May 09, 2008
Drought is not over yet
Given the recent spring rainfall, some might think the worst of this past year’s drought is history. That’s understandable, since ponds on farms or in local parks are looking full again, and some days there’s even standing water in the roadside ditches.
Droughts, however, like everything in nature, are cyclical.
Meanwhile, the demand on North Carolina’s natural resources, including our finite water supplies, is increasing as rapidly as the commercial and residential development that triggers that demand.
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Posted by Art at 10:10 AM
More drought-related information is available
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ multi-media response to drought conditions — both through Cooperative Extension offices and academic departments — has been rapid and reliable.
Here are some examples:
• UNC-TV’s Almanac Gardener features drought-related segments during its 2008 25th anniversary season: www.unctv.org/gardener
• Rain barrel information, including how to make one: www.unctv.org/gardener/rainbarrel.html
• The College’s “Making a Difference” drought information page with CALS-generated stories and links, written and produced by the Communication Services Department: www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/difference/drought
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Posted by Art at 10:00 AM
Retiree Rogister receives Rotary's highest award
Bill Rogister, retired Northampton County Extension director and a member of Rotary Club of Northampton County, has earned Rotary International's highest honor, the Service Above Self Award. The award was presented recently by Barry Rassin, director of Rotary International, at the annual conference of Rotary District 7720 in Kitty Hawk. The award recognizes exemplary humanitarian service, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others on a continuing basis.
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Posted by Natalie at 07:57 AM
May 08, 2008
North Carolina group attends leadership conference
In April, a delegation from North Carolina, including seven North Carolina Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council members and two Strategic Planning Council members from N.C. A&T State University, attended the Public Issues Leadership Development conference in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean and director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, accompanied the group, along with Dr. Marshall Stewart, associate director, department head and state program leader for 4-H and family and consumer sciences, and Dr. Ed Jones, associate director and state program leader, agriculture and natural resources and community and rural development, both from N.C. State University; Joy Staton, N.C. Cooperative Extension state advisory leader; Sheilda Sutton and Anita Wright, both of N.C. A&T State University.
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Posted by Natalie at 03:27 PM
N.C. youth participate in state WHEP competition
In April, 60 4-Hers converged at Carolina Beach State Park in New
Hanover County for the 2008 State Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Contest. Eight counties put forth five Senior Division teams and 11 Junior Division teams. In addition, four individuals and one Cloverbud participated in the contest. The contest consisted of wildlife identification, wildlife foods, aerial photo interpretation and on-site habitat recommendations.
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Posted by Natalie at 03:10 PM
May 07, 2008
All-new Spanish-language DVD
A Spanish-language DVD containing six short video presentations (seven-to-10 minutes each) that offer important information and resources to guide families on how to live safely and securely in the United States is now available from North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
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Posted by Art at 12:48 PM
May 06, 2008
Sherman wins campus EarthWise Award
Rhonda Sherman, Cooperative Extension specialist for solid waste management in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department, was one of three individuals receiving EarthWise Awards at N.C. State University during Earth Week. Each year, the Campus Environmental Sustainability Team recognizes a student, faculty member and staff member for sustainability efforts during Earth Week.
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Posted by Natalie at 09:17 AM
April 11, 2008
Gaston County 4-H club strives to help others
One of the favorite projects of the Gaston County 4-H Explorers Kids Care Club has been helping people with Special Needs through the Special Olympics Spring Games, through the Special Olympics basketball team and Camp Seratoma, a five-week camp for teens and adults. The club loves to work with the special needs population. They have learned that people with special needs may be different in some ways, but they are also like them in many ways. One can see the big impact it has had on one member in the above quote. The impact the club has made on the community can be clearly seen in all of their projects.
Janet Haynes, facilitator, started the club because she wanted to work with youth and help them see that they can make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. The 20 youth members, ages 5 to 18 years, have been very busy making a difference and developing relationships with people in need for the past four years.
Posted by Natalie at 02:19 PM
April 10, 2008
Currituck County opens new Extension center
A large crowd of residents, elected officials, county staff and invited guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at Currituck County's new Cooperative Extension Center during the facility's "Grand Opening Celebration" on Monday, April 7.
Extension Director Rodney Sawyer Jr. presided over a dual ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the main Extension building and the Elizabeth P. Sanderlin Auditorium. The $6.6 million facility was completed in March.
During the initial ribbon cutting, County Commissioners Barry Nelms, Owen Etheridge, Gene Gregory and Janet Taylor joined Cooperative Extension officials to officially open the center. Immediately afterwards, Sawyer introduced a special guest to dedicate the Sanderlin Auditorium.
Read more from the Currituck County Web site
Posted by Natalie at 02:16 PM
April 04, 2008
Water conservation tips from Cooperative Extension
Tune in this weekend to hear Cooperative Extension's own Mitch Woodward of Wake County discuss how to conserve water during dry conditions and how to make the most of limited water supplies in your lawn and garden. Join Woodward and Bruce Ferrell, host of the North Carolina Report, this weekend at stations across the state. If there's not a signal near you, the show will be posted for one week on the same Web page that lists the affiliate stations.
Posted by Natalie at 03:57 PM
March 31, 2008
Youth win wool contest
Maria Mallner and Marisa Linton represented North Carolina 4-H well as specialty award winners in the 60th annual national Make It With Wool (MIWW) competition.
Mallner, a senior in nuclear engineering at N.C. State University, is a former 4-H'er from Wilmington who serves as a volunteer 4-H sewing teacher. She presented a 100 percent black wool knit formal gown embellished with embroidery and Swarovski crystals. She received the Embroidery Award of $500 from Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine and received Honorable Mention recognition.
Linton, a 4-H’er from Mt. Olive, is a high school sophomore. She competed in a 100 percent wool rust and black boucle fitted jacket and rust wool flannel slacks. She received a $250 award for Exemplary Construction by Claire Shaeffer for use of a Claire Shaeffer Pattern. She also received Honorable Mention recognition.
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Posted by Natalie at 09:54 AM
Publications update from Communication Services
Propagating Muscadine Grapes, AG-698W, by Connie Fisk, Benny Bloodworth, Bill Cline, Whit Jones, is now available on the Web at
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~clfisk/propagating_muscadines.pdf.
This eight-page step-by-step guide with full-color photographs shows the reader how to propagate "true-to-type" vines from cuttings or from layering. It is only available on the Web.
Posted by Natalie at 09:28 AM
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