November 2024

Meet Christian Flores, the new Moore County Horticulture Agent, Christian has a passion for sustainable practices and wishes to contribute to the advancement of agriculture and sustainable food systems. As the Extension Horticultural Agent, he will assist famers, develop viable crops, fruit and vegetable production systems, incorporate integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and help farmers to identify sustainable farm markets. Christian will also train and serve as the adviser to the Moore County Extension Master Gardener Program.

Christian can be reached at Christian_Flores@ncsu.edu, or by calling,
910-947-3188

Also new to the Moore County Extension staff, but not new to Extension, is Liz Joseph. Liz has over ten years experience working as the Extension livestock agent in Hoke and Cumberland Counties. Her work entailed providing education and resources to livestock producers in both counties, leading the Soldiers to Agriculture program in Cumberland County, coordinating pesticide trainings for producers in Hoke County, and many other programmatic responsibilities. Liz’s experience and knowledge of Sandhills agriculture will surely, benefit Moore County producers as well.

Contact Liz at liz_joseph@ncsu.edu or at 910-947-3188.

Please help the Moore County Extension staff welcome Christian and Liz to Moore County and to the Moore County Extension Center

Each year the NC Farm School is held in a different region of the state. In 2025, the NC Farm School, which provides farm business training, is coming to the Sandhills. Once a month beginning on February 10 and ending on May 12, NC Cooperative Extension Agents from Harnett, Cumberland, Lee, Hoke, Richmond, and Moore Counties are hosting farm business classes for those interested in generating new farm income with a current or new enterprise. This training program will teach farmers, new or experienced, about how to start or diversify a farming operation with specific strategies and hands on help.

NC Cooperative Extension agents are excited about this opportunity to work with those who are serious about agriculture. Our agents play a critical role in connecting students to a network of support in their communities. The NC Farm School Sandhills team invites you to join Extension for this unique opportunity. Find out more about the cost and how to register by visiting: https://ncfarmschool.ces.ncsu.edu/2025-ncfs-sandhills/, or call the Moore County Extension Director, Deborah McGiffin, at 910-947-3188.

Winter Kill Temperatures for Vegetable Gardens

Those of us who plant fall gardens know that different plants have varying tolerances for cold weather. In horticulture, winter kill temperatures refer to cold temperatures that damage or even kill plants.

There are two important dates to remember for Moore County: October 28th and April 5th (average first and last expected frost dates). A frost will kill summer vegetables, and colder temperatures may burn foliage in fall gardens where broccoli, cabbage, and lettuce are planted. Collards, garlic, turnips, and kale are the hardiest and will likely survive all winter here, especially if they are mulched, planted under row covers, or

covered with sheets or garden fabric.

Even the hardiest vegetables may be vulnerable to extremely hard freezes. In severe winter weather there are things the gardener can do to keep plants alive. Plants in containers should be moved or covered. And

it is especially important to water all plants well, as moist soils are warmer and protect plant roots.

For more information, contact the Extension Master Gardener Helpline at 910-947-3188.

By: John Bowman , EMGV, Moore County

Photo: iStock

Plants with Benefits: Plotting a Purposeful Garden

Curious how to make your garden work for you? While the addition of trees and shrubs can certainly make your landscape look nicer, the practical benefits of an ornamental garden are too numerous to ignore. Imagine: with thoughtful consideration, intentional placement and creative plant selection, your shade trees could reduce your energy costs, your perennial border could solve your stormwater issues and your privacy hedge could be filled up with tasty fruit.

The JC Raulston Arboretum will be hosting a Winter Symposium and Rare & Unusual Plant Auction on Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:00 am–12:30 pm.

This morning symposium is for everyone who loves plants, horticulture and gardening and is ready to go beyond beauty to make sure our gardens are not only gorgeous, they have purpose.

NC State's own Dr. Barb Fair and Sam Hubert from One Green World Nursery in Portland, OR, will show you the practical potential in your ornamental landscape that's waiting to be unlocked. Barb will give you the tools you need to lower your bills while helping the environment through your plantings, and Sam will open your eyes to the substantial palette of fruiting plants that's available to zone 8 gardeners.Their knowledge and passion will inspire and empower you to fill your landscape with plants with benefits and get you plotting a more purposeful garden!

Go here to find out more about this symposium and to get registered.

Deborah McGiffin
County Extension Director, Moore County Center

You can’t enjoy a holiday dinner without desserts, particularly pies, right? Many of our holiday traditions include finishing up holiday meals with a pumpkin or sweet potato pie from revered family recipes. However, these custard based pies can become a food safety hazard if not handled properly.

To find out how to keep the finishing touches on your holiday traditions safe, hear the advice Dr. Ben Chapmen, NC Extension Food Safety Specialist, gives in this Homegrown segment, How to Safely Prep Your Holiday Pies.

Photo: https://www.vecteezy.com/

Deborah McGiffin
County Extension Director, Moore County Center