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Agricultural
Suggestions for pruning muscadine grape vines
Question : When is the best time to prune my muscadine grape vines? Answer: One of the biggest pruning chores for many during this time of the year is pruning grapevines. Due to the popularity of muscadines in this area many have vines in their home gardens. Muscadine grapes are native to the Southeastern United States and are a popular fruit throughout Eastern North Carolina. Muscadines are easier to grow than many other plants becaus...
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Growing fruit trees challenging yet rewarding
Question: What are the best fruit trees for our area? Answer: Growing fruit trees in the home garden or landscape can be a challenging yet rewarding activity. The idea of having a fruit tree that produces fresh fruit right in the backyard can be a rewarding hobby. Growing fruit trees can be a challenge because they commonly have disease and insect issues and let’s not forget about the unfavorable weather that can affect fruit production...
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<p>Courtesy Photo</p><p>Pictured, from left, are: Cloverbuds Kaylee Lackey, Kaylee Hall, Shane Kendall, Sarah White, Bethany Heath, Kendall Lanier and Marianna Sada-Romero.</p>
Local 4-H’ers participate in Toy and Hobby Share
The Sampson County Cooperative Extension Office could not have been more excited to have 10 Cloverbuds, 15 Juniors, and 2 Seniors at this year’s Toy and Hobby Share Competition. 4-H’ers from across the county participated in this yearly presentation contest with topics including knitting, Aliens, IPods, horses, hunting, and much more. Many 4-H’ers will continue to improve on their demonstrations to compete at the district contest in June. J...
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<p>Courtesy Photo</p><p>Carson Rose, right, an appraiser with AgCarolina Financial, presents a $500 check to Joey Eason, chief of the Newton Grove Fire and Rescue. Carson is a participant in AgCarolina&#8217;s STAR Program which contributes $500 to the employee&#8217;s selected non-profit organization, upon the employee contributing 50 hours plus to their chosen non-profit organization.</p>
AgCarolina appraiser presents check to N.G. Fire Department
Courtesy Photo Carson Rose, right, an appraiser with AgCarolina Financial, presents a $500 check to Joey Eason, chief of the Newton Grove Fire and Rescue. Carson is a participant in AgCarolina’s STAR Program which contributes $500 to the employee’s selected non-profit organization, upon the employee contributing 50 hours plus to their chosen non-profit organization.
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Murphy-Brown announces contracting program for 2012 grain sorghum production
WARSAW — Murphy-Brown LLC is expanding contracting opportunities for North Carolina farmers who grow grain sorghum for the 2012 growing season. The company has established eight delivery points at elevators and feed mills. After a successful pilot program in 2011, Murphy-Brown is looking to significantly expand grain sorghum contracting in 2012 in order to increase the amount of grain it purchases locally. Growers interested in 2012 sorghum...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Members of the Sampson County Board of Education recently recognized Liam Baker, a fourth grade student at Plain View Elementary, as the grand prize winner of a $75,000 college scholarship for his design of the winning art piece for Smithfield Packing Company. Above, Baker shows off his award winning work of art with his father, Shannon and mother Marla.</p>
Baker wins $75,000 scholarship in Smithfield art contest
Courtesy photo Members of the Sampson County Board of Education recently recognized Liam Baker, a fourth grade student at Plain View Elementary, as the grand prize winner of a $75,000 college scholarship for his design of the winning art piece for Smithfield Packing Company. Above, Baker shows off his award winning work of art with his father, Shannon and mother Marla.
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Putting color in your garden during winter
Question: How can I give a little color to my landscape during the winter months? Answer: Just because it’s wintertime does not mean that you have to do without color in your garden. There are a number of plants with winter interest that can be used to brighten up your landscape during an otherwise bare and colorless time. Listed are just a few plants to consider for bringing color into your winter garden. Camellias are a traditional ...
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Local farmers can start to consider summer grazing options
I’m sure it seems a bit odd to talk about summer grazing in January, but a good grazing plans means prior planning. We all know of the usual summer annual standbys, millet and sorghum-sudan, and to some degree crabgrass. I want to discuss a less popular but once widely used summer annual legume in this article — lespedeza. Annual lespedeza is adapted to most North Carolina soils with the exceptions of deep, dry sands. It tolerates low pH an...
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<p>Courtesy Photo</p><p>The Sampson Soil and Water District is now accepting applications for AgWRAP. The deadline is Feb. 3.</p>
AgWRAP applications being accepted until Feb. 3
The Sampson Soil and Water District is accepting applications for a new program called The Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP). The Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP) was authorized through Session Law 2011-145. The program will be administered by the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission through local soil and water conservation districts. AgWRAP received $1,000,000 in non-recurring funding ...
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Use caution when pruning your Crape Myrtles?
Question: What is the proper way to prune Crape Myrtles? Answer: Crape Myrtles are small trees that are commonly found throughout the Southern landscape. These popular flowering trees are often called the “lilac of the south.” Crape Myrtles have long panicles of flowers that show their bright white, pink, purple or red colors in the summer. If the showy flowers were not attractive enough, Crape Myrtles are multi-stemmed trees that have ...
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Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program recognizing 75 years
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) joins the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and other partners at the 2012 SHOT-SHOW to announce the start of a yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), one of the most significant and successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation in U.S. history. The event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at t...
