Publications for Home & Family

Home & Family

Cover photo for Online Plant ID Classes, beginning July 12

Online Plant ID Classes, beginning July 12

Looking for continuing education opportunities? Want to improve your plant identification skills? Check out these fun online, asynchronous classes that NC State …

— 4 weeks ago, Extension Gardener

snap barriers

Barriers to Healthy Eating by SNAP Participants

Recently, the USDA released a study highlighting barriers that SNAP participants face when trying to eat a healthy diet. …

— 1 month ago, Family and Consumer Science Program

Moles and Voles, Oh My! — Written By Rob Hawk and updated by Melissa Vaughn and Chumper Walker Woodland or Pine Vole rodent Voles eat roots from garden vegetables, bulbs, and bark. You most likely deal with pine and meadow voles. Meadow voles spend most of their time above ground while pine/woodland voles are more burrow dwelling and usually have an extensive subsurface trail system that is excavated about 1 to 2 inches deep. These burrows open to the surface and often connect to above-ground runways. These burrows are small since voles are the size of plump mice. They can be a serious outdoor pest, damaging the root system on many landscape and garden plants or even girdling trees when feeding on their bark. The best way to control a vole epidemic is to set large spring loaded mice traps baited with apple slices or peanut butter near the tunnels. You can also discourage voles from invading your yard by keeping the grass mowed short and reducing the amount of thatch in the lawn. There are also poisons that can be used to kill voles but one must consider potential risks with pets, children, or non-target animals. Read the label in its entirety before using any vole poison products to avoid illegal usage and/or unintended harms. Mole Moles have large paddle-like forefeet used for digging. Image by Michael David Hill, Wikimedia Moles eat insects, worms, and other invertebrates living in your soil. Moles are not considered rodents. The tell-tale sign of moles is the visible ridges that are seen as a result of tunneling in the lawn. There is a tendency to try to control moles by applying grub killer to your lawn. Sometimes this isn’t a recommended approach since moles eat more than just grubs. The star-nosed mole, found mostly in the mountains and coastal plains, is listed as a NC Special Concern Specie and is protected by law. Reference NC law 15A NCAC 10B .0106 WILDLIFE TAKEN FOR DEPREDATIONS, found on the NCDA website for more info. The eastern mole and the hairy-tailed mole are under consideration for designation as pests. Currently, the use of poison is not labeled for moles in North Carolina. A easy control method is to simply put on your heavy boots and stomp on the ridge tunnels to flatten them. In the meantime, trapping is the recommended avenue for mole control. Article submitted by Chumper Walker, EBCI NC Cooperative Extension Director Original Article by Rob Hawk, Swain and Jackson County NCCE Director

June 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

Here is the June edition of our Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter! See the images …

— 1 month ago

A brown millipede, the greenhouse millipede

Heavy Rains Bring Masses of Millipedes

Recent heavy rains across the state have resulted in invasions of yards and homes by what some might call …

— 1 month ago, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Cover photo for View Webinar Recording: A Homeowner's Guide to Pollinator Friendly Mosquito Management

View Webinar Recording: A Homeowner's Guide to Pollinator Friendly Mosquito Management

The North Carolina Pollinator Conservation Alliance conducted a webinar on May 25, 2021, entitled “A Homeowner’s Guide to Pollinator …

— 2 months ago, Growing Small Farms

June Is National Healthy Homes Month

June is National Healthy Homes month and this year’s theme is The Power of Partnerships. During the pandemic, we …

— 2 months ago, Healthy Homes

Cover photo for May 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

May 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

Here is the May edition of our Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter! See the images below or click the …

— 3 months ago

Cover photo for Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Do Extraordinary Work in Therapeutic Horticulture!!!

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Do Extraordinary Work in Therapeutic Horticulture!!!

It is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we celebrate the amazing, talented, energetic, generous, enthusiastic Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers …

— 3 months ago, Therapeutic Horticulture

Spring is nearly in the air! What a year it has been, no doubt one that will be forever etched into our memories. We all have been asked to sacrifice much over the last year in order to protect ourselves, our family, fellow community members, and society at large. We have laid to rest loved ones from the impact of COVID-19. Some are still reeling and recovering from its symptoms. Yet, at the end of the day, we remain. As the division and its team have prepped for our upcoming annual events, such as fishing tournaments and gathering sochan in the park, we remain steadfast in delivering services to the EBCI communities and carrying on the invaluable work that defines division. I am pleased to inform you that we have filled all 36 permits available for enrolled members to enter into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to gather sochan! After last year’s disruption due to COVID, this is a phenomenal achievement that would not have been possible without the focused effort of Ms. Maria Dunlavey, Conservation Outreach Coordinator. We look forward to collecting the harvesting data from participants that will continue to highlight the importance of providing access to new harvest grounds for EBCI citizens. Look out, ELK!!! This month’s photo is from the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center at Cherokee Central School, in which Natural Resources staff delivered a full body elk mount to be displayed in the foyer of the CAC. Given the size of the animal, we worked with Mr. Yona Wade to arrange for it to be displayed as a beautiful feature, but more importantly as an educational tool for our students. We are pleased to continue providing you insight into the happenings of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter! (Photo. L-R, Dr. Caleb Hickman, Mr. Nicholas Reed, Mr. Joey Owle, and Mr. Dallas Bradley)

April 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

Here is the April edition of our Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter! 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources …

— 3 months ago

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Starting on May 12, 2021, eligible households can access the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit funds to offset the cost …

— 4 months ago, Community Development

an adult clover mite, Bryobia sp.

Watch Out for These (Arthropod) Spring Home Invaders

Insects and other arthropods are feeling the warm weather and waking up for spring. Bees, social wasps, bugs, flies, …

— 4 months ago, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

April & May Discounts for Compost Bins

I have tried out two dozen types of compost bins at my Compost Learning Lab at NC State University and these …

— 4 months ago, Composting

flooded homes

Flood Insurance and New Risk Rating Plan

This is likely of interest to those who live on the coast and those with properties on the coast. …

— 4 months ago, Family and Consumer Science Program

Cover photo for March Newsletter

March Newsletter

Here is the March 2021 EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter. Catch up on upcoming dates and …

— 5 months ago

Telehealth and Broadband Study in Western NC

NC Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health recently conducted a study. “This feasibility study investigated …

— 5 months ago, Community Development

March Is Living Well Month

The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences declares March Living Well month. During this month Family and …

— 5 months ago, Family and Consumer Science Program

Cover photo for 4-H PEAK Registration Is Open!

4-H PEAK Registration Is Open!

The NC 4-H State Council proudly presents a series of FREE, fun, and interactive virtual programs for youth. To register …

— 5 months ago, North Carolina 4-H

Improving ventilation

Residential Ventilation

The CDC provides recommendations on improving ventilation in your home in order to reduce exposure to COVID-19. The most …

— 5 months ago, Healthy Homes

Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025

2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Written by Dr. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow and Catherine Hill “Make every bite count” is the theme of the newly released 2020-2025 …

— 6 months ago, Family and Consumer Science Program

Cover photo for Elevated Radon Levels in NC Homes: Is Your Home One of Them?

Elevated Radon Levels in NC Homes: Is Your Home One of Them?

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas naturally found in soil and rock. The concern with radon is that exposure …

— 7 months ago, Healthy Homes

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