Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Story by Kathleen McFadden
At a meeting of the Watauga County Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Council on Monday, Extension staff and council members reported on 2006 accomplishments and plans for the coming year.
Extension Director Sue Counts announced the formation of a High Country District “cluster” that will include Extension staff and Advisory Council members from Watauga, Yancey, Mitchell and Avery counties to facilitate information exchange and planning. The group’s first meeting is February 15. Watauga County Commissioner Winston Kinsey and Dick and Joan Hearn will attend as representatives of the Watauga council.
Agriculture Agent Meghan Baker reported that local Choose and Cut Christmas tree growers received a $5,000 marketing grant from the Tourism Development Authority, and this season’s marketing efforts appear to have paid off. Although the final numbers are not yet in, Baker expects a 10 to 15 percent increase in 2006 Choose and Cut sales compared to 2005.
Local cattleman Claude Austin praised Callie Birdsell’s work. Birdsell is the field crops and livestock agent who was hired in 2006, and Austin reported that she has rejuvenated the local Cattlemen’s Association, is working to establish a 4-H livestock club and is extremely knowledgeable about the livestock industry. Birdsell was unable to attend Monday’s meeting because she was in Salt Lake City, Utah competing in the Young Farmer and Ranchers Discussion Meet of the American Farm Bureau. In that competition, Birdsell placed in the top four nationwide.
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Margie Mansure reported that she formed a new advisory council to review and rate her health promotion programs and received a number of valuable suggestions for reaching people who are hard to reach and for the types of programs to offer.
Mansure also reported that she is working with the new food services director of Watauga County Schools to create a Farm to School program in which the school system will purchase food directly from local growers.
Joan and Dick Hearn told the group that the 2006 Farm-City Banquet was successful, with 280 attendees and two firsts: all local foods and a zero-waste event. Approximately 500 hours went into the planning and execution of the banquet, equating to a value of $10,000.
Natural Resources Extension Agent Wendy Patoprsty, with the assistance of Dick and Joan Hearn, presented the Kids in the Creek program to all fourth graders in Watauga County—approximately 400 children—in September and November. Teacher evaluations of the program, Patoprsty said, were positive.
Karee Mackey, 4-H Youth Development agent, told the council that the new 4-H leader at the state level is providing strong leadership that will “put North Carolina 4-H on the map.”
According to Alternative Agriculture Agent Richard Boylan, the New River Organic Growers have expressed interest in exploring ways to extend the area’s short growing season—and not by purchasing propane to heat greenhouses. Consequently, Boylan has arranged for a Season Extension Workshop on February 1. Growers who attend will receive $150 worth of books and instruction for the registration cost of $25.
Scott Suddreth of ARISE told the group that he was meeting with representatives of Ginn Resorts for the second time on Tuesday to pitch them with the idea of creating a “green” resort. If the developers decide to incorporate sustainable building and golf course creation practices, Suddreth said, Laurelmor would be the largest green resort in America and a model for other developments. “We’re excited they’re willing to talk to us,” he said.
In addition, he said, members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on King Street have signaled their interest in “going green.”
For information about any Extension programs, contact Sue Counts at 828-264-3061.