Possible NC Avian Flu Outbreak Information

The NCDA&CS Veterinary Division has released an article concerning a possible avian influenza outbreak.  Please note that this will affect poultry growers of all size models, large and small scale. 

Please use this link to the NCDA&CS website for the article.

Farmers Market Vendor Meeting

Farmers Market Meeting for Vendors - Wed, May 6 (2-3 pm) or Thurs, May 7 (10 - 11 am). You do not have to attend both. This is a required meeting to: learn about new Farmers Market policy,Farmers Market State Regulations, meet the new Farmers Market Manager & tour the new facility. Please RSVP to Aaron Ray Tompkins @ 336-372-5597 or aaron_tompkins@ncsu.edu

2015 Alleghany 4H Plant Sale

Alleghany 4-H is currently taking orders for their 2015 Annual 4-H Plant Sale...

The following types of plants are available to purchase:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Flowers
• Herbs
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Rhubarb
• Vegetables

Order & Payment Deadlines:

For Blueberries ~ Monday, March 23rd

For All Other Plants ~ Tuesday, April 17th

Payment is due at the time orders are placed

** Credit/Debit cards can now be accepted for payment, with a small fee of 3.75% or less charged.  Phone orders can/will be accepted with a credit/debit card purchase**

Pick-Up Dates:
For Blueberries ~ April 1-2 (9am-5pm)
For All Other Plants ~ April 23-24 (9am-5pm)

CLICK HERE to view and/or print your plant description / order form or you may pick one up at the Extension Office.  Call 336-372-5597 or email Michele Hamm for more information.

ALL proceeds are used for scholarships for Alleghany County youth to attend 4-H Camp and other 4-H programming.

Growing Together Newsletter

The newsletter for parents of preschool children.

March Growing Together Newsletter

Italian Peasant Soup

On a cold, snowy day like today, thought i'd share a recipe given to me by a co-worker, thank you Deb.  It's rich, hearty and healthy plus super easy to throw together.

Originally from Taste of Home this one is sure to warm you up on even the coldest night.

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min. MAKES: 11 servings

Ingredients
1 lb. Italian Sausage, casings removed and cute into 1 inch slices

2 medium onions, chopped

6 garlic cloves, chopped

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 cans (15 ounces each) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

6 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped

Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

 Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage and onions over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink.

Stir in the beans, broth, tomatoes, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add the spinach and heat just until wilted. Serve with cheese if desired. 

Yield: 11 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

1 serving (1 cup) equals 169 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 39 mg cholesterol, 471 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 16 g protein.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/italian-peasant-soup

Originally published as Italian Peasant Soup in Quick Cooking January/February 2003, p27

Radon Test Kits

Just a reminder, Radon kits are still currently available at the Extension Office.   These are short-term test kits and are free of charge (limit one per household).  

Radon is the odorless, colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The effects upon the families it touches can be just as devastating as lung cancer caused by smoking tobacco.

January is National Radon Action Month.  Each year upwards to 22,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer. Roughly 54 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer are expected to live no more than five years after diagnosis.

The Alleghany Cooperative Extension Service is partnering with the NC Radon program to provide free short-term radon test kits in recognition of National Radon Action Month.  A limited supply of radon test kits are being made available locally during the month of January at the Alleghany County Office Building – third floor -90 S Main St, Sparta.  No kits will be mailed and will be limited to one per household. 

Approximately 7,000 kits are being distributed statewide. Only one kit per home is needed to determine if your home has a high level.  The North Carolina Radon Program website, www.ncradon.org, will have a list of all 83 participating organizations across North Carolina. The NC Radon Program website will also have a limited supply of kits available.  Once the supply of free kits have been exhausted, the NC Radon Program website will return to providing short-term radon test kits at a reduced cost of $5.34, a kit retailed at $15.00.

The North Carolina Radon Program of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services educates families and homeowners about radon gas, how to test for radon gas and how to lower the radon levels within a home. Lowering the radon levels in a home lower the risk of lung cancer.

The North Carolina Radon Program website also contains a new mobile application.  Meant to particularly help real estate brokers working in North Carolina, the mobile application will assist the user in determining how many tests have been conducted within a zip code as well as the highest radon level recorded in that zip code.  The user of the APP will also be able to locate a certified professional to assist them in testing or fixing the radon issue in their home.

For more information - contact the Extension Office @ (336) 372-5597.

Grant Money Available - Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Grants up to $5,000 Available to Farmers in a Five County Region
BOONE, NC – Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is releasing a request for proposals for farmers focusing on increasing production through innovation and sustainable methods. Letters of intent are mandatory and will be due by January 16, 2014. Applications will be due by February 6, 2014. Farmers are required to work with their local extension agent on the application and throughout the grant cycle. Please contact the County Extension Agents in your county listed below.
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is dedicated to strengthening the High Country's local food system by supporting women and their families with resources, education, and skills related to sustainable food and agriculture. With funding from Heifer International, a global non-profit organization dedicated to working with community to end hunger and poverty while learning to care for the earth, roughly $30,000 will be distributed to local farmers in Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes, and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Johnson County, Tennessee.
Applicants are able to apply for funds up to $5,000. Those who are interested in grants of $3,001 to $5,000 are required to develop a business plan during the grant cycle. Resources on business plan development are available through BRWIA and local extension agents. This grant program is modeled after WNC AgOptions, exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
Applicants should be farmers who demonstrate the economic viability of farms in the five-county region. Support is provided to farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations to increase farm income and encourage the sustainability of the farm businesses. Funding requests should be for items directly related to the growing and harvesting of crops for sale, including livestock.
Please contact Carol Coulter by email (Carol@brwia.org) or phone (828-386-1537) with any questions. Applications for the grant are available on BRWIA’s website (www.brwia.org/direct-to-farmer-grants) or through your local extension agent.