Hello Summertime Fun!

July is such a key month for us in the Cooperative Extension office: summer youth camps are wide open, farmer's markets are in full tilt, and crops begin settling into their seasonal groove. This July is no different, but we are facing unique challenges this year. We are in a near historic drought, with Granville County under the designation of "Exceptional Drought". Farmers are looking at dry fields, with spring-harvested crops that struggled to produce under this prolonged drought, and staring down rows of late-planted crops battling to hit their stride. On top of this, New World Screwworm has crossed over into the Southwestern US, putting livestock producers in all states on alert. In North Carolina, experts at NC State and the NCDA are keeping producers informed and prepared should anything happen. 
Please know that here in Granville County, Cooperative Extension is here to support you, no matter what challenge you face. Read through this month's newsletter to learn more about upcoming programs, projects, and the latest information on this year's production challenges. We are only ever a phone call, email, or visit away! 

- Selena McKoy, NC Cooperative Extension Director - Granville

Local Foods Coordinator - Granville County

Wendy Tatum

The Oxford Armory Farmers Market is off to a great year averaging 400 people each Saturday filling multiple market bags with goodies.  

We had a very successful local superhero day at the beginning of the month.  Representatives from the agencies that represent emergency management across the county came together to demonstrate the local capabilities to respond to emergency situations in the county.  They showed off life saving equipment on our Fire, Police, Sheriff, and EMS trucks/vehicles.  Oxford Police Department challenged the rest of the superheroes to some Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘EM. At first the Granville County Sheriff’s Department was off to a great start using the son of one of the deputies.  He was quickly defeated by DJ (Quon) Strong who represented Stovall Fire, Stem Fire and Cornwall Fire Departments.  If you don’t know it, many of our paid firefighters work on several volunteer departments to ensure the safety of our community.  But back to the story,  DJ took down everyone representing emergency management and in the championship round, he met his match with the representative from the Oxford Armory Farmers Market.  Unfortunately, the local superheroes were defeated, but we always know that they have our back in the community.  A big thank you to Captain Carson for the funfilled day.  

On June 13, we celebrated 4-H at the market with the Youth Leadership Council hosting a plethora of activities at the market such as water relays, obstacle courses, and a market scavenger hunt.  In the scavenger hunt, young people were encouraged to go from vendor to vendor learning about agriculture around our county.  Intern, Ella Young, and 4-H leader, Lina Howe, encouraged students to get involved in 4-H.  

On June 20, market vendors put on a show with all of their local crafts being displayed for Father’s Day.  Local artists displayed their skills in acrylic, oil, oil pastel, and watercolor.  James Counts had his fishing lures and all things fishing for all to enjoy.  Charles Jaber had his handcrafted benches and birdhouse for sale.  It is always a delight to see how many of our local craftsmen reuse and upcycle materials to create new treasures.  

The Ripe for Revival Mobile Market comes on Tuesdays to Butner from 12-1:30 PM and Oxford from 3-4:30 PM offering a pay what you can market for produce and eggs.  Due to limited funding and limited usage, we could lose this vital community resource.

We are extremely grateful to the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation for their generous grant of $10,000 to purchase produce and eggs from local farmers.  So far, we have spent a little over $3,000 and put the produce and eggs in the Farm to Fridge program across the county.  Additionally, we appreciate our great partnership with Food Lion of Hilltop Village. They donate produce to us on a weekly basis. 

Livestock & Forages

Kim Woods, Area Agent, Agriculture - Animal Science

NCDA &CS Enacts Movement Restrictions on Animals Imported from States Affected by New World Screwworm

Drought Resources

North Carolina Cooperative Extension has a website with drought resources on it. Check out the page at NC Drought Resources Information is available for both livestock and crop producers. There are links to get you to additional resource pages as well including the Farm Service Agency office which has implemented a program to help with livestock grazing losses and the NC Hay Finder tool. Finally, drought adds a layer of stress to farming. There are some mental health resources here as well. Take care of yourself, you are the most important asset to your farm. Talk to someone if needed.

Disaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance for 2026 Livestock Forage Losses

Producers are eligible to apply for 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, forage sorghum.

LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land. 

You must complete a CCC-853 and the required supporting documentation no later than March 1, 2027 for 2026 losses.

