Upcoming Events
Friday, July 3rd & 4th - Office Closed
Friday, July 11th - Advanced Computer and Robotics
Monday - Tuesday, July 14th-15th - Junior Cook Camp
Wednesday-Thursday, July 23rd-24th - Cloverbud Cook Camp
Monday, July 28th - Cloverbud Christmas in July
Wednesday-Thursday, July 30th-31st - Junior Christmas in July
*See Website for Times and Details*
EFNEP Article
July is National Watermelon Month!
Watermelon is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin c. Watermelon is over 90% water, it can help keep you hydrated.
- As the heat rise's this summer, make sure you are staying hydrated and always have water available.
- Water keeps our bodies running well.
- It helps with many bodily functions including our joints, blood pressure, and temperature!
It's a wonderful time to visit a farmer's market or produce stand to get fresh fruits and vegetables! Some fruits that are in season in July are blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and watermelon! Some vegetables that are in season in July are squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and green beans! Roasting or grilling these veggies is a great way to savor the taste!
Children and teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a every day. With school being out lots of children and teens just want to stay on screens. Encourage them to get moving with some activities! Try some of these:
- Riding bikes
- Swimming
- Playing games with friends
- Playing at the park
Too hot to go outside. Get your children/teen to try some of these activities inside. You can even get involved and get moving with them!
- Walk around or do a exercise while watching a t.v. show
- Have a dance party
- Do a free workout video as a family
- What can you come up with to get your children moving?
Use the MyPlate link below to look at recommendations for the 5 Food Groups for you and your family. Plus, other nutritional information!
https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan
In EFNEP classes we learn about all this plus more! If interested or have any questions call Sarah Grinestaff at 688-4811 or email at sarah_grinestaff@ncsu.edu!
FCS Article
July is UV Awareness Month
Most of us have been taking advantage of more time in the sun, as we get into the summer months. However, as you bask in the UV rays and reap the benefits of your time in the sun it is important to make sure you are protecting your skin and not overdoing exposure.
Most people know that excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer and premature aging but what can we do about it? I'm glad you asked. The first thing is to avoid the sun when its rays are the strongest from 10am-2pm. If you aren't sure what time it is a good rule of thumb is to look at your shadow. If it is shorter than you are, seek shade. Additionally, you can protect yourself from overexposure by making sure your skin is protected by using a broad spectrum, waterproof sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Ideally you want to select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label for more effective coverage.
UPCOMING CLASSES
"Advances in Treatment for Alzheimer's" will be held July 9th at 12:30PM at the Mitchell County Senior Center. Denise Young from the Alzheimer's Association will be presenting.
4-H Presentations
4-H has had a very eventful Summer so far! We have so many things going on between Summer Fun, festivals, and other summer programs, but today we would like to highlight nine exceptional youth who represented Mitchell County at District Activity Day and competed in 4-H Presentations! Congratulations to each of our participating youth from Mitchell County! Five of these youth will be representing Mitchell County in July at the State Presentation Finals in Raleigh, NC during the week of 4-H Congress.
What is District Activity Day (DAD)?
District Activity Day, or DAD, is the district level competition for the 4-H Presentation Program. Mitchell County is in the West District, and will be competing with counties such as Avery, Yancey, Buncombe, and Henderson. Youth compete for gold, silver, or bronze placings. Youth 8 and older who place gold or silver in their presentation category/age group, will earn their place in competing at the State level in July!
DAD Results:
District Activity Day was held on Saturday, June 21st at A-B Tech in Buncombe County this year. Most West District counties participated, and a total of 94 youth showed up to District Day! Our youth dedicated months of hard work and time to prepare for this day. We are so incredibly proud of our youth for their hard work and dedication! As a result of their hard work and dedication, 7 of our youth received District Gold, 1 received District Bronze, and 1 received CloverBud recognition (CloverBuds do not formally compete at District level).
Results from DAD are as follows:
Quinci Wise (15): Livestock and Dairy Production, Throw Me a Halter, Gold
Susan Johnson (8): Foods and Nutrition, The Perfect Strawberry Muffins, Gold
William Johnson (6): CloverBud, Fishing in Bakersville, NC, CloverBud
Zebulon Pittman (11) (Not Pictured): Seafood Grilling, Gold
Tova Reed (16): Forestry and Wildlife, Foraging Medicinal Plants in Appalachia, Gold
Lilia Roberts (16): Careers and Entrepreneurship, Thinking like a Mathematician, Bronze
Parker Hughes (12): Digital Reality, Simulators to Battlefields, Gold
Two 4-H’ers who also competed and won Gold in their categories, Social Graces and Hospitality, and Fruit and Vegetable Use.
Once again, we are so proud of our youth for taking the step into preparing for their futures by competing in 4-H Presentations! 4-H Presentations have a long history of being accredited as one of the most valuable programs for youth to get involved in, as it teaches valuable life skills such as leadership, public speaking, research and writing skills, among many others! Many 4-H Alumni credit the 4-H Presentation Program as a leading contributor for their successes in life.
