teton county...garden class” at the ui teton county extension office in driggs, tuesdays and...
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Teton County UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO EXTENSION UPDATE
Garden prep and planning in the Tetons
March 2018
235 S. 5th E., Driggs, ID. 83422
208-354-2961 [email protected]
INSIDE THIS ISSUE . . . Garden Prep and Planning in the Tetons …………………..1-2
Your Small Farm Webinar …..3
Beekeeper of Teton Valley ….4
4-H family, members and lead-er information, deadlines & an-nouncement …………..5-7
With our short-season, high alti-
tude climate, adequate planning
and getting an early start can
help with having a successful Te-
ton garden. First, consider map-
ping out your garden site and
nearby resources. You don’t need
to be an expert artist; instead
draw existing nearby structures,
water resources, vegetation like
shrubs and trees, etc. Consider
sunlight, shade, wind, drainage,
slope, weeds, and traffic patterns
around your garden site. Most
garden plants typically need 6-
12 hours of daily sun, so a south
or southwest facing site is opti-
mal. If you are planting in an al-
ready existing garden, rotate
your annuals in different spaces
every 2-3 years based on plant
families to ensure that you don’t
deplete nutrients or invite dis-
eases or pests. On the most basic
level, you can divide the plants
into legumes, roots, fruits, and
leaf crops.
Before adding any soil amend-
ments such as fertilizer, I recom-
mend having your soil profes-
sionally tested to get a baseline
assessment of your soil pH, soil
texture, and nutrient levels. This
will help you save money and
effort in the long-run. Soil tests
done through an Extension office
range from $25-$50. If you test
the soil every few years, you can
compare nutrient levels and your
management practices. Regard-
less of your soil type, applying
finished compost annually will
help improve microorganism ac-
Extension save-the-date
• Your Small Farm (2018 Webinar Series) To view full schedule and register visit-www.cultivatingsuccess.org/2018webinarseries
• High Altitude Victory Gar-dening Classes Tuesday & Thursday, March 6-22, 2018 from 12-1:30pm at Extension office
• Food and Farm Coalition March 21 @ Teton Extension office 12-1pm
• Beekeepers of Teton Valley March 19th @ Teton Extension office 6-7pm.
The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gen-der, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
By Jennifer Werlin, Extension Educator in
Community Food Systems
University of Idaho, Teton County Extension
Page 1
tivity, soil structure and texture,
and return nutrients to the soil.
While a lot of supplies and equip-
ment are not a prerequisite to
starting a simple home garden, it
is helpful to at least have some
basic supplies to get started such
as a trowel and shovel and other
irrigation equipment such as a
lawn hose and spray nozzle or
wand. You can often find garden-
ing supplies at the thrift store or
garage sales to save money.
In terms of choosing garden
plants, assess what you like and
what can realistically grow in our
climate. Teton Valley is located in
the plant hardiness zones be-
tween 3 and 4, although there are
microclimates throughout our
area (you can even create some
microclimates!). Our typical frost-
free period is 49-65 days. For an
annual vegetable garden, planting
cool-season/hardy vegetable
crops are a gratifying way to get
started (e.g., kale, leafy greens,
radishes, etc.). I recommend em-
ploying some basic season exten-
sion techniques to avoid common
frustrations that a lot of new Te-
ton gardeners often face. The
wide temperature swings be-
tween day and night, even in the
middle of summer, slow down
the growth of even the hardiest of
plants. Using a floating row cover
(often called “reemay”) can help
keep the soil temperature more
constant and warm (remove cov-
er when it’s over 85 degrees F).
Consider using other techniques
such as raised beds, container
gardening, cold frames, and/or
greenhouses/hoop houses for
further frost protection and sea-
son extension. Starting seeds in-
doors before planting or buying
plant starts from a nursery or lo-
cal farm also help tremendously,
especially for slower maturing
plants.
Before planting, take some time
to weed, till, and apply soil
amendments. Using a mulch
(plastic, wood, or weed control
fabric) around your plants can
help reduce the spread of weeds,
warms the soil, and improves soil
moisture retention. Before tilling
and planting, make sure that your
soil is dry enough for planting. If
it breaks up and crumbles easily,
it is usually okay. Avoid planting
when it is too wet. Most seed
packets will give you the estimat-
ed planting dates depending on
the crop and the ideal soil tem-
perature for planting. You can
test the soil temperature with a
simple kitchen thermometer.