For additional information about LFP, including eligible livestock criteria, contact your local service center or visit fsa.usda.gov

Crops Section

2026 NC State Tobacco Field Day

Mark your calendars for the 2026 NC State Tobacco Field Day. You won’t have far to drive as this year's event will take place at the Oxford Tobacco Research Station on July 23rd, beginning at 9am and concluding with lunch around noon. 

There is a full agenda planned, including presentations from students and faculty on current research projects, along with timely updates on topics relevant to the tobacco industry.

Please visit this link to register for this field day: https://tobacco.ces.ncsu.edu/2026-nc-state-tobacco-field.../

If you have additional questions about this event or are unable to register through the above Google Form, please contact Maggie James at mmshort2@ncsu.edu

USMCA at the 2026 Review: What North Carolina Businesses Should Know

From the NC Chamber Foundation; in June 19 Wheat Beat

Canada and Mexico account for nearly one-third of North Carolina exports, making the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) an important moment for the state's business community. As the 2026 review approaches, the NC Chamber Foundation has developed a situational briefing highlighting what’s at stake for North Carolina's economy and business community.

USMCA at the 2026 Review: What North Carolina Businesses Should Know

Key Facts

• North Carolina exported a record $43.8 billion in goods in 2025.

• Canada and Mexico account for nearly one-third of North Carolina exports, with Canada serving as the state's largest export market.

• Nearly 11,000 North Carolina companies export goods, including more than 9,500 small and medium-sized businesses.

• Trade with Canada and Mexico supports as many as 142,000 jobs across North Carolina.

• North Carolina imported roughly $17 billion in goods from Mexico and more than $8 billion from Canada in 2024, making the two countries among the state's largest foreign suppliers.

Why it Matters

Canada and Mexico serve as critical partners in regional supply chains and key markets for North Carolina businesses. USMCA provides the stability and predictability businesses rely on to invest, grow, and compete across North America. Manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, life sciences, and small and medium-sized exporters all benefit from a North American trade framework that supports long-term planning, investment, and market access. The 2026 review will determine whether the agreement is extended for another 16 years or moves into a period of annual reviews. While annual reviews could provide an opportunity to address sector-specific priorities, they could also introduce additional uncertainty for businesses making long-term decisions about investment, sourcing, and expansion.

As North America’s economic and trade landscape continues to evolve, the 2026 USMCA review represents an important moment for businesses across North Carolina. To read the full briefing, explore key findings, and learn what business leaders should consider in the weeks ahead, visit https://ncchamber.com/foundation/supply-chain-research/ .

Drought and Irrigation Considerations – June 2026

As of June 9th, the entire state of North Carolina is under drought conditions, with tobacco growing regions ranging from moderate to exceptional drought conditions (Figure 1). While tobacco can handle some dry weather, the drought thus far in the growing season is exceptional and likely beyond what can be tolerated without irrigation for most of the crop.

The article linked at https://eit-wagpress-prod.s3.amazonaws.com does a great job covering irrigation considerations for tobacco in a drought. Instead of writing a completely new article, here are a few key takeaways from the previous article for June 2026, as well as a couple of added thoughts.

Crop stage is important, especially when irrigation water is limited

• Irrigation is typically not recommended between transplanting and layby. In fact, moderate stress during this time can encourage root growth. However, this is not a typical year, and we are past moderate stress in many areas. If your crop is not yet at layby and growth has been significantly delayed, consider irrigation. Irrigate enough to make it worth it, but not excessively.

• Water is most critical between layby and topping as this is when roughly 80% of tobacco growth occurs. About one inch per week (from rain and irrigation combined) during this time is ideal. If you are at this stage, consider irrigation, even if water available for irrigation is limited.

• After topping, the plant is losing less water via transpiration, and the water need is reduced.

Nitrogen is the most important nutrient in tobacco production, and the majority of nitrogen is taken up by the plant roots in water. Water not only makes nitrogen move into the plant, it also makes it leach out of the rooting zone. Without any rain, where is the nitrogen? A significant portion of it is probably right where you left it – in the fertilizer band.

The interaction between nitrogen and water affects a couple of different management decisions right now. First, if you are an Old or Middle Belt grower approaching layby, be sure not to over-fertilize the crop at layby. There is likely more nitrogen still plant-available in the soil than usual at this time of year, and excess nitrogen would likely delay ripening. Second, for those in the eastern part of the state that are around or right after topping, this is when we typically want to run out of nitrogen in the soil so that the plant can begin the ripening process. Thus, irrigating sooner rather than later will get that nitrogen in the plant where it belongs and allow the crop to begin ripening. This will hopefully avoid a late-season green-up. Ultimately, when considering irrigation at or after topping, be sure to think about how much nitrogen you have applied, how much rain/irrigation you have gotten thus far, and how much nitrogen might still be in the soil. Then, consider how that would affect your crop with irrigation now as compared to a future rain event later (that may or may not come).

