Extension News ~  October 29, 2004

by William M. Pence, Livestock Agent

To understand soil acidity you must first understand the pH scale which ranges from 1 to 14. A pH of 7.0 is defined as neutral with figures below 7.0 being acidic and values above 7.0 being basic. According to data provided by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, around 30 percent of fields would benefit substantially from liming. Over time, soils can become acidic due to the leaching of calcium and magnesium which is especially prone to happen in the sandy soils of Richmond County. Soils can also become acidic due to the decomposition of plant matter over time.

So what are the benefits of proper liming to field crops? Most crops are able to better absorb nutrients at a higher pH. The optimal pH range for most nutrients in our local soils is somewhere between 5.8 and 6.2. It is also important to note that soils with a pH that is too high (> 7.0) can lead to nutrient absorption problems also. Plants that are grown in properly limed soils will develop healthier roots, thereby improving nutrient uptake and drought tolerance. Lime is also a very economical source of calcium. According to Jeff Joyner, certified crop advisor with FCI, lime is the second cheapest nutrient that can be added to the soil.

When making lime recommendations you must take into account the soils acidity and the crop that you plan to grow. It is important to remember that the optimum pH is not the same for all crops. Crops vary in their ability to tolerate a low pH. Plants such as blueberries, azaleas, and many native ornamentals are tolerant of and grow better at a low pH of 4.5 to 5.0. Some of our most common field crops such as corn, cotton, soybeans, tobacco, and many types of vegetables tend to grow better at a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.

Now is one of the best times for farmers and local gardeners to have their soils tested for acidity levels and to apply lime if needed. Soil sample boxes are available here at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office. The grower provides a soil sample, crop information and we in turn send these to the NCDA soil lab where they will be analyzed free of charge. Recommendations will be mailed to you in a few weeks outlining how much lime and/or fertilizer needs to be applied to your soil for proper growth.

For more information on soil samples, feel free to stop by my office at 123 Caroline St. in Rockingham or give me a call at 997-8255. Please remember to attend Farm-City Week activities beginning with Ellerbe's Farmer's Parade on Saturday, November the 20th at 11:00 a.m.

William M. Pence is an Extension Agent, Livestock with North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Richmond Center.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

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Extension News~ October 20, 2004         

by Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

"Landscaping"farmpage/ is a word with a lot of baggage. To some, landscape suggests an opulent extravagance, reserved for formal gardens like those at Biltmore or Versailles. In reality, landscaping involves a lot of practical considerations that anyone with a few square feet of lawn, or a spot to plant a tree, must face. The average homeowner who plants and cuts his own lawn and tends his own shrubs and trees actually needs a better understanding of the art and science of landscaping than a neighbor who may hire a professional .

Landscaping is a science: Plants and outdoor structures are arranged following a plan. The plan requires an evaluation of the lot and the homeowner's needs. Is the site exposed to winter winds that drive up heating costs, or summer sun that keeps the air conditioner humming in July? Does a visitor have a hard time finding the front door, and end up entering the house through the garage? Are there eyesores, like trash cans, heat pumps, or utility areas, that need to hidden from view? Does mowing, watering, and fertilizing the lawn consume all your spare time and money? Do unsavory neighbors rekindle your desire for privacy? A landscape plan can address all of these challenges.

Writing down your site analysis onto a plot plan drawn to scale is a crucial step in landscaping. This will form a foundation for the changes and additions you plan to make. Along with the needs mentioned above, you will want to include existing structures such as walks and driveways, sheds, and established plants, especially large trees. Areas of poor drainage, heavy shade, or steep slopes should be included also.

Many of the values we place on our landscapes are subjective and personal, but others may have measurable impacts on environmental quality and the economic health of a community. Whether daylillies are preferable to dahlias may be a matter of taste, but what is the impact on a community when 5,000 homes per week water their lawns all summer? When a large proportion of those lawns have excessive amounts of fertilizer on them, how is the community affected if several infants suffer from nitrate poisoning when wells are contaminated? Could peak power consumption (and therefore rates per kilowatt hour) be lowered through the judicious use of shade trees? If, as economic developers say, the appearance of the County counts for a great deal when an industry is looking to locate a plant, what is the benefit to Richmond County of greater appreciation and knowledge of residential landscaping?

The Extension Service has several publications to assist you as you plan or modify your home's landscape. Feel free to pick up these publications at our office, which is located at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham, or call us at 997-8255.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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Extension News~ October 20, 2004

by Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Foundation Shrubs

One of the essential elements in a successful landscape is foundation planting for the front of your home. Properly selected, evergreen shrubs harmonize the structure with the environment, and enhance the home's appearance for years with minimal care. Poor selection either means your home is saddled with unthrifty plants, or that plants are so vigorous that windows are blocked, foundations undermined, and eaves invaded.

Fall is an excellent time to plant shrubs in our area. Root growth, essential to getting shrubs successfully established, begins as the soil cools in September. Fall planting gives your shrub six months head start on root development before hot summer weather puts heavy water demands on the plant.

Buying shrubs from one of our local nurseries is an excellent idea: Local nurseries carry plants that are adapted to our area, whereas those grown in high-volume out-of-state nurseries may or may not be adapted to the Sandhills. Be sure first to develop a landscape plan for your property (refer to the companion article), so that you have a "shopping list"farmpage/ for the number and species of plants you need.

Shrub selection is tied to your landscape plan in this way: Depending on the direction your home faces, your foundation may offer dense shade or brutal sun and heat reflected from the home's walls. Also, the location of windows will determine what the mature height of the shrub should be: Whacking back overgrown shrubbery is dreary task, hard on the back, unhealthy for the plant, and pruning mistakes leave glaring errors. It is preferable to plant shrubs that stay short.

Two other considerations: Evergreens are best for foundations, since barren limbs against the foundation are unsightly in winter. Also, consider the optical illusion created by texture: "Fine" textured plants, like conifers, or those with small leaves, will give the illusion of a larger size to the structure, whereas "coarse"farmpage/ textured plants, those with large leaves, tend to dwarf your home. Below are a few proven foundation shrubs for the Sandhills:

Small Shrubs (1'-4' Tall) for Shade: Dwarf Aucuba, Azalea, (Gumpo, Kurume, Satsuki), Boxwood (English or Korean), Daphne, Gardenia radicans, Dwarf Yaupon, Alexandrian Laurel, Leucothoe, Mahonia, and Japanese Skimmia.

