September / October 2023
We Grow Agriculture
On September 13th and 14th, the official North Carolina/Tennessee Pumpkin Variety trial was harvested at the Upper Mountain Research Station. The trial was planted on June 7th with fifty different varieties from seven different seed companies. Staff at Upper Mountain Research Station with assistance from County Extension Director Travis Birdsell, managed the patch all season long. Data recorded included weights, lengths and widths of individual fruit and quality measures of color, stem attachment/size, vine health, and uniformity. This information will be statistically analyzed by Dr. Jonathan Schultheis and his lab then included in an NC State Extension Bulletin for growers to have the best information in selecting varieties for the 2024 growing season. Ashe Extension Master Gardener volunteers also participated in the harvest.
The end of September marked the completion of B-roll video footage for the upcoming documentary “Money on a String”. The documentary is the result of an idea by County Extension Director Travis Birdsell commissioned by Ashe County Cooperative Extension. It tells the story of the green bean industry in Ashe County that was a critical part of the fabric of our local economy in the 1940s-1970s. Germain Media has been filming interviews and documenting the history through their award-winning story telling style. Be on the lookout for the documentary’s debut sometime shortly into 2024 and we hope you are as excited as we are!
On October 9th, officials from the White House came to Ashe County to select the Christmas tree that will be displayed in the Blue Room. This honor was bestowed upon Amber Scott and Alex Church of Cline Church Nursery after years long process of first winning the NC Christmas Tree Association tree competition and then winning the National Christmas Tree Association competition back in August of this year. See the picture above for a complete list of sponsors of the event and then be sure to mark your calendars for the 2023 White House Christmas Tree send off ceremony on November 15th. The ceremony will take place at Cline Church Nursery, 160 Hewed Log Gap Rd, Fleetwood, NC 2862. Kalman’s Bon Appetit and Old Orchard Creek General Store will be onsite serving food and hot beverages beginning at 11:30 am. The ceremony will start at 1:00 pm with the arrival of the Cline Church Nursery families and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. We hope to see you there to celebrate the highest honor in the nation for the largest industry in Ashe County.
The Ashe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) recently visited a local cidery and orchard at Molley Chomper. Tim Arscott guided the group around both the farm and the cider production area, answering many questions the group had about production and practices. While at the farm, Tim talked about the organic practices used in the orchard, along with his experience with cultivars and rootstocks in our area. The EMGVs were also able to try over a dozen different varieties of apples, including some traditional dessert varieties along with several modern cider varieties. The EMGVs learned how Molley Chomper partners with other local apple growers in a community effort to source locally for their products. The Master Gardeners really enjoyed this experience and would encourage you to support local farmers and businesses as well.
We Grow Youth
Every 4th grade student in Ashe County had the opportunity to participate in Ashe County Heritage Days - a partnership for school enrichment offered by Ashe Cooperative Extension and the Museum of Ashe County History. Each member of the Ashe County office along with many wonderful Extension and Museum staff and volunteers worked to plan and implement the program which aligns with 4th grade curriculum standards in a fun, engaging way. During their trip, the students learned about Ashe County agriculture and heritage trades, such as cider pressing, spinning, dairy farming, ham houses, cabin building, the railroad and timber industry, and long hunters. The kids also tried some apple cider and enjoyed ice cream from Cheek’s Farmstead Creamery.
On September 16th, Ashe County Cooperative Extension celebrated the work of several 4-H participants at the Giant Pumpkin Celebration held at the Ashe County Farmers Market. This event marked the culmination of our Giant Pumpkin Project organized by our 4-H and Horticulture program areas. The program successfully educated youth about growing giant pumpkins, covering essential factors such as fertility, growth stages, pest management, and cultural practices. During the weigh-in, Sam and Harper Young presented the largest pumpkin, weighing 324 lbs! Alice Birdsell received the award for the quirkiest pumpkin, while Annabelle Bridsell won the prize for the prettiest pumpkin. Ashe County Cooperative Extension expresses gratitude to the Ashe County Farmers Market, Parsons Farms and Supply, and the Ashe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers for their contributions, which ensured the smooth running of this event.
The Ashe County Cooperative Extension staff teamed up and assisted New River Soil and Water with their annual Environmental Field Day. Environmental Field Day is designed for 5th graders and 212 students plus their teachers were in attendance. Extension Agent Blake Williams and IPM Program Assistant Brad Edwards covered the topic of Christmas Tree Production, Livestock Agent Micah Orfield and MEP Coordinator Michelle Pelayo discussed Livestock Management and 4-H Agent Caroline Goss and FCS Agent Amanda Butalla focused on Composting.
We Grow Nutrition
FCS Agent Amanda Butalla drew Ashe County Farmers Market goers in with the sweet cinnamon smell of a Pumpkin Pie Waffle local food demonstration on October 7th. A delicious way to use in-season winter squash and pumpkin puree!
EFNEP Educator Rhonda Church continues to provide nutrition education classes. She demonstrated how to safely use a knife during a Teen Cuisine 6th grade lesson by cutting local apples. Regional Nutrition Extension Associate Kyle Hood brought two heirloom apple varieties for students to learn about the importance of apples in Appalachian history. Students also learned about the health benefits of eating apples in addition to different ways to preserve them. This school year, EFNEP has graduated 210 students in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades.
We Grow Community
On September 21st, Ashe County Cooperative Extension sponsored the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce Member blast at Fall From Grace Haunt on Phillips Gap Road. County Extension Director Travis Birdsell welcomed attendees and gave a brief overview of Cooperative Extension in Ashe County, then owners Chad Belteau and Andy Cheek shared their vision for the produced haunt and all the work they had put in for the inaugural season. Afterwards, they took everyone on a behind the scenes tour of the project. It was incredible to highlight a new business and the production efforts to make a new high quality experience in Ashe County. Special thanks to the staff of the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and to Boondocks Restaurant for providing food.
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.