March 2025

2024 Extension Impacts Strengthens Families

Every day, across North Carolina, NC State Extension experts turn research into real-world solutions that strengthen agriculture, support families, empower youth and build more resilient communities.

The Annual Extension Impacts Report highlights the collective impact of our work in 2024 and showcases how, together with our partners and supporters, we drive innovation, provide essential support and improve lives statewide. We encourage you to explore these materials and use them to help tell Extension’s story in your communities.

Our commitment to serving the public is what makes Extension an invaluable resource. With your support we will continue building on this momentum, strengthening partnerships and expanding our impact in the year ahead.

Small Farms Week is an annual event in March that showcases the programs and activities offered by N.C. Cooperative Extension, aimed at supporting limited resource, small-scale, part time and alternative enterprise farmers.

The 39th annual Small Farms Week -- North Carolina A&T State University’s annual tribute to small-scale agriculture -- is set for March 23-29 and will address the many technologies and best practices that are changing agricultural production on farms of all sizes.

With the theme “Next Gen Agriculture,” Small Farms Week 2025 will look at new technologies and new farming practices designed for environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.

Whether you have ample garden space or are working with limited resources, you’ll discover how to integrate fun activities that inspire young people to grow and appreciate their own food, all that can be learned in a garden.

Workshop Speaker: Liz Driscoll, NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Youth Development Specialist. She brings 18 years of experience in youth programming for the departments of Horticultural Science, Crop and Soil Sciences, and Entomology and Plant Pathology to this event. Liz engages youth both near and far… from North Carolina to Kenya and Brazil through an NCSU global program where children are considered the key to growing and strengthening communities.

Participants: This interactive workshop will explore creative, hands-on approaches for adults to engage youth of all ages in developing an interest in plants, insects and soils… cultivating curiosity and wonder. The focus will be on experiential learning, community connections, and practical skill-building. This session will provide educators, youth leaders, and community volunteers with fresh ideas to foster curiosity about food systems, environmental stewardship, and healthy living.

March 18, 9:00 am-12: noon

Moore County Agricultural Building

7070 Pinehurst Avenue

Carthage, NC 28327

The Joy of Succulents

If you forget to water or care for your plants, you might want to consider growing a succulent. Succulent plants are xerophytes, plants able to endure prolonged dry, arid environments by storing water in their leaves and roots. The word succulent comes from the Latin word ‘sucus’ which means sap. Succulents store sap, causing them to appear plump and fleshy.

They offer a diversity of visual interests through their colors, sizes, and shapes. They do not require pruning, repotting or fertilization. When planting, use a well-draining, sandy soil mix to improve aeration and drainage. They tolerate a range of light levels from bright indirect light to
full sun depending on the variety. Propagate your succulent by taking a cutting and letting it dry in the sun. When you see new spouts start growing you can plant them.

Interesting fact to remember, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

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

By: Betty Dew, EMGV, Moore County

Photo: N.C. Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Moore County Farmers' Market
in Southern Pines

Thursdays,Year-Round, 9AM-1PM
(closed Thanksgiving)
Armory Sports Complex
604 W. Morganton Rd
Southern Pines, NC 28387

Opens for Spring
Saturdays-March 8-November 22, 8AM-Noon
Downton Southern Pines
SE Broad & New York Avenue
Southern Pines, NC 28387

James Creek Sunday Market
Cameron

First & Third Sundays of the Month, 1PM-5PM
172 US-1 Highway
Cameron, NC 28326

Carthage Farmers' Market

Carthage

Returning in April
S Ray Street
Carthage, NC 28327

Lichens, a Sign of

Air Quality

What has over 20,000 species, comes in shades of green, blue, yellow, and gray, and grows on trees, rocks, or even fence posts?

Here’s a hint: it’s not a plant, but it thrives in bright light and clean air.

If you guessed lichen—L-I-C-H-E-N—you’d be correct! Lichens are fascinating organisms formed through a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae.

Lichens are excellent environmental indicators. Sensitive to air pollutants like nitrogen, sulfur, lead, and mercury, their presence signals good air quality, while their absence may suggest pollution.

Lichens need two things to grow: a stable surface to anchor to and bright light, though indirect sunlight. While lichens often appear on poorly foliated or non-growing plants, they can also grow on healthy plants and generally don’t harm them. However, they can contribute to the decline of weakened trees.

