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Agricultural
Is there dark mold on my front lawn?
Question: What is the dark mold looking substance in my lawn? Answer: Have you ever seen an unusual mold or slime growing on your mulch or lawn? The description of this odd curiosity varies among people. Some say it looks like a dark mold growing on the grass. Others say, for lack of a better description, that it looks like “dog vomit.” No matter what your description is, it is usually referring to what is called slime mold. Slime mol...
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When to prune roses a question that always arises
Question: When is the best time to prune roses? Answer: Roses are classic garden flowers that many enjoy but when it comes to care for roses many are often confused with how to best care for them. A question often asked is when is the best time to prune roses. You may hear many responses from fall to winter to spring. You may also here that it depends on the type of roses. So, what is the answer? Actually some of these responses are tru...
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Your generator check list
The 2012 Hurricane season does not end until November, but it looks like we have missed major hurricanes this year. Believe it or not, now is the time to prepare for winter storms starting with poultry farm backup generators. Jess Campbell, Jim Donald and Gene Simpson, all from Auburn University, provided the following information on a generator service checklist. Fuel level — Check the fuel level in the tank to make sure you have at least ...
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Watch out for those pesky weeds
Question: What winter weeds should I be concerned about? Answer : Be on the lookout for annual and perennial weeds are beginning to make their appearance. Some of the most common winter weeds are common chickweed (Stellaria media), mouseear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Florida Betony (Stachys floridana), and annual bluegrass (Poa annua). Common chickweed, mouseear chickweed, and henbit are winter broadl...
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Hobbton FFA selling mums The Hobbton High School FFA has begun their annual fall mum sale. Colors available in 8 inch pots are yellow, orange, red, white and lavender. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Johnny Jessup to purchase your mums at jjessup@sampson.k12.nc.us or 910-594-0242, ext. 34841. (Johnny Jessup/HHS)
Hobbton FFA begins mum sale
Johnny Jessup/HHS Hobbton High School The Hobbton FFA has begun its annual fall mum sale. Colors available in 8-inch pots are yellow, orange, red, white and lavender. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Johnny Jessup to purchase mums at jjessup@sampson.k12.nc.us or 910-594-0242 ext. 34841.
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Fall a great time to plant trees, shrubs
Question: When is the best time to plant trees and shrubs? Answer: Fall is a great time to add trees and shrubs to your landscape! Cooler temperatures help fall planted plants establish more successfully than those planted during the spring and summer. When choosing new plants for your landscape, consider your growing conditions to find plants naturally adapted to your landscape conditions. Amend planting beds well with compost for best res...
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Sampson County 4-H Lamb showman Hannah Long, pictured with her parents, Linda and Steve Long,shows off the Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship ribbon she won at the Cumberland County Fair Lamb Show. Local 4-H staffers say livestock projects not only teach youth responsibility and how to care for an animal, but provide a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together. For more information on how to get involved with this or other 4-H opportunities, call the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Office at 910-592-7161. (Courtesy photo)
Sampson County 4-H Lamb showman
Courtesy photo Hannah Long, pictured with her parents, Linda and Steve Long,shows off the Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship ribbon she won at the Cumberland County Fair Lamb Show. Local 4-H staffers say livestock projects not only teach youth responsibility and how to care for an animal, but provide a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together. For more information on how to get involved with this or other 4-H opportuni...
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Knowing when to — and not to — fertilize your lawn
Question: What is the latest time I can fertilize my centipede lawn? Answer: Even though it is still warm, it doesn’t mean you can continue to fertilize your lawn. Fertilizers are a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (potash), which are the major essential nutrients that most plants require. The percentage amounts of these nutrients depends on the blend of the fertilizer you purchase. Nitrogen is needed for foliage growth ...
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Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant/MCT Ice cream made by Tony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus, the owners of Manolo Blahnik shoes, is featured August 10, 2012. The two own a dairy farm in Litchfield, Conn. and say their production methods make, 'milk like it used to taste.'
Manolos and milk?
Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant/MCT Ice cream made by Tony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus, the owners of Manolo Blahnik shoes, is featured August 10, 2012. The two own a dairy farm in Litchfield, Conn. and say their production methods make, ‘milk like it used to taste.’ Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant/MCT Veronica, a prize-winning cow owned by Manolo Blahnik executives Tony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus watches Gracie, Malkemus’ dog, as it sits ...
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What makes my grapevine stems white?
Question: What causes the white frothy substance on the stems of my grapevines? Answer: An insect known as the spittlebug causes the white frothy foam substance on stems of several types of plants. Recently, many people with muscadine grapevines have been noticing white foam on the vines and grapes that looks like someone has been spitting on them. Seeing this white frothy mass of foam causes alarm and concern for many people because ...
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Fifty- eight youth from across eastern North Carolina participated in the the 16th annual Youth Livestock Round Up at the end of August at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. The event, sponsored by Prestage Farms, showcased the finest talent throughout the county. The4-H staff and Prestage offered ongratulations to the following Sampson County 4-H’ers for winning showmanship awards: Heather Goodrich- Champion Senior Lamb, Wyatt Kendall- Champion Intermediate Lamb & Heifer, Chase Piercy- Senior Heifer, Carlie Piercy- Reserve Senior Heifer. Pictured is Chase Piercy and sister Carlie Piercy with their Reserve Grand Champion heifer named Delilah. If you would like more information on how you can get involved with 4-H activities call the Sampson County 4-H office at 910-592-7161. (Courtesy photo)
Prestage Farms Youth Livestock Round Up
Courtesy Photo Fifty- eight youth from across eastern North Carolina participated in the the 16th annual Youth Livestock Round Up at the end of August at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. The event, sponsored by Prestage Farms, showcased the finest talent throughout the county. The4-H staff and Prestage offered ongratulations to the following Sampson County 4-H’ers for winning showmanship awards: Heather Goodrich- Champion Senior Lamb,...
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Protecting your property with plants
Question: What type of plants could I use as a screen to protect my property from the wind and dust from the adjacent property? Answer: North Carolina has a variety of adapted plants that could be used to screen off your property. When selecting plants, be sure to consider its maximum size, preferred growing conditions and the conditions of your site. Years ago people planted Red Tips as a screen; however, they began declining due to ...
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Prestage Round-Up/ 4-H Livestock Show The community is invited to come and be a spectator at the 16th Annual Prestage Farms Youth Livestock Round-Up the last weekend of August. The goat show will start at 6 p.m. tonight, Aug. 24, followed by the lamb & heifer show starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. The event will be held at the Sampson County Livestock Facility, with youth from at least 12 counties across the state expected to compete. Exhibitors will be judged on how well they present their animal as well as an additional class placing entries that best fit the traits needed for today’s livestock industry on top. This is a free event and the Hippity Hop Rabbit Club will provide a concession stand. Sampson County 4-H greatly appreciates the premiums, ribbons, and prizes that Prestage has continued to provide for the youth across the state. For more information, call the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Office at 910-592-7161.Pictured from left, are: Hunter Mercer, Colbey Matthis, Will Mercer, Owen Flock, Wyatt Kendall, Shane Kendall, Chasen Matthis and Carson Wicke-Bass during a showmanship workshop preparing for the upcoming show season. (Courtesy Photo)
Prestage Round-Up/ 4-H Livestock Show
Courtesy Photo The community is invited to come and be a spectator at the 16th Annual Prestage Farms Youth Livestock Round-Up the last weekend of August. The goat show will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, followed by the lamb & heifer show starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. The event will be held at the Sampson County Livestock Facility, with youth from at least 12 counties across the state expected to compete. Exhibitors will be ...
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Hurricane preparations for local poultry farms
We are about half-way through the 2012 Hurricane season that officially began on June 21, 2012. As you know, we had two Tropical Storms prior to June 1, Alberto and Beryl. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting 15 named storms this year, including Alberto and Beryl. Dr. William Gray and his staff are predicting 13 named storms, 50 named stormed days, five hurricanes, 18 hurricane days, two major hurricanes an...