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NCDA&CS to host small-business workshop on preventing food recall
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Food Safety and Defense Task Force are hosting a workshop Jan. 31 titled “Protecting Your Business, Preventing a Recall,” geared for small food businesses. Topics to be covered include the economics of food recalls, a retail company’s perspective about a food recall, how to communicate with the public and your customers if a recall is needed, common and avoidabl...
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What is the best way to get good soil samples?
Question: How can gardeners collect good soil samples for good results? Answer: Soil test reports provide information that is useful in making decisions about any needed lime and fertilizer. Because the test report is used in making these decisions, a gardener needs and expects reliable results. The reliability of the soil test, however, is no better than the sample submitted. To insure reliable and accurate soil test results, it is imp...
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Spare time in January? Try your hand at gardening
Question: What can a gardener do with their spare time in January? Answer: With the holiday season coming to an end, January can be a long, dull month but for gardeners January is an exciting time. January is the month that garden enthusiasts spend hours looking through seed catalogs, dreaming and planning for their upcoming spring garden. Eventually the gardener decides what new vegetable or flower varieties to order along with orderin...
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Biosecurity: Steps to keeping your livestock healthy
Biosecurity at the farm level refers to measures taken to prevent pests or diseases from entering your premises and to control outbreaks if they do occur. This is particularly important if you own or work with animals. Two basic Biosecurity measures for protecting livestock from diseases are 1) purchasing healthy stock and 2) preventing any exposure to disease organisms. Other preventive measures include proper nutrition, sanitation, and cont...
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Maintenance and winterization of irrigation equipment
With summer long gone and winter rapidly approaching, it is time to take a few moments to inspect and maintain your irrigation equipment. This ensures the longevity of the equipment, helps minimize any unexpected downtime when you need to irrigate later in the season. It can also reduce the risk of discharges of wastes, which can cause environmental damage and possible fines for your farm. Hard Hose Travelers When inspecting your hard h...
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Reader feedback sought for local column
Question: Could you please help me out by providing feedback about the “Just Ask The Horticulture Extension Agent” Column? Answer: Dear Readers, The end of the year is steadily approaching and I really could use your help. North Carolina Cooperative Extension is always looking for ways to better serve you. I would like to know if you found the “Just Ask The Horticulture Extension Agent” column helpful. The information you provide will...
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What plants are the best in a diseased area?
Question : What plants can be utilized in an area with a history of disease problems? Answer: Have you ever had Phytopthora Root Rot or Crown Rot diagnosed in your landscape? Typically, the best way to handle disease problems is by implementing the cultural management practices, especially if your plants have been diagnosed with one of the above-mentioned rots. First, remove any of the severely affected plant material. Before replantin...
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Leaf Spot — problem or symptom?
We are transitioning out of the summer growing season, the days are getting shorter, and the nights cooler. As the days drop down into the low nineties farmers with Bermuda grass pastures or hayfields need to be vigilante in checking their fields not only for fall armyworms, but also yellowing spots where grass may be dying. Leaf Spot (also known as leaf blight) is a disease that typically appears in late summer when temperatures are between ...
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<p>Courtesy Photo</p><p>Clinton&#8217;s Hope Lucas recently competed with Outlaw&#8217;s Texas Pete at The Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show in Shelbyville Tenn. Outlaw&#8217;s Texas Pete took first place in the miniature mule halter class and costume class. The team also placed sixth in amateur showmanship among strong competition. <div><em> </em></div> <div><em> </em></p><p><em> </em> </div></p>
Texas Pete takes first place
Courtesy Photo Clinton’s Hope Lucas recently competed with Outlaw’s Texas Pete at The Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show in Shelbyville Tenn. Outlaw’s Texas Pete took first place in the miniature mule halter class and costume class. The team also placed sixth in amateur showmanship among strong competition.
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Cooler temperatures bringing annual and perennial weeds
Question: What winter weeds, should I be concerned about? Answer: Due to the unseasonably cool temperatures and frequent rain showers, annual and perennial weeds are beginning to make their appearance. Some of the most common winter weeds are common chickweed (Stellaria media), mouseear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), and annual bluegrass (Poa annua). Common chickweed, mouseear chickweed, and henbit are w...
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<p>Courtesy Photo</p><p>Carlie Piercy, daughter of Jammie and Kim Piercy of Clinton, had the Grand Champion Heifer at the Chatham County Livestock Show in Siler City. Carlie has been busy traveling around North Carolina with her 10-month old Red Angus heifer, Blossom, to earn points for the Farm Credit &amp; Eastern Showmanship Circuits. Along with learning how to care for a show calf, Carlie and other 4-H&#8217;ers are able to meet new friends from several other counties while exhibiting their livestock projects. All of this leads up to the NC State Fair the third weekend in October. If you would like more information on how you can get involved with 4-H activities call the Sampson County 4-H Office at 910-592-7161.</p>
4-H Heifer show
Courtesy Photo Carlie Piercy, daughter of Jammie and Kim Piercy of Clinton, had the Grand Champion Heifer at the Chatham County Livestock Show in Siler City. Carlie has been busy traveling around North Carolina with her 10-month old Red Angus heifer, Blossom, to earn points for the Farm Credit & Eastern Showmanship Circuits. Along with learning how to care for a show calf, Carlie and other 4-H’ers are able to meet new friends from several o...
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