These are just a few simple tips to
get started. If you think you don’t
know where to start or would
like to learn even more about
gardening in our area, I will be
offering a “High Altitude Victory
Garden Class” at the UI Teton
County Extension Office in Driggs,
Tuesdays and Thursdays March 6
-22nd from 12:00-1:30 PM; $40
per person. Learn more and reg-
ister at our office (235 S. 5th St. E.
in Driggs, 208-354-2961, te-
[email protected]). I will also offer
additional gardening workshops
this spring and fall, with some
classes in the evenings and/or
weekends. Please contact us to be
notified.
___________________________________
Jennifer Werlin is an Extension
Educator in Community Food Systems for the University of Ida-
ho in Teton County. University of Idaho Cooperative Extension of-
fers research-based educational programs and publications in the areas of agriculture, community
development and family and con-sumer science. Learn more at
www.uidaho.edu or call 208-354-2961. The University of Idaho
does not discriminate in educa-
tion or employment on the basis
of human differences, as required by state and federal laws. Any-one attending our program(s)
that requires auxiliary aids or services should contact te-
[email protected] or 208-354-2961 prior to the event.
Page 2
Page 4
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If you need to purchase a
helmet to ride horses in 4
-H this summer please
contact the office before
April 30th. We will place
a order so you will have it before your
first riding meeting. Thanks.
4-H Horse Camp Alpine 4-H horse camp scholarship paperwork is
due April 7th by midnight to be evaluated April
10th. Alpine 4-H horse camp paperwork is in the
office for you to pick up.
Beekeepers of Teton Valley This fun, informal group of folks will meet to share resources and experiences about the joys of beekeeping. All interested persons are
encouraged to attend for a hour of networking. If you are interested in beekeeping you may want to become involved in our 4-H Bee-
keeping and Gardening Club. As a leader you would assist in taking care of the hives, learning through doing. This hands on learning is a
great model for kids and ADULTS! What a great way to great started in this exciting field.
Thursday, March 19th 6:00-7:00 pm @ UI Extension, Teton County Office
Facts about Honeybees • Honey collection and beekeeping are depicted in Stone Age cave paintings.
• Honeybees are not native to the United States. They came from Europe with the early
settlers.
• During the summer, a worker honeybee lives about 6 weeks and gathers enough nectar
in that time for 1⁄12 of a teaspoon of honey. She may live 4 to 6 months in the winter.
• queen bee can live for 3 to 5
years. She mates only once (with
several drone bees) but remains fertile for life, laying up to 2,000 eggs per day.
• In the winter, 20,000 to 30,000 bees live in a hive; in the summer that
number jumps to between 60,000 and 80,000.
• Honeybees have an amazing sense of smell. They communicate, find their
way home (each hive has a specific odor), and locate food using their 170
odorant receptors.
Reference: www.keepingbackyardbees.com/facts-honeybees/
“Photo credit: Farmers Almanac, 2018.”
Market Beef 2018
Market beef club is one club that takes early planning and dedication. Lead-ing around a 1,200 pound animal at fair doesn’t just happen. This 4-H year has seen the registration of 9 market beef participants. These 4-H partici-pants purchased their calves around the first part of October. They have spent ountless cold mornings and eve-nings doing chores, hauling feed and bedding animals and training.
Teton Livestock Club is a Market Beef Club led by Katie Murdock. This year they have had several meetings to net-work and check in about how their animals are doing. They spend time
recording and talking about feeding and weight gains. Just around the corner is……. March 10th the big day for INITIAL WEIGH-IN.
On this day they must be able to load their steer and lead it into the weigh house onto the scale. For some this will not be easy.
Everyone uses different strategy on how to halter break a steer. One way is tying the weanling to a good solid post for about a week. In this method the animal gets untied and led to feed
and water. The idea here is the animal learns that it is a good thing to be led by a halter. Leading equals food and water. It also helps if halter time also equals lots of rubs and scratches!
Members have also been known to tie the animal to a truck, tractor or a four wheeler. This method will eventually teach the steer that it is easier and OK just to follow.
So much to learn…
The next several months will be full of
many lessons for the beef participants.
April will bring a visit to the club
from Dr. Betts who will discuss spring
health issues and vaccinations. Later
in the summer there will be clinics on
fitting and showmanship. Then we
will all see the fruits of their labor!
Way to go Beef 4-Hers.
Teton 4-H Happenings
Page 5
RULE BOOK
The Teton County Rule Book is out. Make sure you
are aware of new rules and
changes to weight minimums,
drug testing and consequences
of violations. Each family will
be asked to sign the back sheet
and return it to the extension
office prior to entry to the fair.
