.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

County Extension

  • Morrill Act: 150-year anniversary

    By Tom Woods
    Master Gardener
    Higher education in America was once a luxury for the privileged. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln changed that when he signed the Morrill Act, which established the nation’s land-grant universities and opened doors of higher education to more Americans.
    The act directed funding to agriculture, engineering and mechanical arts education, helping build the infrastructure that has kept us strong and helps feed the world today.

    Click here to read more...
  • Tips for produce preparation

    By Myra Burgess
    Family Nutrition Program Assistant
    Expanded Foods & Nutrition Program
    Brunswick County Cooperative Extension

    •Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.
    •Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded.
    •All produce should be thoroughly washed before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking.

    Click here to read more...
  • Map denotes planting zones

    Most gardeners are familiar with the U.S. Hardiness Zone Map. Typically when consumers purchase plant material, the zones are listed on the tag of the plant.
    The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is used to provide the gardener and grower with a guide for determining if a plant is likely to survive the winter in a garden or field. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree zones. The lower the number on the map, the colder the zone.

    Click here to read more...
  • Go for the green on St. Patrick’s Day

    By Cheryle Jones Syracuse
    Family and Consumer Science Staff
    NC Cooperative Extension Service
    Brunswick County Center

    Click here to read more...
  • Spring tips for pruning hydrangeas

    By Tom Woods
    Master Gardener
    A lot of gardeners grow hydrangeas and this time of year they begin to ask questions about how and when to prune these plants.
    First, we need to consider the different species of hydrangea that are available in this area. If you have a Hydrangea mycrophylla, Big Leaf or French Hydrangea as they are commonly called, these plants flower largely on old wood or stems that were produced last season. Consequently, when we have a spring freeze in April like in 2007, these plants won’t flower.

    Click here to read more...
  • Portion distortion: Think small

    By Cheryle Jones Syracuse
    Family and Consumer Science Staff
    NC Cooperative Extension Service
    Brunswick County Center

    You know the old saying, “My eyes are bigger than my stomach.” This may certainly apply to what some folks are calling “portion distortion.” What I’m talking is about is one of the biggest nutrition problems in America. It’s not what we eat, but how much we eat.

    Click here to read more...
  • Preparing your veggie garden for spring starts with a soil test

    This winter was mild and I can’t believe it is already March and time to be thinking about getting started in the garden again. It is still too early for those warm season vegetables to be planted. The first and most important task in the garden, especially here in Brunswick County, is to take a soil test.
    North Carolina is one of the few states that offer this service for free. The soil test report will tell you how much lime or sulfur and fertilizer your garden soil will need per thousand square feet of growing area.

    Click here to read more...
  • 4-H’ers honored for achievement

    Brunswick County 4-H celebrated 2011 with its annual achievement banquet on Friday, Feb. 24. More than 50 youth and their families attended the Super Hero themed festivities. The night was kicked off with a parade of 4-H youth Super Heros.
    As each name was called and introductions read, youth entered the banquet to the applause of friends, family, 4-H volunteers and staff. Dinner was catered by Smithfield Chicken and Barbeque. During dinner, 4-H youth and their families were treated to a slide show of 2011 memories.

    Click here to read more...
  • 4-H teens train with TiLT

    Thirteen Brunswick County teens trained and planned for the 2012 4-H year from Feb. 10-12 through an innovative 4-H program called Teens in Leadership Training (TiLT). These teens spent the weekend at Fort Caswell and were trained in experiential learning, ages and stages, team building, program planning and more.
    TiLT teens lead, supervise, help plan and assist with Brunswick County 4-H Summer Fun programming and school enrichment. This is the second year of training and assisting these teens to become leaders in Brunswick County.

    Click here to read more...
  • Religion briefs

    Trinity UMC sets March 4 services
    “The Apprentice Mary Magdalene” will be the title of the Rev. Jeff Roberts’ and associate pastor Michelle Sabin’s sermons on Sunday, March 4, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St. in Southport.
    Based on scripture from Luke 8:1-2, this is the second in a sermon series titled “The Apprentice,” based on the TV series, a look at some of the followers of Jesus.

    Click here to read more...