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IREDELL COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION |
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🪴 Reminder, Plant Sale Pickup!
Thank you to everyone who purchased plants for our fundraiser!
Pickup Details:
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When: Thursday, March 5th
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Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
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Where: 444 Bristol Dr, Statesville, NC 28677
Please try to swing by during these hours so we can get every plant to its new home! Please go to the back of the building and look for the Pick Up Here sign. |
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For Rent: Great Plains 606NT No-Till Drill
Perfect for pasture renovations, food plots, and cover crops.
Get professional seeding results without the need for tilling. This compact, pull-type drill is designed for accuracy and long-term soil health.
- Rate: $15.00 per acre
- Working Width: 6 feet (9 openers at 7.5″ spacing)
- Requirements: Minimum 45+ HP tractor with hydraulics.
- Capabilities: Includes a 12-bushel main seed box and a small seeds box for a wide range of applications.
- Features: End-wheel design for excellent contour following and accurate seed placement.
Interested? Contact Laura |
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Good Luck
March is packed with exciting opportunities for our 4-H competition teams, and we couldn’t be more proud of the hard work they’ve put in to get here! Join us in wishing our members the best of luck as they travel and compete across North Carolina this month. The Elemental Dragons 4-H Club will launch into their FIRST Robotics season March 6–8 in Cabarrus County before heading to Asheville for their second competition weekend March 13–15. |
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On March 7, the Dairy 4-H Club will showcase their knowledge and skills at the State Dairy Quiz Bowl and Skill-a-thon Contest. Wrapping up a busy weekend, the Lake Norman Equestrians 4-H Club will compete in the State Hippology Contest on March 14. We are incredibly proud of each team’s dedication, teamwork, and commitment to learning — good luck to all of our competitors! |
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Join the Iredell County 4-H Trouble Shooters
The Iredell County 4-H Troubleshooters are hosting Interest and Safety Meetings for youth ages 8–18 and their families who want to learn more about joining the 2026 program year. Participants will have the opportunity to explore disciplines such as archery, shotgun, rifle, pistol, muzzleloader, and hunter skills while learning how 4-H promotes life skills in a safe, supportive environment led by certified instructors. Join us on Thursday, March 12 and 26 at 6:00 PM at the Iredell County Ag Resource Center Auditorium in Statesville. Contact Adreanna for more information or to get involved! |
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4-H teens, this is your chance to get out of the county, meet new people, and be part of something bigger! Join us for the South Central District Teen Retreat — a full day of leadership, fun, and connecting with teens from across our district.
We’ll leave the Extension Office around 7:30 AM and return around 6:00 PM.
The event is FREE — just bring money for breakfast on the way.
What’s happening:
• District business meeting
• Interactive workshops led by District & State Officers
• Lunch
• Community service project
• District officer campaigns and elections
Who can go? Teens ages 13–18 (as of Jan. 1, 2026).
Register with Adreanna by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 16 to save your spot! |
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| CONTACT ADREANNA |
| EMAIL ADREANNA |
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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?
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Vendor Networking: Meet directly with Market Managers to coordinate for the upcoming season.
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Scale Inspections: Bring your scales for inspection! Drop them off during the meeting on March 16 and pick them up starting March 18.
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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! 🍎🍯 |
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| VISIT THE WEBSITE |
Activities & Highlights
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Plant Sales: Shop the Master Gardener Plant Sale and various vendor displays.
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Expert Advice: Visit the "Ask a Master Gardener" station or explore the Demo Garden.
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Family Fun: Enjoy children’s activities, food, door prizes, and a basket raffle.
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Get ready to grow at the 2026 Iredell Garden Fair! This event is free and open to the public, offering a day full of inspiration and education for gardening enthusiasts of all levels.
Event Details
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Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Location: NC Cooperative Extension Center of Iredell County, 444 Bristol Dr., Statesville, NC
Educational Programs
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Iredell County Cooperative Extension is proud to partner with Yokefellow Ministry to sow the seeds of a healthier future. By collaborating on the development of the Iredell County Community Garden Network, we are working together to increase local food access and provide the groundwork for the upcoming Yokefellow Community Garden.
For more information about the Community Garden Development and Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Melinda Roberts. |
| EMAIL MELINDA |
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Pruning is important for maintaining the health and beauty of many plants in the garden. However, pruning can be confusing for many gardeners. One of the biggest questions is 'When should I prune my plants?'. Dive deep into this resource written and produced by Forsyth County Extension Director Leslie Rose on what, why and how of pruning trees and shrubs in the landscape. |
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A heading cut made to control the size of a viburnum shrub. Use headingcuts to shear plants into hedges and other shapes. Photo credit: Barb Fair, NCSU |
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Pruning Trees and Shrubs in Your Landscape - Leslie Rose, Forsyth Co. Extension |
| WATCH VIDEO |
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General Pruning Techniques: Pruning Trees and Shrubs - Barb Fair, NCSU. |
| READ ARTICLE |
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Be Well Iredell is a community-driven initiative led by the United Way of Iredell County dedicated to improving mental health and preventing suicide. Born out of a cross-sector collaboration between local government, healthcare, and education leaders, the initiative aims to build a more resilient community where no resident has to struggle alone.
