Vendors needed for

Clay County Farmers Market

The mission of the Clay County Farmers Market is: 

• To promote and encourage the development of local, small-scale agriculture. 
  

• To provide and administer a seasonal marketplace for local producers of agricultural products. 
  

• To enhance knowledge about the economic importance of supporting local farmers and the nutritional benefits of eating fresh foods. 
  

•  To promote the local heritage of rural living and social interaction. 

April Is Stress Awareness Month: How to Manage Stress Effectively

April marks Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize and address the impact stress can have on our mental and physical well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, stress can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to manage it effectively. Here are several techniques to help reduce stress and promote overall well-being:

Starting a Backyard Chicken Flock

As egg prices have increased for several months, many people have considered raising chickens in their backyards. Raising backyard chickens is a rewarding endeavor that provides fresh eggs, natural pest control, and an opportunity to engage in sustainable agriculture. Whether you want a few hens for eggs or a small flock for both meat and companionship, proper planning and care are essential to ensure your chickens thrive. Before bringing home your first birds, research local ordinances and zoning regulations, as some areas have restrictions on keeping poultry.

Garden Talk Series

N.C. Cooperative Extension – Clay County Center & Clay County Extension Master Gardeners invite you to dig into gardening this season with their upcoming Garden Talk Series, a series of short seminars designed for gardeners of all experience levels. Hosted at the Downtown Discovery Garden Classroom in Hayesville, this free educational series runs from April through July and focuses on topics that matter most to local gardeners.

A Rose by Any Other Name

By Eleanor Moyer – Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer

I ran into my rose expert at the grocery last summer and asked about a problem my neighbor was having with her hybrid tea rose, only to have him reply that he no longer grew roses other than those easy-care landscape varieties like Knock Outs. He said bugs, disease, deer, and weather just made it too time consuming. I am using that as a disclaimer, but honestly, how can anyone not think roses worth the effort! Master Gardeners in Buncombe County have a good size rose garden to prove it (although it takes lots of consistent effort

There is a song “April is the Cruelest Month” which can apply to our gardens. It warms up, we are enthusiastic to plant all those annuals and warm season crops and a killing frost comes out of nowhere. Our last day of frost isn’t until the end of this month.