May 2025

Extension: Who, What, Where

The Cooperative Extension Service is quite literally a state-of-mind for me. My father was an Extension agent with the University of Georgia, so I have never lived a day without being associated with the Extension Service. Yet, I am frequently asked what I do, and when I try to explain it, I am often met with blank stares. So, in this month's newsletter, I am attempting to characterize what the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is and how we are part of the communities that we live in, work in, and work for.

The Cooperative Extension Service in each state is essentially a division of the land-grant university in that state. North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T Universities are the two land-grant universities in this state. As a division these universities, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension houses Extension agents and staff in County Extension offices in partnerships with county governments and communities. Our mission is to help enrich the lives, land, and economy in the locales and for the public where we serve. County Extension offices operate as the local resource which connects community members and families with the latest research and practical knowledge from NC State University and NC A&T State University in the areas of agriculture and food systems, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, community and rural development, and natural resources and environmental stewardship. Each county office tailors its programs to meet the specific needs of the county and communities within that county. In Moore County we focus specifically on the following needs and expectations:

We support local agriculture by providing guidance to farmers on crop production, soil health, pest management, and farm business planning. We offer pesticide safety training, farmer field days, individual farm visits and consultations, and diagnostic services for plant and animal diseases and other issues.

In the area of youth development, the 4-H program engages youth in opportunities where they develop leadership skills, enhance academic skills through hands-on STEM and agricultural education, and learn civic responsibility through civic service projects. Youth "learn by doing" in various non-formal settings that include community clubs, camps, and public speaking contests. Through role playing in real-life, real-time scenarios, youth develop critical thinking skills needed to become tomorrow's productive adults and community leaders.

The Family and Consumer Sciences area of Extension teaches nutrition, food safety, meal planning, budgeting, and family resource management. Family and Consumer Sciences agents and their programs support vibrant communities and strong families by nurturing wellness, positive family relationships and promoting positive parenting skills.

Extension programs help communities conserve natural resources by offering guidance on landscaping, water quality, forestry, and backyard gardening. In Moore County the Extension Master Gardener program that consists of trained volunteers, support sustainable communities by assisting residential clients find sustainable researched solutions to lawn and garden dilemmas or concerns.

Finally, Extension agents are at the forefront of natural disasters. When hurricanes, droughts, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies occur that impact agriculture or public health, Extension agents respond by pooling resources to help our local communities recover.

If you still are thinking, "Uh?," check out our website, https://moore.ces.ncsu.edu/, Facebook pages, https://www.facebook.com/MooreNCCE/, https://www.facebook.com/MooreCnty4H/,https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572893639667 or come in to our office and talk to an agent and find out first hand about how the Moore County Extension staff is here to serve Moore County.

Learn more about how Extension serves Moore County by contacting Moore County Extension Director, Deborah McGiffin.

Deborah McGiffin
County Extension Director, Moore County Center

Please join us: Sandhills Research Station (SRS) Turfgrass Regional
Conference and Field Day.

This course is recommended for the following groups of individuals:

Golf course superintendents and personnel
Landscape managers (from single property to multiple client operations)
Sports Turf managers
Master Gardeners
Citizens seeking advanced information

Regular Registration - $35
TCNC Member - $5

ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ALL REGISTRATION MUST BE DONE ONLINE.

Registration Deadline is June 9, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Iris the Rainbow Goddess

A North Carolina garden favorite is the Iris, named after the beautifully winged Greek goddess
of rainbows. This rhizome is a hearty perennial known for its showy, orchid-like flowers with 3 upright pedals and 3 downward drooping sepals (falls). Its leaves are like swords, the fruit/seed a dull brown capsule, and its flowers spectacular. Iris’s grow well in NC in both full, partial sun and partial shade. Some like very wet feet, growing well next to streams and ponds, other dwarf varieties prefer partial shade, living their leaves as beautiful groundcover.