Small Shrubs for Sun: Cotoneaster, Carissa Holly, Creeping Juniper, Andorra Juniper, Dwarf Procumbens Juniper, Mugo Pine, Dwarf Nandina, David Viburnum.

The Extension Service has lists of shrubs adapted to North Carolina, as well as planting guides. Feel free to pick up these publications at our office, which is located at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham, or call us at 997-8255.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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Extension News ~  October 1, 2004

by William M. Pence, Livestock Agent

Starting in the mid 1980's and continuing through today North Carolina's poultry industry has undergone a significant and rapid expansion. This growth was driven in part by the various contracting companies visible in our region such as Mountairre, Perdue, and Townsend. This growth has been evident and lasting here in Richmond County as we are a major player in the North Carolina poultry industry from start to finish. Our largest private employer in the county is Perdue which provides over 1,000 jobs or roughly 7% of our workforce. With this growth of the industry a unique challenge has arisen that the North Carolina Cooperative Extension is trying to assist growers in meeting.

The most significant challenge that chicken producers face today and in the near future, is the issue of waste management. As it stands right now producers apply their animal manure to crop land as a beneficial soil amendment, doubling as an organic fertilizer to support crop growth. These operations must be conducted within the framework of a nutrient management plan, senate bill 1217, to reduce nutrient runoff and maximize crop uptake of nutrients. Farmers are not allowed to spread more manure on a field than need be available for the crop that is being grown.

As Taylor Williams mentioned in an article in May, this nutrient management plan currently revolves around the amount of nitrogen that is available for crop uptake. The USDA in 1999 amended its nutrient management standards to start taking into account the amount of phoshorus available in the soil to crops. As with nitrogen, phosphorus is an essential element that is required by crops to produce good yields. The only downside of phosphorus is its tendency to accumulate in the soil when not used by the crop being grown. Couple that with the reapplication of manure year after year and we begin to have an issue which can raise concern. If phosphorus was to leach out of the soil into groundwater it could creep up in streams and rivers and cause algae blooms which result in lowered oxygen levels and fish kills. With that being said the majority of water pollution problems that this state faces today are not linked to agricultural runoff, but can be traced to urbanized areas and the discharge of waste by municipalities.

So, what options do we have available to get rid of chicken litter other than land application? One option that has been investigated, but has proven economically ineffective, is the formation of chicken litter into a pelletized fertilizer that can be sold commercially. Extension specialists at NCSU have recognized the issues that producers have begun to face and have started researching several alternative waste management systems. These systems, although still in the research stage, may prove to be economically feasible to implement on farms throughout the state.

Because this issue has an impact locally here in Richmond County the extension advisory council will be going to Raleigh on Febuary 2nd of this coming year. We will be meeting with Dr. Frank Humenik who is the waste management extension specialist at NCSU. We will be discussing waste management issues and viewing the data that he has collected on waste management systems that are in the research stage. If anyone would like any further information on any topics discussed, feel free to stop by my office at 123 Caroline St. in Rockingham or give me a call at 997- 8255. Also, remember that Farm City Week has been scheduled for November the 20th - 24th. Make your plans to attend this celebration of farming.

William M. Pence is an Extension Agent, Livestock with North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Richmond Center.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

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Extension News ~  October 1, 2004

by Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Richmond County Farms: 'What's growin'?

Richmond County farmers grew more than $104 million of farm products in 2003. Each year, my staff and I collect data on the previous year's output, using contacts with growers and integrators, field observations, Farm Service Agency records, and some educated guesses to estimate the agricultural output for the County.

2003 was the first year that Richmond County's farm income exceeded $100 million. Following the drought year of 2002, when farmers produced $84 million, 2003 was overall a relatively good year, with stable prices and decent weather. Floods along the Pee Dee River in April and May 2003 delayed and prevented some planting, but weather was otherwise benign.

By far the largest single income category was poultry, at $81.9 million. Richmond County has 90 broiler farms that produced over 32 million birds last year. As contract growers, farmers normally receive about 15% of the value of the birds they raise under contract for an integrator: Therefore, the actual payment to these 90 farmers would have been substantially less than $81 million- perhaps on the order of $12 million. However, poultry is a dependable source of income, and larger than any other farm product.

Broiler production also anchors a significant portion of Richmond County's non-farm economy: Perdue Farms is Richmond County's largest private sector employer. with more than 1000 workers who mix feed, monitor flocks, and transport and process chickens. Perdue and the other integrators also anchor a healthy service and manufacturing economy locally in packaging, trucking, and finance.

Tobacco was raised on 40 farms in Richmond County, generating $2.3 million in 2003. Down from $3.9 million in 1997, the tobacco suffers from litigation and foreign imports. Farmers have made up much of this income by increasing sales of fruits and vegetables: Richmond County grew $4.8 million in this category in 2003, versus $1.9 million in 1997. Sweet corn, watermelons, squash, peaches, and strawberries, and sweetpotatoes are some of the main produce crops grown in the County.

Field crops other than tobacco are important to Richmond County: Farmers grew $5.4 million in row crops and forages in 2003. Cotton ($1.5 million), hay ($2.1 million), soybeans ($740 thousand), corn ($309 thousand), wheat ($180 thousand), are the major crops grown here.

A healthy livestock industry exists as well in Richmond County: 12 swine farms produced $6.6 million worth of hogs in 2003. Nearly $1 million in beef cattle were raised here as well.

Greenhouse and nursery growers earned $1 million in 2003. The industry is stable, not having changed significantly in a decade.

Richmond County's Farm City Week Celebration kicks off with the annual Farmer's Day Parade in Ellerbe on Saturday, November 20. Celebrated each year during Thanksgiving week, for 48 years this observance has honored the connection and interdependence of farms that grow food and fiber and the markets and mills they supply in our national economy. The Extension Service has can fill in the details on the Farm-City Week Celebration this year. Stop by our office at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham or call us at 997-8255.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS September 15, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Organic Farming?

Fresh produce is the largest category in organic purchases, but dairy is the most rapidly growing, having risen 500 percent between 1994 and 1999. Breads and cereals are rising rapidly as well.

Rising demand for organic dairy and bread offers opportunities for grain farmers: Organic grains are required both for organic bread as well as feed for livestock in organic dairies.

