Q: Where do I call to get my child enrolled in the 4-H Program?
A: Franklin County Extension Office (540) 483-5161.

Q: How old does my child have to be to be in 4-H?
A: Age 5-19.

Q: When can I sign my child up for 4-H Camp?
A: March 1^st.

Q: How can I sign up to be a 4-H Volunteer Leader?
A: Contact Franklin County Extension Office (540) 483-5161.

Q: Does my child have to live on a farm or own an animal to be in 4-H?
A: No, 4-H is open to all youth's 5-19 years old.

Q: Where can information be obtained on programs offered in the county for limited resources clients in nutrition, money management, stress and parenting?
A: Angela Snyder at the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Franklin County Office (540-483-5161)

Q: Is there a nutritional class offered for Senior Citizens?
A: Yes, the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Franklin County office co-sponsors the Senior Citizens Nutrition Outreach Project with classes being held at the Senior Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

Q: Where may I obtain publications or information on nutrition and food safety?
A: Virginia Cooperative Extension – Franklin County Office (540-483-5161).

Q: What is the best variety of grass to plant for pasture or hay?
A: For most situations, Fescue is a suitable choice. In some situations, such as for pregnant mares, Fescue may not be the best choice and other grasses such as Orchard grass may be a better choice. For help choosing the right grasses for your hay or pasture; contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Franklin County Office @ (540) 483-5161.

Q: What varieties of corn are best to plant for silage in Franklin County?
A: Generally, the varieties of corn seed made available for sale in this area are suitable to the growing conditions of Franklin County. There can be variation in performance from farm to farm. For help in choosing the right varieties for your farm, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Franklin County Office @ (540) 483-5161.

Q: How do I take a soil sample and where do I send it?
A: Proper soil sampling procedure is critical to getting the correct fertilizer and lime recommendations. Instructions, boxes and the form for submitting a soil sample are available at the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Franklin County Office, 90 East Court Street.

Q: Why do I have so many Ladybugs in my house and how do I get rid of them?
A: A good explanation of the ladybug situation and what to do about them is available at this website: http://everest.ento.vt.edu/Facilities/OnCampus/IDLab?id-lady.html

Q What are the most common production concerns for Franklin County Tobacco Producers?
A: The most common tobacco production problems in Franklin County include soil fungal diseases such as Black Shank, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium. These diseases, although not severe, cost county producers approximately $30,000 per year in lost tobacco sales.

Q: What types of tobacco are grown in Franklin County?
A: The main tobacco grown in Franklin County is flue-cured. Flue-cured tobacco is used primarily for smoking purposes in cigarettes. Several farms in the county also produce Virginia dark-fired tobacco that is sold on the export market for snuff, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Q: Where is Franklin County tobacco sold?
A: Tobacco producers are free to sell their tobacco at any operating tobacco market in Virginia or upper North Carolina. Due to traveling distance limitations, most of Franklin County tobacco is marketed in the Danville area. Producers have the option of selling at auction or directly to tobacco companies or leaf dealers. The general trend over the past three years has been away from the traditional auction to the direct sale arrangements.

Q: What issues are affecting County tobacco farmers?
A: All tobacco producers are being faced with a declining demand product. Recent governmental and consumer litigation against the tobacco industry has led to a drastic reduction in the amount of tobacco an individual farmer can produce. Franklin county producers can only plant 56 percent of the tobacco they planted in 1997. This tremendous reduction in income has placed much hardship on county tobacco producers.

Q: Where can I find out about the latest Agriculture Environmental Regulations?
A: VCE- Franklin County (540) 483-5161   Natural Resource Conservation Service (540) 483-5341.

Q: I think I might have a stray voltage problem, who can check for this?
A: VCE- Franklin County (540) 483-5161     Appalachian Power Co.

Q: Who can I call to give me an unbiased evaluation of my overall dairy herd status?
A: VCE- Franklin County (540) 483-5161

Q: I think I have problems with mycotoxins in my feed. Who can help me find out?
A: VCE- Franklin County (540) 483-5161     Your local feed company

Q: Where can I obtain information on food preservation, food storage, and food safety?
A: Contact Amber A. Wilson, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at the Franklin County Extension office (540) 483-5161

Q: Where can I obtain information about indoor air quality issues such as radon, lead dust, carbon monoxide, environmental tobacco smoke, unhealthy remodeling by-products, household products, formaldehyde and molds?
A: Contact Amber A. Wilson, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at the Franklin County Extension office (540) 483-5161.

Q: Does anyone offer educational programs on money management topics such as budgeting, the basics of saving and investing, credit and debt management, and retirement and estate planning?
A: Yes, contact Amber A. Wilson, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at the Franklin County Extension office, (540) 483-5161.

Q: Where can I obtain information about home water quality problems and concerns?
A: Contact Amber A. Wilson, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at the Franklin County Extension office, (540) 483-5161.

Q: Where can I obtain consumer education materials/programs on various topics including e-commerce?
A: Contact Amber A. Wilson, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at the Franklin County Extension office (540) 483-5161.: