Extension News August 2025

Howling Cow Ice Cream in Dobson Soon

FREE Howling Cow Ice Cream Day - Friday, August 15 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. One ice cream cup per customer will be given away. There will be three flavors of NC State Howling cow ice cream to choose from. The ice cream is DELISH! It's going to be an AMAZING day!!

Dean Visit

What an honor it was to have the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with us July 22. It was a great day to showcase our programming and to learn about Dean Garey Fox’s vision for NC Cooperative Extension. Go Pack!

Congratulations!

Carmen Long

We’re proud to announce that our Family and Consumer Science Agent, Carmen Long, was selected as the 1st place state winner of the North Carolina Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (NCEAFCS) Family Health & Wellness Award! Carmen received this well-deserved honor at the NCEAFCS State Conference held in Winston-Salem on July 30. Her outstanding work will now move on to compete at the regional/national level, with winners to be announced at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (NEAFCS) National Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan this October. Way to go, Carmen!

Breeds of Chicken

As chickens are the most domesticated type of fowl in the world, it’s no wonder that there are hundreds of different breeds of chickens. The female chickens are called hens, producing about an egg a day once mature, and the males are called roosters. While a rooster is not needed for a hen to produce an egg, the presence of a rooster enables that egg to be fertilized - meaning it has the ability to hatch into a chick. Chickens can be raised for meat or eggs, and different types of chickens may be better suited for one over the other or may be considered dual-purpose breeds. Two examples of this are the Rhode Island Red and the Dominique. The Rhode Island Reds originate from Rhode Island (no surprise there!) and Massachusetts. They are considered to be better egg layers than most other dual-purpose breeds and are relatively hardy. They are dark red in color and can have black throughout their tail and wing feathers. They can have a single comb or a rose comb; the single comb is pictured. They lay brown eggs, laying 150 - 200 eggs per year. Dominiques were also developed in the New England states, being of the type that were common in the south of England. These birds are considered to be hardy and to have a calm nature, being less broody than others. They lay around 100 - 150 eggs per year, also brown in color. They have black and white barring throughout their body with a rose comb. This breed was at one time very low in numbers but has recovered since then. For more information on backyard flocks, see the link here: https://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/backyard-flocks-eggs/

Sources: https://breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/Images: https://breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/rhode-island-red-chickens.html https://breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/dominiques-chickens.html

How Could Losing Glyphosate Impact NC Farmers

For those who may not be aware, glyphosate has long been a crucial herbicide option for weed control across multiple different cropping systems. However, due to its widespread use, this has also brought upon more increased legal scrutiny into the general public. Due to constant pressure from ongoing lawsuits, Bayer Crop Science announced earlier this year in 2025 they may halt glyphosate production, unless they receive better legal protection from administrative agencies like that of the United States EPA. Given this unfortunate possibility Extension staff from North Carolina State University analyzed the potential economic impact of losing glyphosate for farmers here in North Carolina.

In most current burndown applications, the average North Carolina farmer uses a combination of glyphosate in a tank mix sequence with other herbicide active ingredients like 2,4-D and flumioxazin. Therefore, without glyphosate available, most farmers will likely have to rely more on paraquat in this scenario, which will increase the cost of burndown applications by approximately 62%. This would translate to an added cost of $6.50 per acre, on average. Not to mention in crops like tobacco, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and winter small grains glyphosate is only used before these crops are planted, meaning this would represent an additional $17 million in production costs statewide.

Corn producers potentially will see the largest increased costs due to limited herbicide alternatives for grass control during the growing season. Without glyphosate, they would need to adopt more expensive pre-emergent herbicide programs using multiple herbicide active ingredients. Therefore, it is estimated that weed management production costs in corn would increase by approximately 73%, or at least $38.35 per acre on average, totaling around $34 million in additional production costs statewide.

Soybean producers would possibly need to adopt using two residual herbicides in the absence of glyphosate being available. One residual herbicide would be applied during pre-emergent applications, and a different one would be applied during post-emergent applications. Therefore, these changes would estimate weed management production costs in soybean increase by approximately 38%, or at least $15.10 per acre, on average. The state of North Carolina normally produces 1.6 million acres of soybeans, so this change would equate to an additional $25 million in production costs statewide.

