CLAY COUNTY CENTER
DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER |
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Clay County Government & Extension: Working Together for Community Success |
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At their November meeting, the Clay County Board of Commissioners was presented with the County Partnership Award by the Clay County Extension office, recognizing the Board’s outstanding support of and collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension. This award celebrates local governments that demonstrate exemplary commitment to Extension through resource support, program involvement, and county-led initiatives that advance shared community goals.
Clay County Government and Clay County Cooperative Extension have built a model partnership rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a shared dedication to improving the quality of life for county residents. The county provides critical financial support that helps Extension attract and retain highly qualified staff, as well as in-kind resources such as public meeting spaces used for 4-H, nutrition education, agriculture and horticulture programs, and the Master Gardener's Downtown Discovery Garden.
A major highlight of their partnership is the co-development of a new permanent farmers market venue featuring a commercial kitchen. Extension played a key role in shaping both the design and programming for this facility through active participation on the planning committee. Once complete, the venue will expand opportunities for food and nutrition education, agritourism, and small business development.
Extension is also deeply engaged in planning discussions for a proposed multi-use agriculture and livestock arena that will serve youth, educational, and community events. Beyond program support, Extension contributes expertise in county strategic planning, grant development, and emergency preparedness—further reinforcing the value of this strong, cooperative relationship.
By investing resources, including Extension in decision-making processes, actively supporting programming, and partnering on county initiatives, the Clay County Commissioners exemplify the four core criteria of the County Partnership Award. Their leadership has helped strengthen Extension’s reach and impact, making Clay County a standout example of what can be achieved through dedicated, collaborative local governance.
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Clay County Extension proudly participated in the Hayesville High School Career Fair, sharing information about NC State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences diverse programs and career pathways. This event provided a great opportunity to connect with students, answer questions, and highlight the many ways Extension serves and supports our community. |
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Clay County Center at the Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Clay County Center set up a booth (Home for the Holidays) at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds for the Mountain Country Christmas in Lights event. Be sure to stop by and check it out. |
| MORE INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS |
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| 4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NEWS |
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Modern Woodmen Supports Clay County 4-H
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The Clay County 4-H Program was honored to be selected for a Modern Woodmen of America Matching Fund project. Each year, Modern Woodmen chapters and youth service clubs nationwide make a meaningful impact in their communities through this initiative. |
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The Clay on the Fly 4-H Fly-Fishing Club spent a beautiful day at Gunner's Ranch catching small bass and huge catfish! The club members were all smiles while they got down and dirty when wrestling their fish out of the ponds. The Clay County 4-H Program is so grateful for wonderful volunteers like Jan Griggs, who continually invite our club to fish. They can't wait for their next fishing trip! If you or your youth are interested in learning more about our fishing club, please contact the 4-H Agent, Kiffney Stokes, at (828)389-6305 or at kiffney.stokes@ncsu.edu. |
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Clay County 4-H hosted an all-day Holiday Workshop on Wednesday, November 26th. Participants enjoyed a full day of hands-on fun, including baking sugar cookies, sewing reversible fall and Christmas placemats. They also made bead wreaths, candy canes, pumpkins, and corn. Some painted ornaments, fall bookmarks, and festive figurines. In between activities, everyone relaxed with holiday movies and, of course, plenty of pizza and cookies. |
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Keeping Livestock Healthy Through the Winter Months
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Caring for livestock during the winter months comes down to preparation, consistency, and keeping a close eye on the basics: shelter, nutrition, water, and overall animal health. As temperatures drop, animals burn more energy to stay warm, so they depend on us to help them maintain body condition and avoid cold-weather stress. Each species, such as cattle, goats, and horses, has its own needs, but the core principles apply across the farm. |
| READ MORE |
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Free Organic Production Technical Assistance Available to NC & SC Farmers |
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Want to add organic and sustainable production practices into your farm plans for 2026? Have you been considering organic certification? Looking for individualized guidance to navigate organic regulations? Look no further than the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) Organic Production Technical Assistance Program! |
| LEARN MORE and REGISTER |
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Choosing and Caring for the Perfect Christmas Tree |
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Picking out a Christmas tree is one of the most enjoyable traditions of the season, and a little know-how can help you bring home a tree that looks good and lasts through the holidays. Start by considering where you would like to place the tree in your home. Measure both the height and width of the space, including room for a tree stand and your tree topper. This saves you from the surprise of trimming too much off the top when you get home. When visiting a tree farm or lot, look for trees with a healthy, green color and flexible needles. Give the branch a gentle pull, only a few needles should come off. Fresh needles should also snap cleanly when bent, and the tree should have a mild, pleasant scent. If possible, choose a tree that has been displayed upright in water, as these hold their freshness longer. |
| CHRISTMAS TREES |
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Whether you plan to deck it with popcorn, tinsel, ornaments or bows, now is the time to start thinking about where you’ll get your holiday tree. |
| FIND A TREE FARM NEAR YOU |
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Chickadee Hill Farms in Statesville, NC will again host their unique tree festival this year. The festival runs 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. on set dates throughout November and December. |
| LEARN MORE |
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Consider a Wreath Workshop at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina |
| EVENT DETAILS |
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The holiday season is full of fun, food, and time with people we care about. But it can also throw our healthy habits off track. With a little planning, you can enjoy the celebrations and feel good in your body. Here are some easy ways to keep a healthy routine during the holidays—without feeling like you’re missing out. |
| SEE ALL TIPS |
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Dining with Diabetes: November Class Highlights & Tasty
Low-Carb Treats
November marked Diabetes Awareness Month, and to support community wellness, Kim
Terrell, Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent and Registered Dietitian, led an
engaging Dining with Diabetes program. The session focused on practical strategies for
managing diabetes through everyday food choices. Participants learned the basics of diabetes-friendly meal planning, including carbohydrate counting, portion control, and helpful holidaymeal guidelines designed to make festive gatherings healthier and less stressful. |
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Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer Interest Sign Up
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Are you passionate about gardening, plants, and helping others learn how to grow successfully? The Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer Program might be the perfect opportunity for you! Master Gardener Volunteers are trained through the N.C. Cooperative Extension to share research-based gardening knowledge with their communities. Whether it’s answering questions about soil health, teaching gardening classes, or helping with community beautification projects, volunteers play an important role in supporting local horticulture education and sustainability. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and serve. After completing the training, participants join a network of dedicated volunteers making a difference across Clay County and beyond. |
| SIGN UP HERE |
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By: Eleanor Moyer, Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer of Clay County
I know you thought that gardening was over, but November into December is a great time to plant spring bulbs. It is necessary to wait until now, as they are like tiny brown bears needing their winter siesta before emerging into the glories of spring. The good news is—it couldn’t be easier! All the nourishment to flourish is already tucked into their anatomy. Most bulbs have a roundish shape with a flat end and a pointy end. They are placed in the ground pointy end up, but even if you get this wrong, most will right themselves. They like loamy to sandy soil-in other words, good drainage. The depth for planting varies, but a good rule of thumb is two to three times the height of the bulb. |
| READ MORE |
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Plants for Fairy Gardens
Fairy gardens are a great way to involve children in gardening, and helping youngsters select plants for their fairy gardens just got easier. Here at the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, we’ve revamped our fairy garden listings to take some of the guesswork out of finding the right plant for the right fairy place. |
| MORE ABOUT FAIRY GARDENS |
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CLAY COUNTY CENTER
25 RIVERSIDE CIRCLE
SUITE 2
HAYESVILLE, NC 28904
828-389-6305
clay.ces.ncsu.edu |
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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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