A couple last points from the article to increase water use efficiency. First, good weed control reduces competition with the crop for limited soil moisture. Second, early topping and effective sucker control reduce plant demand for water.

2026 Annual Forage & Livestock Webinar Series

We are excited to share the schedule for the 2026 Annual Forage & Livestock Webinar Series! The registration is free and the webinars run from 3-4 pm EST, July to October, 2026.

The goal of this series is to provide information and practical tools to support and strengthen the pasture-based livestock industry in North Carolina and across the region. Each session features insights shared directly by experts in the field.

TOPICS AND REGISTRATION LINKS

Farm stewardship through succession and transition: Opportunities, tools, and strategies. Speaker: Dr. Noah Ranells, NC FarmLlink, N.C. Cooperative Extension. (July 7, 2026; 3-4 pm EST) Webinar registration at https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/DFGGy47KTrunl_pmh-s93w#/registration

Soil carbon and nitrogen in forage and grazing lands across North Carolina. Speaker: Dr. Alan Franzluebbers, USDA-ARS. (August 19, 2026; 3-4 pm EST). Webinar registration at https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/Od9iqKLSRm2nI87VxsXS0g#/registration

Strategies for weed management in tall fescue pastures. Speaker: Dr. Navdeep Godara, Crop and Soil Sciences, NC State University. (September 17, 2026; 3-4 pm EST) Webinar registration at https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/3Xe2zjVvRnaqQarPvHXfow#/registration

Considerations for establishing an optimal breeding and calving season in North Carolina. Speaker: Dr. Felipe Silva, Animal Sciences, NC State University. (October 1, 2026; 3-4 pm EST) Webinar registration at https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/gJ0eUIP3Tj-TeaV4EB3zhQ#/registration

4-H Youth Development

Lina Howe, Extension Agent

Our New Summer Intern

Welcome Ella Young to our county for the summer! She is doing a fantastic job so far!

STEM Camp

We had a fantastic STEM camp to kick off our summer fun camps! Kids learned the scientific method, conducted several experiments, found out which soda reacts with mentos the best, made and launched rockets, built and competed with a hydraulic claw, built an electromagnetic wand and went on a magnet hunt, competed in an “egg drop challenge”, learned about 3-D printing, and learned about circuits with the Makey Makey kits. What a fun and educational week!

Livestock Camp

Sheep, goats, poultry oh my! 

We had a fun first day of livestock camp on June 8th at South Granville High School!! Thank you to the FFA program for hosting us. Youth learned about animal safety, animal care, milked a dairy goat and bottle fed babies!

We had the best day at the Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory on June 9th learning about feeds, forages, waste reduction, animal husbandry and cattle research projects! Thanks to Gregory Shaeffer and April Hesler Shaeffer for leading such a fantastic day!

We finished up livestock camp with an excellent last 2 days. Wednesday members learned about showing animals, practiced haltering and shearing sheep, fed baby goats and had so much fun! Thursday we visited and toured the NC State Dairy Education unit then enjoyed some delicious ice cream at the creamery! Special thanks to all of those who helped make this camp possible, it was a great week! - South Granville FFA Alumni, Granville County Public Schools, April Hesler Shaeffer & Gregory Shaeffer

For their final service project of the year, the Granville County 4-H Youth Leadership Council on June 13th purchased 40lbs of food from the OxfordArmory FarmersMarket and donated it to the Farm to Fridge Program at the Richard H Thornton Library!

4-H Project Record Book Winners

Congratulations to our 2026 NC 4-H Project Record Book Winners! 

Each year, youth submit project record books (a year long record of a project they have completed) to the county for judging, the best ones advance to district and states! Congratulations to our advancers and winners!

4-H Popshots

Our very own fearless Popshots 4-H club leader, Gary Owens (NC 4-H National Muzzleloader Team Coach) and 2 of our members, Kipton Hymiller and Connor Landon were in Nebraska the week of June 17 to compete in the national 4-H shooting sports tournament! This is a huge honor and one our county should be very proud of!

Go Popshots!