In total, it is estimated the immediate economic impact of losing glyphosate in North Carolina would be approximately $82 million. This figure is conservative based on predicted changes in herbicide programs using projected 2025 herbicide prices. Not to mention this analysis focused solely on projected changes in herbicide programs if glyphosate were no longer available. This analysis does not account for several indirect production costs, such as increased tillage and the negative effects on soil health, or increased labor costs due to needed hand-weeding. Ultimately the bottom line is that glyphosate remains a vital tool in today’s modern agriculture. In its potential loss, this would be a major production disruption, both economically and operationally, for all North Carolina farmers.

The article has been revised by Dr. Charlie Cahoon, Extension Weed Specialist from North Carolina State University, and Derek Washburn, Extension Farm Management Associate from North Carolina State University.

https://cotton.ces.ncsu.edu/2025/05/potential-short-term-economic-impact-of-losing-glyphosate-in-north-carolina/

Successful Summer Fun

We are winding down the summer, as well as our 4-H Summer Fun programs. We have had a successful summer with twelve programs and 125 registered participants! Our programs were Sew Much Fun, Stone Mountain State Park, Cloverbud Camp, Hooked on Crocheting, Art Adventures, Fuel for Life, It’s Electric, Innovation Station, Cake-tastic Creations, Chef & the Child, and Crisanthemum Studios. We have had fun and learned lots of new skills this summer! We hope that our participants will join one of our clubs or participate in events that we will be offering throughout the upcoming school year! For more information about 4-H clubs or events, contact our 4-H Agent, Amanda Gann, at (336) 401-8025 or agann@ncsu.edu.

4-H Clubs Help Youth to Learn by Doing

It’s hard to believe that it is time for students to return to school! As your children return to school and fall back into the routines of a schedule, it’s the perfect time to check out a 4-H Club. 4-H is open to youth who were at least 5 years old by January 1, 2025 until they are 18 years old. There is no cost to join 4-H! We strive to help our youth learn by doing and explore their interests. We currently have several clubs across the county.

Our Beulah Club is a community club, meaning they learn about a different topic each month. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Beulah Community Center on Highway 89. The Pilot Mountain Club is also a community club. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday nights of each month from 6:30-7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church in Pilot Mountain. Our 4-Hooves Club is focused on learning about horses and their care. They meet on the 4th Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 pm at a farm in Ararat. Our Caprine Clovers is a club focused on learning about dairy goats and their care. They meet at a farm in Dobson. Our Teen County Council is a leadership club for youth ages 11-18. We meet at the Extension Office on the 3rd Monday of each month from 5:30-6:30 pm. We are also working on starting up a community club in Mount Airy. There will be more information to come about their meeting dates, time, and location. For more information on any of these clubs, please contact our 4-H Agent.

We are also planning to offer some 6-week long after school programs beginning this fall. These programs will be offered at the Extension Office and will meet on a weekly basis for 6 consecutive weeks. More information on these programs will be posted in our newsletters and on the Surry County 4-H Facebook page.

During the school year, we offer school enrichment programs to our teachers across the county to enable their students to learn through hands-on experiences. We realized that our homeschooling families were not able to take advantage of these opportunities, as they are offered in the schools. We now offer a monthly enrichment program for our homeschooled youth. These meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month from September through May. We meet at the Extension Office from 2:00-4:00 pm, and we learn about a different topic each month. We also do at least 2 community service projects per year as well.

All youth who wish to participate in 4-H clubs and activities must be registered in 4-H Online. To register, you may go to this website: https://4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. You will click “Don’t have an account” and then fill out the information about your child. If you have problems with the sign-up process or have questions about 4-H, feel free to contact Amanda Gann at (336) 401-8025 or agann@ncsu.edu. We hope to see you soon!

pasta salad

When the temperatures rise and appetites seek something refreshing, a plate of hot pasta might not be the first thing on your mind. This is where the charm of cold pasta salad steps in. This delightful dish not only caters to your pasta cravings but also keeps you fueled with a burst of flavors and nutrition perfectly suited for the lively summer vibes.

Makes 6 servings | Serving size: 1/6 of recipe

Ingredients

• 8 oz Whole Wheat pasta (try elbow macaroni or orzo)
• 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved (or diced roma tomato)
• 1 Medium Cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 Colored Bell Pepper, diced
• 2 Stalks Celery, diced
• 1/2 cup Herb Olive Oil Dressing (or low-fat Italian dressing) *
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1. Bring a medium size pot of water to a boil.
2. Cook pasta according to the package directions.
3. Once pasta is cooked. Drain water and rinse with cool water to cool the pasta down and then place in the refrigerator uncovered to finish cooling.
4. Wash all vegetables.
5. Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
6. Peel the cucumber. Cut the cucumber, bell peppers, and celery into small/medium dice.
7. Combine all vegetables into a medium sized mixing bowl.
8. Cover vegetables with 1/2 a cup dressing.
9. Toss the vegetables well with the dressing.
10. Add the cooled pasta.
11. Finish by mixing in the parmesan cheese.
12. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 316 Calories, Total Fat 17g, Saturated Fat 3g, Protein 9g, Total Carbohydrate 34g, Dietary Fiber 6g, Sodium 250mg. Excellent source of vitamins A and C. Good source of calcium and iron.

