Archive for May, 2018

Granville County Attends RTRP’s State of the Region

Several representatives from Granville County attended the May 30th Research Triangle Regional Partnership’s State of the Region 2018 event. This year’s theme was “Ready the Region.” Attending the event were: Harry Mills (Granville County Economic Development), Scott Phillips (Granville County Development Services), Angela Allen (Granville County Tourism Development Authority), Monique Heggie (Granville County Internal Auditor), Charla Duncan (Granville County Management Analyst), Ginnie Currin (Granville County Chamber of Commerce), and Mary Yount (City of Oxford Downtown Development Director). 

Butterfly Release at the GAP

As part of a partnership between Granville County and the United Way to make the Granville Athletic Park a more diverse and inclusive recreation space, Falls Lake Academy volunteered to take on a school-wide project of a butterfly and sensory garden at the GAP. On May 24th, students unveiled their hard work and released the butterflies that the 2nd grade students hatched. Different grade levels completed various aspects of the project from design, construction, protection, gardening, and butterfly hatching. Students and parents will continue to maintain the garden as a part of their community service component. Thanks to Falls Lake Academy students for all of your hard work, and we look forward to seeing the butterfly garden flourish!

Continue Input on the Granville County Comprehensive Plan Update

Since the fall of 2017, Granville County Planning and Zoning has been collaborating with citizens, stakeholders, other departments and municipalities to update its 2002 Comprehensive Plan. The project presents an opportunity for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to have a say in the County’s future growth, development, and quality of life.

Hundreds of people have provided input and helped to answer the questions: What types of development should be encouraged? What aspects of the existing rural character and communities need to be preserved? What recreational, cultural, and entertainment amenities should be encouraged? And how can we attract new employers and their employees.

As part of the community outreach effort, the County conducted an online survey from mid-January through February 2018 and held public meetings in Butner and Oxford. Over 700 people responded to the survey and attended public meetings. Half of the respondents to the survey lived in Granville County for more than 20 years and 63% were over the age of 45. Whether people lived in north or south Granville County, there was consensus on what they value namely the rural/small town nature, sense of community, and proximity to the Triangle. The most pressing issues were the quality of the schools, desire for more retail options and economic growth; and managing growth to support the towns and protect farmland and natural areas.

At the April 26 steering committee meeting, Planning Granville’s Future – Our Path Forward, was chosen as a title for the Comprehensive Plan. The committee felt it was an accurate reflection of the community’s input and direction. The updated Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map will become a tool for community leaders and the development community to make decisions regarding land use, transportation, utilities, natural resources, recreation, economic development, and more. In addition, the Plan will consider the goals and recommendations in comprehensive land use and area plans of the municipalities. 

There is still opportunity to weigh in on the project and make sure the plan addresses your concerns and reflects your vision for the future of the county.   Take a short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GranvilleCompPlan2 to provide feedback on the draft vision statement and goals, land use plan options, and priorities.  Visit the project website at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/planning-zoning/comprehensive-plan-update/ There, you also will find land use scenarios under consideration, notices of upcoming public meetings, the results from survey #1, relevant articles of interest, and more!

For more information contact:

Barry Baker, Granville County Planning Director, barry.baker@granvillecounty.org (919.603.1334)  or Jake Petrosky, Project Manager, Stewart, jpetrosky@stewartinc.com (919.866.4812)

4-H Summer Fun and More!

Please see the below information from Britteny Junious, our Granville County 4-H Extension Agent. 

4-H Summer Fun 2018 Brochure

Summer Intern Job Description

Summer Fun Intern Application

4-H Online

Our 4-H enrollment has finally caught up with the time, YAYE! With this, we will be transitioning to enrolling all youth and volunteers through our online 4-H portal. This portal allows families to create an account and register youth, year after year. The portal has an abundance of features: links and drop downs that offer and abundance of information. 

For 2018, NC State is requiring that every youth and every volunteer utilize the online portal, paper enrollment forms will no longer be accepted by the State. This may pose a slight problem for those individuals that are not tech savvy. However, we, Granville County Cooperative Extension, will be here to assist!

If you would like to start the process, here is the link for 4-H online: https://nc.4honline.com/Login.aspx?403D4075376775636277493241453D

Summer Fun 2018 Registration

Summer Fun Registration 2018 will now be available online! We will still offer paper copies of the brochure for anyone wanting to stop in the office to sign-up. So, individuals have multiple options, YIPEE!

