be sure to welcome Elisabeth in her new role.
Credits:
Photo credits: Union County Extension Staff, Mark Stebnicki