The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service has launched a strategic visioning initiative to evaluate the organization’s business model and chart a course through choppy economic waters. NCCES has seen recurring budget cuts of $20 million since 2000, resulting in the loss of roughly 90 positions over the past four years.
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The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service has launched a strategic visioning initiative to evaluate the organization’s business model and chart a course through choppy economic waters. NCCES has seen recurring budget cuts of $20 million since 2000, resulting in the loss of roughly 90 positions over the past four years.
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Paper Wasps Overwintering paper wasps (Polistes) queens are starting to become active. Many of them have been passing the winter in wall voids, attics, and crawlspaces. As a result, some of the wasps may stray indoors accidentally, but don't assume there is a nest in the wall, attic, or crawlspace. They are usually slow moving (you would be too if you had slept all winter!) and they're not aggressive, because these are not workers defending a nest. So they are an easy target for a rolled-up newspaper, which is far safer than unloading a can of insecticide spray on them... and yourself and everything else in your house. Foggers ("total release aerosols") are not affective and potentially hazardous. Those wasps that make it to the great outdoors will often be seen hovering near chimneys and other vertical objects. The wasps are busy scoping out perspective nesting sites. In most cases, they are too high up to make any sensible (i.e., "safe and effective") attempt at chemical control. However, they would an easy target should you decide it's time to pressure-wash the siding on your house. With the early nests, there will only be few workers. So the likelihood of getting stung is minimal. People who are very concerned about getting stung can spray any nest with one of those aerosol wasp and hornet sprays that propels the chemical about 15-20 feet. But reminder - these wasps are actually beneficial and eat caterpillars and other insects that would likely be chomping down on the flower or vegetable garden later in the year. For more information, click on the link below: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/paperwasp.htm Carpenter Bees It's finally (really) spring and a male carpenter bee's thoughts are turning to finding the girl bee of his dreams. So right now you'll see the males buzzing about. Carpenter bees do look like bumble bees but lack the yellow hairs on their abdomens. You can actually identify the males, because they're often hovering in areas and you can see a white-colored spot on the middle of the face. The males can buzz people sitting on benches, porches, etc., but they're harmless (male bees do not have stingers). The males do not make galleries (drilling holes for the developing eggs) either. When the lady bees make their appearance, they'll mate with the males, and then the females will excavate new galleries or possibly use an existing one (which is another reason to seal up the old ones). There are no magic bullets that are truly effective to stop the bees from drilling holes. We have information online at: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/carpenterbees.htm Information provided by: Michael Waldvogel, PhD Extension Associate Professor and Specialist, Structural and Industrial Pests North Carolina State University Department of Entomology
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Register Today for a Summer of Fun! The Robeson County 4-H Program is happy to announce our summer programs and activities for 2014. We invite you to join us for a fun and exciting summer of learning. The summer program has activities for all youth between the ages of 5 and 19. Membership in 4-H is not required; however, 4-H members will receive the first opportunity to sign up for programs through April 30. After April 30, the program will open to the public for general enrollment. The brochure describes the summer programs available through Robeson County 4-H. You will find descriptions about the programs, the dates, and the costs. There is a minimum number of children who must sign up for some programs as well as a maximum number on most programs. We are able to provide these programs at a reasonable cost thanks to funding support from United Way of Robeson County. Enrollment To register, come by our office to complete the registration form, sign up for the programs you wish to participate in, and pay the fee. Registration will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis and will only be accepted upon receipt of fees. Telephone, electronic, faxed, and mailed registration will not be accepted. Registration will continue until the classes are filled. Please contact the 4-H office at 671-3276 with any questions. Individuals with disabilities and/or special needs interested in these programs should call so proper arrangements can be made. Click here to review the 2014 4-H Summer Fun Brochure.
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Hessian fly are showing up in sections of North Carolina. Randy Weisz, North Carolina State University Extension small grains specialist, posted a short (2-minute) video alert about these Hessian Fly infestations and control options. You can view the alert at: http://youtu.be/_RH5j3v4fWw See the link below for more information on Hessian Fly: http://www.smallgrains.ncsu.edu/hessian-fly.html Wheat: Should you Spray Wheat for Hessian Fly? Article by Dominic Reisig Reasons You Will Lose Money in 2014 Tank Mixing an Insecticide for Cereal Leaf Beetle with Your Nitrogen Over Wheat Article by Dominic Reisig For more information, contact Mac Malloy, Extension field crops agent, at Mac_Malloy@ncsu.edu or 910-671-3276.
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By: Nelson Brownlee Extension Area Farm Management Agent North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center After a long winter, we are constantly looking for any signs that spring is here. One sign of MORE »
By: Nelson Brownlee Extension Area Farm Management Agent North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Agriculture is the leading industry in Robeson County. Many county residents think of large-scale contract hog or poultry MORE »
By: Mack Johnson Extension Horticultural Agent North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Different types of gardening are now trending in large segments of today’s society. The increase in gardening interest has spawned MORE »
By: Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Agent N.C. Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center It seems like everyday when I open the paper or turn on the news, I am inundated with young people MORE »
Making Sense (and Cents) out of Home Energy Efficiency Projects - The average U.S. household spends over $2,000 a year on energy. Whether you are considering making major energy efficient upgrades to your MORE » – from 
Home Energy Conservation
Making Wise Production Investments By: Mac Malloy Extension Field Crops Agent North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Making wise investments in crop production in 2014 will be key to profitability with the MORE »
Developing and Nurturing Relationships with Customers in the Age of Social Media By: Casey Hancock Extension Community Resource Development Agent – Local Foods and Tourism N.C. Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Today, MORE »
Cooperative Extension Offers Muscadine Grape Workshop By: Mack Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent N.C. Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center Muscadine grapes are truly a fruit of the South. Muscadines are native to Southeastern MORE »
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