Iris like neutral to slightly acidic, well drained, fertile soil that can be kept dry throughout the fall and winter. Plant new plants or rhizomes in the late summer/early fall before evening temperatures drop below 40 o F. Rhizomes should be planted horizontally, just below the surface
of the soil. As they are susceptible to rot, avoid mulching. Fertilize them in the early spring, and again in summer for double bloomers. Deadhead them to coax additional blooms, and stake as needed. Iris multiply quickly and hence, are easy to propagate.

There are several varieties of Iris that grow well in North Carolina, including the Bearded, Crested, Beardless, and Water Iris. Some varieties bloom twice. The Crested Iiris has a cockscomb-like crest, with native varieties (dwarfed crested iris) blooming in the spring and growing as groundcover in part shade. Beardless Irises prefer heavier soils and can be grown
waterside. Siberian, Japanese, and Water Iris (Ensata) are beardless.

With a little research and planning you can create an Iris bed that blooms from early spring through late summer and is a beautiful source of cut flowers. And as beautiful as they are to humans, deer tend not to find them appealing. Pick a spot in your garden for an Iris bed, and invite the Rainbow Goddess in.

For additional information, contact the Extension Master Gardener Helpline: Monday thru Friday 910-947-3188

By: Barbara McGinnis, EMGV, Moore County

Photo: by Dolores Muller

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

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

Sandhills Farmers' Market

Wednesdays, 3PM-6PM
Saturdays, 10 AM-1PM
on the Village Green at Tufts Memorial Park
105 Cherokee Road
Pinehurst, NC 28374

James Creek Sunday Market

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

A Ground Buzzing Bee

Spring brings more than just flowers—it also brings a quiet pollinator hard at work beneath our feet: Andrena dunningi, also known as Dunning’s mining bee, a native species vital to early-season pollination here in Moore County.

Unlike honeybees, Dunning’s mining bees don’t live in hives. They’re solitary nesters, digging into sandy, well-drained soil. Active in early spring—when few other pollinators are around—they’re essential for native wildflowers and trees.

These bees are small, fuzzy, and often mistaken for honeybees—but they’re gentle and harmless. While they do have stingers, they almost never sting and aren’t aggressive. Each one digs its own tunnel and forages alone, even if they appear in large groups.

I visited a local homeowner recently whose entire lawn was covered in them. They were worried, but the good news is these bees only stick around for a few weeks—and during that time, they are doing important work for our ecosystem.

If you notice small holes or buzzing in your yard this time of year, don’t panic. Leaving patches of bare ground, planting native flowers, and avoiding early-spring pesticide sprays can support these pollinators.
So next time you see a little bee emerging from the soil in spring, give it some space—it might be a Dunning’s mining bee, quietly helping Moore County bloom.

Christian Flores
Horticulture Agent, Moore County Center

Photo by iNaturalist

Pasture Weed Control Considerations

Before you select any chemical check the label for usage rates, restrictions, weeds controlled, etc. Weed growth and development are dependent upon environmental conditions. It is important to scout fields regularly during the growing season. If you had a weed infestation last year, chances are they will be present this year.

Pre-emergent Herbicides: suppresses weed seed germination.
Post-emergent Herbicides: applied to weeds after germination while actively growing.

Warm Season Weeds:

Annual Grasses (sandspur, foxtail, goosegrass, crabgrass, crowfoot grass, broadleaf signalgrass): Utilize pre-emergent herbicides in the spring before germination; Post-emergent herbicides can be used after germination but before weeds reach four inches in height.

Perennial Grasses (nimblewill, vaseygrass, bahiagrass, Johnsongrass, dallisgrass, smutgrass, broomsedge): Only post-emergent herbicides are effective; Limited herbicide options; Herbicide application timing is very important; Needs to be applied before weeds reach eight inches in height.

Annual Broadleaves (ragweed, bitter sneezeweed, pokeweed, arrowleaf sida, sicklepod, pigweed, Florida pusley): Utilize pre-emergent herbicides in the spring before germination; Post-emergent herbicides can be used after germination but before weeds reach four inches in height.

Biannual & Perennial Broadleaves (dog fennel, common mullein, horsenettle): Pre-emergent herbicides are only effective on seeds that have not germinated; Post-emergent herbicides are most effective during the first year of the biannual plant’s lifecycle (before flowering which occurs during the second year); Horsenettle should be sprayed during the flowering stage.

