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Oh Deer, Where Are My Soybeans?
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Checking for Deer Damage to Soybean Seedlings |
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Early-planted soybeans near wood lines are the most susceptible to deer feeding. Early planted soybeans are tender and palatable to deer in the spring when there may be insufficient food for them in the woods. |
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Equipment for Rent:
Great Plains 606NT
No-Till Drill
Looking to improve your soil health, reduce erosion, and save time this planting season? NC Cooperative Extension has a Great Plains 606NT No-Till Drill available for rent! This compact, versatile machine is perfect for pasture renovation, cover crops, and small-scale food plots.
CONTACT: Laura Elmore
704-873-0507
EMAIL LAURA:
laura_elmore@ncsu.edu
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Got Milk?
Celebrate June Dairy Month with the State's #1 Producer! |
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Did you know that June Dairy Month actually started back in 1937 as a way to help distribute extra milk when cows started on summer pastures? Decades later, the tradition continues! Here in Iredell County, dairy isn't just an industry, it's a massive part of our local agricultural and heritage.
Dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day job. Our local farmers have to be veterinarians, nutritionists, mechanics, and business managers all at once to keep their herds healthy and our grocery shelves stocked with fresh milk, cheese, ice cream, and butter.
How you can celebrate this month:
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Buy Local: Support your Local Dairy Farmers! Look for locally sourced milk and dairy products sold at Food Lion and Ingles Stores! Be sure to check our Iredell County Farmers Markets. https://iredell.ces.ncsu.edu/iredell-county-farmers-markets/
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Get Your "3-A-Day": The USDA recommends adults get 3 servings of dairy per day to secure 9 essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.
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Thank a Farmer: Next time you enjoy a cold glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream, take a second to appreciate the incredible dedication of our local dairy farm families!
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The Great Dairy
Art Contest!
Calling all young artists and dairy lovers across North Carolina! In celebration of June Dairy Month, we
want to see how our youth interpret the innovation, hard work, and delicious products behind the dairy industry. From ice cream inventions and farm-to-table concepts to hand-drawn masterpieces celebrating our hard-working dairy farmers, the sky is the limit! Get Creative!!
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Contest Details at a Glance:
How to Enter:
Participants can submit hand-drawn artwork, paintings, or mixed media. To enter, simply take a clear photo or scan of the artwork and email it along with a completed parent/guardian permission form to authomps@ncsu.edu by your division's deadline.
👉 Download the Parent/Guardian Permission Form Here
👉 Email to: authomps@ncsu.edu
Winners will be decided by our community right here on our Facebook page, so get your art supplies ready and help us celebrate North Carolina dairy! |
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COUNTY FAIR GIANTS |
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The 2026 Iredell County Giants Competition is officially underway, and we are looking for the absolute GIANTS of the garden world. We’re talking sunflowers that block out the sun, pumpkins that could be hollowed out into a legal motor vehicle, and watermelons that require a forklift.
Both kids and adults are welcome to compete. And to keep things honest, no outside seeds are permitted. We provide the official seeds, the starting soil, the bags, and a growing guide. The rest is up to you and whatever motivational music you play for your plants.
💰 Show Me the Money (Giant Prizes for Youth & Adults):
📅 The Clock is Ticking!
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Seed Pickup: You have from now until end of JUNE (8 AM - 4:30 PM) to grab your gear. Don't procrastinate, or your dreams of agricultural dominance will have to wait until next year.
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📍 Where: Iredell County Cooperative Extension (444 Bristol Drive, Statesville)
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The Judgment Day (Drop Off): September 2, 2026 (3 PM - 8 PM)
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📍 Where: Iredell County Fairgrounds (630 N Main St, Troutman)
Stop by this week, pick up your kit, and let the battle of the botanical beasts begin!
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Sponsored by Daddy Pete’s Plant Pleaser & Iredell County Cooperative Extension. |
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Good Luck
We want to wish the best of luck to all of our Iredell County 4-H youth competing at District Activity Day on June 17th! These youth have worked hard preparing their presentations and public speaking skills, and we are excited to see them represent our county.
We also want to send a special good luck wish to one of our Trouble Shooters, Oleander, as she travels to Nebraska June 21–26 to compete at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament as a member of the Hunter Skills State Team. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and can’t wait to cheer her on as she represents North Carolina on the national stage! |
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☀️ Iredell County 4-H Summer Fun is Here! ☀️
Looking for the ultimate summer experience for your kids? Check out the exciting lineup of action-packed adventures, classes, and day camps we have planned for this summer! From hands-on learning to making new friends, there is something for everyone.
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Don't let your kids miss out on the best weeks of the year—secure their spot today! 🍀 Please visit the Iredell County Cooperative Extension office to register and pay in person. We are unable to accept online sign-ups at this time.
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Have Questions? Reach out to Kelly Pierce at 704-873-0507 or via email at klpierce@ncsu.edu. |
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Registration for NC 4-H Congress is now open!
