Extension News November 2024

"For it is in the giving that we receive." - Saint Francis of Assisi

"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal." -Steve Maraboli

Hurricane Relief Efforts

NC Cooperative Extension, Surry Center partnered with the County of Surry and Moser and Coe Farms to help take hurricane relief supplies to rural areas in Western North Carolina. The outpouring of generosity from the people of Surry County was unbelievable. Moser and Coe Farms delivered a total of three tractor trailer loads of general supplies and one load of fencing and livestock supplies. The County of Surry also organized two other donation stations throughout the county that produced three additional loads of general supplies as well. There have been many organizations, churches, and others who have helped our neighbors in Western North Carolina. Thank you, Surry County!

Livestock Supply Donations

We want to take the time to thank all of our partners, local farmers, and local businesses for the help on filling up a tractor trailer load of livestock supplies to send to Western North Carolina. We worked with 6 different businesses that served as drop off locations, including Foothills Hardware & Building Supply, Misfit Farms Inc., Pine Hill Farm Supply, Southern States, State Road Farm Yard & Garden Center, and State Road Hardware. Moser & Coe Farms provided the tractor trailer and transportation of the supplies, and Wayne-Sanderson Farms provided personnel and equipment to get the trailer loaded as farm supply stores brought goods to a central location. We are so appreciative of everyone’s generosity and the opportunity to work together towards a common goal!

Helping Hands During Tough Times

Since Hurricane Helene devasted the North Carolina mountains, most of us have found hearts being torn by the stories of survival, separation, and loss. Just as adults have reeling emotions from the stories and images we are seeing on the news, children also feel for those affected and wonder what they can do to help. There are several ways that your family can help those affected, and you can also teach the importance of reaching out and help those in need.

• Donate essential items for those who have lost so much. This can range from bottled water, nonperishable food, diapers, formula, pet food, etc.
• As the seasons are changing, you may find that your children’s fall and winter clothes no longer fit. This is a great time to clean out those items that are too small and donate them to children in need. Please make sure that items are new or gently used with no stains or holes. They also should be freshly laundered, as many of these families do not have access to water to do laundry. If you can sort and label the clothing by gender and size, it makes it much easier for them to get to the ones who need them without additional sorting. Cold weather items such as coats, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, and warm clothing are the most needed right now.
• Think about the items that bring comfort to your child. You can make comfort bags for children using these items. Some children have lost everything, and they don’t have the normalcy of going to school and seeing their classmates. They may be staying in a shelter, and the days get long. You can pack a backpack or colorful tote bag with items such as a soft blanket, stuffed animal, coloring book, crayons, story books, small toys such as cars or dolls, Play-Doh or putty, a small ball, sidewalk chalk, candy or snacks, and juice boxes. These items can bring comfort to a child and help them cope with their emotions through play. You can let your child help pick out items they enjoy, or with their favorite character, to teach them the importance of helping others.
• You can let your child write a note, letter, or draw a picture to send to those affected by the storm and those who are helping with recovery efforts. This can help them express their own emotions, and it is a way to encourage those who are working so hard right now. North Carolina Farm Bureau is currently collecting letters, which they will distribute to affected areas of western North Carolina. These can be mailed to: NCFB Attn: Ag in the Classroom, PO Box 27766, Raleigh, NC 27611.
• Children may be worried that a storm may come that affects their family, like what they have seen. While we should not give them a false sense of hope that tragedy will never affect them, we can talk with them about ways to be prepared. Assure them that you will do everything possible to keep them safe and protected. You can also allow them to help make a disaster preparedness kit that your family could use in case of a power outage or other natural disaster. Items such as bottled water, nonperishable food that doesn’t require cooking, flashlights, wipes, hand sanitizer, matches, etc. can come in handy if you are without power for a while. Knowing that your family is prepared can also give your child a sense of security.
• If you have older children and teens, they may be able to help by volunteering their time and efforts. They can collect items at local drives to be sent to the western part of the state. There are also local ministries, such as Samaritan’s Purse, and local groups that are taking teams to help with clean-up efforts. Most of these require youth to be at least 14 years old and have a parent or guardian supervising them, due to the risks involved in this type of work.