Sedges, Rushes, and Others (nutsedge, green kyllinga, globe sedge, porcupine sedge, path rush, oval sedge, annual sedge): Pre-emergent herbicides usually NOT effective; Post-emergent herbicides are most effective when applied before seedhead formation.

Liz Joseph
Livestock Agent, Moore County Center

Spice It Up

Visit any Farmers Market, grocery store, or other food market and you’re likely to see fresh herbs for sale. Herbs and spices have been used in foods for centuries. Archeologists estimate that by 50,000 B.C. primitive man had discovered that parts of certain aromatic plants help make food taste better. Early settlers brought herbs to the new world to use as remedies for illnesses, as aromatics to store with linens or repel pests, and to mask the bland flavors of food.

Colonists introduced each other to the herb gardening style known as “kitchen gardens,” which involved growing herbs, along with vegetables and flowers, in gardens just outside the kitchen door for convenience and safety. The interest in herbs continued through the Revolutionary War to the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, who grew 26 kinds of herbs in his personal kitchen garden. While our ancestors believed herbs and spices had properties that were beneficial to human health, it wasn’t until more recently that scientists established just how good herbs and spices are for one’s health.

There are two eating patterns that are recommended by USDA in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet – both of which focus on herbs and spices as a healthier alternative to seasoning food. In addition to reducing the amount of sugar and salt used to flavor food, herbs provide antioxidants that help protect against some cancers and heart disease.

If you are like most cooks, you probably have quite a few bottles of dried herbs and spices in your kitchen cabinet. I am often asked how long dried herbs and spices last and the answer depends on storage conditions. Most dried spices begin to lose their flavor after about a year and dried herbs can lose flavor even sooner. Light, heat, and moisture further shorten storage life; so if your seasonings are not kept cool, dark, and dry, they may have little potency remaining. A quick “sniff” test can help determine whether to keep or throw. If the herb or spice still smells strong, continue using it.

Rather you want to cut down on salt and sugar or just "spice up" your meals here are some tips for adding flavor to them with spices.

Deborah McGiffin
Extension Director, Family & Consumer Sciences
Moore County Center

Make a Difference in Moore County: Become a 4-H Volunteer!

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Moore County 4-H is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated adult community members to help inspire and support local youth. By becoming a 4-H volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to guide young people as they explore new interests, develop essential life skills, and build confidence for the future.

Expanding 4-H Opportunities for Moore County Youth

Moore County Extension is committed to expanding our reach by creating more opportunities for youth to engage in 4-H programming and activities. Our goal is to provide more hands-on learning experiences in a variety of areas, ensuring that every child has the chance to grow, lead, and succeed. However, we need passionate volunteers to help bring these opportunities to life!

Why Volunteer with 4-H?

4-H is more than just a youth organization—it’s a hands-on, youth-driven program that fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Young people involved in 4-H gain valuable skills that prepare them for success in school, careers, and life. As a volunteer, you will play a key role in supporting and shaping their growth.

4-H Offers Over 200 Exciting Projects in Areas Like:

-STEM & Technology
-Cooking & Nutrition
-Livestock & Animal Care
-Leadership & Citizenship
-Community Service
-Public Speaking
-Outdoor Adventures
-Healthy Living & More!

Ways to Get Involved

Whether you have a few hours a month or want to take on a leadership role, there’s a place for you in 4-H! Volunteers can:
-Lead a 4-H club based on a topic of interest.
-Assist with workshops, summer camps, contests, and fairs.
-Share a skill or passion through short-term projects.
-Mentor youth and support leadership programs.

No prior experience? No problem! 4-H provides training, resources, and ongoing support to ensure that volunteers feel confident and prepared in their roles. To maintain a safe and positive environment for youth, all volunteers must complete a screening process, including a background check.

Join the 4-H Community

As we work to expand 4-H programming in Moore County, we invite you to be a part of this exciting effort. Becoming a 4-H volunteer is a rewarding experience that allows you to make a lasting impact on local youth while becoming part of a statewide and national movement dedicated to positive youth development.

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