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

Week of May 8, 2020 | Volume 1, Issue 1

QUARANTINE RECIPES

OVERNIGHT OATMEAL

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats • 1 cup low-fat yogurt • 1/2 cup non-fat or 1% milk • 1/2 cup berries, fresh or frozen • 1/2 cup chopped apple (about 1/3 medium

apple)

DIRECTIONS • In a medium bowl, mix oats, yogurt, and milk. • Add the fruit now or just before eating. • Cover and refrigerate oatmeal mixture for 6-12

hours. • Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Yield: 4 Serving size: 1 cup

Courtesy of secondharvestkitchen.org

Extension Strikes Bi-Monthly Newsletter , Volume 1- Issue 1. 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.

Director’s Message:

FAMU Cooperative Extension will remain operational in effort to serve the citizens of Florida. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic and following the guidelines set forth by the University, faculty and staff will largely operate remotely until further notice. All in-person events and gatherings, workshops, demonstrations, conferences and field days have been cancelled. FAMU has also prohibited all non-essential university travel until further notice in compliance with state orders.

We see this as an opportunity to make use of alternative delivery of information and education, i.e. through online learning, Zoom meetings, conference calls, social media and other electronic delivery of information. We will monitor phone calls and emails and respond to any correspondence as quickly as possible. If assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at extension@famu.edu or by calling and leaving a detailed message at (850) 599-3546. We also encourage you to visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The response to COVID-19 in Florida is rapidly evolving, and the current guidelines may be subject to change. The health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and the community are of the utmost importance during this time. We are taking every measure to protect your safety while assuring that FAMU Cooperative Extension continues to be of service to the people of Florida. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Stay safe and take care,

Vonda Richardson

USDA Implements Measures to Help Rural Residents,

Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Programs Effective March 31,

2020 until September 30, 2020.

• Lenders may provide 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees.

• Guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the provisions of Section 1102 of the CARES Act. Section 1102 pertains to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

• The expanded notice provides that guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

• The guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural Development in writing of any covered loans. Written notification will meet the standard for concurrence until Sept. 30, 2020.

• After Sept. 30, 2020, lenders must resume obtaining Agency approval with all applicable program regulations, forms and authorities.

• The request for forbearance is affective immediately after receiving from the borrower who attests to financial hardship directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19

• Lenders shall provide immediate forbearance of the borrower’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan payment for a period of up to 180 days. The initial forbearance period may be extended up to 180 additional days if a borrower’s request.

• Lenders may approve the initial 180-day COVID-19 Forbearance no later than October 30, 2020.

Funding Opportunities

USDA Announces Second Application Window for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Funding

COVID-19 Stakeholder Notifications

April 8, 2020 - Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19 April 8, 2020 - Temporary Exceptions to Payment Deferrals for Agency Guaranteed Loan Programs April 1 - USDA Rural Development COVID-19 Resources Fore more information please log onto https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus

Information provided by Donna Salters, FAMU CEP/Community Resource and Development

Vertical Gardening

Do you have a small patio? Barely any yard space to grow that herb garden you’ve been dreaming about ? Have you ever though about vertical gardening?

Vertical gardening (or farming) is widely known as the practice of growing of crops in vertically stacked layers. Vertical hydroponics, as the name suggests, is the combination of hydroponics and vertical farming.*

There are many ways to

create a hydroponics system.

As you surf the internet, you

may find various DIY systems,

as well as systems available

for purchase at your local

hardware stores.

In vertical systems, you will

have several stacked levels,

with plants grow on each

level. The practice is also

known by several other

names: tower hydroponics,

tower gardens and vertical

grow systems are the most

popular names. This is a great

way to still garden, in small

spaces ,even during a

pandemic.

If you are in the Leon County area and interested in creating a

hydroponics system, you may contact Leon County Extension Agent,

Trevor Hylton at trevor.hylton@famu.edu or contact your local county

extension office.

*Information courtesy of https://www.greenandvibrant.com/vertical-hydroponics

Vertical hydroponics system at the FAMU

Research and Extension Center.

Name That Plant *Butterfly plant *Poisonous plant to animals

*Plant type: Shrub *Life Span: Perennial

*Bloom time: Summer, autumn *Plant Height: 3-7

*Plant in Full sunlight

Common lantana is super easy to take care of, with resistance to almost all pests and diseases. It is a

perfect option for gardeners with brown thumbs.

Interesting Facts:

The branches, leaves and flowers of Lantana can volatilize order that is very sensitive for mosquitoes

and flies but no harm to humans. That’s why it has a strong effect of repelling mosquitoes and flies.

Moreover, it has brilliant and changeable color and the reputation of seven changeable mosquito

repellent. So it has the dual functions of expelling mosquitoes and beautifying courtyards.

However, caution should be used as common lantana is toxic to animals such as cattle, horses, goats,

sheep, and dogs.

There are many apps that you can use to identify plants in your yard. So put on the sunscreen, a nice cool covering hat and venture out to your front and/or backyard.

Here are some apps you can review and download: PictureThis, PlantSnap, FlowerChecker, PlantNet, Plantifier, LeafSnap, PlantID and many more.

Source: Plant ID app Contributor/Photo credit: Linda Sapp, Extension Agent I

Common Lantana

Drinking Water Week

Celebrate Drinking Water Week Drinking Water Week is observed each year in May to recognize the critical role drinking water plays in our daily lives. This year’s theme, “There When You Need It,” highlights the work water professionals do around-the-clock to ensure high-quality drinking water is always available at your tap, right when you need it.

The U.S. has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world, and it's important to know how that water gets to our faucets and what makes it safe to use.

Protecting Water Sources Government regulations have helped reduce pollution of the bodies of water that supply our drinking water systems over the years. However, treating water to kill or remove contaminants like harmful germs or chemicals is still critical to making sure that water is safe to drink. Learn about your drinking water quality by viewing your local consumer confidence report (CCR). Drinking Water and Private Wells Regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. As a result, the 43 million Americans who get their water from private wells are responsible for ensuring their tap water is safe from contaminants. If you have a well, you should take steps to protect it and have the water tested annually to make sure your water is safe from harmful germs and chemicals.

For more information, log onto www.cdc.gov.

Follow us on social media:

@FAMUExt

1740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, South

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

Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) and Military Veterans Development Program

A key objective of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher

Development Program, is to establish a platform for idea

and information sharing among beginning farmers,

ranchers and military veterans who wish to adopt farming

as an occupation. Through this platform, participants can

share, or get access to information ranging between

favorable climatic and weather conditions for crop/

livestock production, organic production, labor and capital

resources, farm financial management, and agricultural

policy. With this being the peak of the growing season,

the current focus is on crop production.

As you see to the right, pictures of non-traditional

organically grown crops and composting techniques

(including vermicomposting) shared by beginning farmers.

A special thank you to program participants, Germaine

Smith and Kadobe Martin, for providing their pictures.

If you re interested or just want more information about

the beginning farmer and rancher development program,

contact:

Gilbert L Queeley, Ph.D.

Cooperative Extension Programs

College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Florida A&M University

Email: gilbert.queeley@famu.edu

Tel: (850) 412-5255

Tomato seedings grown in compost

Lemon grass, plantains and pumpkins grown using organic soil

Food waste ready for the incorporation of compost piles.

Earthworms assisting in the transformation of organic matter.

Fully cured compost, ready for

incorporating in the garden beds.