NC 4-H Congress is one of the premier events for teens across the state, held each summer in Raleigh on the campus of NC State University. Throughout the week, 4-H’ers have the opportunity to dive into engaging workshops, participate in meaningful community service projects, and connect with other youth who share
similar interests from all across North Carolina. It’s also a chance to explore the NC State area, grow as a leader, and take part in the election of state 4-H officers. |
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Beyond all of that, Congress is simply a fun and memorable experience, filled with new friendships, personal growth, and moments you won’t forget. This year’s event will take place July 20–24 and is open to
youth ages 13–18 (as of January 1, 2026).
The cost is $250 per participant, which includes transportation, lodging, and all meals for the week.
To attend, youth must register with Adreanna by June 15th, and full payment is due by July 10th.
To register, email Adreanna, awhite6@ncsu.edu
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Iredell County’s First Certified Junior Master Gardeners!
On Thursday, May 14th, the Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club celebrated a major milestone as the first 4-H youth in Iredell County earned their Junior Master Gardener certifications!
This achievement represents an incredible 2½-year commitment. To complete the program, youth worked through activities and community service projects across eight different gardening-focused chapters, building their knowledge and skills along the way.
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Congratulations to: Averly P., Pearl V., Percy V.
We are so proud of all of your hard work and dedication! This club is supported by three dedicated Iredell County Master Gardeners: Denea, Cindy P., and Cindy M., whose guidance and mentorship helped make this accomplishment possible. |
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Dr. Kim Ingold Photography Contest
The Dr. Kim Ingold NC 4-H Photography Contest gives youth the opportunity to showcase their creativity and photography skills through categories including 4-H in Action, Nature’s Beauty, Animals, and Black & White. Cloverbud, Junior, and Senior participants may submit one photo per category (up to four entries total). Photos must be taken by the participant during the current contest year and submitted electronically by August 14 at 5:00 p.m. Open to enrolled and approved NC 4-H members ages 5–18. For more information, including complete rules and regulations, visit the contest website.
Questions or would like to enter? Contact Adreanna, awhite6@ncsu.edu |
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West Iredell's Yard Sale Fundraiser and BBQ Plate Sale
Come out and support the West Iredell 4-H Club during their 12th annual yard sale fundraiser and BBQ plate sale on Saturday, June 20th! Funds raised helps support 4-H members in the club to attend various events and activities and to support their club work throughout the year! |
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Shared Harvest: A Conversation with Melinda Roberts and Andrea Sherrill
How do you balance rapid community growth while keeping a county's agricultural roots strong? You leave it to the experts. We are incredibly proud of our agents, Melinda Roberts (Ag/Horticulture) and Andrea Sherrill (Family & Consumer Sciences). Together, they are connecting local farmers to new markets and helping families access fresh, nutritious food. Check out their brilliant "Shared Harvest" feature!! |
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Iredell County Master Gardeners are ready to tackle anything from stubborn pests to mystery shrubs.
Whether you need a prescription for pest control, a check-up on your soil, or help identifying a mysterious leafy visitor, our experts have the cure. Bring your questions (and your plant photos!) our Master Gardener Volunteers are standing by to share their down-to-earth tips. |
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FORT DOBBS CANNING CLASS
Looking to stock your pantry with delicious, safely preserved foods? Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned preserver looking to brush up on your skills, this FREE event is for you!
Join us for a fun, educational morning led by Andrea Sherill and learn the ins and outs of safe food preservation.
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Date: June 6th, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE!
Location: Fort Dobbs Hardware Store, 406 Turnersburg Hwy, Statesville
⚙️ Bonus: Get Your Gear Checked!
Got a pressure canner at home? Bring your pressure canner lid & gauge early between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM to have them tested for safety and accuracy before the class begins.
📞 How to Register
Spaces are limited! To reserve your spot, please call us at (704)-872-2300 or stop by in person to RSVP. |
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Take Control of Your Health: Chronic Disease Prevention & Management Series
Are you looking for practical ways to manage or prevent long-term health conditions? Chestnut Grove Community Center is offering a variety of essential health and wellness classes this summer and fall!
We are excited to share that a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent will be leading our focused Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease sessions. Whether you want to learn more about nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, or daily management, these educational classes are designed to help build a healthier community together.
Chronic Disease Session Schedule
* June 11, 2026 (10:00 AM): Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease - Hypertension
* July 9, 2026 (10:00 AM): Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease: Diabetes - Part 1
* August 13, 2026 (10:00 AM): Prevention & Management of Chronic Disease: Diabetes - Part 2
* August 20, 2026 (10:00 AM): Prevention & Management of Chronic Disease – Cancer
How to Register
All sessions take place at the community center, and classes are proudly funded by the Legacyworks Group. To secure your spot in any (or all!) of these sessions, please call (704) 380-0229 to register today. |
| Questions? Contact Andrea |
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