The most important thing that you can do to help your child is by listening to them. Let them know that it is okay to feel unsure and ask them what their thoughts or concerns are. While we cannot promise our children that they will never face such a tragedy, we can reassure them that they are loved and that we will do our best to provide for them and to protect them. Our state is dealing with so much right now, and we can all get through it easier if we show love and kindness!

Time for Turkey!

Many meals are made around turkey this time of the year as we gather with family and friends for the holidays. Farmers work hard to ensure we have the products we know and love. In 2023, United States farmers raised 218 million turkeys, which is 6.985 billion pounds. The value of this production is equal to 6.566 billion dollars. Companies involved in the production and processing of poultry provide 2,012,560 jobs, which generate about 663.6 billion dollars in annual economic impact for the U.S.

North Carolina actually ranks second in the nation for turkey production, only behind Minnesota. NC produced 29 million turkeys in 2023. This is around 1 billion pounds, creating a production value of approximately 1 billion dollars. Turkey consumption has nearly doubled from 1970, when on average 8.2 pounds were consumed per capita. In 2021, this number was 15.3 pounds consumed per capita, for a total amount of 5.1 billion pounds consumed in the U.S. Today there are a wider variety of turkey products for consumers to purchase, so you don’t have to wait until the holiday season to enjoy it! We hope this year, as you reflect on things to be grateful for, farmers are on your list!

Sources: https://www.eatturkey.org/industry/ - https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m039k491c/b2775j31b/9k4213149/plva0424.pdf - https://www.ers.usda.gov/newsroom/trending-topics/turkey-sector-background-statistics/

Happy Healthy Holidays

The holidays bring many opportunities for food and fellowship. Many of us look forward to seasonal treats, which we enjoy at this special time of year. While some of our favorite dishes may benefit from a little recipe modification, foods can taste good and still be good for you.

I frequently hear, “diabetics can’t eat anything that tastes good.” Sound familiar? With diabetes, it may seem that our food choices are limited. Often it is the portion size rather than the food itself that creates issues. If you or a loved one has diabetes, you may feel even more restricted or deprived at the holidays. You are not alone. According to the American Diabetes Association:

• Diabetes affects nearly 38.4 million children and adults in the U.S. today—nearly 11.6 percent of the population.
• Another 97.6 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• 81% of prediabetics don’t know they have it.
• Black and Hispanic/Latino people are over 50% more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic white people.
• Every 26 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes.

November is Diabetes Awareness month. Eating well is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and enjoying healthy, delicious food helps with diabetes management. Watch your portion sizes and your carbohydrate intake. If you know your meal is going to include some higher-than-normal carb choices, plan accordingly. Balance out the meal with other low carb options. Your health is worth the effort. People with diabetes are at a high risk of serious health complications, including:

• Stroke
• Blindness
• Kidney Disease
• Heart Disease
• Nerve Damage + Amputations

If those conditions don’t motivate you to give yourself the gift of good health this holiday season, the economic aspect may.

• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $412.9 billion.
• 1 in 5 health care dollars is spent caring for people with diabetes.
• 1 in 10 health care dollars is spent treating diabetes and its complications.
• Direct medical costs are $306.6 billion, and the average medical expenditure among people with diabetes is 2.6 times higher than those without the disease.

Need a little extra help this holiday season? Join us for the December Diabetes and You class, Happy, Healthy Holiday Ideas, on Wednesday, December 4, 11:30 am at the Extension Office. There is no cost to attend, but please call to reserve your space at 336-401-8025.

Benefits of Eating Fish

The American Heart Association recommends that we eat at least two (3.5 oz) servings of fish every week. Since fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids, it can help us have a healthier heart and brain. However, we want to compare the nutritional value of the specific type of fish before deciding which to add to our diets.

