Extension

In June 2011, the U.S. government introduced MyPlate, a new tool to help Americans make healthy food choices.  MyPlate recommends making half your plate fruits and vegetables, eating more whole grains and choosing low-fat dairy products and lean proteins. 

All Americans can improve their diet by eating the MyPlate way but older adults can especially find MyPlate a valuable resource.

The first seasonal meeting of the RiverView Farmers Market will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 24 at the Carroll County Extension Office.

New vendors, or those interested in becoming a new vendor, are welcome to attend the meeting to learn more information about being a member of the Farmers Market. 

New members will have to undergo Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Training. This information will be discussed at the meeting.

The unseasonably warm temperatures prevalent over recent weeks have pushed things in the plant world, including disease. 

Last week, we confirmed Pythium root rot on some fairly young tobacco seedlings. 

Pyth-ium root rot is common in tobacco float beds, but we usually do not see much of this disease until ad-April; however, warm weather has created favorable conditions ahead of schedule.

We are offering two new 4-H projects for youth.

4-H sewing

I will be teaching 4-H sewing for youth later in April and May. This will be a beginning sewing project club. Youth wanting to learn to sew or those with some basic sewing skills who have taken a 4-H beginning sewing project before and who want to increase their sewing skills are invited. Sessions will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Extension office on Thursdays, April 19 and 26 and May 3, 10, 17 and 24.