If you are interested in having your youth participate in the 4-H Presentation Program next year, contact Erin Norton or Erin Silver at the Extension Office.
CED/Agriculture
Why When & How You Water Matters
As our summer temperatures have been higher than normal, watering becomes one of the most important factors to consider for both the home vegetable garden and the home landscape. The questions and debate takes place around when and how to water. Water can become this most limiting factor, it can be the difference between a thriving garden and one that struggles through heat.
Water the Roots, Not the leaves
Plants will take in more water through the roots. Overhead watering allows for water loss through evaporation, before it reaches the root zone.. Also, wet leaves can lead to fungal disease problems such as powdery mildew or blight. It is best to use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to water slowly and directly to the root zone. If you need to hand water, water at the base of the plant, not the plant. Mulch also helps retain moisture in the soil and prevent splash-up of soil-borne pathogens . It is best to water early in the morning (between 6am - 9am). This allows the plant to take up water before the heat of the day sets in and reduces evaporation losses. Avoid watering in the evening, which can lead to an environment promoting fungal disease problems.
- Check soil moisture before watering. If the top one inch is dry, it's time to water
- Deep infrequent watering is better than shallow, frequent watering. Deep watering will encourage deeper root growth.
- Container plants may need water daily or even twice per day during hot summer days.
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External Pest on Livestock
Heat Stress in Livestock
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress occurs when an animal’s body is exposed to high external heat, bringing its internal temperature up to a critical level. This enables the animal to regulate its internal temperature naturally, which can lead to critical illness or death.
Identifying Heat Stress
There are many signs of heat stress that you can look for in your animals. Some general signs include:
• Panting
• Profuse sweating
• Shaking
• Increased respiration rate
• Increased water intake
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Increased salivation
• Unconsciousness
• Death
You should ensure you are well informed on the signs of heat stress in any species that you own and watch closely for these signs during days of extreme heat
Some species of livestock are more susceptible to heat stress. Here are some factors that increase the susceptibility of heat stress:
- Dark Coat Color
- Older Age
- Breeds originating from cooler regions
- Small Animals
- Animals lower in herd ranking
- Dehydrated Animals
- Traveling Animals
- Working Animals
Treating Heat Stress
If your animals are showing signs of heat stress, the following actions can be taken to cool them down:
• SHADE: Move any stressed animals to the shade immediately, preferably somewhere with a
breeze. If animals are too stressed to move, provide shade where they are by means of pop-up
tents, shade cloth, etc.
• COOL CLEAN WATER TO DRINK: Offer plenty of cool clean water but encourage animals to drink
small amounts often. Over drinking can lead to colic, causing more medical issues.
• ELECTROLYTES & SUPPLEMENTS: Offer animals cool water with species specific electrolytes or a
basic electrolyte mix (Clear Pedialyte). Ruminants and small ruminants can be given B-Complex
to aid with the effects of stress on the rumen and microbes.
• COOL CLEAN WATER EXTERNALLY: Animals can be sprayed with cool water, especially on the
legs and feet, or can be stood or placed in water (Ensure animal can hold head above water by
themselves). Use sprinklers or hoses for cattle, pigs and horses. Utilize wet towels if running
water is not available (make sure a breeze is present). Dogs and small animals can be placed in
buckets or a trough of cool water. Poultry should not be wet down unless there is a breeze to
aid the cooling process.
• AIR MOVEMENT: Increase air movement around the animals. This can be done with fans,
ventilation, or wind movement. Ensure that animals have ample room to lie down and have
adequate air movement around them.
WHEN TO MAKE THE CALL
If the animal shows no sign of improvement within a maximum of 30 minutes after aids were given, contact your local vet for assistance
MANAGEMENT
Managing animals in high temperatures requires planning. Keep an eye on upcoming weather forecasts and develop a plan for days of high to extreme temperatures (80 degrees or more). Ensure that animals will have sufficient shade and water on those very hot days. Heat load can be worsened by high overnight temperatures, where the heat load of the day cannot be removed before the following hot day. This means there is increased risk of heat stress when there are consecutive hot days and nights. This can become critical when nighttime temperatures are above 75 °F.
It is the responsibility of owners or managers of the livestock to be well prepared for heat events. This includes
- Forward planning of farm infrastructure to provide shaded areas with good ventilation.
- Move animals to pasture with shelter or tree coverage
- Provide ample cool watering sources with large water troughs to ensure all animals have access.
- Avoid working animals during mid-day and on hot days.
- Avoid transporting animals during the day.
- Transport animals in early morning or late evening times.
- Check animals regularly throughout hot days for signs of stress
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Michelle South – Area Extension Agent , Agriculture – Livestock (Avery and Mitchell
Counties) at 828-387-5748 or email at mcsouth@ncsu.edu.
Credits:
Created with images by Leigh Prather - "Hand holding lit sparkler in front of the American Flag for 4th of July celebration" • Patrick Jennings - "Grazing Cows" • Anton - "Illness Prevention. Supporting Mental Health with Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Concept" • ArtPixel-Portfolio - "Green tomatoes ripening on staked indeterminate plant, hanging among foliage under bright sunlight in vegetable garden"