CLAY COUNY CENTER

SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER

Celebrate Tradition at the 19th Annual

Ag Day & Tractor Parade

Mark your calendars for a day of fun, food, and local heritage at the 19th Annual Ag Day & Tractor Parade on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM in Hayesville Town Square.

This beloved event brings the community together to celebrate agriculture and rural traditions. Highlights include:

Tractor Parade at 12 PM
Line the streets to see a showcase of tractors old and new, celebrating the backbone of our farming community. If you would like to participate in the parade, please meet at the Hayesville High School parking lot. Parade registration is $15.
Raffle & Drawing for a 1951 Ford 8N Tractor
Don’t miss your chance to win this iconic piece of farming history!
Activities, Food, Entertainment, and Vendors
Enjoy local crafts, delicious food, family-friendly activities, and live entertainment throughout the day.
4-H Clubs will be participating at AG Day.

Trails & Rails will be hosting an animal booth and a silent auction.
The Cooking Club will be hosting a bake sale fundraiser.

All proceeds benefit the Clay County Tractor Club Community Programs, supporting agricultural education and community initiatives.

For more information, contact the NC Cooperative Extension Clay County Center at (828) 389-6305.

This event is sponsored by the Clay County NC Cooperative Extension and the Clay County Tractor Club. Come out for a day of celebration, community pride, and tradition!

MORE INFORMATION HERE

IN THE DARKEST HOUR, HEROS SHINE BRIGHT

Recovery to Resilience

Extension Helps Shape Western NC’s Future After Helene

READ ARTICLE FROM NC CALS MAGAZINE

Extension: A Resource for Our Communities

As we approach the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, we are reminded of the strength and resilience of our community. During those difficult days, Clay County Extension was proud to stand alongside our neighbors, offering help and support when it was needed most.

The above video and article highlight how Extension continues to be a vital resource in our communities—whether through education, outreach, or disaster response. The photos below capture just a glimpse of the ways we worked together to provide relief and lend a helping hand after the storm.

At Extension, we remain committed to serving, supporting, and strengthening our community—both in times of need and every day in between.

Tyler and other volunteers in Avery County

Tyler loading hay in Avery County

Trailer of donations organized with

Farm Bureau.

Kim's car full of donations for Spruce Pine

Big news for Clay County! Bass Hyatt is the first from our county to join the WNC Agriculture Hall of Fame! Thank you, Bass, for your hard work and dedication to growing agriculture here at home and across North Carolina. Congratulations on the huge accomplishment! (Photos courtesy of Benita England)

Discover What’s New in Family & Consumer Science

September is Food Safety Month

Foodborne Illness: A Common but Preventable Health Threat

Every year, an estimated 48 million Americans fall ill from foodborne illnesses. Of those, around 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 tragically lose their lives. These illnesses are often caused by consuming food or drinks contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins. The good news? Most foodborne illnesses are preventable with proper precautions.

The Nutritional Powerhouse: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are more than just a juicy addition to salads or a base for sauces—they’re a nutritional powerhouse loaded with health benefits. Whether eaten raw, cooked, or blended into soups and sauces, tomatoes offer a wide range of nutrients that support overall wellness.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOMATOES

Growing News in Agriculture

Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants: Test Your Soil for Free

Soil testing is one of the most valuable tools available for anyone who grows plants, whether that’s a home garden, a lawn, a farm field, or a pasture. Soil is the foundation of all plant growth, and just like people need regular check-ups to stay healthy, soil needs to be tested to know what condition it’s in. A soil test measures important information, such as the soil’s pH (its acidity or alkalinity) and the amount of key nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. These results help you know exactly what your soil needs, rather than guessing or applying fertilizers that may not be necessary.

Applications for the 2026 WNC AG Options Grant are open, and 2 info sessions in our area are coming up for anyone interested in attending and learning more about how to qualify for the grant. More information can be found at wncagoptions.org or by calling our office at (828) 389-6305

Organic Growers School has two WNC-area farmer training/development programs with open applications.The two programs are: 1) Journeyperson, for farmers who are in year 3+ of independent business; and 2) Farm Beginnings, for folks trying to get their farm business off the ground. It's possible that you have both categories of farmers in your vendor pool! Both programs are a year-long course of study in a cohort-style setting where they have access to farm instructors and a dedicated farm mentor as well as other tailored support.

Save the dates for Clay Counties Soil and Water's Friends of Ag Breakfast.

Contact Soil and Water for more information.

828-389-9764

4-H & Youth Development Updates

Be Part of the Fun – Join a 4-H Club Now!

Master Gardener Highlights

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do. Walt Whitman

Sunflowers

by Eleanor Moyer, Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer

August is the season for sunflowers. I can remember marveling at an entire farm field filled with sunflowers when I was younger, only to discover that it was a bait field for dove season which didn’t seem very sporting to me! Besides their cheery beauty, the flowers are an important agricultural commodity producing the second most important seed oil. Seeds generate 35 to 40% oil which is high in polyunsaturated fat with no cholesterol. Currently, there is a debate about using seed oils, with some claiming that their omega 6 fatty acid content promotes inflammation. My claim to scientific knowledge about this is nil, but I would advise you to do research from reputable sources before jumping on any bandwagon.