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General

Updates

Do interns actually benefit from their internships?

Listen to Ashley Cloer, the summer intern at the ​Chatham County Center, as she shares her insights on ​her internship experience. Ashley was a wonderful ​addition to our team and acquired valuable knowledge ​by shadowing staff members to understand the roles ​of agents and support staff. Curious to know what she ​learned at the Chatham County Center? Watch her ​video to discover more.

Upcoming Closure

for Chatham County Government Offices

County government offices will be closed on ​Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance ​of Labor Day.

Waste Reduction Series: Waste Reduction 101

Date:

08/03/2024 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location:

Chatham Community Library

197 NC Hwy 87 N

Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312

Chatham Community Library will host a series of three informative classes on waste reduction ​on Saturday afternoons in August in the Holmes Family Meeting Room from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. ​These programs are free and open to the public

Find out more details.

Life in 24 is a 16-week program, followed by monthly support sessions to help you maintain your ​skills and changes for a total of 24 1-hour sessions. 24 hours of classes is all it takes for you to ​gain the knowledge and tools you need to make better, life-changing choices. There’s fun to be ​had with activities, prizes, and surprises along the way to encourage you to stick with it!

Programs are located in Siler City and Pittsboro.

Changing your lifestyle is hard, but we are here to help. You are worth it!

For more information, contact the Health Department at (919) 742-5641

or visit their website.

Home

Gardening

Lawn Care Fundamentals

Extension Gardener Workshop and Webinar

August 15, 2024

9:00-12:00 a.m. (in-person)

6:00-8:00 p.m. (Online)

Lawns have become a ubiquitous feature of residential ​and commercial landscapes. Compared to natural ​vegetation, or landscapes that incorporate a diversity ​of native plant species, monocultures of turf have ​lower levels of biodiversity.

However, lawns and turf are appropriate for wear-​tolerant outdoor surfaces for recreation, when lines-of-​sight are needed, or for accessing other parts of ​properties. With the right practices, lawns can be can ​be incorporated as part of a sustainable home ​landscape.

Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) and the ​Master Gardener Volunteers of Chatham County for a ​presentation and hands-on demonstration on the ​fundamentals of sustainable lawn care. We’ll cover ​proper turf grass selection, appropriate site conditions, ​lawn establishment, fertilizer needs, watering, and ​mowing. For the in-person version of the class, we’ll ​also learn how to the apply the correct amount of ​fertilizer by a soil test and proper spreader calibration.

Register for the in-person workshop: ​8/15/24 9:00-12:00 a.m.

Register for the online webinar: ​8/15/24 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

More details

Vegetable crops are classified as either ‘warm-season’ or ‘cool-season’ according to their ​optimum planting time. Cool-season crops are generally planted in early fall to early spring ​because they do not tolerate the heat stress of the summer. However, cool-season crops ​vary in the specific horticultural practices needed for optimum production.

Join Matt Jones (Extension Horticulture Agent) and the Extension Master Gardener℠ ​volunteers of Chatham County for a workshop or webinar targeting home and community ​gardeners on how to grow cool-season vegetables. Participants will learn about planting ​techniques and timing, best varieties, common problems, and harvesting methods for ​broccoli, cabbages, carrots. kales, lettuces, onions, peas, potatoes, and asparagus. ​Participants in the in-person workshop will also get a tour of our demonstration garden.

Register for the in-person workshop:

8/20/24 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Register for the online webinar:

8/22/24 6:00- 8:00 p.m.

Chatham County Herb Symposium

September 20, 2024

Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Join the NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Chatham County for an ​exciting day all about herbs! We will kick off with two inspiring keynote speeches followed ​by the choice of participating in three fascinating breakout groups, then topping it off with a ​chance to visit local and regional vendors of all things herbs! There will be coffee, tea and ​morning pastries by Phoenix Bakery followed by a catered lunch by 39 West. Carolina ​Cravings will provide cookies for the afternoon break. Come join us!

Registration

The fee for attending the symposium is ​$45.00 and includes all food and beverages.