Key Pillars of the Initiative:
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Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention: Providing evidence-based programs and resources to help individuals and families navigate emotional and mental health challenges.
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Education & Training: Offering community-wide sessions—such as the Community Resiliency Model® and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training—to equip residents with tools to recognize warning signs and support those in crisis.
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Collaborative Impact: Bringing together partners like Iredell Health System, local school districts, and veteran organizations to create a unified network of support.
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Hope & Resilience: Fostering a safe, nurturing environment where every resident has access to the protective tools needed to thrive and overcome life's obstacles.
In short, Be Well Iredell is about moving from crisis to connection, ensuring that mental health is prioritized as much as physical health throughout Iredell County. |
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Magic Crust Quiche
Head to your local farmer’s markets and grocery stores to shop in season produce for the month of March. Some of North Carolina’s cool-weather crops and early spring favorites are asparagus, leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach), radishes, turnips, and broccoli.
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Magic Crust Quiche Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing/sautéing)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 cups vegetables, chopped (spinach, broccoli, zucchini, or leftover veggies)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (low-fat recommended)
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk (1% or skim recommended)
3/4 cup baking mix (such as Bisquick or similar)
Optional: 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, herbs (parsley, thyme)
Instructions
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch or 10-inch pie dish.
2. Cook Veggies: In a pan, cook onions in oil until soft. Add other vegetables and
sauté until tender. Drain any excess moisture well.
3. Layer: Spread the cooked vegetables and shredded cheese in the bottom of the
greased pie dish.
4. Mix Custard: In a blender or bowl, mix the eggs, milk, baking mix, and seasonings
(salt/pepper) until smooth.
5. Bake: Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cheese.
6. Time: Bake for 30–35 minutes (or up to 1 hour, depending on depth) until the
quiche is puffed, golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out
clean.
7. Serve: Let it cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Why it is "Magic"
When this mix is baked, the baking mix sinks to the bottom, forming a crust, while the
rest becomes a fluffy, savory custard. |
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In North Carolina, outdoor fire safety is overseen by the N.C. Forest Service (NCFS), a division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). Because careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in the state, the NCFS emphasizes a "prevention first" approach.
Core Guidelines for Safe Burning
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The "If it Doesn't Grow, Don't Burn It" Rule: State law strictly prohibits burning trash, plastic, tires, or treated wood. Only natural vegetative matter (leaves, limbs, brush) is permitted.
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Permit Requirements: You must obtain a valid burn permit for most outdoor burning. These are available for free online at NCForestService.gov or through local county rangers.
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Preparation: Before lighting a fire, ensure you have a cleared 10-foot radius around the site. You must have a water source (hose/bucket), a shovel, and a rake on hand.
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Supervision: Never leave a fire unattended. A fire is only considered "out" when it is cold to the touch.
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Time and Weather: Most residential burning must occur between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Avoid burning on dry, windy days or during "Code Orange" (or worse) air quality days.
Current Status (Early 2026)
As of late February 2026, Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler has urged extra caution due to prolonged dry conditions and drought across much of the state. In Western NC, there is an increased risk due to debris left behind by previous storms (like Hurricane Helene), which serves as heavy fuel for potential wildfires.
Agricultural Specifics
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Land Clearing: Fires for land clearing must be at least 500 feet from occupied structures and 250 feet from public roads if the wind is blowing toward the road.
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Equipment: Farm machinery, chainsaws, and tractors should be equipped with functional spark arresters when operating near dry brush or fields.
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DO NOT BURN:
- Trash
- Metal, including wire
- Plastic
- Newspaper, cardboard or paper
- Treated or coated wood
- Tires and other rubber products
- Heavy oils
- Asphalt shingles
- Paints and household or agricultural chemicals
- Buildings, including outbuildings and mobile homes
- Any man-made, artificial or synthetic items
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ONLY BURN THESE ITEMS:
- Leaves
- Limbs
- Brush
- Firewood
- Natural vegetation from your own yard
- Logs, stumps, limbs and other natural vegetation as part of land clearing
- Untreated clean wood
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Open Burning Rules
Even when burning allowed materials, make sure to follow all applicable rules.
Residential yard waste and commercial land clearing burning can only occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
(No new vegetation can be added to a burn pile after 6 p.m.). Also, burning is only allowed when the air quality forecast is Code Green or Code Yellow. Burning on Code Orange, Red or Purple days is prohibited. |
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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.
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