The price premium for organic grain is presently double or triple that of conventional grain: Lindley Mills in Graham, NC pays farmers between $4.75 and $5.50/bu for delivered wheat, and Braswell Milling Company in Nashville, NC reportedly offers $5.75/bu. for delivered corn. Organic soybean prices range from $9 - $16/bushel, but to get these prices, farmers must deliver to Ohio or Virginia.

Conventional farmers considering organic production face significant hurdles: Off-farm inputs, like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are replaced by large increases in farm labor, tillage, and manure. Also, another layer of regulation faces organic farmers, who must pay for a certifying agency to inspect the farm and audit his production practices.

Land in organic production must be free of both chemical pesticides and fertilizers for 36 months before harvest. A 50-foot buffer must exist between organic and conventional crops, pest control must use cultural practices with approved organic pesticides, and grain must be harvested and stored separately from non-organic grain.

Farmers interested in organic farming should acquaint themselves with the rules and put a sharp pencil to anything they consider doing. A number of resources are available for farmers considering organic production:

Organic farming is not suitable for every farm, probably not even most farms in Richmond County, but the trends in consumer demand, the increasing urbanization of North Carolina, and the abundance of poultry and other animal manures means that there is a potential advantage for a farmer wanting to tiptoe into organics. The time may be right to give organic production a closer look.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS September 15, 2004

By: William Pence, Extension Agent, Livestock

With cattle prices at an all time high, Richmond County cattle producers are truly living in the good ole' days. Local cattle producers have a couple of marketing options available to sell their product. It goes without saying that these options are more worthwhile if a producer has followed sound management practices. Good high quality feeder cattle are not produced through luck, but through good breeding practices, herd health programs and forage management.

The first and most widely used type of sale is the weekly livestock auction. According to Dale Miller, Beef Marketing Specialist at NC State, "approximately 25 different sale facilities exist in North Carolina which hold a sale of this type." These auctions operate year round with the greatest concentrations of cattle being sold in the fall and early spring months. These auctions repackage a wide variety of cattle such as bulls and cull calves into lots that are more desirable to buyers. Buyers at these types of sales vary from commercial cattlemen to packers and traders.

The second sale option that is available to producers are the North Carolina Graded Feeder Cattle Sales. These are cooperative efforts by the NCDA, the NC Cattlemen's Association, the NC Cooperative Extension and the participating livestock markets. Cattle sold at these options are sorted into uniform lots based on weight, sex, breed, and grade. "Feeder cattle grading standards developed by the USDA in 1979 are used to assemble similar cattle types with a maximum weight spread of 100 pounds," says Miller. "By grouping these cattle into lots buyers are able to minimize transportation and assembly costs, thus increasing their value." These cattle have consistently brought $5.00-7.00/cwt.over the same cattle sold through weekly auctions. To put this into perspective, a 500 pound steer will bring $25.00-35.00 more at a graded sale versus a weekly sale.

So where is the most convenient place to market your cattle? Richmond County cattle producers have three options that are within a short distance of home. They are Monroe, Norwood, and Siler City. All three of these locations run weekly livestock auctions. Norwood and Siler City both have graded feeder calf sales available. Norwood is probably the option most utilized by growers here in Richmond County and the surrounding region. If anyone would like a schedule of the feeder calf sales or directions to these markets please feel free to stop by my office at 123 Caroline St. in Rockingham or call me at 997-8255.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

William Pence is an Extension Agent, Livestock with North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Richmond Center.

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EXTENSION NEWS September 1, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Stinging Insects

Social insects like bees and wasps are, on balance, beneficial as pollinators of crops and predators of insect pests. Unfortunately, they defend their nests tenaciously, and they are armed with stingers at the ends of their abdomens. Vibrations near nests (lawn mowers, tractors, or heavy footfalls) may bring stinging defenders forth in fury. Yellow jackets are especially aggressive.

- Wear shoes or boots.

- Don't dress like a flower: Avoid perfume, hair spray or other products with floral scents, and choose dull tan, light, but not flower colored clothing (including bathing suits!)

- Wear clothes with tight weaves. Wool, felt, or terry cloth could trap a stinging insect, which may panic and sting the wearer.

- Don't linger near trash cans.

- Cover food and drinks, especially meats and sugary drinks. There are special "bee guard" covers for canned drinks available at local grocery stores.

- Scout picnic spots for nearby nests in the ground, in trees, or in structures.

- If a wasp or bee lands on you, don't panic. At this point, they are only curious. Keep 'em that way; gently blow or brush them away, but don't swat or wave at the insect.

- Repellents are invaluable against mosquitoes and ticks but useless against bees and wasps.

- If you are allergic, or work outdoors, consult your doctor about an epinephrine kit.

You may wish to ignore a nest that is remote from people, especially as fall approaches, since the nest will be abandoned with the onset of freezing weather. If you find a wasp or hornet nest in an area that cannot be avoided, destroying the nest is probably necessary. Mark the location of the nest, and schedule a time at night (when they can't see you) when you and at least one other person can destroy the nest. Don't hold a flashlight or stand near auto headlights, as the angry vespids will surely stampede the light source.

Ground nests, typical for yellow jackets, can be drenched with an insecticide, such as ?Advanced Lawn?, ?Tempo?, ?Talstar?, ?Scimitar?, ?Sevin?, or ?Deltagard?, mixed in one or two gallons of water. Have your partner close up the entrance hole with a shovel full of soil immediately after treatment. Gasoline or oil rarely works, is flammable, and poisons the environment.

Aerial nests, made by baldfaced hornets, paper wasps, and others, can be killed at dusk with aerosol sprays. The best of these spray a steady stream, which you can direct to the entrance of the nest and which is strong enough to penetrate the paper covering the nest. I find it useful, even essential, to have at least two aerosol cans in case one stops at an awkward moment. The quick knockdown foggers, in addition to the insecticide stream types, are also useful weapons to drop determined skirmishers which break off from the enemy's flanks.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director with the North Carolina Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS    September 1, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Pesticide Training

Under the North Carolina Pesticide Law of 1971, if you apply pesticides to any property other than your own, you need a license. This is true whether or not you receive a fee for your services. Examples of those who need commercial pesticides are those who spray shrubbery, kill fire ant mounds, treat pets for fleas, or even lay down ?Weed & Feed? fertilizers, since these contain herbicides.

