Extension Service a service for all of Crittenden County

Extension Service a service for all of Crittenden County

Office offers a wide array of services, programs

news@theeveningtimes.com

The County Extension Service isn’t just for farmers.

In fact, when extension agent Russ Parker wrote an article about crape myrtle bark scale, his phone lit up with gardeners and homeowners seeking tips on how to save their trees, which are a popular landscaping fixture in the South.

“I got more response from that article than any other thing I’ve done,” Parker said.

Crape Myrtle bark scale is a condition which weakens the trees and causes smaller blooms and darker petals. It is caused by a new invasive small insect similar to an aphid which feeds on the sap of the crape myrtle.

As they feed they exude a sugary substance which promotes the growth of a sooty mold on the stems of the tree trunks. They appear as a white or gray felt like growth.

Homeowners can clean their trees using soapy water or by spraying with a systemic insecticide like Greenlight Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari which has shown good results in controlling the problem.

“We had a big problem out here,” Parker said. “They are sap feeders. They are armored on the back and you really can’t spray them and kill them. They have to feed on the sap that has the insecticide.”

Parker got funding for a project to demonstrate locally how to control the problem.

That’s just one of the many functions of the Extension Service.

Parker spoke to the Crittenden County Quorum Court and updated them on the functions of his office and some of the projects going on in the county.

Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service’s statewide network and the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture.

The service provides research- based information to local farmers on topics like pest management and water conservation, and also runs the 4-H and Master Gardeners program.

The Extension Service also offers a wide range of programs on wellness and consumer and family sciences.

“We don’t just deal with farmers,” Parker said.

Parker said they will advertise for a new 4-H director soon and hope to have somebody on board in the next few weeks, and also introduced Meredith Wayman, the Family and Consumer Sciences extension agent.

“I promote healthy living to both youth and adults here in the county,” Wayman

said.

Wayman said their Get Fit wellness program has been very successful and has almost 50 participants who are taking classes to increase their strength, flexibility, and balance.

“We currently have three classes that are offered in West Memphis and Marion,” Wayman said.

Wayman also teaches a yoga class to school children at the library and a financial management program in the schools and county jail.

“I really enjoy working here in the county with the extension service,” Wayman

said.

Parker thanked the court for their continued financial support.

“Without that we couldn’t do it,” Parker said.

County Judge Woody Wheeless pointed out the value of the extension service and said he took Parker’s advice when he saw the column about crape myrtle bark scale, and used those tips to save his own trees.

“I have three crape myrtle trees in my yard and I couldn’t figure out what was going on when the trunk was solid black and white all over the branches,” Wheeless said.

“Because of that article I went out and gave it a power washing and it looks really good now.”

By Mark Randall