May 2020
We Grow Youth
Virtual County Activity Day
County Activity Day is an opportunity for 4-Hers to demonstrate and present their knowledge on a subject of choice. This year, due to OCVID-19, County Activity Day was a virtual experience. It was split into three different days - science fair, talent showcase, and presentations. Presentations featured twenty 4-Hers from all age groups who spoke on various topics ranging from dog treats to careers in molecular biology. NC Cooperative Extension - Union County Center staff members, Breanna Walker with Union County Soil & Water, and Colleen Puceta with the Ellen Fitzgerald Senior Center served as judges.
STEAM Explorers
Union County 4-H concluded it's STEAM Explorers at Home, a Facebook live series aired on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm. Throughout the interactive virtual lessons, we were able to reach youth of all ages. Every lesson featured key words of the day to tie in with essential standards taught in the schools from kinetic energy, force, gravity and so much more. You can visit the Union County 4-H Facebook Page to view the previous videos.
UCPS School Activity Kit Wrap-Up
The Weekend Family Fun project wrapped up this past month with a final tally of over 4,000 STEM based activity kits being distributed. Along with 4-H and environmental education packets, healthy eating recipes, upcoming events, as well as general information about Union County Extension and Union County Soil & Water were handed out. We would like to thank our many staff volunteers, UCPS food workers staff, and the Union County Sheriff's office for their assistance in making this project a huge success.
Virtual Summer Fun Prep Begins
Preparation for this year's VIRTUAL Summer Fun Camp program is underway! This year's camps have been revamped in order to provide 4-H campers access to combat summer learning loss during this season of COVID-19. Filming is underway for several camps including the always popular Kid Chef. Registered campers will receive kits that include everything they need for their activities that week! Contact 704-283-3735 or 704-283-3740 to learn more about this year's VIRTUAL Summer Fun camp programs.
We Grow Knowledge
Soybean Planting Begins!
UC Extension finally got underway with on-farm research and demonstration soybean trials this past month. This year we are working on trials focusing on variety selection, fertility management, weed management, and plant health for increased yields. We will also again host the NC State Official Variety Trials here in Union County. Overall, we have over 25 acres of soybean research for Union County producers. We would like to thank Austin Grading & Farm Service for working with us on our trials!
Cost Effective Options for High Tunnels - Webinar
In collaboration with CFSA Union County Cooperative Extension taught a webinar on cost effective options for selecting and building high tunnels. This webinar covers information about the true cost of building a high tunnel and then covers different types of high tunnels that can be a cost effective option.
UC Beekeepers May Meeting
Small Farm Agent, Aaron Moore hosted the Union County Beekeepers Association for a virtual meeting in May. Dr. Kacie Raymann joined the beekeepers virtually as a guest speaker. Dr. Raymann conducts research at the Plant and Pollinator Center at UNC Greensboro. During the meeting Dr. Raymann shared her research on the effects of antibiotics on the honey bee gut microbiome. This research will contribute to the improvement of honey bee stewardship as we learn more about these fascinating creatures.
How to Start Your Garden Video
Small Farms Agent, Aaron Moore created a video highlighting starting your garden from seeds vs transplants.
Pastured Poultry 101 Series
Rachel Owens, Livestock Agent and Aaron Moore, Small Farms Agent are partnering to create a video series on how to raise pastured poultry. The first three weeks of the series were produced in May. We hope you enjoy them!
Week 1 Video
Week 2 Video
Week 3 Video
We Grow Knowledge
The 2020 Class of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers kicked off in May. Nine new trainees are beginning their instructional program and have already begun putting volunteer hours into our Teaching Gardens located on the Union County Agricultural Center Campus.
Successful Gardner Class
FCS@Home Video Series
The FCS@Home Video Series continued in May with three new videos produced by our Health & Wellness Agent Marcus McFarland. Click on the links below to find out more!
Med Instead of Meds Tuna Burger
How To Care for your Cast Iron Skillet
How To Make Roasted Brussel Sprouts
We Grow Economy
UC Local Farms & Food Profile
The USDA local farms and food profile is based on the changes from the 2012 to 2017 USDA Agriculture Census data. Please stay tuned for more information about the 2017 Ag Census infographics via an upcoming webinar.
Union County Farmers Market
The Union County Farmers Market continues to be open on Thursdays and Saturdays at their location (805 Skyway Drive Monroe). Over the past few weeks we have added multiple vendors providing shoppers with an assortment of produce, protein sources, and other value-added goods. Come on down to the Market this Saturday and get to know your local farmer, craft vendor, and stop and grab a bit to eat from one of our vendors!
Field Crops Video Series
This month we partnered with the NC Soybean Producers and Dr. Rachel Vann to produce videos on spring pea production here in Union County. Spring peas are a new and emerging crop in the vegan and vegetarian food industry, as well as high-performance dog feed. This year Union County Extension partnered with Howey Family Farms for a variety trial on spring peas. We would like to thank Dr. Vann and her team for their outside the box thinking to provide Union County growers with another option for production.
We also partnered this month with the NC Small Grain producers Association and Dr. Angela Post for a small grains virtual field day. Union County is the largest wheat-producing county in North Carolina and a vital crop for Union County producers. This year our research work focused on variety selection, plant growth regulators, and nitrogen management. We appreciate the creativity from Dr. Post and Nikki Johnson on putting together this virtual field day for our growers to take part in and learn some new techniques.
Staff Highlights
This month we would like to introduce you to our Wellness & Nutrition Agent, Marcus McFarland. Marcus joined our staff in 2018 after spending time in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg School System. Marcus focuses his efforts here in Union County on food safety, nutrition, home preservation, educating youth on fun activities revolving around food. You can find Marcus at the Union County farmer's market on Saturday's during the summer, at the Union County Health & Human Services facility teaching healthy eating recipes, or at Wingate Univeristy; guest lecturing students on fermination. Marcus also teaches a wide variety of classes here at the Union County Ag Center. One of his more recent classes, Instant Pot 101, was a huge hit with attendees. Please contact Marcus to learn more about his upcoming summer canning series here at the Ag Center!
Credits:
NC Cooperative Extension - Union County Center