4-H Youth Conference to Host Stars of 4-H
“The Stars of 4-H” is the theme of the 2014 4-H Extension Youth Conference, which will be held June 16-19 on the North Dakota State University campus in Fargo.
“The stars in attendance will be 4-H youth from across the state,” says Sharon Query, an NDSU Extension Service 4-H youth development specialist. “Youth are encouraged to find their inner star and let it shine.”
Delegates will participate in workshops and team-building activities, hear from keynote speakers, volunteer in the Fargo/Moorhead community and attend a banquet.
“4-H, along with EYC, has influenced my life in the biggest way,” says Alicia Widhalm, a state 4-H ambassador. “I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today. I’ve met so many friends that I’m still close with today and learned so many things that have helped me grow as a person.”
The mission of the conference is to energize and empower North Dakota youth with the tools necessary to form partnerships among youth, volunteers, Extension staff and communities.
The conference is open to youth who have completed grades seven through 12. Participants do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to attend.
The registration fee is $225, which includes all meals from Monday evening through Thursday brunch, overnight housing, an event T-shirt and a photograph of the attending delegates. Delegates may take advantage of the conference bus system for an additional $75.
If you are interested in attending or would like more information, contact your local Extension office or the Center for 4-H Youth Development at (701) 231-7251, or visit http://www.ndsu.edu/4h.
West Nile Virus Surveillance
Activities Begin in North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. – On June 1, 2014, the North Dakota Department of Health – in conjunction with several local, state, federal and private agencies – began the coordination of West Nile virus surveillance activities. Surveillance activities include reporting and testing sick horses and other domestic animals, trapping and testing mosquitoes, monitoring illness in humans, and reporting and testing dead birds.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In North Dakota, the greatest risk for West Nile virus transmission occurs during the months of July and August when the Culex tarsalis mosquito, the mosquito that transmits the disease, is more abundant.
“Most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms or have only mild symptoms such as fever and headache,” according to Alicia Lepp, epidemiologist with the North Dakota Department of Health. “The more serious form of the illness, West Nile neuroinvasive disease, can have symptoms of high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, altered mental status and death. People over 50 and those who have other health issues are at a greater risk for developing the more serious form.”
In 2013, 127 West Nile virus cases in humans were reported to the Department of Health, with two deaths. Additionally, West Nile infection was identified in nine birds, two cows, one dog and one horse. There is no way to predict the severity of this year’s West Nile virus season. The intensity of West Nile virus activity fluctuates in North Dakota from year to year and depends on a variety of factors including the weather, the number of birds and mosquitoes that maintain and spread the virus, and human behavior. It is important to note that since surveillance began in 2002, a human case has been reported in every county in the state.
“There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection,” Lepp said. “Therefore, it is important that people prevent West Nile virus disease by taking precautions now and throughout the summer months to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”
People are encouraged to take the following protective measures to avoid mosquito bites:
-Use insect repellents containing ingredients registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD) or permethrin – and apply according to manufacturer’s instructions.
-Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.
-Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
-Eliminate stagnant water in containers around homes where mosquitoes can lay their eggs (such as buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).
For more information about West Nile virus, contact Alicia Lepp, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.2378 or visit www.ndhealth.gov/wnv.
NDSU Releases Pest Management App
Three North Dakota State University Extension Service publications are available on one app for smartphone and tablet users.
The free app contains the “North Dakota Weed Control Guide,” “Field Crop Fungicide Guide” and “Insect Management Guide.”
Some of the tools in the app give users the ability to search by crop or pest to find solutions to problems or recommended treatments. Growers also are able to save or mark their favorite areas. Pictures of pests, weeds and diseased plants are included to make in-field comparisons.
Crops included in the NDSU Pest Management app are corn, soybeans, dry beans, sunflowers, sugar beets, potatoes and small grains. Additional crops may be added in the future. Because the app is a dynamic tool, it can be updated at any time with the latest information, compared with the printed versions of each guide.
Lead authors of the publications are Richard Zollinger, NDSU Extension weed specialist and plant sciences professor; Sam Markell, Extension plant pathologist and assistant professor; and Janet Knodel, Extension entomologist and associate professor.
The commodity groups supporting the planning, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the app are the North Dakota Corn Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, Sugarbeet Research and Education Board, North Dakota Wheat Commission, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and National Sunflower Association.
“For almost a year, Angela Kazmierczak, weed science research specialist, spearheaded the collaboration among researchers, Extension faculty and commodity groups,” Zollinger says. “Hundreds of hours were invested in loading detailed information into the software app on identification, prevention and treatment of weeds and pests in North Dakota crops,”
Technical work was done by Myriad Devices, a company based in the NDSU Research and Technology Park incubator and founded by NDSU Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty and students.
Go to http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/apps for more information on the pest management and other NDSU Extension apps that are available.