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Agricultural
Early hurricane season means more diligence when irrigating
We’re just starting hurricane season here in eastern N.C. and already we have had two named storms. While they have not been as serious, and caused as much damage as storms in the past, they have brought a lot of rain that has pounded us here in Sampson. While the rain is great for growing crops and pastures, it can potentially bring serious issues with rising levels in hog lagoons. With the potential for a lot of storms and rain hitting us...
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Jan Jackson stands beneath an arch of coral honeysuckle at Jackson Farm.
A taste of the new
In northern Sampson County, 200-year-old Jackson Farm is growing with the times, an operation that hearkens back to past generations but offers a getaway where visitors might get a taste of something new to them. The family farm is located at 13902 Dunn Road, Godwin, just a few miles north of Halls Store. While just a few old farm houses can be seen from the road, nestled just past the roadside is a farm steeped in history, tradition and an...
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Reducing mosquito populations
Question: How can I manage mosquitoes around my landscape? Answer: As temperatures increase along with outdoor activities, so does the annoyance of mosquitoes. They have the potential to transmit disease organisms to humans and animals. Typically mosquitoes are active at night. Mosquitoes breed in open water sources because they require water to complete their life cycle. They lay eggs in areas where water will collect. People often c...
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The Award for Excellence recognition included N.C. Cooperative Extension Agents from Duplin County for participation in the AgriSafe and Certified Save Farm program, a two-year grant targeting health and safety in the agricultural community. Pictured team members from left, Duplin County Center, NCCE County Director Wanda Clay; Field crops agent Curtis Fountain; 4-H agent Bridget Huffman, Brandon Cox and Amanda Hatcher, livestock agents; project leaders Dr. Greg Cope, associate professor and campus coordinator for agromedicine at North Carolina State University; and Robin Tutor, interim director of the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute, a partnership of East Carolina University. (Courtesy Photo)
Duplin among N.C. Coop. Ext. centers recognized for farm safety work
The Duplin Center-N.C. Cooperative Extension was selected to collaborate in a two-year grant targeting safety and improved health for the local agricultural community, and its success earned an award for excellence. Earlier this year, the grant team was named as the 2011 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Foundation Grange Search for Excellence Award winner citing the success of this grant program. They were selected as honorees i...
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William Randle, A&T's Dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and Associate Dean and Administrator for The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T, left, with M. Ray McKinnie, far right, flank Duplin County's Wanda Clay, extension director; farmer Theodore Williams; and Duplin Area Agent, James Hartsfield. Williams and Hartsfield were honored during Small Farms Week at A&T, for their participation in Solutions for North Carolina, the annual multimedia report for The Cooperative Extension Program. (Courtesy Photo)
Area farmer featured in university magazine
KENANSVILLE – The N.C. A&T State University spotlight was on two small farmers, including Duplin County’s Theordore Williams who was among the featured successes in their annual report “Solutions for North Carolina.” A Bladen County farm couple who manage more than 315 acres of pine forest and produce wood products from it, are the 2012 N.C. Small Farmers of the year. Albert and Ada Beatty, along with their daughter Sonya Beatty, operate as...
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2012 Heifer Showdown The first-ever Heifer Showdown was held on April 28 at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. This Cape Fear Farm Credit sponsored event was attended by youth from 10 counties. Forty-one heifers were exhibited by 22 youth ages 5-18 in breeding and showmanship classes. All exhibitors were given a choice of an imprinted 'Heifer Showdown' bucket or hat for a prize in completion of the Showmanship Classes. Pictured are Champion Senior Showman Carlie Piercy and Nelson Powell of Cape Fear Farm Credit. (Courtesy Photo)
2012 Heifer Showdown
Courtesy Photo The first-ever Heifer Showdown was held on April 28 at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. This Cape Fear Farm Credit sponsored event was attended by youth from 10 counties. Forty-one heifers were exhibited by 22 youth ages 5-18 in breeding and showmanship classes. All exhibitors were given a choice of an imprinted ‘Heifer Showdown’ bucket or hat for a prize in completion of the Showmanship Classes. Pictured are champion S...
