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Benjamin Collette

Extension Agent, Agriculture EBCI County Centerbjcollet@ncsu.edu

(828) 359-6928

Phone: (828) 359-6928

Fax: (828) 497-6811

Street Address: 876 Acquoni Road
Cherokee, NC 28719

Mailing Address: PO Box 456
Cherokee, NC 28719

Unity ID bjcollet

Job Description Agriculture agent for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Recent Posts by Benjamin Collette

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 below. Front page Second page Forestry FCS Horticulture 4H Farm Service …

— 1 month ago

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

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! Front page of the newsletter In this edition Regulatory office 15 …

— 3 months ago

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

Cover photo for The Importance of Having Your Own Garden

The Importance of Having Your Own Garden

There are many reasons to have a garden of your own. Some of you may have a garden and …

— 7 months ago

Cover photo for EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

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

— 7 months ago

Cover photo for Get Your Raised Beds Ready for Spring

Get Your Raised Beds Ready for Spring

Agriculture agent, Benjamin Collette, conducts raised bed workshop with EBCI The gardens have died back and now it’s time to …

— 8 months ago

Cover photo for EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

EBCI Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter

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

— 9 months ago

More News from Benjamin Collette

Meet Some of Benjamin Collette's Colleagues

N.C. Cooperative Extension, EBCI County Center

Collette, BenjaminExtension Agent, Agriculture
Dixon, SallyExtension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Edwards, TracieCounty Extension Administrative Assistant - COSS
Griffith, AdamArea Agent, CRD
Mrugala, JessRegional Area Specialized Agent - Local Food Systems
Owle, JanetExtension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences
Walker, ChumperCounty Extension Director