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NC Cooperative Extension Cherokee County Center
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February 2026 Newsletter - Cherokee County Center 



Homegrown | Food Safety When the Power Goes Out


Homegrown | Food Safety When the Power Goes Out

In North Carolina, we often have issues when it comes to weather and severe events leading to power outages. Whether it's on the coast with hurricanes and tropical storms, or all throughout the state as a result of ice storms and other severe weather, many North Carolinians are accustomed to the lights going out over time.

NC 4-H Camps Are Hiring for Summer



Are you ready for a summer of amazing experiences and memories that will last a lifetime? We are looking for responsible, enthusiastic individuals to serve as positive role models and mentors for youth, ages 5 – 17 at our American Camp Association accredited summer camp.


LEARN MORE!

Be a Weather Watcher with CoCoRaHS Network


Have you ever wondered why the local weather report says it rained an inch, but your garden still looks thirsty? Or why a sudden downpour flooded your street while your neighbor two blocks away stayed completely dry?

Weather is incredibly localized, and professional meteorologists often lack the “ground truth” data needed to see the full picture. That’s where you come in.


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Take Control Nutrition Class


Take Control is an 8 session chronic disease prevention program that provides strategies to help adults manage their health. It informs, empowers, and motivates participants to change their eating and physical activity patterns.


SIGN UP HERE!

Tech Resources for Everyday Life Course Series


By the end of this 5-week course, you’ll be able to use a variety of resources to manage everyday tasks and to communicate with others. You’ll use the internet to explore your interests, connect, and even contact your lawmakers.

LEARN MORE!

4-H Plant Sale Time is Here!


Cherokee County 4-H is holding its annual plant and fruit tree sale. All proceeds will benefit Cherokee County 4-H. As usual, the plants and trees will be high-quality and reasonably priced. The sale runs from February 1 through March 13, 2026.


LEARN MORE!

Agriculture Agent Assistance Can Be Requested Online!


If you are a citizen of Cherokee County and have questions that Doug Clement or a Cherokee County Master Gardener can assist, please go to:

go.ncsu.edu/agentassist and fill out the form. It is very important that you provide detailed information.

This information request is for Cherokee County, NC citizens only. Please allow 5 days for a response.


LINK TO FORM!

Advanced Sew Class:

Zipper, Button Holes, and Walking Foot


In this 3 hour instructional sewing class, hosted by the ECA: Sew Much Fun Sew Club, you will master and complete 3 projects to take home with you. Supplies including all materials and sewing machines will be provided.


SIGN UP NOW!

Automated Recovery for Windows 11 Users


The ongoing transition to Windows 11 for the Microsoft users in our community includes new features for the cloud-storage service MS OneDrive. Going forward, new files created using Microsoft Office Suite components are now stored directly to OneDrive via autosave.


LEARN HOW!

Sign-up Now for the 2026 Camping Season


For more than 80 years, North Carolina 4-H camping has taught youth life skills through centers located from the mountains to the sand hills to the coast. Each year, more than 4,000 campers from across the state participate in 4-H camping programs at North Carolina’s 4-H educational centers.


REGISTER NOW!

Beginner Sewing Series

 

This is a great opportunity for adults (18 and older)who would like to learn to sew. You will learn the basics including care and maintenance of your sewing machine and how to operate it, how to read a pattern, and how to create some great beginner sewing projects.


SIGN UP HERE!

Pesticide Class Schedule Can Be Searched Online


Keeping your certification up to date is now easier and more flexible than ever. Through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Science (NCD&CS) and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, you can choose the learning environment that best fits your lifestyle.


LEARN HERE!

A Human Edge: CES 2026 and the Future of Work


The phenomenon formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the world’s largest event dedicated to technology in the home. However, beyond our social lives and entertainment, CES has often provided valuable insights into the potential future of work.


SIGN UP NOW!

Resources for Homeowners, Landowners, and Gardeners on Soil Sampling


Soil Sampling is an important tool for homeowners and gardeners. Farmers have been relying on this information for many years to be successful in growing crops, pasture, and tree farms.


READ MORE!

Cherokee County 4-H Clubs Meeting Dates and Times


Cherokee County has some great 4-H Clubs. All of our clubs are open to youth ages 5-18 except for our Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club and 4-H Cooking, Crafting, & Community Club. Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club is open to grades 6-12. 4-H Cooking, Crafting, & Community Club is open to all youth ages 12-18. All of our 4-H clubs are free to enroll in.


LEARN MORE!

Making Your First Quilt-Class Series


Join expert TamraLee as she teaches you how to make your first quilt. Discover a range of key tools and techniques as you are guided step by step through preparing your fabric, cutting out the pieces and sewing them into blocks, as well as basting, machine quilting and binding to help you finish your quilt with ease. By the end of class, you’ll be able to tackle your next quilt project with confidence!


SIGN UP HERE!

Volunteer for 4-H in 2026


Volunteers are the key to our success in the North Carolina 4-H program. Whether you’re interested in becoming a club leader or have a few hours to invest, we have challenging and fun roles for adults and teens who want to make a difference.


LEARN MORE!

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHEROKEE COUNTY CENTER CALENDAR
FIND CLASSES
RSVP HERE!
RESOURCE GUIDE


COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

ECA OPEN SEW...Join us for a community sewing gathering!

Join us with your sewing machine and project. Troubleshooting assistance is available through our Sewing Instructor. Sewing Experience required.

Must be over 18 year of age. Registration required as spots are limited.


SIGN UP HERE!

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Split Pea and Ham Soup

Split pea soup is a little sweet, salty and smokey in flavor and comes together for less than $20. The shopping list for this recipe calls for purchasing ham but this soup works great for any leftover ham you have from other gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
  • 1 pound cooked ham, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 quart chicken stock
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-low heat.
  3. Stir in celery, onion, and sliced garlic; cook and stir until onions are translucent but not brown, five to eight minutes.
  4. Stir in split peas, ham and bay leaf.
  5. Pour in chicken stock and water; stir to combine and simmer until peas are tender and soup has thickened, about one hour and 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  6. Season with salt and black pepper to serve.

Nutrition

Servings: 8

Calories 347 Total Fat 14g  Saturated Fat 6g  Cholesterol 40mg  Sodium 1187mg  Total Carbohydrate 37g  Dietary Fiber 15g  Total Sugars 6g  Protein 25g  Vitamin C 23mg  Calcium 54mg  Iron 3mg  Potassium 805mg


  * FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES, PLEASE VISIT THE "MORE IN MY BASKET" WEBSITE

MORE IN MY BASKET
SOUP RECIPE

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 - Cherokee County Center, 40 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC 28906, United States
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