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Southern blight in sweet potato plant beds
Southern blight (also known as the Sclerotial blight) caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii has been recently identified in sweet potato beds in Sampson County. The symptoms are a sudden wilt, death of sprouts and melt down of storage roots. The extent of damage thus far ranges from a few plants to small tire size dead spots. Given this emerging situation, growers are encouraged to scout their beds and take appropriate action. Provided belo...
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Sampson County home to few blackberry varieties
Question : Can I grow blackberries in Sampson County? Answer : There are a few varieties that grow in Sampson County, such as Arapaho, Chester, Cheyenne, Choctaw, Navaho, and Shawnee. When selecting your plants, you should consider the chilling hours for success. Blackberries are classified by three different growth habits, which are trailing, semi-trailing, and erect. Erect and semi-trailing varieties need 3 to 4 feet between each plant....
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Donated heifer auctioned Auctioneer E.B. Harris recently bid off a heifer donated by Prestage Farms during his sale at the Sampson County Livestock Facility in April. Dick Mills, of Ayden, bought the heifer for $2,200 and the money was given to the Sampson County 4-H Program for future activities in the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program and on a county level. The 4-H Department would like to extend a big thank you to all parties involved. On a separate note, youth interested in applying for a free heifer or goat to show, can call the Extension Office to receive an application from the Sampson County Livestock Association Office at 910-592-7161. Pictured above are:4-H’ers Roxie Long and Colby Matthis with buyer Dick Mills. (Courtesy Photo)
Donated heifer auctioned
Courtesy Photo Auctioneer E.B. Harris recently bid off a heifer donated by Prestage Farms during his sale at the Sampson County Livestock Facility in April. Dick Mills, of Ayden, bought the heifer for $2,200 and the money was given to the Sampson County 4-H Program for future activities in the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program and on a county level. The 4-H Department would like to extend a big thank you to all parties involved. On a separ...
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Pesticides get rid of those pesky bugs, but use caution
Question: What chemical should I use to control my lawn and garden pest problems? Answer: Many types of pesticides are available for use including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, miticides, and nematicides. When using pesticides in a safe manner involves a combination of knowledge, common sense, and to read and follow label directions. When pesticides are used incorrectly there is the potential of poisoning occurring to the gard...
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Members attending Demo Days are pictured, from left, David Thomas, Hannah Singleton, Edward Olive, Alaina Airheart, Jessica Gordon, Trevor Gaskins, Josh Wisniewski and Jessica Hogan. (Courtesy Photo)
Collegiate FFA members assist with agricultural event in Greensboro
Eight Mount Olive College Collegiate FFA members served as Agricultural Ambassadors for Syngenta’s annual Demo Days in Greensboro. The National Collegiate FFA office requested the assistance of CFFA members from Mount Olive College to serve as hosts for the event. Members took this opportunity to learn more about Syngenta and its impact on the global agriculture economy. Syngenta invited employees from Research Triangle Park, Greensboro, Ca...
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Newton Grove’s Warrick earns FFA scholarship
Four Sampson County FFA students have earned $1,000 scholarships thanks to Ford of Clinton and the Ford Motor Company. Aaron Warwick, a senior at Hobbton High; Daniel Thompson and Gabrielle Chestnutt, seniors at Union High; and Caroline Clement, a senior at Midway High have been chosen as recipients of the $1,000 scholarship Warwick’s father is Keith Warwick of Newton Grove. He plans to study Agricultural Business Management at Mount Oliv...
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How can I make my garden colors last longer?
Question: How can I make colorful flowers throughout my landscape last longer? Answer: When reading descriptions for flowering plants, you often see deadheading listed as one of the chores. Deadheading is removal of dead flowers from plants. A flowering plant’s main purpose in producing a flower is so it will be pollinated and produce seeds. A plant produces seeds as a survival mechanism. Deadheading a plant, by removing spent flowers, ...
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Rep. Mike McIntyre releases YouTube video supporting farmers and answers the question, 'How do we maintain a strong safety net for our farmers?'. To see the episode click on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grg147bwstE. (Courtesy Photo)
McIntyre releases video supporting farmers
Courtesy Photo Rep. Mike McIntyre releases YouTube video supporting farmers and answers the question, ‘How do we maintain a strong safety net for our farmers?’. To see the episode click on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grg147bwstE.