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Sampson's Lane Hall is congratulated by Sampson Soil and Water supervisor Curtis Barwick for being recipient of the Anna S. Sumner award, which gave him the opportunity to attend the Resources Conservation Workshop earlier this summer. (Courtesy photo)
Hall receives award for conservation workshop
The Resources Conservation Workshop (RCW) is sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in conjunction with the Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society of America, N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the NCSU Soil Science Department. The RCW was held on June 24-29 on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh...
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James Parsons, area poultry specialist in the Duplin Cooperative Extension office was recognized by members of the NC Association of County Agricultural Agents (NCACAA) for his contributions to a statewide poultry publication. The award was presented during this year’s annual NCACAA conference hosted by the southeast district, an 18-county region that includes Duplin County. Mr. Parsons is pictured above with his award and being congratulated by Wanda Clay, director of Duplin County Center NCCE. “James is truly a valuable resource for the poultry industry and he goes the extra mile to keep growers well informed,” Clay said. (Courtesy Photo)
Poultry Specialist recognized by his peers
Courtesy Photo James Parsons, area poultry specialist in the Duplin Cooperative Extension office was recognized by members of the NC Association of County Agricultural Agents (NCACAA) for his contributions to a statewide poultry publication. The award was presented during this year’s annual NCACAA conference hosted by the southeast district, an 18-county region that includes Duplin County. Mr. Parsons is pictured above with his award and be...
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Varroa mite issues and how to clear them out
Question: What are varroa mites? Answer: The varroa mite is an external parasite that is a very serious pest of honeybee colonies. They affect honeybees by attacking the adult bees and the developing bee larvae. These mites have a flat oval shape and are reddish-brown in color. Comparatively, they are about the size of the head of a straight pin. Mites affect colonies of bees by the adult entering the cell of a developing bee larvae a...
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Pictured from left are Lane Hall and Sampson SWCD Supervisor Curtis Barwick. (Courtesy photo)
Hall receives Sumner Award
The Resources Conservation Workshop (RCW) is sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in conjunction with the Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society of America, N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the NCSU Soil Science Department. The RCW was held on June 24-29 on the North Carolina State university campus in Raleigh. ...
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4-H livestock winner Carlie Piercy not only exhibits show-winning cattle across eastern North Carolina, but she also recently brought home some additional awards. Pictured is Carlie with Dr. Barbara Kirby, director of the Agricultural Institute; Ashley Herring, NC Cattlemen’s Association; and N.C. Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, receiving the gold medal for her Beef Cumulative Record Book at the 2012 NC 4-H Partnership Luncheon. She also attended the Junior Red Angus Roundup in Florida in July where she placed first in the Livestock Judging Contest, first in the Essay Contest, and was awarded Highest Junior Overall Individual.(Courtesy Photo)
4-H livestock winner
Courtesy Photo Carlie Piercy not only exhibits show-winning cattle across eastern North Carolina, but she also recently brought home some additional awards. Pictured is Carlie with Dr. Barbara Kirby, director of the Agricultural Institute; Ashley Herring, NC Cattlemen’s Association; and N.C. Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, receiving the gold medal for her Beef Cumulative Record Book at the 2012 NC 4-H Partnership Luncheon. She also att...
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Afternoon thunderstorms, lightning strikes and your trees
Question: Is it possible for lightning to damage trees? Answer: Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer months. With these thunderstorms often comes lightning which can strike various things, including trees. Lightning occurs when negative charges in low clouds and positive charges on the ground meet in the air. These charges move so quickly in the air that, to the human eye, lightning strikes appear as an electrical bolt...
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Combine fires an issue during a hot summer
The time for fall harvest is here. As with many farm hazards, those present in combine harvesting situations are usually recognized. For instance, belts and pulleys needed for operating many components will pull something into them at up to 66 feet per second. And, most recognize these speeds are beyond the human ability to react, not even considering the power that runs the machine and from energy in the machine. These and other hazards may ...
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Jay Darden
Darden promoted at Cape Fear Farm Credit
FAYETTEVILLE — Cape Fear Farm Credit, an agricultural lending cooperative, recently announced that Jay Darden has been promoted to relationship and related services manager. Darden is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in marketing and minor in horticulture. Prior to joining Cape Fear Farm Credit in March 2001, he worked as a commercial horticult...
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