Farmers who apply pesticides to their own crops usually need a license. Some of the most widely used crop protectants are classified as ?restricted use?, and are unavailable for purchase or use without a permit. The license for farmers is a ?private permit?, and can be used to apply pesticides only for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him or his employer.

In order to obtain any license, you must pass a test administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Pesticide Section. They offer exams throughout the year at various locations around the state. You can schedule a test by calling the NCDA Pesticide Section at (919) 733-3556, or you can visit the website at http://www.ncagr.com/fooddrug/pesticid/exam.htm

After having earned a pesticide license, the license holder must take continuing education credits, offered by Extension Agents and other trained pesticide educators. Farmers have always had to take 2 hours of safety training (the ?V? category) once every three years. A new requirement was adopted in 2003 for an additional 2 hours of "specialized" rectification credit hours to maintain their pesticide license. Classes in this ?X? category are held periodically throughout the year to obtain these credits.

Richmond County has two pesticide meetings coming up:

A mosquito control program, held jointly with Environmental Health of Richmond County, will be held on 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening September 16 at the Extension Office, 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham. 2 hours in Categories A, B, K, L, N, D and X applied for.

Also, A Pesticide Safety Training (2 hours V) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening, September 23, at the Extension Office, 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham. Call us at 997-8255 if you wish to attend.

Lee County has two pesticide trainings planned. One on Sept. 8 from 9-12 for all commercial credit and private X. Don Nicholson will hold safety training (2hrs V) from 6:30-8:30 also on Sept. 23. Call Sarah or Don at (919) 775-5624.

Chatham County has a program with 2 hours credit in X as well as L, N, & D on Tuesday Aug 31st. Ornamental Pest Management Strategies. Targeted at landscape, nursery, and greenhouse people. Complete details available at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/homehort/PestMgmt08312004.pdf No fees but Al Cooke would appreciate a call from anyone planning to attend, at 919-542-8202.

Scotland County training is scheduled for September 23 also, but it will be in the morning. 2 hours X training at 10 am and 2 hours V training at 1:30. Call David Morrison at 910-277-2422.

Want to get rid of unwanted pesticides? Richmond County will be holding a pesticide collection day on Wednesday, November 3. More information will be availible later.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director with the North Carolina Extension Service.

EXTENSION NEWS August 18, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Tobacco Buyout

Last Wednesday, the farmers who met with Congressman Robin Hayes in Rockingham had questions about the proposed tobacco buyout, which has passed both House and Senate, and is presently being considered by conference committees to harmonize the House and Senate versions.

Taylor Williams is Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. 

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EXTENSION NEWS August 4, 2004

By: William Pence, Extension Agent, Livestock

As the summer winds down and fall begins to close in, farmers are more succeptible to have problems with a pest called the fall armyworm. Fall armyworms are a common turf and pasture pest that are capable of killing or severely stunting the growth of grasses. The fall armyworm will feed on a variety of grasses, but they cause more damage in our area to bermuda hay fields and in some cases corn. Other crops that they will feed on include ryegrass, corn, cotton, and small grain crops. Infestations of these worms are greatest in years with mild winters and dry summers which, for the most part, describes our pattern of weather here in Richmond County.

To understand the fall armyworm you must first understand their life cycle. Fall armyworms are a tropical insect species. As such, only the gulf coast region of the United States affords mild enough wintertime temperatures to assure their survival. Seasonal fall armyworm activities in non-overwintering areas begin with the egg laying moths moving northward out of their native ranges. They typically arrive in North Carolina in late July into August. The moths will lay their eggs and in about 5-10 days they will hatch and the young worms will scatter about in search of food. Once they mature they will burrow underground and will emerge as moths in 2-3 weeks to establish a new generation. Once armyworms are established, new generations can occur every 20-25 days. Several generations of fall armyworms can occur each year in North Carolina.

Fall armyworms are most active during the early morning and early evening, but will feed at anytime during the day. Small larvae will do superficial damage while the larger larvae can cause more extensive damage. The mature worm will be approximately 1.5 inches long. Its color will vary from green to almost black, but will have light stripes visible along the length of the body. It will also have a large inverted Y on the top of its head. When large populations of worms are present, the appearance of dead areas will often appear overnight. While they do not kill the grass, they will feed heavily upon a stand and cause it to have an unsightly appearance. When they exhaust their food supply they will usually move in mass like an "army" to adjacent areas where they can find a fresh stand of food to feed upon.

Mature fall armyworms are rather difficult to control with chemicals. Pyrethroids will do a reasonable job as will Sevin and Orthene against the smaller worms. If the worms are very large (around an inch and a half) then they will be preparing to burrow underground and control efforts will most likely be ineffective.

If you have any further questions about the fall armyworm call the Cooperative Extension service at 910-997-8255, or feel free to stop by our office at 123 Caroline St. in Rockingham.

 William Pence is an Extension Agent, Livestock with North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Richmond Center.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

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EXTENSION NEWS July 21, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Sandhills AgriCulture on the Map!!!

Farmers in the Sandhills have had to get creative to find new ways to sell their plants and produce. Some have added livestock or game to their operations, and Richmond County has the state's only alligator farm. One thing common to these farms, whether peach, strawberry, sweet corn, or game is the need for customers to find their products. The most lucrative business model is to have customers purchase what farmers sell directly from the farm. Since late in 2002, volunteers from Richmond, Anson, Moore, and Montgomery have been putting together a marketing plan to lure customers to the Sandhills to visit farms. The region is known for its stunning beauty, rolling hills studded with longleaf pines, Pinehurst golf, crystal clear waterways, and produce growing consistently sweet in well-drained sandy soil.

The challenge has always been to market these farms to urban populations, both within and outside of the Sandhills. Until now, this was done by putting a farm stand on a busy road, like US 220 or US 1. But as the completion date of 2005 for I 73/74 looms, farmers fear that the majority of their customers will forsake their stands, and hurry by on limited access highways. Coinciding with highway construction has been the decline of tobacco, which forces farmers to increase their income by growing and selling more fruits, flowers, and vegetables.

The Sandhills Agritourism Task Force, with membership from farms, tourism, news media, arts council, historical society, and Cooperative Extension, has created a website, signs, brochures, and now a map of its farms to help travelers rediscover our farms. These 15 volunteers interviewed 60 farmers over the past year, assembled the information, and designed and printed 10,000 full color maps with photos, descriptions, and directions to the 60 farms.

