Extension News December 2024

Agricultural Hall of Fame

Tommy Bryan Cave Inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame

We are thrilled to announce that Tommy Bryan Cave has been inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame at the annual Farm City Banquet held by NC Cooperative Extension on Tuesday, November 26. Bryan’s remarkable career, which spans over 34 years of service to agriculture in Surry County, has left an indelible mark on the local agricultural community, and this honor is a well-deserved recognition of his tireless dedication.

Bryan’s career has been a true embodiment of his passion for agriculture. From his early involvement in FFA as a youth to his hands-on work as a hired hand and later as a farmer in his own right, Bryan has always lived and breathed agriculture. His time with North Carolina Cooperative Extension allowed him to build on this deep-rooted passion, transforming it into a career centered on supporting and improving the agricultural community. For Bryan, agriculture is more than just a profession; it's a way of life.

Bryan’s exceptional ability to network and build partnerships has had a profound impact not only on Surry County’s agriculture but also on the broader agricultural community. His leadership has been instrumental in the development of several key agricultural awareness programs, including Farm Accident Response Teams, Farm Animal Days, the Surry County Agricultural Fair, Cattleman’s Tours, Pilot Mountain Pride, and Celebrating Agriculture. Through these initiatives, Bryan has ensured that agriculture remains a vital part of our community, bringing people together and educating them on the importance of local farming.

Bryan's hands-on work with local farmers has been another cornerstone of his career. He worked closely with farmers to improve practices, refine techniques, and boost yields. His leadership in agricultural districting programs has helped ensure sustainable growth for local farmers, while his commitment to agricultural education has reached thousands of students across the region.

Bryan’s impact extends beyond local borders. His achievements have been recognized at both the state and national levels, earning him prestigious awards, including:

• National, Southern Region, and State Winner of the 4-H and Youth Recognition Program (1993)
• Agent Achievement Award from the NC and National Association of County Agricultural Agents (1994)
• George and Virginia Hyatt Scholarship Award (1999)
• Distinguished Service Award from the NC and National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2010)
• Lois G. Britt Outstanding Extension Agent Award (2010)
• James C. Cowden Award (2020)
• Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award (2022)

These accolades reflect Bryan’s years of service, leadership, and dedication to advancing agricultural practices.

Bryan’s contributions also extend to his involvement in civic organizations that support agriculture in Surry County. He has been an active member of the Surry Central FFA Alumni, Livestock Committee, and Farm Bureau, and has shared his expertise as a guest speaker at numerous state and national conferences. One of his most notable achievements was founding and directing the Surry County Farm Animal Days program, which he led from 1989 to 2004 to connect the community with agriculture in a fun, hands-on way. Additionally, he chaired the Celebrating Agriculture event starting in 2006, raising awareness about the vital role agriculture plays in our daily lives.

Throughout his tenure with NC Cooperative Extension, Bryan served in numerous leadership roles, including as Interim Director of Extension in Stokes, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties for a combined total of ten years, and as County Extension Director in Surry County for 15 years. His leadership contributed to a significant increase in farm income, totaling over $10 million in the first seven years of his tenure.

Even in retirement, Bryan continues to impact agriculture, now serving as Interim Director in Yadkin County and offering his expertise to the agricultural community. His influence on local agricultural programs and his continued commitment to local farmers remain a testament to his enduring dedication.

Bryan’s legacy is one of service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of farmers and ensuring the future of agriculture. His impact will continue to inspire generations to come.

Time for Creativiy

It’s hard to believe that December is already upon us, and we will soon be welcoming a new year! The holiday season is a busy time of year for families, with all of the festivities and gatherings! It is the perfect time of year to involve your children and teens in preparations. Decorating a gingerbread house helps children practice their fine motor skills, while expressing their creativity. Invite your kids into the kitchen as you prepare the holiday meals, and let them practice reading a recipe, measuring, following directions, cutting and peeling, and learning about kitchen safety. Allow children to help with wrapping gifts for others. While it may not look the best on the first try, they are practicing their fine motor skills and enjoy bringing joy to others! It’s also a great time to involve them in a community service project. They can donate food items to a food pantry or blessing box, ring the bell for the kettle campaign, help prepare a meal for the homeless, shop for a senior who is in a nursing facility, or give out hot cocoa and cookies to those who work outdoors in the cold. This is a great time of year to help kids look for the needs of others and how they can meet them, rather than just thinking about the gifts they wish for! Of course, all kids look forward to receiving presents. Instead of gifting them more technology devices or video games, think of things that will get them thinking creatively and using their hands! Play-Doh, Legos, magnetic tiles, STEM sets, cooking and baking utensils, and art kits are all ways to keep them entertained during those days off from school while allowing them to use their creativity and maybe even learn a new skill. You may also consider gift certificates for piano lessons, art classes, cake decorating classes, sports lessons, or tickets to a museum or aquarium. There are gift options in all price ranges to help fuel creativity and hands-on learning for our kids and youth. They may even pick up a new hobby in the process!

