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Extension
news
Surry County Center
January 2015
Inside This
Issue
Farm City Celebration
Congratulations
4-H Plant Sale
Radon
Meetings & Workshops
Scholarship
Master Gardener
Program
It’s Cold Outside
Calendar of Events
On Tuesday, November 25th, the Surry County
Cooperative Extension hosted a Farm-City Celebration
at Surry Community College. Over 70 farmers, business
leaders, economic development leaders, and elected
officials attended. This was a celebration to honor
agricultural producers in the area and to foster
understanding between those on the farm and those
who work or live in town.
Surry County has a rich agricultural heritage, but many people simply do not know how important
agriculture is to the economic well-being of the county. Agriculture provides approximately 20% of
the total county economy and is the largest single sector of the economy; not only in the county,
but the state as well. Hopefully this program will become an annual event to celebrate how
agriculture and businesses can support each other.
Contact Us
Surry County Center
Post Office Box 324
210 North Main Street
Dobson, NC 27017
(336) 401-8025 Phone
(336) 401-8048 Fax
surry.ces.ncsu.edu
Distributed in furtherance of the acts
of Congress of May 8 and June 30,
1914. North Carolina State University
and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive
action to secure equal opportunity
regardless of race, color, creed,
national origin, religion, sex, age,
veteran status or disability. In
addition, the two Universities
welcome all persons without regard
to sexual orientation. North Carolina
State University, North Carolina A&T
State University, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and local governments
cooperating.
Mary Cathey received her
Extension Master Gardener
Volunteer Certification in
November, 2014. She
completed 40 hours of
classwork and 40 hour of
volunteer work to receive
this certification. Cathey has
worked hard as an intern
and has done a fabulous job
in her community. She will
continue giving back to her community through
various projects and other forms of horticulture
education.
The annual 4-H plant sale will be starting soon.
Be on the look-out for your brochure this month.
Orders will continue to be taken through Thursday, February 26th. To make sure you receive a
brochure call 401-8025 to be placed on the mailing list for these great plants!
Types of plants being sold this year include:
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Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Various Ornamentals
Various Herbs
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
As the turning of the seasons brings colder weather to
North Carolina, and families close windows to keep
warm, it is an excellent time to make plans for radon
testing in your home. Radon is the odorless, colorless
gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in
the United States. The effects upon the families it
touches can be just as devastating as lung cancer
caused by smoking tobacco.
January is National Radon Action Month. Each year upwards to 22,000 people die from
radon-induced lung cancer. Roughly 54 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage lung
cancer are expected to live no more than five years after diagnosis.
The Surry County Cooperative Extension is partnering with the NC Radon program to
provide free short-term radon test kits in recognition of National Radon Action Month.
A limited supply of radon test kits are being made available locally at the Extension office
located at 210 North Main Street in Dobson. The North Carolina Radon Program website, www.ncradon.org, will have a list of all 83 participating organizations across North
Carolina. This website will also have a limited supply of kits available. Once the supply of
free kits have been exhausted, the NC Radon Program website will return to providing
short-term radon test kits at a reduced cost of $5.34, a kit retailed at $15.00.
The cost of lowering radon levels in a home averages to about $1,500. The North Carolina Radon Protection Section sought help for families that might struggle to meet that
expense. The Self Help Credit Union stepped up and created a loan program specifically
for radon mitigation. North Carolina homeowners who meet federal poverty criteria
may be eligible for forgivable loans from local programs. A link to more information is
available on the NC Radon Program web page.
Lung cancer can strike anyone, even a nonsmoker. Test your home for radon and lower
your family’s risk of lung cancer. For more information visit www.ncradon.org .
When: January 27, 2015
6:00 p.m
Where: NC Cooperative
Extension, Dobson
Cost:
$5.00 for supplies and
materials
Join us as we learn basic propagation
techniques in this hands-on workshop.
Participants will not only take with them
knowledge of plant propagation of seeds,
division (bulbs), cuttings, and layering; they
will go home with several freshly
propagated plants. This workshop is open
to all knowledge and experience levels, and
the techniques that will be discussed can be
done at home. Gardeners love to propagate
and space will fill up quickly, so register
early by calling the NC Cooperative
Extension at (336) 401-8025 before Friday,
January 23rd.
Have you ever wanted to grow your own
mushrooms?
The Surry County Cooperative Extension and
North Surry Future Farmers of America will
be hosing two hands-on Shiitake Mushroom
Log Inoculation workshops.
When: January 22, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
January 29, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
We will be having a 4-H County Council interest meeting
on Monday, January 12th at 4 pm at the Cooperative Extension Office in Dobson. Our
program will be led by one of our State 4-H Officers, Madaline Jones of Yadkin County.
She will be sharing her 4-H story and teaching a program centered on leadership!
The purpose of creating a County Council is for ages 10 & up to meet monthly to help
plan county 4-H events, gain leadership skills, and plan community service projects they
complete as a group! If this is something you think YOUR child may be interested in or
would like more information about please shoot me an email or give me a call so that
we can get this going and work TOGETHER to create a better 4-H program for
our county. Call 401-8025 to register by Friday, January 9th.