Preparing for Hurricane Season

Hurricane Helene has made us more aware of the importance of being prepared for hurricanes, even in this part of the state. Hurricane season is here, and it is crucial to have supplies ready for power outages or if you need to leave your home. Having a stocked food supply and clean drinking water is important; having non-food supplies is essential for staying safe and comfortable.

This guide will provide you with non-food hurricane supplies that you want to keep on hand and help you stay prepared year-round.

Lighting and Power

Power outages are common during a hurricane. Reliable lighting and charging options are a must to stay up to date on what is happening in your area. Charging your equipment, including power banks, in advance will ensure it is ready for use in the event electricity is disrupted. Here are a few items to consider having on hand and tips for staying on budget.

• Flashlights and Batteries: Flashlights are crucial for providing light and helping navigate hazards and dangers, including debris, downed power lines, and flooded areas. They last longer than candles and can also be used as a signal for help if you are lost or stranded. Flashlights and batteries may be less expensive at your local dollar store or discount retailers. I recently saw a solar-powered lantern which may be something you would like to purchase and store in a window so it will be charged in case of an emergency.
• Weather Radio: A weather radio is vital for receiving emergency alerts when power and cell service are out. Basic battery-powered models are affordable, and a hand-crank option eliminates the need for batteries altogether. These can be found at your local hardware or camping store, along with a variety of options available online.
• Portable Chargers/Power Banks: For charging cell phones, consider a small power bank that can be charged via USB. If you have a car charger, keep it handy for charging phones in your vehicle if it's safe to do so. Ensure your chargers are ready by plugging them in in advance, powering them off, and putting them in a safe and accessible location, like a go bag or your first aid kit.

First Aid and Hygiene

Minor cuts or scrapes can happen when cleaning up debris or during a storm.

• First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit should include band aids (various sizes), antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and any essential personal medications. Ready to-go kits are available at most pharmacies and grocery stores. You can also check the dollar store to make your own kit.
• Personal Hygiene Kits: If you are prepping a go-bag and need to pack light, consider travel-sized soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene supplies, and wet wipes/baby wipes. Hand sanitizer is also crucial if clean water is not available.

When trying to plan and budget ahead, look for multi-packs of these items and grab them when they are on sale.

Protect Your Supplies

Securing your personal belongings and documents in case of an emergency or power outage can save a lot of time and money later.

• Zip-top bags, waterproof folders, or small storage containers: You’ll need sturdy bags for waste, wet clothes, or debris. Zip-top bags are perfect for protecting important documents, medications, and small electronics from water damage. Keep copies of your ID, insurance information, and any medical documents in a waterproof folder or sealed plastic bag. Watch your local stores for sales on these items and stock up when they are on sale.
• In addition to our personal documents, you will want to have a small cash fund set aside and protected in a zip-top bag. If the power is out in your community for multiple days, you might not be able to use your debit or credit card to make purchases. During power outages, ATMs will also be out of service.

Other Miscellaneous Items

Here are a few other items to consider purchasing or having on hand when preparing for bad weather or potentially leaving your home.

• Manual can opener: Even if you’ve stocked up on canned goods, you’ll need a way to open them if the power is out and your electric opener won’t work. Basic manual can openers are available at dollar stores, or you can find them secondhand/thrift shops.
• Non-Electric Entertainment: Being stuck indoors can be stressful, especially if you have multiple people in your household. Consider having coloring books, crayons, puzzles, a deck of cards, or books on hand. These small items can help pass the time during long power outages.

Plan, because you can! Be proactive and start early in planning your hurricane supplies. You can add one or two additional items to your shopping list each week to spread the cost and ensure you get what you need. For more resources and information, visit https://www.ready.gov/

Source: More In My Basket

Pressure Canner Testing

Now is the time to get your dial gauge pressure canner checked for accuracy before you begin your canning season. Please contact the extension office at (336) 401-8025 to schedule an appointment. It just takes a few minutes and can make the difference in the safety and the shelf life of your home-processed canned foods. (You just need to bring the lid with the gauge attached. Not the whole canner.)