The maps were printed and delivered about a week ago. They are currently being distributed through hotels, highway welcome centers, chambers of commerce, and AAA offices in the four Counties. "We're hoping to intercept visitors in the drive market who might plan a farm tour of their own on their way through the region", says Mary Kim Koppenhoffer from Pinehurst Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We also realize that the farmer's best chance for repeat business comes from the four counties and surrounding counties".

The 60 farms sell products or services from crops or livestock grown on their farms in the Counties of Anson, Montgomery, Moore and Richmond. The farms are open to the public for at least part of the year. There are 18 Pick-Your-Own, 4 Farmers Markets, 32 Farm Stands, 20 Greenhouses and Plant Nurseries, 5 Livestock, and 6 Sites of Special Interest (some farms fit two or more categories, so the total exceeds 60). Using grant funds from the Golden Leaf Foundation, there was a tight deadline for completion. The time frame and the need to rely on volunteers led to a few sites being inadvertently left off. These will be included in a revised list once the present map is distributed.

"Some of our Pinehurst customers suggested that we have more signs so they could find us" said Jamie Lambeth from Derby, whose family's "Triple L Farms" is on the map. "This map should make it easier for them to come visit us."

A web version of the map can be found at our website, www.sandhillsagriculture.com . Want a printed copy of the map, or want to be included in the next version? Call us at the Extension Office (997-8255) or visit us at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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SPECIAL TO THE DAILY JOURNAL

July 21, 2004

By: William Pence, Extension Agent, Livestock

The 4-H youth livestock program gives parents the unique opportunity to expose their children to farm life and is an activity in which the entire family can participate. This year, thirteen Richmond County children will be raising and showing goats provided by breeders John and Velma McInnis of Norman. These children will have the opportunity to compete in several county shows around the area for cash prizes, ribbons, and trophies. The culmination of the show circuit is the state fair where the goats are sold and in most cases bring upwards of $100.

So, what can you do if your child is interested in raising and showing livestock? Many of our current 4-H parents would be more than happy to answer questions, and extension agents and local breeders are available to provide more guidance. Feel free to call the local extension office at 997-8255, or visit us at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham with any questions you may have. Finally, plan on attending our local show which will be held on the 16th of October at the Richmond County Agricultural Fairgrounds to see what lessons a goat can teach you.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

EXTENSION NEWS July 7, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Richmond County Gets New Livestock Agent

That is no longer the case. This year, the Richmond County Commissioners provided funds to cover a shortfall in the state portion of Extension's budget to provide for a new position to handle livestock work in Richmond. The new position was advertised in March, and three qualified applicants were interviewed on May 27, in a grueling two hour interview composed of 18 farmers and extension staff. William Pence, the strongest of three talented applicants, was hired on June 28.

William, a Richmond County native, is excited to take charge: "I look forward to helping Richmond County's farmers meet the challenges and demands the future holds. New regulations, increasing costs, volatile markets, and threats from foreign animal disease have to be faced in common by all farmers, and the information NC State University provides can help farmers adjust."

William will provide leadership for Extension programs in nutrient and forage management, livestock production and marketing, hay, cotton, soybean, and grain production in Richmond County. Besides farmers, William will work with 4-H'ers in the youth livestock program.

Before becoming Richmond County's livestock agent, William worked for the Department of Corrections as a grounds supervisor. William also has five years experience working as an environmental consultant on Fort Bragg, helping to monitor environmental impact on the 160,000 acres of Sandhills habitat. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

William worked three summers on two Richmond County farms, for Jerry Morgan in the Wolf Pit Community, and for Dr. Will Cooley in Wagram. He also worked with both of his grandfathers on their family cattle farms in Richmond County. His interests are hunting, fishing, boating, and amateur archeology.

Richmond County has 251 farms that produce $85 million farm income annually. Agriculture supports a significant proportion of the manufacturing base of the County: Perdue Farms is Richmond County's largest private employer, providing more than 1000 jobs. Commerce from poultry processing, packaging, and transportation depends upon Richmond County's 90 broiler farms, which produce 33 million birds worth $69 million annually. Other livestock include 75 cattle, 12 swine, 22 sheep and goat, and horse farms that earn more than $7 million annually.

You can bring William your livestock questions to the Extension Office at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham, or by telephone at 997-8255 to arrange for a farm visit. Or, some day soon, William may drop by to chat with you at your farm.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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On a fine Sunday afternoon at Millstone 4-H Camp, 150 4-H alumni, supporters, parents, and youth from across the state dedicated the "House that 4-H Peanuts Built". The farm house, moved to Richmond County in March from its original location on Ramsey Street in Fayetteville, was built in 1939 by Rudolph Ellis from the proceeds of a 4-H project that grew into a thriving business.

"In 1935, my Daddy planted an acre of peanuts for his 4-H project. But that fall, when he harvested his peanuts, prices were so poor that he couldn't recover the cost of his seed," recalled Dr. Sharon Ellis Joyner. "Remembering how much he loved eating his roasted nuts, he figured others would too. My grandmother let him roast an entire acre of peanuts in her kitchen, and with a wagon that he bought to tow behind his bicycle, he delivered his bags of peanuts to stores and restaurants in Fayetteville, 15 miles away."

The enterprise boomed, and within three years, Ellis purchased the farm his family sharecropped. Then, in 1939, Ellis and his father built the attractive one and one half frame house from timber cut from the farm. "Imagine, if you will, living in your house at age fifteen, and imagine that you saw that your family needed a better house to live in," mused Dr. Theoron McKinney, State 4-H Leader. "This young man found the means to do this in the germ of an idea gleaned from his 4-H peanut project." Dr. Joyner explained with graceful simplicity, "With this 4-H project my father was able to overcome the confines of the Great Depression".

The Ellis story was recorded in 1940 in Jane Mckimmon's book, When We're Green, We Grow, copies of which are found in libraries and Extension Offices across the state. On a chance idle moment in the fall of 2000, Cumberland County Extension Director George Autry opened the book, and noticing the picture of Rudolph Ellis from Cumberland County, wondered if Mr. Ellis was still living in Fayetteville. Records in the FSA office showed a farm in Mr. Ellis's name still existed, but his calls to the listed number were unanswered. An Extension Homemaker put Autry in touch with Sharon Ellis Joyner, Ellis's daughter who lives in Atlanta.