North Central District Activity Day

The 2026 North Central District Activity Day was a success. Seven Granville County 4-H’ers presented and did fantastic! We are so proud! 

Zach Maciejewski- Careers, Entrepreneurship - GOLD 

Grace Allred's- Hospitality + Social Graces- GOLD

Harper Brannigan- Horse- GOLD 

Addy Galloway- Small Animals- GOLD 

Atlas Travis- Communication

Logan Quintas- Communication Lia Diefendorf- Cloverbud

4-H Garden/Agriculture Camp

The week of June 16 we held Garden and Agriculture Camp, youth learned about soil, pollinators, plants, propagation and so much more! Special thanks for Johnny Coley, Horticulture Agent and the master gardeners for putting on a great camp!

4-H at Betsy Jeff Penn

7 Granville County 4-H Members enjoyed their week at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-h Center canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, learning archery, enjoying crafts and obstacles courses and so much more!

4-H Cloverbud Camp

Cloverbud camp was a hit! Our younger 4-H members had a fun 2 days of hands on, immersive learning.

4-H Farmers Market Fun

Granville County 4-H members took on the NC Farmers Market to learn about, taste and purchase locally grown goods, and troll hunt at Dix Park! What a fun day!

4-H Muzzleloader Team

THIS JUST IN, our NC 4-H Muzzleloader team (with 2 Granville members and a Granville coach) placed 4th overall and 1st in Silhouettes!!

Congrats to: Kipton Hymiller , Connor Landon, and Gary Owens!

We are so proud, thanks for representing Granville well!

4-H Firefighter Fun Day

We had the best time on June 29 at Stovall Fire Department for Firefighter Fun Day! Members had a Q&A with 4 firefighters, explored the firehouse, learned about the trucks and their most favorite, played in the water! Thank you to the Stovall Fire Department for having us!

Consumer/Commercial Horticulture

Johnny Coley, Area Agent - Agriculture

Tobacco Field Day

Pond Clinic

On June 5, we held a pond clinic to help landowners learn about aquatic plants they may encounter during the year. Special thank you to Steve Hoyle and Kara Foley for bringing knowledge and samples. Special thank you to Farm Bureau of Granville County for making this possible!

Philip Jackson, public information officer         

N.C. Forest Service                                         

919-857-4828 or philip.jackson@ncagr.gov                                            

N.C. Forest Service tree seedlings go on sale July 1

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service will begin accepting orders Wednesday, July 1, for its annual tree seedling sale. With an average annual production of 10 million seedlings, and a reliable supply of more than 40 tree species, the NCFS Nursery Program produces enough native and genetically improved tree seedlings to plant roughly 18,700 acres of land.

“Our nursery program continues to provide affordable native tree seedlings that are geographically suitable for the state’s diverse forestlands,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “By offering seedlings in different quantities, the program can help customers of all sizes whether the need is as few as 10 seedlings, or as many as several thousand. The annual seedling sale is just another way that the forest service strives to keep North Carolina’s woodlands healthy, growing and thriving.”

The program offers quality conifer and hardwood seedlings. Genetically improved stock is available for Fraser fir, loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, Eastern white pine and Virginia pine. These seedlings offer better volume growth, tree form, disease resistance, straightness, and other characteristics needed to produce beautiful Christmas trees, healthy woodlands and quality forest products. Customers interested in knowing more about specific tree species and available inventory can speak with NCFS Nursery staff, as well as reference the ordering website or seedling catalogs.

How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?

• Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
• Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337) or 919-731-7988.
• Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form in our FY26-27 Nursery Seedling Catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
• A user-friendly online catalog will soon be available at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/nursery-tree-improvement-program . Seedling catalogs will also be available at local NCFS offices beginning in July. Within the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and cost to order. Each species description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore forest habitats or as marketable timber.
• Accepted methods of payment are check, money order, Mastercard and Visa.

Most containerized seedlings are available and used November through March while most bare root seedlings are available and used January through March. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 13 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.

For information on planting trees, customers are encouraged to contact their local NCFS county ranger. Contact information for NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

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Stay connected, stay curious, and take advantage of the many programs, resources, and opportunities available through our office. Whether you’re growing a garden, supporting youth development, improving your health, or strengthening your farm or community, we are here to help. Thank you for being part of our Extension family, and we look forward to serving you throughout the season ahead!

For more information and event updates, visit our website at https://granville.ces.ncsu.edu/

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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