CLAY COUNTY CENTER |
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JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER |
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Asian Needle Ants in North Carolina: What to Know
They’re invasive. They sting.
And they’re spreading across North Carolina.
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Ever see a lone black ant wandering through your yard — not following a trail, just doing its own thing? There’s a decent chance it might be an Asian needle ant, and if so, it’s worth paying attention.
These insect invaders are spreading across North Carolina and the East Coast, and while they’re not aggressive like fire ants, they pack a painful sting — and in some cases it can cause serious allergic reactions. |
| LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ASIAN NEEDLE ANT |
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We’re excited to share that Babe’s Corner Store is now OPEN! Stop by to experience Babe’s heartfelt return to the roots of community living—where neighbors meet, recipes are swapped, and local heritage is celebrated with every visit. |
| Babe's Corner Store |
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Broomsedge: The Poor Man’s Grass |
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Broomsedge (Andropogon Virginius) is a native warm-season perennial bunchgrass commonly found in pastures, hayfields, and roadsides throughout the southeastern United States. While it has some historical significance and ecological value, it is often considered a sign of poor pasture health and presents several challenges in livestock operations. |
| LEARN MORE ABOUT BROOMSEDGE |
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Late Spring 2025 Snapshots From Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Garden |
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Cooperative Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden was created in late 2008 at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro to provide forage from early spring to late fall for pollinators such as native bees, honey bees, wasps, butterflies, flower flies, hummingbirds, beetles, and other beneficial insects. The garden features over 225 unique species of perennials, 85% of which are native to North Carolina. The garden is a great teaching tool that I use to conduct workshops and tours for hundreds of folks each year. It has taught me so much and I enjoy sharing this knowledge with others. Below you can see photos of the pollinator garden from mid-May through mid-June.
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| MORE POLLINATOR GARDEN PHOTOS |
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Terrific (And Free!) Opportunity for Learning About Land Succession Tools |
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Farm succession planning is important for several critical reasons—both for the continuity of the farm operation and for the well-being of the family involved. Farm planning:
Ensures Continuity of the Farm
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Without a plan, the farm may struggle or be forced to shut down after the current operator retires, becomes ill, or passes away.
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Succession planning allows the next generation to step in with confidence and a clear understanding of their roles.
Protects Family Relationships
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Farms are often family-run, and unclear expectations or conflicts over inheritance can cause lasting rifts.
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A clear succession plan reduces misunderstandings and promotes fairness and transparency.
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🍳 Calling All Home Cooks! 🍰 |
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The NC Mountain State Fair is looking for you to show off your skills in the daily Amateur Cooking Contests!
Winners take home cash prizes ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the sponsor—and yes, that means a new chance to win every single day of the fair!
🎟️ All participants receive a FREE fair ticket and VIP parking.
🥇 We need more fresh faces and flavors—Western NC, let’s represent!
🗓️ Deadline to enter: August 9
📢 Help spread the word to your foodie friends!
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| ENTER NOW |
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🎡 The 2025 NC Mountain State Fair Catalog is now available! Both General Exhibits and Livestock Exhibits are posted on the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center website and ready for your entries. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun—get those entries in today! 🐄🌽🎨 #MountainStateFair #NCFair2025 #EnterNow |
| WNCAGCENTER.ORG |
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Integrated Pest Management |
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By Kathy Smith, Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer
Being blessed with all this rain creates lush growth and all those critters who savor the bounty. I’ve had a long career in vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) agriculture, which is a sustainable approach to managing pests to minimize risks to people and the environment. It’s a science-based process that utilizes pest biology and ecology to employ a range of control methods, including cultural, biological, mechanical, and pesticide-based approaches. So here are a few tips. |
| SEE TIPS! |
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EXCITING NEWS FOR CLAY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS!! |
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Please join us in congratulating the Clay County Master Gardeners Volunteers on receiving a Native Plant Habitat Certification for the Downtown Discovery Garden from the North Carolina Native Plant Society! This recognition highlights the gardeners’ hard work in creating and maintaining a public space that supports native plants, pollinators, and wildlife, all while serving as a living classroom for the community.The Downtown Discovery Garden isn’t just beautiful, it’s a model of sustainable, research-based gardening right in the heart of Hayesville.Great job, Master Gardeners! Your dedication continues to make Clay County bloom in all the right ways. |
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On Friday, June 20th the Clay on the Fly-Fishing Club had a lot of fun catching catfish at Gunner's Ranch! |
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We offer free Canner Testing.
It’s very important that the method you use to preserve your food, especially canned foods, is done correctly to prevent spoilage. If you plan on pressure canning this summer, be sure your pressure canner is in good shape and equipped to do the job. If you have a dial gauge canner, it is recommended you have the gauge tested each year before use.
And free Soil Testing.
Healthy soil is the foundation of successful gardening. The first step to cultivating healthy soil is having your soil tested.
Collecting soil samples only takes a few minutes and has many benefits. It can help you save money in your lawn, garden, and landscape can result in healthier plants by telling you which nutrients are already in your soil and which you need to add, and can protect water quality by preventing unnecessary fertilizer applications. |
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Visit our office
25 Riverside Circle, Suite 2
Hayesville, NC 28904
828-389-6305
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25 Riverside Circle, Suite 2, Hayesville, NC 28904
828-389-6305 |
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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.
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