Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

TownTalk: Introducing Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent Michael Ellington

When Michael Ellington was getting his plant nursery up and running a few years ago in neighboring Granville County, he turned to a trusted source – his local cooperative extension agent – for guidance as he built his business literally from the ground up.

That agent was Johnny Coley, and Ellington said he provided so much more than technical support. “It opened my eyes to what extension could do for me” beyond those technical aspects.

And now, as the agricultural agent for Vance County, Ellington said he’s using a three-pronged approach to his new role: Support, Strengthen and Sustain.

Ellington and Vance County Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Wykia Macon shared their vision about how the various extension agents can help residents in a variety of ways.

“There’s a lot more to agriculture and I think people are finally starting to wake up to that,” Ellington, a Henderson native, said on Monday’s TownTalk. After he left Vance County, he got a master’s degree at Virginia Tech and then spent some time in Charlottesville before coming back to the area and starting Notta Farm and Nursery, LLC.

He got reacquainted with Vance County when he became a vendor at the regional farmers market; “I really enjoyed reaching out to customers” and engaging with them.

From there, it wasn’t a big stretch to decide that he could engage with others in the community as an extension agent.

He and Macon met at a vendor meeting, and that’s when the seed was, um, planted – pun intended.

Ellington said it’s important the folks know that extension is supportive of their efforts and “is still a great resource for them,” but he wants to strengthen agriculture’s roots and create new producers as they create greater sustainability in the county.

“We want people to know that extension is going to be there for them and will be for the long haul,” he said.

Macon said she and staff have plans to make the regional farmers market a place where people want to be, not just for a few minutes to pick up some fresh produce, but a place that provides other opportunities for young and senior residents alike.

As a vendor for several years at the farmers market, Ellington said he noticed that customers were either seniors or very young. And he wants to change that, “get people cooking again,” he said.

Whether with food trucks or by offering samples of local produce used for meal-making or just for snacks, extension has some plans to get more people to visit the market.

“There are exciting things coming,” Macon said.

In his first four weeks on the job, Ellington said he’s been out in the community he grew up in, shaking hands and getting to know people. He hopes to cultivate associations with other agencies and groups to promote awareness.

“It’s important for us to get out in front of people,” Macon added. Whether it’s a church group, a community center or an apartment, Macon said she and her staff want the community to know that the farmers market accepts senior vouchers and EBT, for example, and that 4-H isn’t just for kids who want to learn about farming – they can learn about STEM, robotics and more.

Visit https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/ to learn more.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Spotted Lanternfly

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Community Info Series: Insurance Coverage For Everyone

Life insurance coverage is the topic of next installment in a community information series presented by Charlie Baskerville.

The session will be held on Tuesday, July 9 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Baskerville Funeral Home chapel, located at 104 S. Chestnut St. in Henderson.

Phyllis Elam, a licensed agent, will present information on different types of life insurance, why it’s important to have it and the types of coverage available.

Phone 252.430.6824 or 919.702.3653 to learn more about the information session.

Email elamchristine61@gmail.com to learn more about the services provided.

Rebuilding Hope’s Camp For Youth To Sharpen Construction Skills

There’s still time to register your young people for Rebuilding Hope’s annual Kids’ Construction Camp that will take place in early August, but don’t wait too long to sign up – space is limited.

The three-day camp will run from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Monday, Aug. 5 through Wednesday Aug. 7 at the Rebuilding Hope warehouse, located at 414 Raleigh Rd. It’s designed for young people in 3rd through 6th grades. The camp is limited to 30 participants.

Campers will get hands-on experiences with basic construction skills by rotating through different stations including Hammer and Nails, Electrical and Plumbing and Block Laying, as well as a take-home building project station and Bible Study.

Registration forms are available on the website at rebuildinghopeinc.org/or at the office on Raleigh Road.

 

 

Maria Parham Hosts Seminar On Sports Injuries Of The Knee

– information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Marketing & Communication Coordinator

Maria Parham Health is hosting a seminar led by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Messmer, titled “Sports Injuries of the Knee,” on Wednesday, July 17 in the hospital’s John T. Church Classroom. The seminar will begin at 1 p.m. and will include lunch.

Messmer will explore and discuss sports-related knee injuries, cover prevention strategies, detection methods, screening techniques, and advanced treatment options.

Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone interested in maintaining optimal knee health, this seminar is open to everyone in the community.

“We’re thrilled to host Dr. Mark Messmer for this informative seminar,” said Bert Beard, Maria Parham Health CEO. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for individuals of all backgrounds to gain valuable insights into knee health and interact with a leading expert in orthopedic care.”

Attendees can expect to leave the seminar with a wealth of knowledge and practical tips for preventing and managing sports injuries of the knee.

Mark your calendars, spread the word, and don’t miss out on this enlightening session! To reserve your spot and find further details about the event, please visit https://www.mariaparham.com/event/54.

The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Cleaning Engine Compartment

For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Here’s a question for you: When was the last time you cleaned your car or truck?

If your answer is within the last month, give yourself a pat on the back. Good job keeping your vehicle looking nice.

Here’s another one for you: When was the last time you cleaned the engine?

Yep. The engine.

It’s important to keep the engine compartment clean for a couple of reasons, and the professional staff at Advance Auto Parts can help you select the products you need, from a quick rinse-off to a degreaser to go after some major build-up.

A clean engine helps keep your resale value high – what prospective buyer wouldn’t love to pop the hood and see a gleaming engine? As the vehicle owner, keeping the engine compartment free of dirt and grime also cuts down on premature wear of belts, hoses and gaskets.

And it helps the engine stay cooler and operate efficiently, too.

Cover the battery, alternator and carburetor with plastic and take care around coil packs and fuse panels. And the engine should be cool before you spray it with a particular product or with water.

Go after the dirt a little at the time, rinsing with low-pressure water and checking progress regularly.

Hand clean around the areas that you covered with plastic with soap, small brushes or a hand mitt.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

 

Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Bedtime Problems, Pt. 5

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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