Skill Builders
Don’t miss this month’s Skill Builder
Opportunity!
Youth Yoga / Mindfulness
Wednesday, March 21
3:30 –5:30 PM
$5 per participant Certified Yoga Instructor, Jen Werlin
will led a group introducing basic Yo-
ga skills and Mindful Meditation.
Open to ages 8—18. A FREE intro-
duction to see if YOGA is for you!
Sign up at 208-354-2961
Horseless Horse Club This could be the best partnership since peanut butter and jelly! Every year Teton County 4-H receives interest from youth that want to learn about horses and have the opportunity to be around horses AND Hapi Trails Horse Rescue and Adoption has horses that need attention! If this sounds interesting you may want to learn about the newest club to 4-H.
Hapi Trails administration has committed to sign up at least one leader to facilitate the Horseless Horse Club. This club will be open to registered 4-H members that do NOT have their own horse. This will be a non-riding club. Participants will learn skills on safely controlling horses from the ground, what it takes to care for horses, and how to have
successful interactions with horses.
This will also be a great education-al opportunity to learn about building trust for humans and horses. We can’t wait to see what great things will come out of this partnership. The club sign-up will be available on-line when all the leaders paperwork and back-ground checks are complete!
CALENDAR
March
March 5th, 6-7 pm Feeding Clinic Fairgrounds
March 10th, 9-10am Beef Weigh-In fairgrounds
March 21st, 3:30—5:00pm Skillbuilder Yoga/Wellness
March 23 ATTN: SENIORS 4-H Scholarship Due in Exten-sion Office by 4pm
April
April 16th Scholarship inter-views with applicants
April 30th, 4-6 pm Swine Weigh-In at fairgrounds
May
May 10th Horse ID., Breed-ing livestock, Dog, Poultry and Rabbit paperwork due 5 pm at Extension Office
May 14th, 6 pm 4-H Schol-arship Fundraiser Dinner Fair-grounds
May 29th, 4-6 pm Sheep/Goat weigh-in at fairgrounds
June 13-15th Alpine 4-H Camp, Alpine WY.
July 7th 4-H Horse Rally Teton County Fairgrounds
July 11-14th Alpine Horse Camp Alpine, Wyoming
Aug. 4-11 Teton Valley Fair
Page 6
Each year a Scholarship fundraiser is held to support our schol-
arship fund. High school seniors that have been in 4-H during
their high school years are eligible to receive a 3 year scholar-
ship for their higher education. All 4-H members are required to
help with this fundraiser by selling tickets, attending, and/or
helping with silent auction items.
EACH CLUB is asked to bring a silent auction item for the dinner.
Leaders will organize this with the members. Last year they
clubs were so creative with the “baskets” they put together. The
dinner last year raised over $3,000 to our scholarship fund.
This is a great family night that supports TETON COUNTY 4-H!
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO EXTENSION UPDATE
Teton County
4-H Shooting Sports! Fast becoming one of the most popular clubs.
Page 7
2017 FAIR PHOTO OF THE MONTH
GRANT NEWS
Teton County 4-H was awarded the Teton Valley
Community Foundation Philanthropy Grant
judged by high school seniors. This grant will fund
the purchase of a swine market animal to be do-
nated the Resource Center. The grant also en-
compasses efforts to promote community dona-
tions through the “Grow a Row” campaign.
Teton County 4-H was awarded a grant by the
Idaho Horse Board that will fund the construction
of upgraded trail course obstacles. Construction
of the obstacles will begin in the spring.
Silverstar Communications just announced the
results of their grant recipients! Teton County 4-
H was selected for funding! This grant was
written for the implementation of three clinics
that enrich their 4-H experience. These clinics
include Casper College Livestock Judging held
March 2nd, 4-H Horse Rally to be held July 7th
and a District Archery Shoot on a date to be de-
termined.
Congratulations TETON COUNTY 4-H!
Advisory Board Meeting
Your Teton County 4-H Advisory
Board is meeting on Monday, March
12th at 5:45 at the Extension Office.
If you have anything you would like
discussed please contact a board
member: Regina Beard, Hailey Beard,
Katie Murdock, Missy Matkin or
Shawnia Tonks.
Teen Leaders is open to any high school 4-H participant.
This group has traditionally had great ideas to enhance
4-H. The motivated teens will be setting goals for the
upcoming season. Currently they are working on hold-
ing a skill-a-thon for younger 4-H members. This is a
great opportunity to develop leadership and planning
skills. The next meeting is:
Tuesday, March 20th @ 7 pm