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Keeping good records are important to the local farmer
Financial risk has three basic components: 1) the cost and availability of debt capital, 2) the ability to meet cash flow need in a timely manner, and 3) the ability to maintain and grow equity. Cash flows are especially important because of repayment and family living expenses. Your objective should be to manage this risk through sound planning and financial control. To do that, you should continually monitor your ability to bear financial r...
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Pictured, back row: Philip P. Kerstetter, president of Mount Olive College; Curtis Raines, Bill Bryan, Lynn Williams, and J. William Byrd. Front Row: Audrey Brown, Janice Scott, Howard Scott, Stan Dixon, Barbara Kornegay, Dorothy Whitley and Sandy Maddox, director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center. Not pictured Ralph Britt and Benjie Forrest. (Courtesy Photo)
Mount Olive College presents honorary collegiate FFA degrees
MOUNT OLIVE – The Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a banquet and awards ceremony. During the event, current students in the agri education and agribusiness programs talked about the accomplishments of the Center during the past ten years including outreach efforts, curriculum advancement, internship development, activities accomplished by student organizations, and community service projects...
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Update on swine transport law for locals
In 2011, House Bill 432 was passed. That law contained an act of legislation on the transport of swine in North Carolina. The new law, which came into effect in October of 2011, addresses a need for identification of swine if they are transported off the farm, penalties for unlawful transportation without identification, and penalties for misuse of identification. The fines go up to $5,000 per violation, so if you are hauling ten pigs without...
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How do I fight black mold on my plants?
Question: What is the black mold growth on my plants? Answer : During these early spring months, many people are concerned about a black film coating the leaves of their trees and shrubs. This black film is referred to as sooty mold. Sooty mold is a fungus that can cause plants to appear dark and sooty or almost uniformly charcoal gray. It may form a continuous thin sheet on the leaf surface that eventually peels away. Sooty mold is in...
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Prestage donates heifer Prestage Farms has generously donated a heifer to the Sampson County 4-H program. The heifer will be auctioned off at the E.B. Harris Cattle Sale on April 21, and all proceeds will go to the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program. Sampson County currently has several youth who benefit from N.C. State’s livestock projects, judging, and skillathon programs. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. Businesses or individuals who would like to donate any amount of money towards the purchase of this heifer can call the Sampson County Extension Office at 910-592-7161 for more information. Pictured from, left, to right are, 4-H’ers and Prestage Farms staff: Shane Kendall; Summer Lanier, Public Relations director; Heather Goodrich;Colby Matthis; Zack McCullen, vice president of the swine division; Wyatt Kendall; and Chasen Matthis. Local 4-H staff said the Prestage donation was very generous and much appreciated. (Courtesy Photo)
Prestage donates heifer
Courtesy Photo Prestage Farms donated a heifer to the Sampson County 4-H program. The heifer will be auctioned off at the E.B. Harris Cattle Sale on April 21, and all proceeds will go to the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program. Sampson County currently has several youth who benefit from N.C. State’s livestock projects, judging, and skillathon programs. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. Businesses or ...
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Tips on managing fire ants
Question: How can I identify and manage fire ants? Answer: As warm weather approaches, those pesky fire ants become more active. Red Imported Fire Ants can be identified several ways. One way to identify this species of fire ants is by knowing their biological traits. The adult fire ants are reddish to dark brown color. There are several different adult fire ants you should know about. The first one is known as the minor worker fire ant...
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Composting poultry mortality
Because of high fuel prices, more and more poultry farmers are exploring the possibility of composting on farm poultry mortalities. Composting is an approved method of mortality disposal and is environmentally friendly. However, a permit from NCDA&CS is required for a poultry farmer to construct and operate a compost facility. Obtaining a permit is fairly simple but does require a certain amount of time and documentation. I will be glad to ...
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Bluestem: A low maintenance plant for gardens
Question: Are you looking for a low maintenance plant for your garden? Answer : Check out this new form of native ornamental grass that was developed by Dr. Mary Meyer, Professor at University of Minnesota. A new form of little bluestem, an ornamental and native grass, is available at many garden centers. The trademark name, Blue Heaven TM refers to the summer foliage color. Selected after several years of evaluation at the Universit...
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