Hello 2024
We Grow Agriculture
Recently several contract drone services have started appearing in the High Country offering spraying and fertilizer service to Christmas tree producers. With this being a new sector across all of agriculture, IPM Program Assistant Brad Edwards and Horticulture Agent Blake Williams have been putting in ample work to see if this new technology is applicable to our specialized crop. Ashe Cooperative Extension has mainly been assisting to verify operational parameters to insure the best coverage for pesticide applications. Through water sensitive spray cards, we have found that adequate coverage is achieved between rates of 5-10 gallons/ acre. We are still hoping to follow different herbicide and insecticide treatments later this year to continue to compare and validate the efficacy of these systems. Additionally, we have found that these drone systems can consistently spray 1 acre of trees in 4 minutes. While we have been promised many things from drones in years past, these new drones show real applicability to our North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry.
Recently, IPM Program Assistant Brad Edwards and Horticulture Agent Blake Williams were asked to speak at the Ashe County Christmas Tree Association winter meeting and the Avery/ Mitchell County Christmas Tree meeting to review their previous seasons work with the new insecticide product: Acetamiprid. Acetamiprid, labeled for Christmas trees under the Insecticide Tristar, is in the Neonic class of insecticide (similar to Imidecloprid and Dinotefuran) and has shown promise as a neoteric method for treating scale insects in Connecticut. In 2023, Ashe County Cooperative Extension found the product to get excellent control of scale insects when using high pressure sprayers at and after bud break (May). Due to these results, Mountain Conifer IPM Specialist Jamie Bookwalter, is pursuing a more in depth scale control study of this product. Based on this work, we will hopefully be able to attain a better understanding of this product's use and how it best fits into our Fraser Fir IPM system.
On February 7th and 8th, Livestock Agent Micah Orfield attended the Shepherd's Symposium offered by Virginia Tech. This training offered important information regarding management practices, recording keeping, and industry updates.
The Ashe County Cattlemen's held its monthly meeting on February 12, 2024 at Friendship Baptist Church. A presentation from AgSouth Farm Credit provided valuable insights into financing and leasing options for farmers. Arrow Cattle Equipment representatives showcased their latest lineup of cutting-edge agricultural equipment. Both presentations not only served to educate attendees on the latest advancements and opportunities in agriculture but also sparked conversations on how these tools could be integrated into local farming practices for improved outcomes. There was a good attendance with lots of discussion and enthusiasm on the new livestock facility.
We Grow Nutrition
In 2023, NC Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and NEP program partnered with Ashe County Schools to teach students about healthy eating. One of the lessons focused on understanding nutrition labels. The EFNEP educator engaged students by giving them food labels to analyze. They were encouraged to extend this learning to their homes and start paying attention to the sugar content in their food choices.
We Grow Youth
On January 23, Ashe 4-H had a great turnout for the first Ashe 4-H Hooves and Horns Club meeting. This club will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and teach youth about horses and livestock species.
4-H Agent Caroline Goss attended the NCAE4-HYDP Winter Professionals Meeting in Raleigh, along with other 4-H professionals across the state, on January 24-25. The meeting offered training in 4-H programming, equipping us with new and innovative opportunities to bring to Ashe County youth.
On February 16, Ashe youth attended the 4-H Ski/Snowboard trip with 4-H Agent Caroline Goss, volunteers and Alleghany County 4-H. Participants in attendance gained skills as they skied and snowboarded for the first time at Appalachian Ski Mountain.
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.