Extension News June 2024

Welcome Summer Intern

Alexander Kaufhold

My name is Alexander Kaufhold and I am the 2024 summer intern at the NC Cooperative Extension - Surry Center. I am someone who really enjoys being outside, hiking, and skateboarding. I grew up in Lowgap where I spent a lot of time in the woods with my two younger brothers. Asheville is my home away from home, where I study Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina, Asheville. My concentration is in Ecology and Environmental Biology because I enjoy learning about the inner workings of the natural world. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to learn more about NC Cooperative Extension!

ASk a master gardener!

NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer residential lawn and gardening questions for Surry County residents. They will be at the Extension Office from 10 am to 12 noon every Tuesday until the end of the growing season.

If you have any vital or burning questions and need advice from a Master Gardener volunteer (EMGV), call (336) 401-8025, email surrymastergardener@gmail.com or visit 915 E Atkins Street in Dobson.

Time to Get Grilling!

As the temperature warms up, many of us look forward to cooking outside on the grill. Beef is a nutrient-dense food, providing many nutrients in a smaller serving size that is perfect for grilling. Beef provides 10 essential nutrients like iron, zinc, B-vitamins, and of course, protein! There are many cuts to choose from, and burgers are one popular choice. Nearly 20 million Americans eat a burger on any given day! Ground beef can be produced from the meat from any primal cut on a beef carcass, including the chuck, rib, loin, round, brisket, plate, and flank.

When purchasing ground beef, there are many options. Typically you will see numbers like 90/10, 85/15, or 70/30. This indicates the amount of lean to fat, meaning 90/10 ground beef would be 90% lean and 10% fat. This allows you to decide the right amount of lean for you and your diet. To add even more nutrients to this delicious dish, consider pairing your 3-4 oz. of ground beef with a whole grain bun, layer on crunchy vegetables or flavor filled fruit like pineapple or mango. You can also add low-fat cheese, avocado, or hummus. Some great nutrient-packed sides like corn, roasted potatoes, or watermelon would also add to a balanced plate. We hope you have fun finding your favorite combinations of toppings and sides!

Wheat Yield Contest

For folks who did not know, the North Carolina Wheat Yield Contest transferred under the regulation of the National Wheat Contest back in 2023. This decision was made by the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association, along with specialists from North Carolina State University holding small grain responsibilities, to strive for more uniformity regarding grower entries. Growers who are interested in competing in the wheat yield contest here in North Carolina must submit an electronic entry within the National Wheat Foundation National Wheat Contest going forward.

Some brand-new features of the contest for growers here in 2024 include a newly redesigned website and a pilot program. The newly redesigned website should make it easier for growers to submit an entry into the contest featuring a “Frequently Asked Questions” section, along with having the website be more mobile- friendly for cell phone users. If you are interested in the National Wheat Contest, feel free to check out the new website and make sure no deadlines have already passed.

Summer

Now that school is out, you may be looking for things to keep the kids occupied this summer. You want them to have fun but also avoid the “summer slide” of losing academic skills they have worked hard on during the school year. There are lots of fun and educational activities to keep them learning. Surry County 4-H has some great Summer Fun day camps for ages 5 to 18. Topics include candy science, beginner sewing, an environmental hike at Pilot Mountain State Park, learning the art of canning, STEM, entrepreneurship, cooking, agriculture research, learning about animals, beekeeping, and art. These programs will be going on through the month of July; however, spaces are limited.

Our local public libraries are another great place to look for programs taking place this summer! Each library plans activities and special guests to come and share the art of literacy at their weekly programs. Students who read and fill in their reading logs can turn them in at the end of the summer for a prize, and they can be entered in the drawing for a grand prize! When you need a break from the heat, the air-conditioned libraries make a great place to spend some time. Check out books to read during the week, play educational computer games designed for kids, or play board games and puzzles. The libraries are a wealth of resources at no cost!

