Crawford County Agriculture News June 22, 2018 A NOTE FROM YOUR AGENT Got a Catalpa Tree? I am on the hunt for a catalpa tree with an active worm population. If you wouldn t mind me coming to collect some for a project, please shoot me an email! Pond Management Spawning Inventory While you are enjoying the shade by your ponds/lakes this month, there are several chores you can be completing. With bluegill spawning occurring last month and large mouths in previous months, you can take inventory of your stock to make sure fish health is in order and they are reproducing as they should be. There are three things can be looking for and assessing this month: 1- Large-mouth Bass young of year (2-4 inches in length now) a. Catch, take notes and release these this will help you see if your large mouths spawned this year 2- Bluegill young of year (an inch or two in length now) a. Catch, take notes and release these this will help you see if your bluegills spawned this year 3- Intermediate bluegill populations (3-5 inches) a. Catch, take notes and release as well these bluegills serve as an important food source for those desirable large mouths. We were shocking fish at a UGA research pond this past week, but a net or fishing pole will work too! Once you collect that data you can get a good feel for where you stand for the next year. If you d like to go further we have some resources in office to gauge overall fish health!
Are Grass Carp Right for Your Pond? Found this funny looking fish in our beaver dam at home. Calls have been coming in frequently about aquatic weeds. While there are herbicides that have little to no withdrawal periods for fishing, swimming and even drinking, constant reapplications are not also the best route to take. UGA research has seen great promise in stocking STERILE grass carp to maintain weed populations in GA ponds and lakes. While this is not an overnight fix, it is a long-term, low maintenance option. The fish are sterile and only live 6-7 years, so restocking is a concern every couple years, but a lot less intensive than mixing and spraying chemical. Stocking is more effective in cooler, fall temperatures, but now is a good time to start considering your options! For more information on stocking grass carp to cut back weed populations please follow this link! http://www.caes.uga.edu/content/dam/caes-website/extensionoutreach/commodities/aquaculture/docs/biological%20control%20of%20aquatic%20plants.pd f USDA REPORTINGS Southern Region - Georgia March Crop Progress and Condition Narrative released on June 18, 2018
https://www.nass.usda.gov/statistics_by_state/georgia/publications/crop_ Progress_and_Condition/2018/cw061818.pdf FRESH, LOCAL FOOD FOR CRAWFORD Support your local farmers and save gas by shopping nearby! If you are interested in being featured in the area, please contact me! Greenway Farms Greenway Farms is a locally owned and operated farm in Crawford County. Frequently, Greenway has onfarm markets located at 6744 US Hwy 80 W outside of Roberta. They specialize in pasture raised and all natural beef, pork, chicken and eggs, canned goods, soaps and lotions. Crosscut Farms Crosscut Farms are locally owned and operated producers of vegetable in Crawford County! Most weekends you can find them at the Hays Store in Musella and at the corner of New Street (across from the Board of Education). Follow them at their FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/crosscut-farms-produce- 1509359235963607/ Healthy Harvest Food Co-op Bi-monthly delivery of baskets of locally sources produce. Pickup dates for the remainder of the summer are June 23 rd, July 7, July 21 st, August 4 th and August 18 th. Pick up is at the Chamber of Commerce train Roberta. Orders must be placed in advance. Baskets are $20 but extra bulk items are available. To order check out our step by step guide available at : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2203324763246178.1073741831.1902461743332483&ty pe=1&l=df6083b36e
UPCOMING CRAWFORD COUNTY EVENTS Egg Candling Certification Class Date: June 25, 2018 at 10:00AM-3:30PM Cost: $10 registration fee and lunch RSVP: 478-836-3121 to register. To be sold, all chicken eggs must be evaluated by a certified grader and appropriately packaged and labeled in accordance with the Georgia Egg Law and Georgia Food Act. Become a certified egg candler with this course hosted by Crawford County Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. You must register in advance to attend. We have to make sure that there will be at least 10 in the course.
UPCOMING UGA/FVSU PROGRAMS LOCALLY
THE MARKETPLACE 100% all natural worm castings. Super rich organic planting medium for any garden or plants. $12-5g bucket $35-25 gallon drum $275-truckload/8-10 drums Red Wigglers are also available for $25/lb Contact Eric Howell at Erichowell6183@yahoo.com or 478-319-6183 for more information.
Various Summer Programs Have school aged children or grandchildren? Be sure to check out all the summer programs we are holding in June, July and August. To register stop by the office or contact me! June Activities June 29 Companion Animal Day : 8:00AM - 4:00PM We are hitting the road to learn all about cats, dogs and other cute critters. We will visit a vet s office and a humane society in Columbus, GA. Cost: $10 // Ages: 4th - 8th grade // Lunch: included July Activities July 16 - Halfway to DPA - 8-5PM Junior and Senior 4-H ers come hang out throughout the day and work on your winning portfolio! Cost: FREE // Ages: 7th 12th grade July 18-20 - Young Farmer s Academy - 8AM-5PM Want to hone your agricultural skills and learn all about Georgia s industry. We ll hear from farmers, tour local farms and even a research facility in Tifton. Cost: $50 // Ages: 5th - 10th grade // Meals: included July 23 - Fair Practice - 1PM-5PM Fair Books are out and we need to practice! Bring your supplies and we ll have some too - we can practice or build our fair projects! Cost: FREE // Ages: 4th - 12th grade // Meals: included August Activities August 3 - Go Fish Center 8:00AM - 1:30PM An educational journey all about Georgia s aquatic habitats. Get to see alligators, snakes, turtles and more! Cost: $10// Ages: 4th 12th grades // Lunch: included Have an agriculture business in Crawford County that you would like to place a blurp about here? Contact me and it will be in next week!