4-H Holiday Food Show

Do you have a child or grandchild who loves the holidays? Do they enjoy cooking and baking? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their skills at our Holiday Food Show! Youth ages 5-18 may enter this contest, which will be held on Thursday, December 19th, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Extension Office in Dobson. Youth may enter as an individual or as a team in the same age category. They will decorate their table with any holiday theme of their choice. They will display their food item attractively on their table for the judges. Participants will be judged on the creativity of their table decorating, the presentation of their food, the taste of their food, and their ability to answer the judges’ questions about their dish. Each participant will go home with the cookbook containing each participant's recipes. There is no cost to enter the food show; however, youth participants must be registered in 4-H Online. The deadline to register is Wednesday, December 11th. More information, as well as the link to the registration form, may be found on the Surry County 4-H Facebook page. For questions or assistance, please contact Amanda Gann at (336)-401-8025 or agann@ncsu.edu.

SWEETPOTATO, YAM, OR BOTH?

Sweetpotatoes and yams are constantly confused for one another, but the truth is what you’ve been calling a yam is most likely a sweetpotato. Actually, it’s possible that you’ve never even tasted a yam! Do you know the difference? Take our quiz from the NC Sweetpotato Commission and test your knowledge.

1. I am a tuberous root with sweet moist flesh.
2. I am originally from Africa and am hardly sold in U.S. markets.
3. I am super sweet and can grow over 7 feet in length!
4. My skin can range from thin and pale to dark and thick.
5. I am toxic when eaten raw, but perfectly safe when cooked.
6. I have rough skin that is difficult to peel and can even be hairyat times, but it softens when baked.
7. My flesh can sometimes be purple!
8. I have an oblong body with tapered ends.

ANSWERS

1. Both. Sweetpotatoes and yams are considered tuberous roots, and both are sweet and delicious.
2. Yam. Are you surprised? Yams grow in tropical climates, primarily in South America, Africa and the Caribbean.
3. Yam. They have a higher sugar content than sweetpotatoes and can grow to be enormous!
4. Sweet potato. Paler skinned sweet potatoes have white flesh which is not as sweet and moist as the darker skinned, orange flesh sweetpotatoes.
5. Yam. Unlike the sweetpotato, yams must be cooked to be safely eaten. Preparation is a time-consuming process involving several minutes of pounding and boiling to remove toxins.
6. Yam. Sweetpotato skin is thinner and smoother.
7. Both. Purple Okinawan sweetpotato is often confused with the purple yam called ube.
8. Sweetpotato. It can be short and fat or long and thin, but it will always taper at the ends. Since 1971, North Carolina is the #1 sweetpotato producing state in the United States. Home to over 400 sweetpotato growers, the state’s hot, moist climate and rich, fertile soil are ideal for cultivating sweetpotatoes, averaging at nearly 50% of the U.S. supply. Along with their delicious sweetness and mild flavor, sweetpotatoes are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Your sweet-potatoes can keep for up to two weeks if stored properly. Avoid storing sweetpotatoes in the refrigerator, which will produce a hard center and unpleasant taste. Instead, store your sweet-potatoes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated container. For best results, store them in a basement or root cellar away from strong heat sources.

Try this chili recipe which substitutes sweetpotatoes for beans to enjoy sweetpotatoes in a different way. Remember recipes are just guides. Adjust this for your flavor and spice preference.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-pound lean ground turkey (avoid ground turkey breast for this recipe. It’s too lean)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large sweetpotato cut into 1/2-inch diced pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 5 garlic cloves thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dark chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 large chipotle pepper in adobo finely minced
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 20 turns of the pepper mill or 1 teaspoon
• 1 tablespoon salt divided
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken stock

Instructions

1. In a 4–6-quart Dutch oven, brown the turkey meat in the olive oil over medium high heat. Remove the turkey with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Lower the heat slightly and add the onions, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sweat until the onions are translucent and add the spices. Toast, stirring frequently for about 1 minute.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and the minced chipotle. Add the turkey back to the pot as well as the chicken stock. Bring it up to a simmer and add the sweetpotatoes.
4. Cover and cook at a brisk simmer for about an hour. Check the sweetpotatoes periodically, you want them to crush easily under pressure from a wooden spoon but not completely dissolve into the chili. Serve warm.

