West District 4-H Clinic is in The Books

When the evening of Sunday, June 15th rolled around the West District 4-H Youth Horse Events volunteers were on the lookout for 86 mounted riders to embark on the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Youth participants along with their parents and 4-H horse program volunteer leaders came in with their horses and ponies to get them settled into their stalls in preparation for 3 days of fun, learning, saddle sores, and boot blisters.

Be On The Look Out For Black Knot

Black knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa (formerly Dibotryon morbosum), is a common and often disfiguring disease affecting plum and cherry trees, including both cultivated and wild varieties. If left unmanaged, it can severely impact fruit production and the overall health of infected trees.

Free Dial Gauge Pressure Canner Testing

For your safety and to ensure proper food preservation, dial gauge pressure canners should be checked annually for accuracy. This testing service is free and takes only a few minutes. You only need to bring the canner lid for testing. Even if the gauge has been removed from the lid, we can still test its accuracy. We recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment to ensure an someone is available to assist you. 

You can reach us at:

(828) 837-2210 ext. 5.

Please note: Pressure canners equipped with a weighted gauge do not require testing, as they are not subject to calibration changes.

Goat Care on a Few Acres

Are you interested in learning about goat care and production on a few acres? The workshop will be free and will discuss shelter, fencing, handling facilities, nutrition, reproduction, parasite management (FAMACHA), hoof trimming, predator control, and marketing meat goats. The training will conclude at Noon.

4-H Sew Happy to Learn to Sew Day Camp

Registration Open

Cherokee County 4-H is hosting a summer day camp opportunity for youth to learn to sew. This will be a basic learn-to-sew class for youth ages 8-18. We will learn machine and hand sewing techniques. The day camp is 4 days, August 4th-August 7th. The time is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. No experience is necessary.

Flower Hammering Workshop

Flower hammering, also known as leaf pounding or tataki-zome, is a traditional art form where the colors and patterns of leaves and flowers are transferred onto fabric or paper by pounding them with a hammer or mallet. The Cherokee tribe, particularly Cherokee women, were known to use this technique to decorate fabric. You are welcome to bring flowers from your garden. All supplies are included.

Navigating Medicare Resources Online

Medicare is a complex topic, but there are online resources to help! In this lecture, we’ll discuss ways to find information about Medicare online. We’ll explore medicare.gov and an example private insurance website to learn about the tools and resources they offer.

Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Certification Class Planned For 2026

The Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Cherokee County are planning certification training each Wednesday beginning January 7 thru April 22,  2026. This is a selective process that will include interviews.

Support Your Local Farmers Markets!

Discover the vibrant flavors and community spirit at our local farmers markets! When you choose to shop at farmers markets, you're not just getting fresh, high-quality produce and unique artisanal goods; you're also directly supporting our hardworking local farmers and boosting the regional economy. It's a fantastic way to promote healthy eating habits for your family and connect with the people who grow your food.

WNC AgOptions Information Session

You are invited to an informational meeting about the 2026 WNC AgOptions grant program for growers and producers Monday August 25 at 4 p.m. The WNC AgOptions staff will provide a presentation of the 2026 application, timeline of the grant application, and answer questions. Grants of $5000.00 and $10,000.00 are available to farmers located within a 22 county area of Western North Carolina.

Cherokee County 4-H Club Meeting Dates and Times

Cherokee County currently has five active 4-H Clubs. All of our clubs are open to youth ages 5-18 except for our Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club and 4-H Cooking, Crafting, & Community Club. Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club is open to grades 6-12. 4-H Cooking, Crafting, & Community Club is open to all youth ages 12-18. All of our 4-H clubs are free to enroll in. If there is no club that your child is interested in please give us a call and we will talk to you about other ways to be involved in 4-H. Or if you would like to start a 4-H club we would love to have new 4-H adult volunteers.

Ag Agent Assistance Can Be Requested Online!

If you are a citizen of Cherokee County and have questions about farming, gardening and other type information, assistance can be requested online.  We also have some great online information to help solve problems with Weed ID, Plant ID, Pest, Pathogens and more!

Support Our Community with the Donation Station at Murphy Farmer's Market!

Here's a wonderful opportunity to support our local community and ensure no one goes hungry: visit the Donation Station at the Murphy Farmers Market! On the second Saturday of every month, you can make a real difference. The Donation Station gratefully accepts food items you purchase directly from our local farmers at the market. See more information in the event section of this news letter.

Using Google Sheets Sessions 1 & 2

From budgeting to event planning to keeping track of job applications, Google Sheets can help you get organized! Sheets is available for free to anyone with a Gmail account! In this 2-session workshop series, you’ll learn the basics of creating, sharing, and downloading spreadsheets with Google Sheets.

Learn How to Identify Trees

Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Cherokee County will be offering a free class from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13. The class will be held at 699b Connahetta Street in Murphy, NC. Learn the keys to identify trees and practice tree identification along the Riverwalk. Checkout all of our classes at go.ncsu.edu/cherokeecounty.

Cherokee County 4-H Members Bring Home The Gold!

Congratulations Carlie James and Kaelyn Hedden for their gold winning team presentation in the careers and entrepreneurship category. Congratulations Eli Setless for his gold in the digital reality category. And congratulations to Cole Kimbrell for winning gold in the poultry production category.

Step Up Your Health with Murphy on The Move Walking Club!

Looking for a fun way to get active and connect with your community? Join the Murphy on the Move Walking Club! Every Wednesday at 10:00 AM, adults of all fitness levels are invited to meet up for a refreshing walk.

Walking is a fantastic way to boost your physical health, helping to improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, and even manage weight. But the benefits don't stop there! Participating in a group like Murphy on the Move also offers wonderful social and mental advantages.

Unleash Your Creativity With Our Fall Beginner Sewing Series!

This series is perfect for absolute beginners, teaching you essential sewing machine basics, fundamental techniques, and guiding you through fun, simple projects to build your confidence.

Get ready to transform fabric into fantastic creations and pick up a valuable new skill! Spaces are limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity to stitch your way into a rewarding hobby.

Crowd Funding for Entrepreneurs

The internet has changed the way entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofits, and charitable organizations raise money. This presentation will explore crowdfunding—fundraising by gathering small amounts of money from large numbers of people—online. You’ll learn the fundamentals of using a crowdfunding campaign to raise money as well as how to search for and contribute to other people’s campaigns.

Discover the Alliance For Grassland Renewal

Are your pastures performing at their peak? Are you getting the most out of your forage, or are you battling challenges like fescue toxicity that limit your livestock’s health and your farm’s profitability? If you’re a farmer, rancher, or landowner involved in livestock production, there’s a vital resource you need to know about: The Alliance for Grassland Renewal.

Resources for Homeowners, Landowners, and Gardeners on Soil Sampling

Soil Sampling is an important tool for homeowners and gardeners. Farmers have been relying on this information for many years to be successful in growing crops, pasture, and tree farms. Soil sampling materials can be picked up at our office location during normal business hours. We have a self help table located on the 2nd floor in which you can pick-up the boxes, forms, and instructions.

Smoky Mountain Woodland Owners Workshop

Gather with fellow woodland owners during an interactive walk and talk to obtain essential knowledge on a variety of forestry and wildlife topics. Workshop is FREE!

Enroll or Re-Enroll in 4-H

For 2025

The 4-H Online system is open for enrollment and re-enrollment so log into your account today! If have trouble logging in then please contact Shannon Coleman, at shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or call (828)837-2210 ext. 4 for help.