Etowah County- Alabama Extension

08/22/2026

08/18/2026

Join us for 4-H Horse Club!

🐴The Etowah County 4-H Horse Club will kick off the 2026-27 season on September 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Sewell Quarter Horses. Everyone ages 9-18 is welcome—no horse experience needed!

💻 Sign up for horse club at 4honline.com.

📨Contact our club leader, Angela Sewell, for more information. [email protected]

08/13/2026

In the Alabama, people tend to have opinions about collards: how long to cook them, what to season them with, and, most importantly, who in the family makes them the best. But before collards make it to the dinner table, they have to make it through the garden.

Collards are a cool-season favorite that grow well in Alabama and can be planted for both spring and fall harvests.
Find growing details here: https://www.aces.edu/go/2967

Once harvested, there’s more than one way to cook them. Go traditional and simmer them low and slow, or try sautéing, roasting, or adding them to soups. Just remember to wash the leaves thoroughly before cooking and remove the thick stems.

Check out this recipe for a non-traditional twist on collards. https://www.aces.edu/go/6668

Whether your family recipe calls for smoked meat, a splash of vinegar, hot sauce, or a family secret ingredient, a good pot of collards starts with knowing how to grow and harvest them.

How do you cook your collards? Share your must-have ingredient in the comments.

08/11/2026

08/07/2026

This summer, US health officials have reported an increase in the number of domestic cyclosporiasis cases—an illness caused by the microscopic parasite, Cyclospora (Cyclospora cayetanensis). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been more than 1,500 confirmed cases since May 1, with additional illnesses currently being investigated.

For more information continue reading:

US health officials have reported an increase in the number of domestic cyclosporiasis cases—an illness caused by the parasite, Cyclospora.

08/02/2026

What can you plant in the garden in August? More than you might think!
As summer crops begin to wind down, it is time to start preparing for fall gardening. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce, radishes, turnips, and other vegetables can still be planted, depending on your location in Alabama. Your lawn and landscape also need attention this month, especially when it comes to watering and monitoring for insects and diseases.

Find August planting recommendations and seasonal gardening tips in these resources:
Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama: www.aces.edu/go/5710
Alabama Gardener’s Calendar: https://www.aces.edu/go/6614

Have a gardening question? Complete the Master Gardener Help Request form to connect with a local expert: https://www.aces.edu/go/3352
Keep growing, Alabama!

08/01/2026

Black bears are making a comeback in Alabama, with established populations in southwest and northeast portions of the state. As bear populations grow and expand into new areas, Alabamians may be more likely to encounter them near homes, neighborhoods, and wooded areas.

Most black bears avoid people, but food and strong scents can draw them into residential areas. Help prevent conflicts by securing trash, bringing pet food and bowls indoors, cleaning grills, removing bird feeders during active bear season, and picking up fallen fruit.

During a bear encounter, remain calm, do not run, keep your distance, and slowly back away. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, make yourself look larger, and use loud noises to encourage it to leave.

Learn more about Alabama’s black bear population, how to reduce attractants around your home, and what to do during an encounter: https://www.aces.edu/go/6595

07/31/2026

07/31/2026