Statesville Kiwanis Club Donates $20,000

to Support 4-H Youth Programming

Members of the Statesville Kiwanis Club (Fair Board) present a $20,000 donaton

to Iredell County 4-H and Iredell County Cooperatve Extension. 

Front row: Laura Elmore, Iredell County Extension Director;  

Adreanna White, 4-H Agent; Kelly Pierce, 4-H Program Associate; and Jim Head. 

Back row: Brian Summers, Kiwanis President; Harvey Pons; Chuck Gallyon; Joe Stephens, and Walter Davidson

The Statesville Kiwanis Club has made a generous $20,000 donation to Iredell County 4-H and Iredell County Cooperative Extension to help purchase a 15-passenger van, expanding youth programming opportunities across the county. The van will be used to safely transport 4-H youth to educational programs, community service projects, camps, and leadership events throughout Iredell County and beyond. Reliable transportation has long been a challenge for local 4-H programs, and this donation directly addresses that need.
“This donation is truly a game changer for our 4-H program,” said Kelly Pierce, 4-H Program Associate with Iredell County Cooperative Extension. “Transportation is often a barrier for 4-H activities. Having a dedicated van will allow more youth to participate in hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and community service projects.”
Pierce also expressed appreciation for local partners who helped make the project possible. “We are especially grateful to Iredell County Agricultural Fair Chair Jim Head and the Fair Board members for their continued support of 4-H,” Pierce added. “Their commitment to youth development and agriculture in our community played an important role in helping make this opportunity possible.”
Laura Elmore, Iredell County Extension Director, emphasized the lasting impact of the gift. “The support from the Statesville Kiwanis Club reflects a shared commitment to investing in young people,” Elmore said. “This van will serve thousands of youth over its lifetime and strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality Extension and 4-H programming across the county.” The Statesville Kiwanis Club is widely known for its dedication to improving the lives of children through service and community partnerships. This contribution aligns with Kiwanis’ mission of supporting youth development and education.
Iredell County Cooperative Extension and 4-H leaders expressed their sincere appreciation to the Statesville Kiwanis Club for a partnership that will have a lasting impact on youth and families throughout Iredell County. For more information about Iredell County 4-H programs, contact Iredell County Cooperative Extension.

2026 NC Farm School - South Central

IN PERSON SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS FROM 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FOR ALL THE DATES BELOW UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

Zoom Virtual Orientation – March 2nd from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

March 16th – Mecklenburg County Center

April 20th– Rowan County Center

May 18th – Iredell County Center

June 15th– Cabarrus County Center

June 29th- Graduation Dinner, Cabarrus County from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,

location TBD

Piedmont Rabbit Project

Calling all 4-H youth who love animals—or want to learn more about rabbits!
The 5th Annual Piedmont Rabbit Project is back this spring, and registration is now open! Youth ages 5–18 can participate by showing their own rabbit or borrowing one.
Important Dates:
• Registration due: February 13
• Required Zoom Meeting: February 23 @ 6:30 PM
• Show Day: Saturday, May 2 (Rowan Fairgrounds)
This is a great opportunity to learn animal care, responsibility, and showmanship in a supportive environment.

🥕 Calling All Local Vendors & Market Managers! 🧺

Are you planning to sell your fresh produce or handmade goods at our local farmers markets this year? Make sure you’re ready for the season by attending the 2026 Iredell County Farmers Market Meeting!

🗓 Date: Monday, March 16, 2026 ⏰ Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 📍 Location: Iredell County Cooperative Extension, 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville, NC

Why Attend?

• Vendor Networking: Meet directly with Market Managers to coordinate for the upcoming season.

• Scale Inspections: Bring your scales for inspection! Drop them off during the meeting on March 16 and pick them up starting March 18.

• Management Insights: Managers can learn the latest on EBT setup and tips for making their markets more appealing to new vendors.

Let’s make the 2026 season our best one yet! 🍎🍯

Build foundational gardening skills through a variety of targeted topics. 

Location: 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville, NC 28677.

Time: Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $5 per individual class or $25 for the full six-class series.

Payments are accepted in person via cash or personal check.

*** Raspberries and Figs have been postponed to February 10 ***

Iredell County 

Spring Plant Sale

PLEASE verify inventory prior to ordering by calling the

Iredell County Extension Office @ (704) 873-0507

Payments accepted: Cash OR Check ONLY :

(payable to Iredell County Cooperative Extension)

DEADLINE TO ORDER AND PAY : FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026

Pickup Date: Thursday March 5, 2026 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm)

Reserve yours today! Orders are confirmed once payment is received via cash or check. 

Sweet Potato Brownies

Ingredients
 1 cup mashed sweet potato (cooled)
 1 cup unsweetened almond butter
 2 large eggs
 ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
 ⅔ cup cocoa powder
 ½ tsp baking soda
 ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
 1 tsp sea salt
 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
Cook the sweet potato according to your preferred method. Cool.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9-inch square baking pan with 

parchment paper.
Mash the sweet potato into a bowl or measuring cup and measure out 1 cup 

of mashed potato.
Add the mashed sweet potato to a large mixing bowl along with the almond butter, eggs,
pure maple syrup and vanilla extract and stir well until everything is well-combined 

(wet ingredients).
Stir in the cocoa powder, baking soda, sea salt, and ground cinnamon until a thick creamy batter forms (no need for a separate bowl here).
Add in the chocolate chips and stir until they are well-incorporated into the batter.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. If
desired, sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 23 to 28 minutes, or until the brownies
reach desired level of doneness. For fudgy, gooey brownies, bake for 23 minutes.
Brownies are best when baked to an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Insert a digital thermometer into the center of the brownies and wait until the numbers stop moving to get an accurate read on their temperature.
Allow the brownies to cool completely (at least one hour) before slicing and serving. You
can slice the brownies before they have finished cooling if you’d like, but the slices won’t
hold together quite as well. If you’re fine with that, proceed!