With the farm under contract for development, a new home for the house was needed. Dr. Joyner called Autry to explore ways to donate it to the 4-H program. Conferring with Sharon Rowland, Executive Director of the 4-H Development Fund, it was decided that the building would be perfect as a 4-H Museum, to house memorabilia and project records at Camp Millstone. Funds from 200 individuals were raised along with a significant grant from the Cole Foundation, and in March the building was moved 61 miles from Fayetteville.

The museum, when it is completed for the centennial of 4-H in 2009, is expected to be a huge draw for the 200,000 current 4-H'ers, as well as countless thousands of alumni and parents across North Carolina. "Camp Millstone draws thousands of people annually to Richmond County, who experience at Millstone the beauty of the Sandhills. These visitors to Millstone patronize our farms and produce stands, dine or stay at Ellerbe Springs and other restaurants and inns, and thus contribute to the local economy during their stay at Millstone" said Kenneth Robinette, Chair of Richmond County's Board of Commissioners in his welcoming remarks to the celebrants Sunday. Of Ellis he said, "It is fitting that this building, built by the resources and ingenuity of a young man inspired and nurtured by 4-H, should enshrine and bear witness to the achievement of thousands of young North Carolinians over the past century. It is also a fitting tribute to the parents, agents, and volunteer leaders that gave their time selflessly to their children, their club, and their community."

Much work remains to be done on the building before it is opened as a museum in five years. By then, it is hoped that funds will be secured to endow a curator and supply displays furnishings to interpret thousands of artifacts in seven rooms in the home, as well as landscaping. If you would like to donate memorabilia or funds to the project, you can call me or Ms. Mary Bowles at (910) 997-8255, or Sharon Rowland at (919) 515 -3944.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS June 23, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, Richmond County Extension Director

Richmond County 4-H Youth Get Goats

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS June 23, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Tomato Leaf Diseases

Each year, we see many tomato plants begin to decline in late June and die in early August. Most home garden varieties, like 'Better Boy', 'Fantastic', 'German Johnson', or 'Rutgers' should be productive until frost. These tomatoes are 'indeterminant' varieties, which is to say that they continue to send out new leaves and shoots even after large amounts of fruit are set. Determinant varieties, like 'Celebrity', 'Mountain Spring' or 'Mountain Fresh' stop growing after reaching a certain size, and tend to decline naturally as the fruit matures. Whether your tomatoes are determinant or indeterminant, you can extend their productive life by keeping their leaves healthy.

Recent rainy weather are making foliar diseases on tomatoes appear. You may have noticed yellowing of the lower leaves, with dark spots of various sizes. In comparison with wilts, which kill the plant by destroying stem tissue, leaf diseases are not normally fatal to the tomato plant. (Wilts, such as verticillium and fusarium, can be avoided by the use of resistant varieties such as 'Better Boy', 'Mountain Pride', and 'Celebrity'. Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, spread by thrips feeding on young plants, cannot be cured, but can be avoided by planting in early April or late May, to avoid the thrips that are heaviest in the first half of May). Leaf spots, while not fatal to the plant, reduce fruit yield significantly.

You can treat your tomatoes for leaf spots. Rainfall has the potential to start these foliar diseases, which begin when soil-borne spores splash during rains onto the lower leaves.

Two of the most common leaf diseases are gray leaf spot and septoria leaf spot. Septoria leaf spot starts out as small water-soaked areas on the leaf that die out to form a circular spot no more than 1/8 inch in diameter. The spots have light tan centers and dark margins. Gray leaf spot is another disease to look for. As with Septoria, the lower leaves are affected first, turning yellow, followed by the appearance of small gray spots. Instead of circles, gray leaf spots are angular. Over time, the spots may dry and crack open. The most serious foliar disease is early blight, which form tan lesions that have dark, concentric rings in them. Spots on the leaves grow bigger, until the leaf is killed. Early blight also blemishes and rots fruits.

Control of all three diseases are similar. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil or mancozeb can be used to prevent new spots from forming. Apply these sprays weekly at any dry opportunity in otherwise wet, rainy weather. BravoTM, DithaneTM, DaconilTM, EquusTM, and Ferti·LomeTM liquid fungicide are four products that carry one of these active ingredients. Be certain that the product has tomatoes listed on the label, and follow labeled instructions carefully.

For organic gardeners, copper compounds like Bordeaux mixtures, and wettable sulfur will also work. Remember to observe labeled rates and reentry intervals. Remember to keep your tomato plants well-fertilized. Removing yellowed, diseased leaves, staking the plants, and mulching them to prevent soil splash are sensible cultural practices. Long rotations also help, because the fungal spores build up in the soil from year to year when tomatoes follow tomatoes.

All three of these diseases over-winter on old tomato foliage or on weeds closely related to tomatoes, like horsenettle and jimsonweed. Remove tomato plants and cultivate the garden in fall. Rotate plantings so that tomatoes are not replanted in the same area within three years. Control weeds in the garden. These are good preventative practices for more than leaf spot diseases on tomatoes.

Extension Service has information on garden diseases. Please call us at 997-8255 or stop by the Extension Center to pick up these publications today. Our office is located at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Richmond County Center.

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EXTENSION NEWS May 26, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Support Your Farmers Market

The Rockingham Farmers Market began its fourth season Saturday, May 8, at 8a.m. The market is held each Saturday Morning until noon, or until all of the produce is sold. The farmers market is located on the square in downtown Rockingham.

On May 8, Mother's Day weekend, the farmers participated in the Arts and Agriculture Festival with Arts Richmond and the Downtown Rockingham Corporation. Flowers and plants from Bountiful Gardens were abundant and beautiful, but other offerings at the market were limited because of cool rainy weather that prevented planting some early crops. However, by this coming Saturday, shoppers at the market will find new potatoes, English peas, onions, squash, strawberries, jams, homemade soap, broccoli, cabbage, and other locally grown produce.

Ruth Bolton, Northside area farmer, has agreed to serve as Coordinator for the market, to communicate with members and customers as a point of contact for the market. Better communication among members will ensure that customers will find what they want at the market in the coming season. Ellerbe farmer Robert Hill agreed to serve as Market Promoter, to arrange for signs and media coverage for the market. The farmers appointed Barry Wescott, Diggs area grower, with location amenities like electrical outlets and trash receptacles. Lenzton farmer Edwin Richardson is reviewing market rules with the membership to ensure that locally grown produce is offered to customers, and to recruit new growers. Ken Hill from the Millstone Community will assist Mr. Richardson in this effort.