Removing lichens is rarely necessary and can do more harm than good. Instead, lichens often reflect environmental conditions like light exposure or reduced canopy cover.

Appreciating lichens helps us better understand the ecological factors that may be impacting a plant’s health.

For more information about lichens and tree health, contact Christian Flores at Christian_Flores@ncsu.edu or at 910-947-3188.

Christian Flores
Horticulture Agent, Moore County Center

Avian Influenza: There's Moore to Know

The price of eggs and bird flu have been regular features in the news lately. But there is more to know about the Avian Flu other than how it has affected egg prices? The transmission of the disease can effect your pets and backyard chickens as well.

Winter is prime time for respiratory bugs, and this cold and flu season carries new concerns for people and their pets over an emerging pathogen: H5N1 avian influenza, also called bird flu. As the wild bird migratory season approaches, bringing elevated risk for bird flu transmission, people can take simple steps to protect themselves, their pets and their backyard birds.

Often people don’t realize that their outdoor cats could go around and catch infected backyard birds. It’s possible that cats could pick up the virus from wildlife, but animals that are typically allowed outdoors will get very distressed if they cannot be outdoors. You have to balance the welfare of the animal and their risk of getting the disease.

With dogs, it’s easier because they are more trainable and typically go outside on leashes and under supervision. Hunting dogs may hunt sick animals, but in general they are trained not to consume the meat.

Find out how the Avian Flu could effect you more than the cost of eggs. Visit the NC State Veterinarian Science News to read What North Carolinians Need to Know to Keep Themselves and Their Pets Safe.

Liz Joseph
Livestock Agent, Moore County Center

Substitutions Help with the Cost of Eggs

With the increase in the price of eggs in grocery stores, many families are looking for a cheaper substitute to use in recipes. You have to understand that in a typical recipe for baked goods, eggs usually play one or two roles. They act as a binder to hold the recipe together or they act as a leavening agent where they are used in a recipe to help the food rise. Once that is figured out, you can determine what your options are for substituting eggs in recipes. Following are some examples for egg substitutions:

For recipes that use eggs primarily as a binder (such as drop cookies), possible substitutions for one egg include:

1/2 of a medium banana, mashed.
1/4 cup of applesauce (or other pureed fruit).
3 1/2 tablespoon unflavored gelatin blend: 1 cup boiling water and 2 teaspoon gelatin. You will have a bit left over, but only use 3 1/2 tablespoons!
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water; let stand 1 minute before using.

For recipes that use eggs primarily as a leavening agent you can try the following mixture:

1 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon baking powder (not baking soda!) per egg.

Go here to find more information about substitutions that can be used to replace eggs in recipes.

Deborah McGiffin
County Extension Director, Moore County

Exciting Opportunities in 4-H!

As spring approaches, there’s a renewed sense of energy, growth, and possibility in the air! The longer days, warmer weather, and fresh start of the season create the perfect time to try something new, build new skills, and get more involved in the community. Just as plants begin to sprout and animals become more active, it’s a season of renewal and transformation—and what better way to embrace this change than by exploring all the opportunities available through 4-H?

4-H is more than just an extracurricular activity—it’s a life-changing experience that empowers young people to learn, grow, and give back in meaningful ways. Whether a child is interested in agriculture, STEM, leadership, or community service, 4-H provides a fun, hands-on
environment where they can develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Through mentorship, engaging clubs, summer camps, and leadership programs, participants build confidence, responsibility, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. Plus, 4-H isn’t just about personal growth—it also helps young people become active citizens, make a
positive impact, and create lasting friendships along the way. How exciting is that?!

Check Out the Moore County 4-H Clubs!

 Farm to Fork Foodie Fun – Cooking, nutrition, and food education
 Sewing Club – Learn sewing skills and create fun projects
 Silver Spurs Horse Club – For horse lovers and equestrian enthusiasts
 Growing Farmers – Hands-on farming and gardening experiences
 Dare to Be Different? – A club celebrating creativity and uniqueness
 Vass Lakeview Clover Club – General 4-H club with diverse activities
 Coming Soon! Top Shots Shooting Sports Club – Stay tuned!

4-H is all about discovering new interests, gaining confidence, and becoming a leader. We’re always looking to expand our club offerings—so if there’s something you’d love to see, let us know!

Get Involved!
To learn more about Moore County 4-H or to get involved, contact:
Kim Singleton – kimberly_singleton@ncsu.edu; 910-947-4658

Join us and be part of something inspiring this spring!