Cucurbit Field Day Draws Farmers from Several Counties

Close to 40 farmers, specialists, and agents participated in a workshop focusing on cucurbits at Fischel Farms in Grassy Creek. Several specialists from Raleigh and the horticultural research station at Mills River were on hand to answer questions and demonstrate scouting practices for squash, melons, and other cucurbits. The field day was organized by Ag Agent Richard Boylan and made possible through funding from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant and project partners: New River Organic Growers, Watauga and Ashe Cooperative Extension, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, and High Country CSA. Issues with downy and powdery mildew have had a big impact on cucurbits this year, and the team of specialists provided their insights and methods to mitigate these diseases. Participants came from Watauga and Ashe Counties in North Carolina and from bordering Virginia.

Watauga Extension's New Movie Trailer

Two students from the Appalachian State University Honors Program dropped by the office the other day to learn a little bit about the county and about what we do at Cooperative Extension. They asked if they could record part of the visit...I was pretty impressed with what they did with it!

Upcoming Events at Watauga Extension and Beyond......

It always seems that the blooming of the tall Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium sp., aka Eupatorium sp.) heralds the very peak of summer in the High Country of NC. All too soon thereafter, the darker purple of Ironweed (Vernonia sp.) flowers unfurling proclaims the beginnings of cooler nights, shorter days, and a transition toward Autumn. Whether you embrace these plants as medicinal allies, admire them as bee forage and stately late-season color, or cuss them as pasture weeds; there is no denying that we are on the downhill slope of the 2012 growing season. As you pack the kids off to school, or plant the high tunnels to extend the productive season further, sow cover crops or source your seed garlic, consider the following opportunities for learning more about agriculture and gathering with people who share this passion.

More information about any of the following is available by calling the Watauga Cooperative Extension Center at 828-264-3061 or e-mailing richard_boylan@ncsu.edu

1) Saturday, 8/18 – Canning class at Watauga Extension
2) Monday, 8/20 – Free NCDA Workshop: How to Grow your Agribusiness...in Durham
3) Tuesday, 8/21- Squash Cucurbit Field Day in Ashe County, 4-7 PM
4) Saturday, 9/15 – Cove Creek Farm Heritage Day, 10 AM – 4 PM
5) 10/26-10/28 - CFSA’s 27th Annual Sustainable Ag Conference, Greenville, SC

Natural Resource Issues in Watauga County

Organic gardens flourish locally

The number of home vegetable gardens in our region is on the rise.

Last week, organic gardening enthusiasts enjoyed tranquil mornings in Valle Crucis, learning from a variety of experts how to successfully grow food.

Class participants picked up helpful tips from incubating farmers, gardening experts from N.C. Cooperative Extension and the community, and from visiting four home gardens in the area.

Organic Gardening 101 was held at the new FIG farm, which is located on the previous site of the ASU sustainable development research and teaching farm, on land owned by the Valle Crucis conference center. FIG is the acronym for Farm Incubator and Grower Project.

Check out http://maverickfarms.org.

Jasmine ShoShanna of Jamine’s Gardens led an inspiring tour of gardens that she and her crew built or assisted middle-class homeowners in developing.

One of the gardens is located in a small Boone backyard and produces an amazing amount of food, including blueberries, leeks, grapes, asparagus and greens. Participants noted creative ways to protect blueberries and extend the growing season.

Other gardens demonstrated how to build arbors for hardy kiwi, inexpensive ideas on how to keep deer and other creatures out without fencing the entire yard and ways to incorporate food into a beautiful existing landscape.

Check out her website, http://www.jasminesgardens.com.

One commonality of gardens visited was the presence of green beans. Many gardeners produce more than they are able to eat fresh and preserve a good part of the harvest. Pressure canning is a common way to preserve, but I prefer to freeze them. It is much simpler, and the texture is crisper.

Freezing green beans

Wash and remove stem end of beans.

May leave whole, or snap into desired length.

Boil a large pot of water and submerge.

When water begins to boil again, time for three minutes.

Take beans out of boiling water and submerge into an ice water bath for three minutes.

Drain, then pack into a rigid container or a freezer bag and place into freezer.

Label and date.
May keep in freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for eight months.

This recipe is a great way to use green beans for summer picnics.

Dilled Green Beans and New Potatoes

1/2 lb. small new potatoes, quartered
1/2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed, broken into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup sour cream

3 teaspoons dill weed

1/4 tsp. salt

Dash pepper

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

In medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.
Add potatoes and green beans; return to a boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are done and beans are crisp-tender.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients; blend well.

Drain vegetables; rinse with cold water to cool slightly.

Place in serving bowl.

Add sour cream mixture, toss to coat.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving time.

If you are interested in learning more about organic gardening, don’t miss the class next year, offered through N.C. Cooperative Extension. Visit http://watauga.ces.ncsu.edu for more information.

Mayor's Garden a Green Thumb Success!

Here at the Extension Office, we get lots of calls from homeowners, gardeners, and farmers about issues, problems, pests, and diseases that are plaguing their crops and garden. Earlier this week, it was refreshing to hear Mayor Loretta Clawson bragging about her beautiful backyard garden. She emailed this picture as proof! Despite a crazy season of erratic weather, Mayor Clawson (who gives much credit to her husband) has had a wonderful summer of production. Cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, corn, and pumpkins are the highlights in their home garden. As a proponent of the local food movement in the region, it's nice to see our government officials doing their part to participate in our growing local food economy. Thanks, Mayor!!