An exciting feature of the farmer's market this year are the festivals held in collaboration with Arts Richmond. A festival is planned on the second Saturday of each month, with a local product offering as a theme. Family activities and music are provided free of charge, arranged by Arts Richmond. The next festival will be held June 12.

The Rockingham Farmers Market is a true farmer's market, featuring only locally-grown produce. Because the fruit and vegetables are as fresh as possible, nutrition and flavor are at their peak. A tomato picked green and trucked in from out of state can't compare with one you buy fresh from the grower. Fresh produce eaten in season can measurably improve your diet, and can instill an appetite for wholesome foods in a child who rejects frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.

The market also gives farmers a place to diversify and sell more goods, which helps to promote the local economy. Family farms can help to preserve green space, and a farmer's market can re-forge the relationship between farmer and consumer which has eroded. Consumers, especially children, don't associate their food supply with the farms on which they are grown, and at times believe that it originates at the supermarkets where they shop.

The Rockingham Farmers Market will be open every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon, The market is expected to stay open until fall. The farmers market is looking forward to a successful season, with more selling days and members this season as more consumers learn about the fresh, local produce available, and more growers participate. Any grower wishing to join the market is encouraged to come to call the Extension Office (997-8255) if you would like to learn more about the Rockingham Farmers Market.

We look forward to seeing you at the Rockingham Farmers Market!

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS May 26, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Centipede Lawn Care

Centipede is one of the best grasses to use for turf in our area. It is drought tolerant, and requires a minimum of care once it is established, and is also one of the better grasses in shady areas. Centipede, as opposed to tall fescue, is a warm season grass, making its best growth in summer. Its straw color in winter, offensive to some though handsome to others, is a perfectly natural characteristic of its dormant period.

Homeowners unfamiliar with centipede should be aware that it is unique; none of the rules for growing other grass apply to centipede. First of all, centipede likes an acid soil, in the range of pH 5.5 to 5.7. You should be careful about applying lime to centipede unless directed to do so on a soil test. Second, it requires very little fertilizer once it is established. Centipede especially does not like high rates of Nitrogen applied to it. (Fertilizers are sold as percentages of Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium. A "5-10-30" fertilizer is 5% Nitrogen, 10% Phosphate, and 30% Potassium oxide). High nitrogen fertilizers, with analysis of 30-3-5 or 28-4-7, may make your centipede dark green, but the lush growth will die out in summer heat, and the lawn will begin to decline.

Potassium is far more important to centipede health than nitrogen. As in all plants, potassium is important for water use by centipede. Adequate potassium levels enable the grass to withstand both summer drought and winter injury. Phosphorous, like nitrogen, should not be over applied, because it may interfere with iron uptake. Iron gives centipede a healthy green color without over stimulating its growth, and can for this purpose be applied as a liquid or granular form.

Wait until June to fertilize an established centipede lawn. Instead of 30-3-5, use a high potassium fertilizer, such as 8-0-24 or 6-6-18. These are available at farm supply centers and old line garden stores. You need only a half pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet of lawn. (To calculate how much fertilizer to apply per 1000 square feet of lawn, divide 50 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. Thus, 6.25 pounds of 8-0-24 are needed per thousand square feet). Do not apply too much! A typical half acre lawn needs only 150 pounds of 8-0-24, or 75 pounds of 15-0-15. As always, a soil test taken now will give you the best idea of what and how much fertilizer to use.

View the following internet link to NC State University's Centipedegrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar: http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/pubs/management/ag381.html. This will answer many questions related to centipede. including this question from one reader:

Q. Taylor, I could use some advice. My back yard is also my dog lot. The Centipede is all but gone and nut and wire grass have taken over. What type of grass (outside of Bahia or green cement) will stand high amounts of traffic?

A. Dogs are difficult to deal with. What you have is a "high traffic" situation. Centipede is a poor choice for traffic. If your site is full sun, you will want to convert to bermuda, either common, which can be seeded, even this late in the year, or hybrid like the Tifway types you see on the golf fairways. Hybrid bermudas cannot be seeded-only sprigged, plugged, or sodded. If you have shade, you may want to go with Zoysia, which may be the best all around grass for us in this area. Zoysia is adapted to high traffic, to drought, and to shade. On the down side, Zoysia is expensive and takes time to establish. Like hybrid bermuda,zoysia must be sprigged, plugged, or sodded. Three Zoysia varieties are widely planted "Myers" (=Z52 advertised in magazines), "Emerald" (very pretty, but slow to establish) and "El Toro" (faster to establish than most Zoysias). Any of these can be purchased from turf farms, such as Sandhills Turf in Candor (910-673-2177).

Be sure to take a soil test first. Don't spend any money without getting this free information from NCDA's Soil Lab.

The Extension Service has information on lawns. Please stop by the Extension Center to pick up these publications today, at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham, or you can call us at 997-8255.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension program opportunities are offered to all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.

Taylor Williams is County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Richmond County Center.

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EXTENSION NEWS May 12, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Phosphorous

Phosphorous is essential to all living things; it is found in all cells in membranes, cell metabolism, and in the structure of the genes that code for heredity. In plants, phosphorous (P) promotes root growth, flowering, and maturity. So important is phosphorous to plants that it is one of the three required elements in all balanced fertilizers.

Plants get phosphorous from the soil, or from fertilizers and manures applied to the soil. Soils in Richmond County are on the whole quite low in native P, but where phosphorous has been added, it tends to build up rapidly and remain. The animal industry has been a great blessing to Richmond County farmers and gardeners, increasing the productivity of our nutrient-poor soils by furnishing generous amounts of phosphorous: One ton of chicken litter supplies roughly 30 lbs. of P per ton, enough to supply most of the phosphorous removed from the soil by 85 bushels of corn or 3 tons of hay.

Unfortunately, too much phosphorous can be a problem: If large amounts of P wash from the soil, excessive algae growth in streams and lakes occurs, leading to low oxygen levels and fish kills. And although most instances of nutrient pollution are traced to municipal or industrial waste, a concern exists that animal manures, if applied at excessive levels, could be washed from fields to harm streams and lakes.