Register Online

The Plant Toolbox Is Your Houseplant Headquarters

Indoor gardeners can find more of their favorite plants in the Extension Horticulture Plant Toolbox. Across the ​US, interest in houseplants surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows no signs of slowing down. ​Houseplants, like the Pilea peperomioides shown here, are especially popular among young people, many ​of whom are new to gardening. We are adding more houseplants to the Plant Toolbox to meet the demand ​for trustworthy information on how to care for your indoor plants.

Read more here

Pilea peperomioides is a popular houseplant. ​(Maja Dumat CC BY 2.0)

Sustainable

Agriculture

View Recording of CCP Firefly Webinar

Chatham Conservation Partnership (CCP) ​conducted a webinar on Fireflies and Other Glowing ​Insects on July18, and we had a great turnout of ​about 115 folks attend the live webinar. If you missed ​the live webinar or want to watch it again you can now ​watch the recording.

NC State University Entomology Professor Dr. Clyde ​Sorenson gave an overview of fireflies and other ​glowing insects and also talked about his years-long ​quest for what may be a new species of firefly he calls ​the “Piedmont ghost”. Learn how to make your ​backyard friendlier to fireflies and even get involved in ​looking for the piedmont ghost if this interests you!

View the recording of the CCP Firefly Webinar on ​Cooperative Extension's Growing Small Farms ​website.

Cicada Damage to Blueberry Crop

We had an interesting spring here in Chatham ​County with our "cicada invasion" as these ​interesting critters became the talk of the town for ​the month of May!

Things have now (literally) quieted down and ​while some may be missing our little visitors ​others are assessing some of the damage they ​may have left behind...

A local blueberry farm had close to 100% of their ​blueberry bushes with some level of damage ​from the cicadas.

Check out my Growing Small Farms website ​for lots of photos and what to do about it!

New Pest Alert! Allium Leafminer ​Gets Growers’ Attention

This spring some growers in the North Carolina piedmont noticed ​unusual problems with their allium crops, primarily bulb onions, leeks, ​and garlic. Obvious above-ground symptoms included ​twisted/distorted leaves, stunted plants, and even plant death. Below ​ground, brown pupae were found infesting the plants and upon close ​inspection larvae were seen feeding inside the leaves and bulbs.

It turns out the culprit was allium leafminer (ALM) which is a new pest ​in North Carolina. The allium leafminer fly (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is ​an invasive insect pest from Europe that was first detected in the ​northeastern U.S. in 2015 and has now spread to a few other states. It ​was first detected in North Carolina last year.

I visited a few area farms to collect samples and take photos. I also ​talked and met virtually with specialists at Cornell University about their ​experience with ALM over the past eight years.

I created a new web page with photos and lots of information that I will ​keep updated as we learn more about the allium leafminer here in ​North Carolina. This tiny little fly unfortunately has caused serious ​problems especially for organic growers in the northeast so we will ​need to take it seriously!

Learn more about the allium leafminer on Cooperative ​Extension's Growing Small Farms website.

Agriculture

Livestock, Equine, Field

Crops, and Forages

Livestock Program Development

Meet Dalton Suits, your Agriculture Extension Agent

Dalton Suits joined our Extension team on May 1st. We are thrilled to ​have him on board, and he is enthusiastic about connecting with Chatham ​County producers. Watch the video to learn more about Dalton.

If you require assistance from Dalton,

please click here to access his contact information.

We need your input!

Livestock Program Development Needs Assessment

This survey will help to determine the needs of you (the producers) of ​Chatham County. This will allow us to develop a program that will ​best serve you.

If you have questions please contact Dalton Suits (Livestock Agent)

dalton_suits@ncsu.edu or (919) 542-8242

Please take a minute to fill out this form.

Raleigh Pesticide Safety School

Wed Aug 7 - Thu Aug 8

NC Department of Agriculture - Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences ​Center, 4400 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA

Pesticide Recertification Credit Offerings

The Chatham County Center of the North Carolina ​Cooperative Extension Service will be conducting a ​course for pesticide applicators needing the V ​Safety Credit and a course for applicators needing ​the X Credit portion of the Private Applicators ​License.

