Tag Archive for: #nccooperativeextensiongranville

Pruning Workshop To Demonstrate Proper Techniques For Best Results

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It’s time to prune some of the shrubs, bushes, vines and trees that dot our landscapes, but unless you know how to properly tackle this annual task, you could unwittingly lop off new buds or otherwise cause problems that won’t show up until it’s too late.

Join Johnny Coley, N.C. Cooperative Extension horticulture agent in Granville and Person counties for a free pruning workshop on Saturday, Feb. 25 to learn the ABC’s of proper pruning and care for a variety of plants that grow in the Piedmont. Coley will demonstrate how to care for fruiting plants like apples, pears, figs and peaches, as well as blueberry bushes and grapevines.

There is no fee to participate, but registration is required, Coley said. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fruit-pruning-workshop-tickets 539367291087

The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at 450 C.C. Andrews Rd. in Timberlake, NC 27583.

N.C. Cooperative Extension Scholarship Open For Those In Business-Related Field Of Study

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The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association is accepting applications for the 2023 Herter-O’Neal Scholarship. This scholarship is open to students pursuing an associate’s and/or bachelor’s degree in a business-related field of study or who are enrolled in a diploma program that results in a degree. The statewide winner will be awarded $1,000 for tuition and/or books. District finalists will receive $250.

The Herter-O’Neal Scholarship is awarded each year to honor the work and dedication of Edith Herter and Frances O’Neal, founding members of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association.  NCCEAPA membership is comprised of North Carolina Cooperative Extension administrative assistants in 100 counties, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, N.C. State University and N.C.  A&T State University.

The application deadline is Mar. 10, 2023. All questions can be addressed to Granville County Cooperative Extension Administrative Assistant Gwen Rubio at gwen_rubio@ncsu.edu or 919-603-1350. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off – with ATTN: Gwen Rubio written on the envelope – at the Granville Cooperative Extension and mailed or hand delivered to the Granville County  Cooperative Extension Office located at 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford, NC 27565.

Fire Ants: How To Manage Them, Not E

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The wet weather associated with Hurricane Ian a few weeks ago has really allowed the red imported fire ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, to thrive. It seems everywhere you look you see a large mound of soil, and even if you barely come in contact with it, those small red pests swarm out.

If you are familiar with them, either by sight and by sting, you know they can be quite troublesome and they are not easily controlled,” according to Johnny Coley, horticulture agent for Granville and Person counties.

“When you have RIFAs move into your yard or landscape, managing them is usually the best you can hope for. Once you think you have them under control, five to ten more hills show up,” Coley said in a written statement about the stinging insects.

Although native to South America, fire ants were introduced to the U.S. in the 1930’s and were first found in North Carolina in the early 1950’s. They are now mainly found in the Southeast. Mounds can have more than 100,000 workers and hundreds of winged adults but only one queen. Winged adults will mate and, after mating with females, spin off their own queens and can produce their own nest. A queen can fly up to 10 miles from its original mound; however, most queens do not travel that far. Most queens do not survive once they have mated because other foraging ants, especially other fire ants, will kill them.

Several methods can be used to control fire ants including baits, granular insecticides, drenches and powders.  Rotating insecticides with different active ingredients is always the best practice. This will prevent fire ants from becoming resistant to a particular active ingredient.

For a comprehensive list of active ingredients/products that are available for fire ant control and more general  information about RIFAs please visit: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant-in-north-carolina

You may also contact Johnny Coley at the Granville or Person County Extension offices at 919.603.1350 (Granville) or  336.599.1195 (Person) or by email at johnny_coley@ncsu.edu for a copy of this publication.

Learn To Construct Livestock Fence During Oct. 25 Workshop

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The old saying that “fences make good neighbors” could be amended to “good fences make neighbors happy” to describe an upcoming hands-on workshop that involves creating a safe fencing plan for livestock.

The day-long class will be held on Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butner Beef Cattle field lab, located at 8800 Cassam Rd. in Bahama, NC 27503.

Whether you want to create new fenced pastures or just want to hone skills needed to keep fences in good order, this workshop is for you.

“A good fence is a critical component of a successful livestock operation no matter what species of animals,” according to a press release from Kim Woods and Matthew Place, livestock agents in Granville, Person and Warren counties, respectively.

The $40 cost per person includes lunch and all materials, and participants should dress appropriately for the weather and bring gloves and eye protection. There will be some indoor classroom work to discuss the economics of fencing and construction materials, as well as state laws regarding fencing. The group will then head outside and actually build a fence.

The event is sponsored by several fence product companies.

Fences keep animals in the safety of their pasture while – hopefully – keeping predators out. “Building a good fence that will last a long time is not near as easy as making the decision that you need a fence,” however. Come to the class to learn more about proper design and construction.

Visit https://person.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-Fencing-School-Reg-8.pdf?fwd=no to find the registration page. Mail it, along with your payment, to

Granville County Cooperative Extension,

Attn: Kim Woods

125 Oxford Loop Rd. Oxford, NC 27565.

Make check payable to Granville County, with “Fencing School” in the subject line.  Registration is limited to the first 30 people in order for everyone to have adequate hands-on time with tools and materials.

To learn more, contact Kim Woods at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or Matthew Place at 252.257.3640.

NC Forest Service

Forestry Field Day June 24 In Oxford

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-information courtesy of Vance County Cooperative Extension

A Forestry Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 24 to help area landowners with best practice strategies to enhance their woodland resources. Participants will learn first-hand about the possible benefits of forest management techniques of herbicide application and prescribed fires.

This free event will begin at 2 p.m. at the N.C. Forest Service office in Granville County, located at 911 Hillsboro St, Oxford.

From there, the group will proceed to two different field sites that show the results of the respective practices. Transportation to the field sites will be available, or participants may travel in personal vehicles.

The sponsors of the Field Day are the N.C. Forest Service office for Granville County, along with the N.C. Cooperative Extension County Centers in Granville and Vance counties.

Registration is required.

For more information, visit http://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods or call 252.438.8188 or 919.603.1350.

NCDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Period Open Now Through Mar. 4 At Noon

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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofits and government agencies have until noon on Mar. 4 to submit applications.

Applicants can submit a draft application for staff review by Jan. 26 to gain feedback on their grant proposals. A .pdf of the draft application should be sent to jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department, through funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In 2021, we awarded $2.9 million for 16 projects across the state, which included one-time funds of $1.6 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. We anticipate $1.2 million in funding this year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The success and growth of specialty crops are important as North Carolina agriculture continues to diversify and as the industry inches closer to the $100 billion mark in economic impact.”

The department will accept grant requests up to $200,000 from nonprofit organizations, academia, commodity associations, state and local government agencies, colleges and universities. Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual.

Eligible projects must involve fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants, nursery, floriculture or horticulture crops.

For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncspecialtycrops.com. For questions, contact Jenni Keith at 919.707.3158 or jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.