CLAY COUNTY CENTER
JUNE 2025 NEWSLETTER |
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Farmers Market Opening Day a Success |
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The Clay County Farmers Market officially opened for its second season on Thursday, May 8, drawing in a strong turnout with its new location and time. Now held on the Hayesville Square from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the change was made in response to challenges faced last year with afternoon heat and unpredictable summer storms. “Last year, we had issues with the weather. The heat and the afternoon summer storms made it difficult for the vendors and patrons to enjoy what the market had to offer, which is why we changed the time,” said Tyler Osborn, Agriculture Agent for Clay County. |
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| FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE NEWS |
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Family & Consumer Science Agent, Kim Terrell, has been partnering with the Brasstown Food Pantry and Matt's Ministry Food Pantry to share healthy recipe ideas with participants. The healthy recipes include ingredients participants can choose for the week. In March, Kim made a black bean and corn salsa for taste testing. Kim heard from several as they came through the line that they had made the salsa several times and loved it. This week, the recipe was mango fruit salad. Several families skipped over the canned mangos but once they tried the fruit salad, they decided they would take a can with them. Mangos are a powerhouse of nutrition, providing antioxidants such as Vit C and beta carotene as well as an excellent source of potassium and fiber. The salad includes diced canned mangos, seasonal fruit of strawberries, blueberries and kiwi tossed in a light dressing of fresh lime juice, honey and fresh mint. |
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Who knew a baked potato could be considered a food borne hazard? |
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Dining With Diabetes Program Empowers Community With Tools for Healthier Living |
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Kim Terrell, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent and Registered Dietitian, recently hosted the Dining with Diabetes program, part of the National Extension Working Group initiative. The four-week course was held on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering participants valuable education and practical skills for managing diabetes through diet and lifestyle. |
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Getting Started With Raised Bed Gardening |
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Raised bed gardening is a popular and efficient way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially in areas with poor native soil, limited space, or challenging growing conditions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, raised beds offer several benefits, including improved soil drainage, easier weed control, and reduced soil compaction. Here’s a practical guide covering key aspects of raised bed gardening, from materials and construction to planting and maintaining soil health. |
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Our Master Gardener Interns graduated on May 9th and will move on to complete their 40 hours of volunteer service to become certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.Throughout this course, interns completed a 15-week study under the direction of Ag Agent Tyler Osborn and Clay County Vice Presidents Karen Trostle and Ruth Harrell. The course consisted of coursework, research, and in-person lectures, and the group will continue with a class project applying what they have learned. We are proud of these interns and everything they have accomplished so far, and look forward to watching them 'bloom' in the program. If you are interested in becoming a Clay County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, visit clay.ces.ncsu.edu or call the office at
(828) 389-6305 for more info. |
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Pictured: Sharon Del Bianco, Connie Brown, Gail Kucharik, Jess Dixon, Aline Conley, Yvette Millward, Karen Trostle (CCMG VP), Mili Arias, Tyler Osborn (CC Ag Agent). Not Pictured: Stephen Messimer (Intern), and Ruth Harrell (CCMG VP) |
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Raised Bed Salsa Garden Class at Senior Center |
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The North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Clay County Center recently partnered with the Clay County Senior Center to teach a hands-on class on planting a raised bed salsa garden. Agriculture Agent Tyler Osborn led the educational session, demonstrating how to prepare, plant, and care for a garden designed specifically for making fresh salsa. Participants learned about the key ingredients—tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro—as well as companion planting techniques to promote growth and deter pests. |
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Understanding the Risks of Raw Milk: A Public Health Perspective |
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With raw milk returning to public conversation, it’s important to understand the science, public health data, and concerns surrounding its consumption. While raw milk—milk that has not been pasteurized—has its advocates, the overwhelming consensus from health and regulatory experts is clear: raw milk poses a significant risk to public health, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems. |
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🐄 JUNE IS NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH 🐄 |
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Try a smoothie with a nutrition punch! When you are short on time, smoothies are a great way to meet your nutritional goals. With dairy as your base, you're starting with a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Then choose from fruit and vegetable add-ins to boost your intake of other important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This Avocado Mango Smoothie is high in beta carotene, Vitamin C, and healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. Try it for breakfast or as a healthy mid-afternoon snack! |
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Stop! It’s Hatching Time! |
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Spring is in the air, and eggs are in the incubators! All seven 2nd-grade classes at Hayesville Primary School recently participated in the 4-H Embryology School Enrichment Program, successfully hatching chicks right in their classrooms.
As part of their life cycle curriculum, the teachers provided students with hands-on learning experiences—setting eggs in incubators and patiently waiting the 21 days for them to hatch. Throughout the waiting period, students engaged in various activities to deepen their understanding of animal life cycles. These included using the national 4-H Embryology Curriculum as well as creative classroom experiments like: |
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Daylily |
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I’ve been blown away this spring with the season’s first flush of spectacular flowers! It’s gratifying to think there are months of flowers to follow. One of the easiest perennials to care for, easiest to grow, and consistently wonderful is Hemerocallis, also known as the daylily. |
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Usually it’s time to encourage purchasing a rain barrel. Difficult as it may seem right now, July, August, and September will bring drier weather.
Visit the Master Gardener Discovery Garden at 25 Riverside Circle, to see how our garden grows! The website contains valuable information including a gardener plant toolbox with detailed descriptions and photographs of 4,657 plants to grow in and around North Carolina: clay.ces.ncsu.edu |
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Clay County Center June Events |
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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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