The online registrations allows you to click on the camps that you would like to sign your youth up to participate in. You will also receive a copy of the form, if you request using the button at the bottom of the form. So if you’re busy or live far from the office, this would be a wonderful option. Or, if you’re not far and you just enjoy electronic sign-up. This is for you!

On Sunday, May 13th, the link will be posted on the Granville co. 4-H website and Facebook. 

Sadly, we are unable to take payments online. After utilizing the online system, payments can be mailed in or dropped off to the 4-H office. Our physical address is 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford, NC 27565.

4-H Traditional Camp at Betsy Jeff Penn in Reidsville, NC

This year Granville County 4-H will be attending residential camp at Betsy Jeff Penn in Reidsville. NC. We will be attending camp from July 8th-July 13th. The youth will be transported by van to camp. I, Britteny Junious, will be responsible for transporting the youth to and from the camp.

We have 3 traditional female (8-12) slots and 3 traditional male (8-12) slots. The slots are filled on a first come. first served basis. The deposit to hold a youth slot is $50. Deposits are non-refundable and are due at the time of sign-up. The total cost for this week-long overnight camp is $220. This costs includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack), lodging, and all activities.

Overnight camp is a wonderful experience. Last year, I camped for the first time with the Granville Co. 4-H and the youth had such an amazing time, so did I.

Need-based scholarships are available

Two Male Summer Interns

This year, 4-H is looking for two male Summer Interns. Males must be 15 years and older, have a passion to lead, and enjoy working with youth. This internship is unpaid. Working with 4-H, the opportunities are limitless and the experience is unlike any other. Summer interns will attend all Summer activities free of charge, attend a leadership workshop orientation, and become cpr/first aid certified. Please see the attached job description and application.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Britteny Junious via email: byjuniou@ncsu.edu or by phone (919) 603-1350.

Guthries Chosen as Area IV Conservation Farm Family of the Year

Randy and Barbara Guthrie were chosen to represent Area IV as the Regional Outstanding Conservation Farm Family. The Guthries were selected by the Granville Soil and Water Conservation District to compete in the area competition which included the following 11 counties: Granville, Durham, Wake, Franklin, Warren, Halifax, Nash, Johnston, Wilson, Edgecombe and Vance. As Area IV winners, they will go on to compete in the regional competition (N.C. Piedmont area). From there, the winner will compete against winners from the coastal and mountain regions. A state winner will be selected from the three regions. The North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Outstanding Conservation Farm Family award recognizes farmers/farm families who are taking the initiative to implement sound, innovative and cost-effective conservation techniques and are actively involved in conservation education.

Visitors to the Guthrie Farm will see an extensive list of conservation practices. More than 300 of the 335 acres they own are in one of four types of conservation easements: the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, Ecosystem Enhancement Program, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and a donated easement. These easements are held and monitored by Tar River Land Conservancy. Much of the Guthrie farm was used for tobacco and was considered highly erodible and has since been converted to pasture, wildlife or trees.  Randy keeps his Soil and Water Conservation, Wildlife and Forestry Plans current and participates in many of the cost-share programs offered by the NRCS, Granville Soil and Water District and the NC Forest Service. In addition to wildlife and forestry, Randy raises over thirty Angus heifers that are sold for herd replacements. Following his conservation plan, he has implemented Best Manage Practices, such as livestock exclusion (to streams), prescribed grazing and installed waterers. Guthrie enjoys his farm and implements most of the Conservation Best Management Practices himself.

Mr. Guthrie retired as the Superintendent from the NC State University Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab in Butner.  His wife, Barbara, is retired from the Granville County School System. Randy and Barbara reside on their 335 acre farm near Berea on the Gooch’s Mill Road bordering Shelton Creek. Randy has been active with conservation for many years. He has served as District Supervisor for more than 12 years, currently as Vice Chairman. He has also worked with the Tar River Conservancy and hosted their field day celebration on his farm on two different occasions. Their farm was also used to host The National Wild Turkey Federation Youth Day. Guthrie serves on the Granville Soil and Water Local Advisory Committee and was an advisor for the Granville County Volunteer Agriculture District. Randy is an active member of the NC Cattleman’s Association and NC Forestry Association. He is an avid hunter.