Upcoming Events

Planting for Pollinators

Posted on by Christopher Becker
Zebra Longwing butterfly
Zebra Longwing butterfly

The importance of pollinators can not be overstated.  Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.

Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects.

It is everyone’s responsibility to help protect our pollinators.  Join Taylor Reeder, our Home Grounds, Gardens and Home Pests Agent at our upcoming workshop and learn what you can add to your garden for pollinators.

Time/Date:  May 4th, 2017, 6 pm – 7 pm

Location:  Limestone County Extension Office

There is no charge for this workshop, pre-register for this workshop by calling our office @ 256-232-5510.

Workshop Flyer

Practical Equine Management Workshop

Posted on by Christopher Becker

Horse

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”  ~Winston Churchill

 

A hands-on workshop to help you develop and improve your equine management practices.

Tennessee Valley Research & Extension Center will be the site for this very informative workshop.

Topics:

Soil Sampling
Soil Sampling
Hay Quality
Hay Quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Aid
First Aid

 

 

 

 

 

 

as well as:

  • Feeds & Feeding

  • Trailer Repairs & Maintenance

  • Body Condition Scoring

 

Pre-Registration is REQUIRED: 

 

 

Auburn University-Equine-LogoFinal-VECTOR

 

 

Alabama Extension

 

Getting Dirty at the Library

Posted on by Christopher Becker

seedlings emerging

Do you enjoy gardening?

If so, then bring a sack lunch and enjoy Getting Dirty at the Library!

The Limestone County Extension Office is excited to be partnering with the Athens-Limestone Public Library to offer the Getting Dirty at the Library gardening series.  Starting in March and going through July on the 2nd Tuesday of each month we will discuss a different topic.

 

Click here for the schedule and topics.

 

The Athens-Limestone Public Library is a great community partner so check out all they have to offer.

 

Alabama Extension

Athens Library

2017 Limestone County 4-H Roundup

Posted on by Christopher Becker

Lucky Four Leaf Clover

The Limestone County Round-Up is an event for 4-H members to present their winning projects and compete against other 4-H members from the County, City and Special Interest Clubs.

County Round Up this year is scheduled for Friday, March 31st, 2017 at the Limestone County Event Center.

Deadline to register for Round Up is Friday, March 10th, 2017.

If you placed 1st or 2nd in a club event you may choose to compete in ONE of those events OR choose from one of the many open events listed below:

Please contact us with any questions, 256-232-5510.

Open Event Rules:

limestone4h

2017 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar series

Posted on by ACES Administrator

butterfly on coneflower

First Friday of the Month 1:00 pm

Join us for the 2017 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar series

Please join us for this webinar series for information you can use about good and bad insects.  We used your feedback to bring topics that you suggested.  We will discuss troublesome insects such as invasive ants, landscape pests, vegetable pests, and house dwellers as well as arachnids too.  Not all insects are bad, though, come and meet some of our native pollinators!

This year, topics will include:

  • Don’t Let Tramp Ants Take Over Your Home, February 3.
  • Protect Your Veggie Harvest From Hungry Insects, March 3.
  • Mosquitoes and Insect Borne Diseases, April 7.
  • Ticks, May 5.
  • Aphids, Scales and Whiteflies, June 2. 
  • Drain Flies, House Flies, and Fungus Gnats, August 4.
  • Meet Our Native Pollinators, September 1.
  • New Invasive Ants to Know About, October 6.
  • Pantry Pests, Carpet Beetles, and Clothes Moths, November 3.
  • Don’t Let Bed Bugs Hamper Your Vacation Plans, December 1.

Each webinar is recorded and archived so you may watch at your convenience.  Recorded webinars can be found below.

The 2017 Webinars are brought to you by the Ant Pests and Urban IPM eXtension Communities of Practice; and by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the University of Georgia Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Clemson Cooperative Extension.  Series Coordinators: Dani Carroll and Kathy Flanders, Auburn University.  Marketing: Amanda Tedrow, University of Georgia Extension.  Webinar Text Chat Moderators: Tim Davis, University of Georgia Extension, and Vicky Bertagnolli-Heller, Clemson Cooperative Extension.

