Bi-monthly program updates and agricultural news dedicated to keeping the community informed, during this COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020|Volume 1, Issue 2

Extension Strikes Bi-Monthly Newsletter , Volume 1- Issue 2. Published bi-monthly by FAMU Cooperative Extension Program, 1740 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, South, 215 Perry Paige Building South,

Tallahassee, Florida 32307. The Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program is an Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity access organization that provide research-based educational

information and other services only to eligible individuals and institutions regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status.

Low Maintenance Fruit Trees for the Backyard

Whether we like it or not the global pandemic caused by the

coronavirus has made some significant changes in our way of life. A lot

of us have stay-at-home orders and found ourselves with plenty of

time we have no idea what to do with. From the reports that I have

seen, much effort has been going into gardening, some due to fear

that their food supply may be cut off ; while for others, it is an outlet

for the boredom that comes with being confined at home.

This is a good time to consider planting fruit trees. You may have so

much time you could almost watch them grow; but things will change

and we will all get back to our busy lifestyles and gardens will get

neglected. If you choose to plant a fruit tree, then you should consider

planting one that is low maintenance and have a good chance of

survival while also producing lots of fruits each year. For us in North

Florida, there are a number of options, such as the many varieties of

citrus. However, with the dreaded citrus greening disease that is devastating the industry, the long-term outlook seems

uncertain. Olives could be a good alternative for citrus but it takes a long time before there is meaningful production.

If you enjoy a sweet crisp fruit, then a persimmon would be a good choice. One of my favorite varieties is Ichi-Ki-kae-Jiro. This is

a non-astringent variety that is great for small spaces because it reaches its maximum height at 10-12 feet while being six feet

wide. This variety is very precocious and produces a consistently large volume of fruits. It is also self-fertile, so a single plant will

suffice if you have limited space. This tree could even be successfully grown in a large pot on a patio.

Persimmons have very few pest problems and do not require regular pruning to produce, just the basic pruning of dead,

diseased, and any damaged branches. Persimmons are cold-hardy, thrive best in zones six through nine, drought-tolerant and

do not need heavy fertilizing. The tree thrives in a wide pH range and adapts well to many different soil types.

The fruit from the Ichi-Ki-Kae-Jiro variety ripens in October so there is a low probability of frost damage to the fruits. The fruits

can remain on the kitchen counter for a few weeks and will last much longer if refrigerated.

Persimmons are delicious and packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other healthy compounds. It is believed that they

promote heart health, healthy vision, reduce inflammation and keep your digestive system healthy. Persimmon trees can live

and remain productive for up to 60 years with minimal maintenance; they will provide shade and improve your property value,

all while providing wholesome, delicious fruits for many years.

Article written by and photo courtesy of Trevor Hylton; originally published in the Tallahassee Democrat.

NOW is the time to prepare for hurricane season. There are some things that cannot be done when the hurricane watch or warning is issued. Prior to the start of hurricane season, you should determine your risk, make your evacuation plan, check your insurance and strengthen your home. Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. During this timeframe, you should remain vigilant. A hurricane can be deadly, destructive and cause inconvenience and distress. Prepare ahead of time and listen to the directions of officials for the approach.

Remember the Principles of Hurricane Preparedness to help you get ready for Hurricane Season 2020.

People -Build or restock your basic disaster supplies kit. Have enough food and water for five to seven days, dry clothes, sturdy shoes, a flashlight, batteries, chargers, power banks, first aid supplies, cooler and ice packs, manual can opener, disposable plates and eating utensils, tools, household cleaning supplies, gloves, toys, books, games, baby supplies (i.e. diapers, wipes, clothing). Don’t forget personal needs, such as prescriptions, eyeglasses, money and credit cards.

Property – Protect your windows with permanent shutters or board up windows with 1/2 or 5/8 inch exterior grade or marine plywood. Use straps or clips to securely fasten your roof to the structure of your home. Secure garage door, keep trees and shrubs trimmed and clear rain gutters. Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, decorations, and anything else that is not tied down. Take pictures of your home (both interior and exterior) in case your insurance company requests photos.

Plan - Take appropriate steps in planning before disaster strikes. Know where to go if you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route and know where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. Make a Family Communication Plan, know who to call and have a list of important phone numbers. Communi-cating with loved-ones will be difficult; however, having a plan and being prepared will help reduce stress. Where will you meet family after evacuation? Where will you stay and how will you contact each other?

Power Outages -Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Have flashlights, battery -powered lanterns or other sources of light, battery-powered radio and extra batteries. Use freezer bags to make ice. Fill the bathtub and large containers with water for washing and flushing only. Have extra cash on hand in the event that ATMS in your area are not accessible or working. Charge your cell phone and limit use after power is out. Turn your fridge to the coolest temperature and freeze any food or drinking water that can be frozen. Have a cooler with ice packs available if power is out for an extended period. Be ready to discard spoiled perishable food.