Register for the V Credit Course – (2 credits)

September 23rd, 2024

FREE – must Pre-register by September 19th

Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (Pittsboro, NC)

Topics- Safety, Herbicide Runoff, Integrated Deer Management, Pest/Pollinator ​Management

Register for the X,N,O, & D Credit Course- (2 credits)

September 26th, 2024

FREE – must pre-register by September 16th

Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (Pittsboro, NC)

Topics – Weed Identification & Control Methods

For questions please contact Dalton Suits

(919) 542-8242 or dalton_suits@ncsu.edu

To register for this school and/or to purchase manuals, please follow this link: ​pesticidemanuals.com.

This 1.5-day school is in person. School hours are 8:30 AM-5:00PM on day one and

8:30-11:30 AM on day two. Only one category session may be chosen since the ​sessions happen simultaneously.

The NCDA&CS administers the exams on day two from 1:00-5:00PM. School ​attendees are automatically registered for the exam session. However, pesticide exam ​fees are separate and paid by a check or money order to the NCDA&CS Inspector at ​the exam location.

For exam information click here.

The school offers Core training on day one and the following categories on day two:

Ornamentals and Turf

Private/Farmers (Those registered for the Private/Farmers category attend training on ​day one only and return for the exams on day two.)

For more information click here.

Apply Now for a 2024-25 Microgrant!

The Livestock Conservancy's Micro Grant Program supports conservation efforts for ​endangered livestock and poultry breeds by offering financial assistance to breeders ​and farmers. The grants aim to preserve genetic diversity and promote sustainable ​agriculture through projects such as breed promotion, genetic testing, and breed ​documentation. Applicants can receive funding to cover costs related to breed ​conservation activities, helping to ensure the long-term viability and cultural heritage of ​rare livestock breeds.

Access the Livestock Conservancy’s website for details

Forestry

Premier Course in Forest Carbon Credits: Now Available ​on Coursera Through Michigan State University

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University recently launched ​Coursera course focusing on Forest Carbon Credits and Initiatives ​contributing to capacity building toward high-integrity natural climate ​solutions.

The course, "Forest Carbon Credits and Initiatives," was originally launched ​in 2019 as part of the course "Understanding Forest Carbon Management." ​It is now offered as a stand-alone learning experience, filling a knowledge ​gap for understanding forest carbon markets and designing carbon ​projects. The course emphasizes the importance of monitoring, reporting, ​and verification, and highlights the need for 'integrity' in carbon projects to ​ensure successful and legitimate carbon storage. It is designed to empower ​learners with the knowledge and skills to navigate, participate in, or finance ​carbon initiatives. The course is free to take, with an optional certificate of ​completion available for $49.00.

For more information, check out the listing here

Forestry Landowner Summit

Sept. 7th (Hendersonville)

NC State Extension is hosting a Forestry Landowner Summit on ​September 7, 2024, at the Kanuga Inn and Lodge in Hendersonville, NC.

The summit will cover the forestry topics listed below and several more:

Accessing your acreage through an improved road and trail system.

Forestry 101: how to get started in forestry

Forest farming

Land retention and estate planning

Prescribed fire and connecting to your local Prescribed Burning Association ​(PBA)

The cost for the event is $25. Attendees should register for the event by ​following this link: go.ncsu.edu/forestry_summit

If you have any questions, please contact Janice Sitzes via phone ​(919.513.3488) or email (jdsitzes@ncsu.edu).

Click here for more details

North Carolina’s State-wide Average Timber Prices See Little Improvement Since 2019

Over the past five years, North Carolina’s state-wide standing timber prices have ​fluctuated from quarter to quarter with some quarters performing better than others. ​Comparing the second quarter of 2024 standing timber prices to standing timber ​prices from five years ago we see pine sawtimber and pine chip-n-saw prices have ​risen slightly, 8% and 15% respectively, and hardwood sawtimber prices have ​dropped by 4%. The opposite happened with pulpwood prices where pine pulpwood ​prices dropped 38% and hardwood pulpwood prices increased by 7% from five ​years ago.

