CLAY COUNTY CENTER
FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER |
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Back Row: Stephen Mesimer, Gail Kucharik, Martin Karmar, Connie Brown, Alin Conley.
Front Row: Sharon Del Dianco, Militza Arias, Jessica Dixon, Kellie Lewis, Yvette Millward |
Introducing 2025 Extension Master Gardener Interns |
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The N.C. Cooperative Extension β Clay County Center is pleased to introduce the 2025
class of Master Gardener Interns. This dedicated group has embarked on a
comprehensive 15-week training program covering essential topics such as soil
science, plant diseases, insect management, fruit cultivation, and botany.
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The Clay County 4-H Program is hosting a 4-Part Cooking Series for local youth residents, ages 10-18, they are invited and welcome to join our cooking series where we will create breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert dishes. This program will consist of 4 meeting dates, February 28th, March 7th, March 21st, and March 28th. The participants will learn different cooking techniques and develop their culinary skills in order to make an entire day's worth of meals! We will begin with creating colorful breakfast omelets, tasty chicken quesadillas for lunch, mini-meatloaves for dinner, and sweet and delicious carrot cake bites for dessert. This series will cost $20, which will be due via cash or check on the first event date, February 28th and will cover all 4 cooking classes. Interested participants are asked to register via:
https://claycounty4hcokkingseries.4honline.com
Spots are limited, so sign your youth up today and letβs get cooking! For more information, please contact the 4-H Agent, Kiffney Stokes at 828-389-6305 or email at kiffney.stokes@ncsu.edu. |
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Clay County Trails and Rails 4-H Horse Club is hosting its Annual Spring Coggins Clinic on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, from 10-2pm at: 4032 Highway 175, Hayesville, NC. |
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Being a dietitian can be a bit frustrating at times, having to debunk all of the misinformation
that flourishes on social media. From reels on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to so-called
nutrition experts on Pinterest and blogs, so many consumers look to social media platforms for
their nutrition and health information. I admit, many of them sound intriguing enough to want
to subscribe or purchase their βmiracleβ product. But beware of the information. Just the
other day, my husband touted incorrect advice he heard on TikTok about bananas. In an effort
to help him make healthier choices, I offered him a banana. His response was, βI heard bananas
are bad for you, they have too much sugarβ.
One of my biggest gripes as a dietitian is when people say not to eat fruit because itβs βtoo high
in sugar.β Bananas, in particular, have gotten a bad reputation for this reason. Bananas are a
healthy source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. They are also a
good source of fiber and antioxidants. Because of their high potassium content, bananas can
help promote heart health by lowering blood pressure, help prevent atherosclerosis (narrowing
of the arteries), and reduce stroke risk. The fiber content may help lower cholesterol, improve
digestion, and help with weight management by keeping you feeling fuller for longer.
A medium-size banana contains about 28 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber. This
fiber content can help regulate blood sugar by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates.
Most people, including those who have diabetes, can safely consume the recommended 2 to 4
servings of fruit per day, so making one of those servings a banana should be perfectly okay.
Tip: Eat bananas that are less ripe to get more resistant starch and potential health perks!
Resistant starch, a type of indigestible carbohydrate, functions like fiber, and eating it may:
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improve colon health
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increase fullness after meals
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reduce insulin resistance
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lower blood sugar levels after meals
The internet and social media platforms can be a reputable source of information, just be
mindful of who you are choosing to listen to and make sure they are providing evidenced
based, common-sense advice. And remember, fruit, including bananas, CAN be a part of a
healthy diet.
Try this healthy smoothie that is packed with antioxidants andβ¦..a banana!
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 banana
2 cups frozen blueberries
1 cup Greek yogurt
3 cups low fat milk (your choice)
ΒΌ cup fresh basil
2 cups fresh spinach or kale
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired. Enjoy!
Store leftovers in the freezer. |
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MED instead of MEDS - For Better Health |
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February Is a Great Time to
Prune Blueberries!
Blueberries are a popular crop for commercial farmers as well as home gardeners in North Carolina. They are fairly easy to grow if provided the right conditions and donβt require pesticides to produce a good crop. This makes them a popular choice among organic growers.
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| MORE INFORMATION ON PRUNING BLUEBERRIES |
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Upcoming Shiitake Mushroom Workshop
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The Master Gardener Association of Macon County will be holding a Shiitake mushroom hands on learning workshop for homeowners who desire to grow Shiitake for additional income as an alternative agricultural crop or simply for personal consumption. This workshop will be held on Saturday, February 15th 2025 in two time slots at the Environmental Resource Center located 1624 Lakeside Dr Franklin NC 28734. |
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Strawberries: How to Start and Sustain Your Strawberry Patch |
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The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service will be holding a free seminar on how to
establish and maintain your strawberry patch. This event will be held on Wednesday
February 12th from 6:00 β 7:30 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Macon County Center located on 193 Thomas Heights Rd. Franklin NC. |
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Starting and Managing Your Blueberry Patch |
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N.C. Cooperative Extension will be holding a free seminar on how to
establish and maintain your blueberry patch. This event will be held on Wednesday
February 5th from 10:00 a.m. β 11:30 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Macon County Center located on 193 Thomas Heights Rd. Franklin NC. An outdoor pruning demonstration will take place at a nearby farm in Franklin from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. |
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Terrarium
by Eleanor Moyer, Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer |
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I am not the only one who did not want to return to those COVID-era lockdowns that this latest snow event mimicked. However, I have one friend with a lovely hobbyβbuilding doll housesβwho relished being caged in with snow. She fashions working lamps, builds real wood parquet floors, etc. I had forgotten how enchanted I was with miniatures until I saw her creation. Now hers requires many hours, particular supplies, and superlative skills developed over the years. If you are likewise drawn to creating a tiny world, consider planting a terrarium. They happen to be very fashionable at the moment from tiny glass jars to tabletop greenhouses. These creations are not skill-free but will take only a short time to develop. |
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Secure Your Farmβs Future: NC Farm Succession School |
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Farmers and farm families across North Carolina are invited to take part in the NC Farm Succession School, a full-day workshop focused on helping farm families plan for the future. With over half of North Carolinaβs farmers over the age of 65 and the USDA estimating that nearly 70% of farmland will change ownership over the next two decades, many farm families will be facing transition issues in the upcoming years. |
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Clay County Center, 25 Riverside Cir, Hayesville, NC 28904, United States
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