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Iredell Informed
October 2025
Newsletter |
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National Farmer's Day 2025 |
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THANK YOU FARMERS!
#thankafarmer
#nationalfarmersday2025 |
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If you've eaten today, Thank A Farmer!
Every October 12, we celebrate National Farmer’s Day,
a chance to say “thank you” to the hardworking farmers and ranchers who keep our nation fed.
From sunrise to sunset, through every season, they plow, plant, tend livestock,
and harvest with incredible dedication and care.
On this day, we recognize their dedication, resilience,
and the vital role they play in supporting our communities and economy.
We extend our deepest appreciation to the farmers and ranchers
who work year-round to ensure a secure and abundant food supply for us all.
Today, let’s pause to appreciate the families behind our food,
the hands that grow it, and the resilience that makes it possible.
To all farmers and ranchers—
your hard work fills our tables and nourishes our lives,
and for that, we are deeply grateful.
As you go about your day, take a moment to thank a farmer,
support local agriculture, buying local produce,
or share your appreciation for those who keep our nation nourished.
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Harvest Blessings
‘Twas the night before harvest, when all through the house; the farmer was stirring, disrupting his spouse.
His stockings on his feet, a very lucky pair; in hopes that the combine would not need repair.
The equipment was nestled all snug in the shed; for soon they would attach the combines to their heads.
Morning will come and as harvest begins; grain will flow from the combine to the grain cart, then the truck, to the bins.
The farmer lays awake in strong anticipation; wondering how each field will perform, a great fixation.
For each Harvest determines performance for the year; he’s worried post-harvest he won’t be in the clear.
His legacy is on the line, a bit mind-boggling; it’s his way of life, his passion, his livelihood, his true calling.
His son is just two, but someday he hopes; to pass this farm on and show him the ropes.
He knows God is in control, his worries are a bother; at the end of the day, it’s up to the Father.
So the farmer turns over, wrestling with the sheets; while his wife lays awake, praying he’d just go to sleep.
She knows it’s her time, to be strong for them both; for harvest can be stressful, it’s really no joke.
But somehow every year, they all make it through; and become stronger together with their faith in clear view.
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October is a time of year when the air turns crisp, the leaves change, and fields across our community are alive with activity. For farmers, this is one of the busiest and most important seasons of the year—HARVEST.
Months of hard work, long days, and careful planning all lead to this moment. Farmers are out in the fields gathering corn, soybeans, silage, hay, pumpkins, apples, and more—crops that will feed families, livestock, and communities near and far. Harvest is both rewarding and demanding. It requires long hours, often from sunup to sundown, and every hand helps.
As we enjoy fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and warm meals on the table, it’s a good reminder of the dedication of farmers who make it possible. Their commitment ensures that food, fiber, and fuel are available year-round.
This season is also an important time to think about SAFETY. Farm equipment is often on the roads, moving between fields and traveling at much slower speeds than regular traffic. Please give tractors and combines extra space, be patient, and avoid passing unless it’s clearly safe to do so. For farmers, it’s also a time to take care of themselves—rest when possible, stay hydrated, and watch out for fatigue. A safe harvest helps ensure a successful one.
Patience on the road = food on your table!
As we celebrate autumn, let’s take a moment to thank our farmers. Whether it’s waving to a tractor on the road, sharing a kind word, or simply practicing patience, every gesture of appreciation matters.
Harvest is a season of gratitude—for the land, the crops, and the hardworking people who bring them in.
Cooperative Extension wishes everyone a safe and successful harvest and a bountiful autumn ahead. |
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Applications are open for the FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants! USDA will invest up to $18M in farm to school projects that connect farmers to our child nutrition programs through local food procurement, agricultural education, school gardens, and more.
This grant opportunity is open to state and local agencies, Tribes, child nutrition program operators, small- to medium-sized agriculture producers, groups of agricultural producers, and nonprofits. Applications close on Dec. 5, 2025
https://fns.usda.gov/grant/f2s/fy26 |
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October is also designated as National Farm to School Month, encouraging activities and partnerships that connect students with local farmers and the food they produce.
farmtoschool.org
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CALS Magazine Fall 2025
The Fall 2025 issue of CALS Magazine is here!
Take a peek inside the new issue to see the CALS community at work, making a difference from the mountains to the sea and across classrooms and field labs.