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Where: North Surry High School
Agriculture Building
Cost:
$20.00
Participants will learn how to inoculate oak
logs with mushroom spawn and will be able
to take the logs home with them. The workshops involve hands-on learning so prepare
to leave dirty. Please call the Surry County
Cooperative Extension to pre-register by
January 23rd.
The North Carolina Extension and Community Association awards a $600.00 scholarship
to one high school student and one adult student each year. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist students in obtaining a degree at any North Carolina college, in any field
of study, with priority given to Family and Consumer Sciences. (Part-time students must
carry no less than six (6) hours per semester and full time students must carry no less
than twelve (12) hours per semester.)
Qualified individuals can obtain an application packet from the financial aid office at
their local community college or by contacting the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Surry County Center at 336-401-8025 or by dropping by the office located
at 210 North Main Street, Dobson, NC.
Applications must be completed and returned to North Carolina Cooperative Extension,
Post Office Box 324, Dobson, NC 27017, by February 13, 2015.
Do you have a desire to learn more about growing plants?
Are you interested in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals or
lawns? Are you interested in volunteering your time and
gardening talent in projects that benefit the citizens of our
county? If so, you may be interested in the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Program offered by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Surry County Center. The
program provides participants with 40 hours of in-depth training in the art and science
of horticulture. Class participants receive current, research based information from
Extension educators. In return, trained Extension Master Gardeners volunteer their
time and expertise in support of many community programs and activities.
Master Gardener volunteers are recognized as well-trained practitioners who serve and
beautify their communities and are linked to a professional network of support through
county, state, and national Cooperative Extension offices.
Classes will be offered beginning February 3 from 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm at the Extension
Center in Dobson. Class will be every Tuesday and Thursday until March 12. The class
fee is $100. The fee may be decreased if participants borrow manuals. Anyone interested in the class should complete an application to be accepted into the program. The
application can be found on our website at http://surry.ces.ncsu.edu/ or can be mailed
to you by calling the Extension Center at 401-8025. If you are interested in learning
more about the Surry County Master Gardener program, please contact Joanna Radford
by phone at (336) 401-8025 or by e-mail [email protected].
Winter is upon us, and the temperatures
are dropping. Many would rather stay
inside where it is warm and cozy than
get out exercising and enjoying the brisk
air.
When we stay in the house we are less
active and usually watch more television. It’s recommended that we limit TV
use to less than 2 hours per day. Most of
us are guilty of watching much more
than that. Did you realize the average
American sees about 8000 commercials
a year? Most of these commercials are
for food and beverages. It is interesting
that out of all these food commercials
we only see about 165 a year for
nutritious foods such as fruits and
vegetables. The main problem with all
the commercials are they make you
hungry, encourage you to eat less
healthy foods, and can lead to unwanted
weight gain.
Staying active year round is important
for everyone at every age. Getting
regular exercise can improve your mood
and rid you of “cabin fever”. You will
gain more energy and mobility, improve
circulation, and strengthen your heart
just by taking a brisk walk for about 30
minutes every day.
Baby, even if it is cold outside…turn off
the TV…bundle up…and take a winter
walk.
Happy, Healthy New Year!
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C ALENDAR O F E VENTS
ECA Leader Lesson Training
January 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Elkin Center of Surry Community College
You & Diabetes
January 21, 2015 at 12:00 Noon
Reeves Community Center, Mount Airy
4-H County Council Interest Meeting
January 12, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification
Category “V”
January 21, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Surry County Beekeepers Meeting
January 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
4-H Beekeepers Club Meeting
January 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Beef Producers Meeting
January 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $5.00
Surry County Farm Bureau, Dobson
Surry County Master Gardener Meeting
January 14, 2015 at 12:00 noon
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Vinedressers Meeting
January 15, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
GAP Training
January 20, 2015 from 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Cost: $75.00 per farm
Magic of Dried Beans Workshop
January 22, 2015 at 12:00 Noon
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Mushroom Production Workshops
January 22 & 29, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
North Surry High School, Agriculture Bldg.
Cost: $20.00
ECA County Council Meeting
January 23, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
A Matter of Balance Series
January 26, 2015 to March 16, 2015
Jonesville Senior Center
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Mountain Place Apartments, Mt. Airy
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Plant Propagation Workshop
January 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
NC Cooperative Extension, Dobson
Cost: $5.00
Accommodation Statement: For accommodations for persons with
disabilities, contact the
Surry County Center at
(336) 401-8025 no later
than five business days
before the event.
Special Note: Registration for
events listed in this calendar are
required unless otherwise noted.
Register by calling
(336) 401-8025.
Disclaimer
Recommendations for the use of agricultural
chemicals are included in this publication as a
convenience to the reader. The use of brand
names and any mention or listing of commercial
products or services in this publication does not
imply endorsement by North Carolina
Cooperative Extension nor discrimination
against similar products or services not
mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural
chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the
intended use complies with current regulations
and conforms to the product label. Be sure to
obtain current information about usage
regulations and examine a current product label
before applying any chemical. For assistance,
contact your county Cooperative Extension
agent.
276 copies of this public document were printed at
a cost of $106.43 or .3856 per copy.
Surry County Center
Post Office Box 324
Dobson, NC 27017-0324
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE PAID
DOBSON, NC
PERMIT NO. 45