Compared to 1 year ago prices for pine sawtimber, pine chip-n-saw, and hardwood ​pulpwood are up 7%, 5%, and 29%, respectively. Hardwood sawtimber and pine ​pulpwood prices have not fared as well on a state-wide basis with hardwood ​sawtimber and pine pulpwood declining 12% and 17% respectively.

Read more

North Carolina quarter-by-quarter state-wide average standing timber prices ​by product class since 2019.

Family

and

Consumer Sciences

Learn about safe ​canning practices ​during this in-person ​class. See examples of ​equipment and brief ​demonstration on how ​to use the tools.

Homemade Frozen Yogurt TREATS

Tara demonstrates how easy it is to make your own frozen yogurt dessert treats.

This program prepares managers for the American National Standards Institution-​approved Food Protection Manager Certification. A great option for those who will be ​a PIC (Person In Charge at your establishment)

Managers successfully completing the National Registry of Food Safety ​Professionals Food Manager Certification exam meet the FDA Food Code 2022 ​requirement for a Certified Food Protection Manager. This certificate not only meets ​the same requirement in North Carolina but is also good throughout the United ​States for five years.

Managers trained in Safe Plates for Food Managers are equipped to create a work ​environment that minimizes food safety risks in their restaurants, cafeterias, and ​grocery stores through best practices, open communication, and thoughtful practice.

Dim Sum Dishes 点菜 dian cai

An assortment of dim sum dishes including barbeque pork ​buns, shrimp dumplings, and rice rolls.

Embrace the Season:

Enjoying Summer’s Fresh Produce

Lindsey Eng, MPH, Dietetic Intern

As summer approaches, we’re greeted ​with warm weather, longer days, and a ​delightful array of in-season produce. ​Each fruit and vegetable thrives under ​specific growing conditions, leading to a ​seasonal rotation of fresh options.

.Embracing in-season produce can be a healthier, tastier, ​and more cost-efficient way to enjoy your fruits and ​vegetables.

Read the entire article here

Extension at Home Lunch & Learn Series: ​July- December Schedule

Cuisines Around the World Highlight:

Chinese Cuisine

Chinese cuisine is one of the world’s oldest and most diverse culinary ​traditions. As the world's oldest civilization, China has had a profound ​influence globally, with its cuisine shaping many other foods in Asia and ​beyond. Chinese meals typically include four food groups: fruits, ​vegetables, grains, and meat, with dairy being notably absent. Instead, ​calcium- and protein-rich alternatives like tofu and soymilk are used.

Due to its vast size, each region in China boasts unique cooking and ​dining habits shaped by geographical and climatic differences. The yin ​and yang philosophy of balance is evident in regional cuisines. For ​instance, the tropical climate of Southern China leads to a preference for ​cooler and milder foods, while the chillier Northern China favors hotter ​and spicier dishes.

China consists of 23 provinces, each with its own cooking style based ​on local preferences and ingredients. However, Chinese cuisines are ​typically divided into 8 major categories known as “the Great 8 Cuisines” ​(八大菜系 bada caixi).

Read more and access the recipes

Home Finance

Outsmarting Scammers

Written by Amy Mangan-Fischer

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Have you ever fallen for a scam? If so, you are not alone. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s ​website states that “consumers lose more than $40 billion a year to telemarketing fraud”. And it’s just getting worse. According to a ​2021 Scam and Robocall Report, phone scam attempts increased by over 116% in 2021, reaching record highs.

Scammers try to cloud your judgment by evoking powerful emotions and a sense of urgency. They may try to scare you by ​threatening you with prison, large fees, or blackmail. They may try to get you excited by telling you you’ve won a large sum of ​money or that your debt will be eliminated. Or they may make you feel sad and sympathetic by telling you someone is in urgent ​need. In all these cases, they will insist that you act immediately.