Pets – Have your pet microchipped or ID tagged and collared, as well as current medical and vaccination records. Identify pet-friendly shelters, have enough pet food and water for 5-7 days, suitable carrier or crate; collar, leash or muzzle; and bed-ding material and toys.

Papers and Priceless Items – Protect important documents such as deeds, insurance info, birth certificates, pictures and other irreplaceable documents or memorabilia. Secure documents in a waterproof container, as these are priceless and could be lost forever.

Plug-In - Sign up for alerts and warnings. Stay tuned to local wireless emergency alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders. Consider purchasing a NOAA radio.

For additional information or assistance on emergency preparedness contact, Kimberly Davis, FAMU Extension Agent/Disaster and Safety Education Coordinator at kimberly.davis@famu.edu.

Information courtesy of FEMA, www.ready.gov, NOAA Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Intergenerational Programs and Physical Distancing:

What to do when we can’t be together?

Many intergenerational program models operate from a distance and others are adapting in response to COVID-19. This list of

ideas is compiled from what we have learned from intergenerational practitioners and media stories during the COVID-19

crisis. Many are looking at ways to use technology to connect the generations while others are exploring low-tech solutions.

This list is not comprehensive, and things are changing rapidly. We apologize if any of this information has changed. We hope

this can serve as an inspiration and a starting point for ways you can connect the generations when we can’t be together.

Writing Letters, Creating Art, Sending Videos:

Intergenerational programs have a long history of

incorporating letter writing, art, and video in their

activities. We have seen a renewed interest in Pen Pal

programs using mail and email. We have also learned

of programs that are making videos where children

and youth are sharing greetings, words of

encouragement or songs with their adult friends.

Helping Another Generation:

There are several examples of younger people stepping up to do

grocery shopping and run other errands for older adults. Generations

United has shared a number of these inspiring stories via social

media. We will continue to share stories as we learn more. Many

programs are connecting with their clients, participants, and

volunteers of all ages via phone, email or text. Older adults are also

continuing to support children and youth during the pandemic.

Tutoring and Mentoring:

Some tutoring and mentoring programs are using

different virtual platforms with their established

volunteer mentor and tutors. While some are using

programs like Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, others are

connecting via the phone.

Digital Storytelling and Oral History:

There are ways of conducting digital storytelling and oral histories via

FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom or the telephone. This is an

opportunity to capture the stories and experiences of people of all

ages during the pandemic. StoryCorps Connect is a new platform

developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, that enables you

to record a StoryCorps interview with a loved one remotely using

video conference technology.

Online Gatherings and Activities:

There are many opportunities for online gatherings and activities. The following is just a sampling of some of the opportunities

and resources we have heard of but there are many more:

• Kairos Alive– hosting online intergenerational dance parties via Facebook.

• Silver Katie– offering online intergenerational classes and events on drawing, paintings and writing, for a small fee

• Senior Planet has moved all their programs online and is offering numerous free virtual events

Information courtesy of Generations United ® https://www.gu.org/resources/covid-19-fact-sheet-for-grandfamilies-and-multigenerational-families/

What is Urban Agriculture? Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is part of a local food system where food is produced within

an urban area and marketed to consumers within that area. Urban farming can also include animal husbandry (e.g., breeding and raising

livestock), beekeeping, aquaculture (e.g., fish farming), aquaponics (e.g., integrating fish farming and agriculture), and non-food products

such as producing seeds, cultivating seedlings, and growing flowers.

Interested? Log on to this link, for a toolkit on Urban Agriculture, https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/urban-agriculture-toolkit.pdf

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1740 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

215 Perry Paige Building South

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

Phone: 850-599-3546

Fax: 850-561-2151

TDD: 850-561-2704

https://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?cooperativextension

The name Cosmos comes from the Greek word Kosmos which means beautiful. These flowers

come in many colors and grow tall with attractive feathery leaves.

Plant type: Herb

Life Span: Annual

Bloom Time: Summer and autumn

Planting Time: Spring and autumn

Sunlight: Full

Garden Cosmos are super easy to take care of, with resistance to almost all pests and diseases.

The flowers are visited by bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

Their open flowers provide easy access to nectar and pollen. You can never have enough

pollinators and predator insects in your garden, helping pollinate and pest manage for you.

Cosmos flowers are magnets for beneficial insects like lacewings, parasitic wasps, tachinid flies

and hoverflies that feed on many pest insects and provide free pollination services.

Reference: The Micro Gardener and Plant ID

Name That Plant

Cosmos

Contributor/Photo credit: Linda Sapp, Extension Agent I

To get more information, please log onto 2020census.gov

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