Holy Cow!!! I can't believe it is already time for another blog post. It seems that time has flown by this summer; probably because I'm having so much fun! The past two weeks of my internship have been the most diverse yet. I spent the week following Teen Conference working on Floral Hall materials for the fair. This was a time consuming job, making sure all categories had the correct entry numbers, but I feel that I will be thankful knowing where to look for the information come fair time. I also got the opportunity to spend a day visiting research plots with the ANR agent. Before visiting the research plots, we made a farm visit to a farmer who had some questions about his corn crop. After examining the field, we came to the conclusion that there could be a zinc deficiency along with some temporary issues. To make sure we were correct, the ANR agent pulled a filed soil test while I looked up the soil types and drainage classes for the particular farm on Web Soil Survey. After we determined that zinc was an issue, recommendations were made. There were three different research plots we visited including; zinc, silage, and weed. The zinc plot was used to determine the efficiency of different zinc applications. The research showed us that, so far, there were no major differences. Originally we planned to do a stand count on the silage plot but instead we found that the field had been drowned out from all the rain. I took some pictures which were later published in an email on crop problems in the state by a crop specialist. Finally we visited the weed plot that will be used in a field day later in the fall. We could see distinct differences in the different types of weed control that had previously been applied. I enjoyed the day because I was able to experience another side of extension. During the last part of the week, the 4-H agent and I planned/held a Clover Bud Day Camp which went great. The kids were able to make some crafts to enter in the Floral Hall.
This past week I have traveled to Lexington for State 4-H Dairy Judging, met with Quentin Tyler, held another Clover Bud Day Camp, and prepared for the county shoot. I also held the first meeting for 4-H Land Judging which is my special project. I had around 12 kids interested in the program and during the meeting we went over a short PowerPoint on the different factors of land judging as well as some sample soil cores. All of the kids seemed to really enjoy it. During the next meeting I will teach them how to judge a slope. On Saturday we held our county shoot.There were several disciplines available to participate in including; target, bare bow, bow hunter, and recurve archery, percussion and pistol black powder, and trap. There was a great turnout of about six counties and we were able to raise quite a bit of money for the shooting sports club.
Over the next two weeks I will be judging the Marion County Floral Hall, holding three meetings for Land Judging, and working at the county fair!! I can't wait to update you all again.
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