 

Alabama Extension

Texas A&M Extension

 

 

 

Georgia Extension

Clemson Extension

Alabama 4-H Summer Camp

Posted on by Christopher Becker

Summer Camp

Learning, Laughing, Leading…

An Awesome Way to Spend the Summer!

Registration is now open!!!

Welcome to 4-H Summer Camp!

At 4-H Summer Camp, we encourage you to make new friends. In addition to making new friends, you will have the opportunity to try new things and be challenged to be the best you can be! Like all 4-H Programs, 4-H Summer Camp strives to instill the values of Head, Heart, Hands and Health through belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery in the lives of all who come to camp.

Just a few of the amazing activities at 4-H Summer Camp include:

  • Camp Events
  • Water Adventures
  • Sports & Outdoors
  • Exploration

Check out the summer camp flyer for more information on these awesome activities!

Summer Camp dates for Limestone County are June 14 – 16, 2017.  Limestone County is limited to 15 campers and spots will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.  We will keep a waiting list in case of cancellations or being awarded extra spots.

Alabama 4-H Summer Camp is open to children ages 9 to 14.  The cost for summer camp is $110 per person, this does not include transportation to camp, parents are responsible for transportation.

Camp rate includes:

  • 3 days/2 nights lodging
  • Six meals
  • 5 snacks
  • Summer camp t-shirt
  • Fun-filled learning opportunities

Contact your county or regional 4-H agent for registration and any additional questions.

Parents please take a look at the 2017 Parent Packet for detailed information about camp.

There is a $25 processing fee included in the total cost that is not refundable under any circumstances. No refunds will be issued after May 1, 2017, under any circumstances.

 

 

 

F.A.R.M Outlook 2017 Seminar

Posted on by Christopher Becker

wheat field

Farm and Agribusiness Resource Management

Outlook 2017 Seminars

This year has been exceptionally dry for Alabama. Conditions in every county range from abnormally dry to exceptional drought. The east and northeast portions of Alabama have been hardest hit by this year’s drought.  Between drought conditions and other uncontrollable factors, nearly every segment of agriculture has been impacted in some way.

Please join Alabama Extension, College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at one of the upcoming seminars for 2017 Alabama Agriculture Outlook.

These seminars are for producers and agribusinesses to learn more about the new Farm and Agribusiness Extension Team and be updated on the current situation in Alabama agriculture and expectations for 2017.

Registration will begin at 8 AM at each location with a light breakfast provided. Presentations will conclude at 10:30 AM.

To attend one of these seminars please contact farmoutlook@aces.edu

For more information on the new Farm and Agribusiness Extension Team, click here.

 

Harvester combine and tractor harvesting wheat in summer

Rain Barrel Workshop

Posted on by Christopher Becker

Rain Harvesting

The Drought is not over!

Currently most of North Alabama is experiencing severe drought conditions.  Being able to collect and save rain water is extremely helpful during drought.  Attend this upcoming rain barrel/harvesting workshop to learn how to maximize your rain water collection and use.

When:  February 7, 2017 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Cost: $50.00 for each completed rain barrel

Location: 1109 W. Market Street, Athens, AL 35611

Space is limited, so please register by January 31st by calling the 256-232-5510.

 

 

Smart Yards logo

Registration Now Open For Northwest AL 4-H Pig Squeal Program

Posted on by Christopher Becker

piglet

What Is the Pig Squeal Project?  

The 4-H Pig Squeal Project teaches young people recommended management practices for growing and raising swine.  Youth receive two barrow hogs and raise them for 100-120 days.  At the end of the 120 days, 4-H’ers will then bring one of their hogs to auction where they compete among 6 counties in two different categories, showmanship and market class.  4-H’ers keep the proceeds from the sale of their hogs.

4-H’ers learn many important life skills through this educational program.

Youth will:

  • Develop swine management skills
  • Learn to produce healthy pigs
  • Develop awareness of business management
  • Develop record-keeping skills (income and expenses)
  • Realize the prize of accomplishment

To register contact the Limestone County Extension Office, registration closes November 18, 2016.

Click here for a Pig Squeal flyer to share with others

For an in-depth look at the 4-H Pig Squeal Project, check out the Pig Squeal Production Manual by clicking on the Pig Squeal image below.

Pig Squeal