Farmers are required by law to limit applications of manure to levels needed to grow crops. Historically, these regulations focused on the crop's nitrogen (N) needs. However, because of the concerns about phosphorous, in 1999 USDA's Natural Resource and Conservation Services (NRCS) amended its nutrient management standards (590) to require risk assessment of the phosphorous applied. Because crops remove far less N than P, farmers under phosphorous-based plans would be permitted to use much less manure on their crops. This greatly increases the farmer's costs: Less manure means he must spend more on chemical fertilizer to grow the same crop, must drive further to find fields to apply waste, and must pay higher rents for fields needed by other farmers in the same situation.

Fortunately, by no means all farms in North Carolina will need to apply manure based on P content. Each state was given latitude to develop a plan to evaluate the risk of phosphorous losses from fields. Some states followed a hard line, allowing no more manure than the crop could remove wherever soil phosphorous was found to be adequate. In North Carolina, a balance was struck: Not all fields that have moderate to high levels of P are at risk of releasing phosphorous from the site into the state's waters. Instead, soil scientists at NC State created a model based on measurements of P movement from specific soils. In a nutshell, the scientists boiled down phosphorous losses from fields to soil erosion, to runoff, and to leaching to ground water from rainfall. All of these factors can be measured, and can be evaluated on site by soil type, phosphorous content, slope length and severity, plant cover, and distance to water source.

The state has been updating farmers' nutrient management plans on a schedule: A few Richmond County farmers received notification this winter that their farms would need to be evaluated for Phosphorous losses. This has left them scrambling to find help from NRCS, Extension, and private consultants, all of whom have received training, but still are learning how to apply this new site-specific model, called PLAT (Phosphorous Loss Assessment Tool).

The implications for phosphorous go well beyond the farmers that now bear the burden of adjusting to new regulations. Poultry and swine production accounted for $76 million in farm income in Richmond County in 2002, and supply the raw material for a substantial amount of our manufacturing base: Perdue Industries, which processes broilers produced here and in neighboring counties, is Richmond County's largest private employer, providing more than 1,000 jobs. Poultry and swine also support collateral industries in fuel, trucking, banking, insurance, and packaging. If the farms that support these industries fail to make the transition to tighter restrictions on phosphorous, all of us will suffer along with our farmers.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS May 12, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Spring Azalea Care

Everyone in North Carolina has azaleas in their yard. At least a small spot of hallowed ground must be devoted to an azalea as a token of civic responsibility. I can honestly say that I know of no one who does not have at least one obligatory azalea. The third week in April is designated as "Garden Week" in many areas, largely because of the showy blooms of dogwoods and of these popular shrubs.

Everyone that has an azalea will have azalea lace bugs to deal with. Lace bug damage shows up as a "snowy" appearance on the leaves. Instead of the deep glossy green typical of the standard kurume type azalea, the leaves will take on a lighter, almost whitish cast, as if someone had misted the center of each leaf with bleach. In severe infestations, the whole surface of all the leaves will be whitened, and black specks will cover both leaf surfaces, but especially on the undersides. These specks are left by lace bugs. These specks are the thick lacquer of their excrement, and greatly diminish the attractiveness of the leaves.

Azalea lace bugs have two or more generations per year. They overwinter as eggs (rarely also as adults), and hatch out in April. The young lace bugs, or nymphs, are black spiny insects about 1/8 inch long that suck juice from the leaves. When they become adults, they are covered with beautiful, lacy like wings for which they are named.

Now is a good time to scout for lace bugs on your azalea. Last summer's eggs should still be hatching, and you may find the first generation of nymphs. If you find many of the tiny, black, spiny nymphs, control may be warranted. Systemic insecticides, like Orthene or Merit, are good choices to use. Be sure to cover the bottom leaf surfaces. DO NOT spray open blooming azaleas, lest you kill the bees which visit them. There is a tiny wasp parasite (Anagrus takeyanus) which lays her eggs inside those of the lace bug, but little is known about augmenting or preserving these little saviors.

The best time to prune any azalea that has gotten overgrown is after the blooms fade. Waiting later in the year sacrifices some of the vigor, and pruning after June will remove the buds that will flower next year. Prune azaleas now, unless you have one of the late blooming varieties, like gumpos or satsukis (such as "Mother's Day Red"), which you will have to prune in late May after they bloom. The Extension Service has pest control calendars for azaleas and other landscape plantings. Please stop by the Extension Center to pick up these publications. Our office is located at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham.

Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS March 24, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

Be a Master Gardener

Have you ever given advice to other homeowners on landscaping questions? Do you enjoy the camaraderie of others who share your love of gardening? Do you believe that beautification and community gardening projects are valuable assets to a community? Would you like to illuminate the mysteries of successful gardening with the light of the sciences of botany, plant pathology, soil chemistry, entomology, and horticulture? Do you have some time available for volunteer work? If so, you should become a Master Gardener!

Across North Carolina in 2001, Master Gardeners provided over 184,000 hours of community service and education projects, delivering serving 1,442,788 client contacts. Their volunteer effort is equivalent to over 92 full time employees. Here in Richmond County, Master Gardeners have been organized since 1996. They have conducted landscape projects at schools, libraries, and other public buildings have helped beautify Hamlet and Rockingham, made presentations to clubs, taught 4H classes, and serve on civic boards.

Master Gardeners receive a high level of training in all aspects of horticulture, including soil fertility, woody plants, fruit and vegetable gardening, home landscaping, lawn care, perennial and annual flowers, pruning, and other related disciplines. While those who have completed the program include many holding advanced degrees in horticulture related fields and/or professional horticulturalists, amateurs and professionals alike all profit greatly from this comprehensive overview of the vast field of horticulture. This is the only program where the full educational and research resources of the land grant university are made available for training volunteers to better their homes and communities through horticulture.

I would like to invite you to apply for the training class for new Master Gardeners, which will be held on Thursday afternoons at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service office beginning at 6:00 p.m. on April 8. . The 13 week class will meet each Thursday evening from 6 to 9:00 p.m. The training fee for class materials will be $65 per student. Students completing the program will be asked to donate 40 hours of volunteer time in a horticulture education project of their choice. Those who wish to enroll in this class should fill out and return their application and fees by April 5. Please call us at 997-8255 or stop by our office at 123 Caroline Street n Rockingham to request an application.

Please consider this opportunity to expand your own knowledge, share with others, and fellowship with like minded people with a commitment to horticulture.

Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Taylor Williams is the Richmond County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

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EXTENSION NEWS March 17, 2004

By: Taylor Williams, County Extension Director

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