Welcoming February!

As we head through February, we’re reflecting on a productive season filled with site and farm visits, trainings, workshops, and seasonal programming. We’re also looking forward to upcoming events and new opportunities. We are thankful for your continued support of our programs here in Granville County, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Cooperative Extension newsletter!

- Selena McKoy, NC Cooperative Extension Director - Granville

Family Consumer Sciences (FCS)

Jennifer Brown, Area Agent

Food and Built Environment

Wendy Tatum, Local Foods Coordinator

Berea Library to Farm to Fridge Program

The Berea Branch Library recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the addition of the Farm to Fridge program to their branch.

Full details are included in the attached press release.

Granville County Sheriff’s Office Delivers Food to 85 Seniors and Needy Residents During Winter Weather

On Feb. 1, 2026, the local foods coordinator, Wendy Tatum, was contacted by Food Lion of Hill Top Village about an abundance of fresh produce, deli, and meat products that needed to be used in the community. Due to the past two weeks of snow and ice, the Food Security Drive Team was unable to make their normal deliveries to the to the libraries due to county wide closures.  The sheriff’s office released this statement after the coordination of services.  

Granville County Sheriff’s Office Delivers Food to 85 Seniors and Needy Residents During Winter Weather

Granville County, NC Despite hazardous winter conditions, members of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, along with Food Lion and Wendy Tatum of Local Foods of Granville County teamed up to ensure that vulnerable residents were not forgotten. Today, the Sheriff’s Office delivered food to approximately 85 seniors and individuals in need across Granville County who were unable to safely travel due to snow and icy roads.

Recognizing that winter weather can quickly become a health and safety risk for elderly residents and those with limited mobility, the GCSO coordinated efforts to check on community members and provide essential food support.

“Public safety is not limited to law enforcement alone it is about caring for people, especially in moments when they are most vulnerable, no one in Granville County should have to choose between safety and having a meal. Today was about service, dignity, and looking out for our neighbors.”

Deputies and staff navigated difficult conditions to reach residents, prioritizing seniors and individuals with identified needs. The effort reflects the Sheriff’s Office’s broader commitment to community centered policing and proactive service beyond emergency response.

Thanks to our deputies, detention staff and residents at our detention facilty for making food bags for our community members.

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to check on elderly neighbors during winter weather events. Remember we are one community “Granville County Strong”.

Livestock & Forages

Kim Woods, Area Agent, Agriculture - Animal Science

Pasture and Cattle Field Day

Join us for the field day “Leveraging Technology to Improve Pastures and Cattle Performance”, which will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from noon to 4 pm at the Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab located at 8800 Cassam Rd. in Bahama, NC.

There will be four field stations plus updates on research activities highlighting the topics of introducing clovers in tall fescue pastures, using UAVs for improving pastures, precision feeding, supplementation to increase fertility, and heifer development and selection (see attached flyer). Speakers include Felipe Silva, Matt Poore, Benjamin Rajo, Johnny Rogers, Seth Nagy, and myself (Kim W.).

Registration is required and there is a $10 fee, which included lunch. Register here.

NC Forage and Grassland Council Conference

To help you stay sharp and connected in the forage world, we are officially inviting you to register for the upcoming North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council (NCFGC) Conference. This year’s event is designed to be a "deep dive" into the practical and innovative strategies that keep NC grasslands productive and resilient.  The event will provide updates on soil health, grazing management and new forage varieties.  You can also earn pesticide credits.  Additionally, you will have the opportunity to network with other people interested in forages. The keynote speaker is Jim Elizondo, an agronomist engineer and ranching consultant who mission is to help rancher build healthy land, healthy animals and lasting wealth. The event will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. This is the day before the NC Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference. Registration is $50/person and includes lunch. Please RSVP by February 12 at https://www.nccattle.com/nc-forage-grasslands-council/events/ncfgc-winter-conference

NC Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference

Join us for the largest cattle industry event in the Carolinas! North Carolina Cattlemen's Association is proud to host this event which features an outstanding educational program alongside the largest trade show in its history. Network with fellow cattle producers from across the southeast and the country as we showcase our youth, research, and the best of our industry.  The 2026 Annual Conference will be held Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21 in Hickory, NC at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. More details and registration can be found at NC Cattle Conference.

4-H Youth Development

Lina Howe, Extension Agent

Achievement Night

Consumer/Commercial Horticulture

Johnny Coley, Area Agent - Agriculture

A Household Hazardous Waste event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th from 8a.m.– 12 p.m.. This event will take place at the Granville Expo Center (4185 US HWY 15, Oxford). The event is for Granville County residents that need to dispose of items such as: 

This event is for Granville County residents only. No business or commercial waste will be accepted at this event.

As we move through February and look ahead to spring, we encourage you to stay connected with us for upcoming programs, workshops, and resources designed to support our farms, families, youth, and communities. Wishing you a safe, healthy, and productive month ahead!

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 - Granville County, 125 Oxford Loop Rd, Oxford, NC 27565, United States
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