When you’re at home this summer, there are some great activities that you can do together as a family! Let the kids practice reading a recipe, measuring ingredients, and following directions to make some simple recipes. Write letters and numbers on the driveway or sidewalk with chalk. If they can identify them, they can throw a water balloon or wet sponge on it to “erase” it. Go for a walk in the woods and try to identify the animal tracks, plants, and trees that you see along the way. You can also try some fun and tasty science experiments, such as making ice cream in a bag! There’s a whole summer full of low-cost activities available to you this summer!

Strawberries

Strawberries are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they are naturally easy to digest. Eating them on an empty stomach can help improve your digestion and absorption of nutrients. Try this ENFEP recipe using your fresh strawberries.

Fruit Poppers

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole strawberries
• 1 (5.3-ounce) container nonfat vanilla flavored Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon orange juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 whole wheat honey graham crackers
• 14 pieces dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Line a sheet pan with wax paper.
2. Wash berries. Pat dry.
3. With a paring knife, remove stems. Cut “X” in strawberry at the stem, continuing cut to midpoint of berry.
4. In a small bowl, mix yogurt, orange juice, and cinnamon together. Place in resealable bag.
5. In another resealable bag, crush graham crackers until very fine. Move to small saucer.
6. Place chocolate chips in a small microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 10 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted.
7. On counter, line up ingredients in this order: prepared strawberries, yogurt mix, chocolate, graham crackers, and prepared pan.
8. Cut a small hole on one end of plastic bag with yogurt to form a piping bag.
9. Fill strawberry with yogurt, dip in chocolate, roll in graham cracker crumbs and place on prepared pan. Repeat until all strawberries are prepared.
10. Place in freezer for 20 minutes or until yogurt and chocolate are firmly set.

Recipe contributed by Nicole Simmons, Former NC EFNEP Educator

Tradition of Family Meals

Are family meals a tradition in your home? No, not just for the holidays or other special occasions, but on a daily or weekly basis. If they are, you should be congratulated. If they are not, do not despair; it is not too late. Make it a goal to eat as a family this very week for at least one or two days.

The benefits of family meals are many, both physically and emotionally. Make sure you enjoy not just the food but also spending time and communicating with your family. In order to do this, keep meals simple and quick.

Try including this simple “Easy Lasagna” recipe this week.

Surry County Extension and Community Association

Spring Highlights

Surry County Extension and Community Association (ECA) members enjoyed their annual Cultural Arts Competition on Friday, April 26 at the Surry County Training Center in Dobson. Members had the opportunity to bring handmade items created during the past year to be judged, and ribbons were awarded for first, second, and third places. First place items advanced to the district competition at ECA Spring District Day held in Mocksville on May 15th.

The theme for the 2024 Spring District Day was Embrace the Future of ECA. Several Surry County ECA members were recognized for their creations at the district level and will continue to the state competition to be held in Asheville in July. Participants enjoyed an inspiring speech by WXII Chief Meteorologist Laney Pope, musical entertainment by the Davie County High School Chorus, a wonderful-smelling lavender sachet craft, delicious food, and great fellowship.

Surry County has 60+ members in 3 ECA clubs in communities throughout the county.

Extension and Community Association Clubs welcome new members to participate in fun, fellowship, and educational programs.

The June club meetings are as follows:

• Siloam ECA Club – June 10, 12:00 noon at Siloam Baptist Church
• Pilot Mountain Achievers ECA Club – June 13, 2:00 pm at the Armfield Civic Center
• Beulah ECA Club – June 18, 7:00 pm at the Beulah Community Center

For more information on Extension and Community Association, contact NC Cooperative Extension at 336-401-8025

Extension and Community Association Youth Scholarship

Congratulations to Amelia Mae Radford, junior at Montreat College, for receiving the North Central District ECA scholarship. Amelia is majoring in Psychology with the goal of becoming a child psychologist.

For college students or those planning to attend college either directly from high school, already in college, or adults planning to continue their education, it isn’t too early to start thinking about applications for the 2025 scholarship, which will be available in December. A youth and an adult scholarship are awarded each year. The ECA scholarship is available to students at any North Carolina college and is awarded based on Activities and Honors (25%), Connection and Involvement with Cooperative Extension (25%), Financial Need (25%), and Scholarship Potential (25%). For more information, contact the Extension Office at 336-401-8025.