Scammers are smart and are continually updating their stories. Some common ones are …

• The caller claims to be your grandchild, says they are in trouble and that they need money immediately (usually wired or in the form of gift cards).
• You have won something, but first you must pay a winner’s fee or tax.
• You are contacted by a “charity,” and they ask you to donate right away.
• An email that says it is from your friend, supervisor, or family member asks you to purchase gift cards and send them immediately

What can you do to avoid being tricked?

• Do not make any decisions in the moment. Scammers are hoping that you will act while you are emotional and before you have had time to think it ​through.
• Hang up if you are feeling pressured. Businesses and charities that genuinely want you as a customer will not be upset if you do not make a commitment ​at that moment.
• Do not share any personal or financial information (your social security number, checking account information, etc.). You can make a donation or payment ​directly to the organization later if it turns out to be legitimate.
• Ask for their name and the name of the business/organization. If you are considering paying their bill, purchasing their product, or donating to their charity, ​look up their number online or via another trusted source and call the official number that is listed for them.
• Ask for additional information to be mailed to you. If they do send you something, you can review it with a trusted friend, family member or financial advisor.
• Remember you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you determine if it is a scam and what to do if you feel you have been a victim. ​Fraud can also be reported to help protect others.

Additional resources to explore:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website: Common types of scams, how to avoid them, and what to do if you are a victim of a scam
  
• Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection: Seniors Phone Scams
• Federal Communications Commission: Stop Unwanted Robocalls
• Federal Trade Commission: Report Fraud
  

Ag History

The First Agricultural Building in Chatham County

Before 1935, agriculture agents in ​Chatham County did not have a ​specific building to assist residents. ​They operated from a small office ​within the Chatham County ​Courthouse for meetings with ​farmers and other locals. An article ​from the October 10, 1934 edition of ​the Chatham Record mentions their ​office being situated in the Chatham ​County Courthouse. Click on the ​article to view it in a larger size.

On April 4, 1935, in the Chatham ​Record, Wade Paschal from Siler ​City shared an editorial in ​agreement with P.H. Elkins' post, ​supporting the need for farm ​agents to have a dedicated farm ​office.

In the September 5th, 1935 ​issue of the Chatham ​Record, an update was ​shared regarding the ​Agriculture Building. It was ​mentioned that the building ​was close to being finished, ​and the agents would soon ​relocate to their new ​dedicated space.

In the September 12, 1935 edition of the Chatham ​Record, it was announced that the agriculture office ​had moved to their new building. Howard Monroe ​Singletary was the county agent at the time of the ​move.

H.M. Singletary, County Agent

On an early morning, news emerged in ​the June 22, 1945 issue of the Chatham ​Record that the Agriculture building ​had been damaged by a fire.

J.B. Snipes, County Agent

1945

In July 1951, a group of 4-Her’s ​stood in front of the Agriculture ​building to have a group photo ​taken for the Chatham Record ​newspaper.

In the 1970s, the Agriculture building was ​still standing, facing the newer Agriculture ​Building, which was built in 1956.

“Essie and Joyce” working in the new ​Ag Building.

The old Ag Building can be seen ​through the window.

Taking in the sight of the old Ag Building, Pittsboro ​City Hall and Mr. Gainey’s store from the newer ​built agriculture building.

Both Agriculture Buildings were originally constructed on South Street in Pittsboro. However, South Street has since been ​transformed into the parking lot for the Chatham County Government Annex, situated opposite the Justice Center. The sole remaining ​structure on South Street is the second Ag Building, which accommodated the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency, ​and Chatham Soil and Water. The South Street address continued to be utilized for the Ag Building until our relocation to the ​Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center in 2017.

Click on the map to see

how much has changed since the 1950's

.

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national ​origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran ​status.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for ​reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation ​requests to: Dr. Ginger Cunningham, 919-542-8202 or ginger_cunningham@ncsu.edu. Requests ​can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least {10} days before the event.