Through cutting-edge science, community outreach and hands-on learning, NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is dedicated to building tomorrow’s farms and empowering future professionals to drive innovation and discover new horizons.
https://issuu.com/ncstate_cals/docs/cals_magazine_fall_2025
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Iredell County 4-H Agent Recognized
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Adreanna White, 4-H Youth Development Agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension was recognized for an achievement during the 2025 North Carolina Association of Extension4-H Youth Development Professionals Annual Conference banquet held in Burlington, NC on August 27th. |
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Adreanna received several awards throughout the night that included Communicator Awards and Service Awards. The First communicator award was the Periodical Publication in which Adreanna established the Iredell County 4-H Clover Connection, a monthly newsletter centralizing programs and event information. This initiative streamlined access for families and community members. Adreanna was also recognized for her Promotional Package where she created a unified set of informational materials about her county’s 4-H programs. She revamped her tri-fold brochure and created a new club list and school enrichment list that were all cohesive and easy to understand. She has seen significant program growth especially in school enrichment since implementing these materials. Adreanna's final Communicator Award was for social media, in which Adreanna created a flyer highlighting new 4-H programming for an area that did not already have programming. She posted this on their 4-H Facebook page and it resulted in all three of the programs almost being full in attendance.In addition to her communicator awards she also received a speciality award for Excellence in 4-H Club Support Award. Adreanna recognized a need in her clubs for easy access to essential information. After finding a national 4-H research project based around club kits hosted by 2 other states, she decided to join the project and curated user-friendly kits.To end the night she received an Honor in receiving the TC Blalock Young Agent award for demonstrating significant program growth over the past year. Key achievements include expanding the 4-H Homeschool Meetup engagement, strategic partnerships with county parks and recreation to reach underserved communities, and enhanced volunteer capacity and program efficacy through the implementation of club kits. Adreanna akso received The Jim Kahler Excellence in Science, Technology Engineering and Math Award. The NC 4-H Sparks Coding Program began in 2024 through a partnership between Apple and North Carolina State University. The program serves eight NC counties with opportunities for youth to learn and build confidence and mastery in coding and to apply their coding knowledge to real-world situations. Andreanna had an outstanding night at the banquet where she was recognized for her hard work and dedication to the Iredell County 4-H program.The purpose of the North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals is to promote the profession of Extension 4-H and youth work in North Carolina. The 4-H program is the youth education program of North CarolinaCooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State Universities. More than 260,000 young people ages 5 through 18 participate in North Carolina 4-H activities each year with the help of 16,700 adult and youth volunteers.You can find more information on 4-H at http://www.nc4h.org. |
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4-H Clubs Shine at the Iredell County Fair
All eight of our Iredell County 4-H clubs proudly showcased their creativity and dedication by installing 4-H fair booths during the Iredell County Fair in August and September. Each booth highlighted educational information, promoted 4-H and club activities, and tied into this year’s fair theme: “There’s No Time Like Fair Time.”
Our 4-H members and volunteers put in tremendous effort, and the results were truly impressive! Every club created a unique and engaging display that celebrated the spirit of 4-H while capturing the excitement of the fair.
Congratulations to all of our clubs on a job well done!
1st Place: Troubleshooters 4-H Club
2nd Place: Iredell Dairy 4-H Club
3rd Place: Little Dragons 4-H Club
4th Place: Lake Norman Equestrians 4-H Club
5th Place: West Iredell 4-H Club
6th Place: Showstoppers 4-H Club
7th Place: Elemental Dragons 4-H Club
8th Place: Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club
We are so proud of the creativity, teamwork, and 4-H spirit each club displayed. Thank you to all our members, leaders, and families who helped make the fair a success.
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2025-2026
Pesticide Classes
Click Here and bookmark the link!!
Are you a pesticide license holder looking for a convenient way to earn your continuing education hours? If so, please join us for a one hour, online, Lunch and Learn from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, September 2025 to June 2026.
Please register for each Lunch and Learn separately.
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Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Do you like to get your hands dirty and play in the garden? Would you like to learn gardening tips and tricks or volunteer in the community?
Sign up to become an Extension Master Gardener Today!
Contact Melinda Roberts:
(704) 873-0507
melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu
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2026 Beginning Gardening Series
Learn about soil testing and soil health, landscaping, growing fruit, insects and diseases, and plan your vegetable garden!
Wednesdays 1-4 PM
Classes start February 4.
Registration begins December 1, 2025 |
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RSVP:
melina_roberts@ncsu.edu
TEL:704-873-0507 |
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Join our Interest Meeting
If you are interested in becoming an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, come learn about our Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program.
The next class will not be offered until 2028.
RSVP:
melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu
(704) 873-0507 |
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The 2025 Shelton Leadership Forum equips attendees with practical strategies to foster effective engagement through mutual respect, analyze leadership actions that promote ethical considerations, and prioritize the shared values and perspectives of their communities both locally and globally.
https://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/leadership-forum/
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Family and Consumer Science Agent: Andrea Sherrill |
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The Faithful Families program in Iredell County, delivered in partnership with Steps to Health, helps churches and families explore cost-saving plant-based meals, build healthier habits like drinking more water, and strengthen community connections that extend far beyond the kitchen.
Watch Andrea's interview>>>>>>> |
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The North Carolina State Fair's mission is to showcase and promote the state's agriculture through the annual agricultural fair. The Fair offers the agricultural community a venue to showcase its crops, livestock and new technology. The Fair is also an opportunity for the state's ever-increasing urban population to learn about agriculture through educational and competitive exhibits in the areas of livestock, horticulture, cooking, folk art and much more. More than $700,000 in prize money is awarded each year. |
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