It is recommended that we bake, grill, or broil the fish instead of frying since this can change its nutritional value.

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, are pregnant or nursing, and/or have young children, please read the following fish advice from the FDA.

Squash-Apple Casserole

Soil Testing

Healthy soil is the foundation of successful farming and gardening. The first step to cultivating healthy soil is having your soil tested. Collecting soil samples only takes a few minutes and has many benefits. It can help you save money in your field, lawn, garden, and landscape. It can result in healthier plants by telling you which nutrients are already in your soil and which you need to add, and it can protect water quality by preventing unnecessary fertilizer applications.

Peak soil season is the Agronomic Division's busiest time of year, receiving thousands of samples within a short amount of time. The numbers will begin to surge in mid-October as people rush to beat the peak soil season fees. Expect to start seeing increased turnaround times (more than 2 weeks).

Most of the year (outside of peak season), routine NCDA&CS soil tests are provided at "no direct cost" to N.C. residents because of funding derived from a statewide fee on commercial fertilizer. However, during peak season, a peak-season fee of $4 is charged for the processing of all soil samples.

Peak season is from November 27, 2027 - March 31, 2025. Get your samples in before this time to save on the $4 processing fee.

Soil sample kits may be picked up from NC Cooperative Extension, Surry Center, Monday through Friday from 8:15 am to 5:00 pm.

Fertilizing Lawns

The optimal times to fertilize established lawns in the Piedmont for many of the grasses best suited for our area are February, September, and November. Remember Valentine’s Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving, and you will be one step closer to a lawn that will make your neighbors drool with envy. The chart below shows suggested maintenance fertilization of established lawns in the piedmont from North Carolina State University.

Surry County Beekeepers Association Announce Photo Contest Winners

The Surry County Beekeepers Association celebrated the beauty and significance of honeybees through a photo contest, in collaboration with WIFM Radio and H&S Bee Supply. The entries showcased not only the stunning visuals of these creatures but also written essays from the photographer.

Congratulations to the winners: Robin McGuirt of Harmony, NC, took home first place ($1,000), followed by Anton Joubert of Salisbury, NC, ($500), and Stephanie Slater of Elkhorn, WI, ($250). The essays can be viewed at the Surry County Beekeepers Association website:

Crop Yield Contest Information for 2024

Every year for traditional grain producing crops, such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, there are associated yield contests that farmers are encouraged to participate in here in North Carolina. The purpose of these crop yield contests is to ultimately recognize farmers who are pushing themselves to strive for higher yields, but to also collect production information that helps crop researchers stay cutting-edge by using those production factors in current research trials.

The North Carolina Corn Yield Contest is sponsored by the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina and is administered through the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Anyone who grows an acre of corn, or even more, in North Carolina may enter the contest. However, the harvested area of the contest entry must be at least one acre in measured size from within a single field. Applications into the North Carolina Corn Yield Contest must be submitted no later than December 1 of 2024.

The North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest is sponsored by the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association and is also administered through the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Anyone who grows at least three acres of soybeans here in North Carolina may enter the contest. The field or portion of a field entered into the contest must be one contiguous area with at least three acres in measured size. The field or portion of a field entered into the contest must also be composed of at least three to four measured sides. Applications into the North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest must be submitted no later than December 6 of 2024.

Grant Opportunity for Farms

The NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program is taking applications from NC farmers and ranchers at this time. This grant provides funding for agricultural projects to build and sustain their current farm operation. Any farmer wanting to diversify, improve, or expand their existing farm operation should consider applying. A minimum of 50 grants will be awarded a maximum of $8,000. Applications are due by December 13, 2024.

Virtual workshops will be held for anyone who would like to know more. These workshops will be held on November 14, November 20, and December 2. The November 20th workshop will be for Spanish speakers.

If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please call our office at 336-401-8025.