Agricultural agents

set priorities

for food safety
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The local cooperative extension office wants developing safe and nutritious food systems to be its top priority.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service held an advisory council meeting Monday, outlining its future goals.

The priority was described as “Improving local agriculture for the benefit of producers and consumers by supplying a safe and nutritious food system while preserving and enhancing green industry.”

The council discussed efforts such as alternative fuels, carbon dioxide credits and expanding local agriculture production. Other priorities were “Improving environmental stewardship by preserving and restoring natural resources” and “Improving educational achievement and excellence for youth and families to lead healthier lives and foster personal development and community leadership.”

Advisory council chairwoman Nancy Reigel said almost half the counties in the western district shared that top goal, and it was also a state and national priority. “We’re certainly in sync with what the national priorities are,” Reigel said.

County extension director Sue Counts reported the Agnes D. And Robert G. Shipley Agricultural Endowment, which was started last summer to honor a local farm family, had nearly reached its original endowment goal of $15,000. The funds generated by the endowment will be used to help youth-in-agriculture programs in the county.

Agricultural agent Meghan Baker said she’d been working with local Christmas tree growers to develop Web resources, saying more consumers were using the Internet to search for choose-and-cut farms. She also said those offering other amenities and tourism opportunities had a competitive advantage.

She said a new Master Gardener class would begin would be held this year, with the extension service offering a gardening-tips hotline. Baker said the office gets lots of calls from April through September, and using volunteers who had completed the course would help spread resources. Applications are being taken for this year’s program, which begins on March 25.

Agriculture agent Callie Birdsell reported on the participation of local youths at various livestock shows.

She’s also operating a local livestock advisory committee and a related blog at wataugalivestock.blogspot.com. She said farmers were concerned about the drought and low pastures that might not survive the winter. The issue will be covered in a Forage Field Day on March 28 to discuss grazing practices and plans. She’s pursuing grants to get grass seed that will be given away as door prizes.

Birdsell also announced a new program called “LEAD,” designed to interest females entering the seventh and eighth grades in science-related fields. The extension agency is seeking sponsors, volunteers, travel and meals for the weeklong camp that begins in June.

Nutrition agent Margie Mansure gave an update on the “Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less,” a 19-week program to help people lose weight, giving participants a weekly report card to track their progress. Another program is “Eating Smart and Moving More,” which is geared toward families and has been drawing about 30 people per meeting.

4-H director Karee Mackey presented the work of 4-H participants who track their records over the year, then do a drawing, poem or story to outline their growth during the program. Those who go on to district competitions can use the records to show the results of their work. She is also recruiting for 4-H summer camp on July 13 through 18.

Richard Boylan said the addition of four more certified organic farms in the region had provided more acreage to help meet increasing demand. Boylan said a certified organic production class had helped growers meet the standards for certification and the effort had also boosted interest in New River Organic Growers. A Tobacco Trust Fund grant paid for a delivery truck and a marketer who will focus on wholesale and restaurant buyers.

Counts also announced her retirement effective Nov. 1. She has been extension director for 10 years. For information on extension service programs, call (828) 264-3061.