Serves 4

Nutrition: Serving: 1 | Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 2578mg | Potassium: 1390mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 9449IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 5mg | Net Carbohydrates: 34g

Looking for a sweet treat without loads of added sugar?

Try out this tasty cinnamon apple crisp!

Makes 6 servings | Serving size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients for Filling

• 4 cups peeled, thinly sliced apples (3-4 medium)
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Non-stick cooking spray

Ingredients for Topping

• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray.
3. For filling, combine fruit and water in large bowl.
4. Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon; add to fruit; stir until fruit is evenly coated.
5. Spoon into baking dish.
6. For topping, combine all ingredients in medium bowl; mix well until oats are moistened.
7. Sprinkle evenly over fruit.
8. Bake 30-35 minutes or until fruit is tender.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 70 Calories, Total Fat 3.5g, Saturated Fat 3.5g, Protein 0g, Total Carbohydrate 18g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sodium 0mg

Added Sugars

In 2020, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that we limit our added sugar consumption to no more than 12 teaspoons each day. However, the American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day and men 9 teaspoons per day.

It is important that we listen to these recommendations since consuming high amounts of added sugars can have a negative effect on our overall health. A diet with too much added sugar can increase our risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For additional details on how to cut down on added sugars please read the following information from ODPHP.

What’s the difference between beef and dairy cattle?

Although all cattle share commonalities, there are breeds better suited for beef or dairy production. Similar to how there are different breeds of dogs with various traits that allow them to be suited for a specific job or lifestyle, the same is true for cattle. Genetics account for these differing traits in muscle growth, milk production, stature, hide color, and many others. Producers utilize the genetic advantages of breeds to help their operations be productive and profitable. While beef cattle breeds are stockier and able to put on more muscle, dairy cattle breeds utilize the feed they are given for milk production, which is what naturally creates the leaner look of the dairy cattle breeds.

Some of the most popular beef cattle breeds in our area include Black or Red Angus and Herefords. Angus cattle are known for their carcass traits, while Herefords are known for their efficient production. Herefords can be horned or polled, meaning they are born without horns. Both male and female cattle can have horns.

Although we do not have many dairy farms in our area, you will probably recognize these top two dairy cattle breeds-Jerseys and Holsteins. Holsteins produce the most pounds of milk and are the most popular breed of dairy cattle, while Jerseys are known for having the most butterfat per pound of milk.

Despite the differences in breeds of cattle, one thing that remains the same is that the farmers who care for them strive to provide the best care for them and produce a quality product that gets to your plate!

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Image Source: (1) https://breeds.okstate.edu/cattle/ (2) https://www.thecattlesite.com/knowledge-centre/breeds Sources: https://breeds.okstate.edu/cattle/ https://afs.ca.uky.edu/livestock/beef-breeds

2024 Corn Data Released

The 2024 North Carolina Official Variety Test Corn Data is now available and can be found on the North Carolina Official Variety Testing Program’s website.

Growers are always encouraged to pick varieties that best suit local growing conditions and have the possibility for a positive return on investment with good yield potential. With that in mind, the Official Variety Testing Program here in North Carolina has developed an interactive database called the “Variety Selection Tool” to help growers with various variety selection criteria. The tool can be used for help with variety selection in not only corn, but also with small grains and soybeans. If you are interested in using the “Variety Selection Tool” feel free to check it out.

Extension and Community Association Scholarships

Surry County Extension and Community Association (ECA) members are proud to announce they are accepting applications for the 2025 North Central District Extension and Community Association Scholarships. The $800.00 scholarships are given to a youth and an adult who are continuing their education beyond the high school level in any field of study, but with priority given to a degree in family and consumer sciences.

A youth applicant is defined as a high school senior or a student currently enrolled in college having completed high school without a break in his /her formal education. An adult is an individual who has completed high school and has had a break in his/her formal education and now wishes to further his/her education.

All applicants must be North Carolina residents and planning to attend a North Carolina- accredited college, community college, or technical institute in the fall of 2025. Scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria:

• Financial Need 25%
• Scholarship Potential 25%
• Activities and Honors 25%
• ECA Connection 25%

The deadline for applications is February 14, 2025. To obtain an application or for more information on applying or joining an ECA club, call the Surry County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension at 336-401-8025.

Surry County Extension and Community Association (ECA) has three clubs and 50+ members located throughout the county. The organization’s mission is to strengthen families through:

• Leadership Development
• Volunteer Work
• Educational Support
• Researched-based education from North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University