IREDELL INFORMED

iredell.ces.ncsu.edu

Complete the Drought Impact Survey: Pasture and Hay Shortage

Are you or your producers experiencing forage or pasture yield losses due to the ongoing drought conditions? NC State Extension is tracking these impacts to better support our agricultural communities. Please visit ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu and fill out the quick drought survey. Reporting your losses ensures that the full extent of the agricultural impact in North Carolina is accurately documented.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Livestock Forage Disaster Program

Currently, this is the best option for livestock producers to receive financial assistance for these losses or those to come. Please encourage your producers to go to FSA and start the process of applying- taking the time to get enrolled can save alot of time down the road if they become eligible for new programs.

NC FARM SERVICE AGENCY

PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL FARM SERVICE AGENCY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT!

CALL TO REGISTER

IREDELLCOUNTYFAIR.COM

4-H SUMMER FUN DAY CAMPS

4H SUMMER FUN

DAY CAMPS

Summer is in full swing, but it's not too late to join the adventure! We still have a few spots left in our 4-H Summer Fun Day Camps. Give your kids an opportunity of making friends, learning new skills, and creating unforgettable memories.

4H SUMMER FUN DAY CAMPS

PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER, MUST PAY IN PERSON.

EMAIL ADREANNA

4-H DISTRICT ACTIVITY DAY

on June 17th, four Iredell County 4-H’ers participated in South Central District 4-H Activity Day held in Stanly County!
District Activity Day gives youth the opportunity to research and present on a topic of their choice before a panel of judges while competing against other 4-H members in their age division and category.

We are proud to recognize the following participants:
Trinity Boller – Gold, 11–13 Horticulture Science
Garrison Hawkins – Gold, 8–10 Safety
Isolena Hawkins – Bronze, 11–13 Horse
Vivian Hawkins – Participant, 14–18 Arts & Communication

Congratulations to all four youth for their hard work, dedication, and willingness to share their knowledge and skills through public speaking. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments!
A special congratulations to Trinity and Garrison on earning Gold and advancing to the State Presentation Finals in July. Good luck as you represent Iredell County 4-H at the state level!

4-H District Project Book Results

Congratulations to all of our Iredell County 4-H youth who advanced their project books to the South Central District level for judging! A 4-H project book is a record of everything a youth has learned, accomplished, and participated in within a specific project area throughout the year. Project books are first judged at the county level, and top entries advance to district competition.
This year, Iredell County had a record number of project books advance to district judging since Adreanna joined the county—7 project books! We are incredibly proud of all of these youth for their hard work and dedication.

Isolena Hawkins – Gold, 8–10 Personal Development & Leadership
Vivian Hawkins – Bronze, 13–15 Healthy Lifestyles
Raelynn Grebe – Bronze, 8–10 Healthy Lifestyles
Cooper Grebe – Bronze, 13–15 Animal Science
Also representing Iredell County at the district level were:
Maddie Young – 8–10 Animal Science
Raelynn Grebe – 8–10 Animal Science
Cooper Grebe – 13–15 Healthy Lifestyles

Congratulations to all of these youth for their outstanding work and for representing Iredell County 4-H so well!

NC 4-H Shines at National Shooting Sports Championships

The North Carolina 4-H Shooting Sports delegation delivered a stellar performance at the 26th Annual National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska. Competing against 747 elite youth members from 42 states, North Carolina’s 35-person delegation secured an outstanding 6th place overall finish nationwide.

Among the tournament's many highlights was the performance of the Hunting Skills Team, which featured Iredell County’s own Oleander A. and Coach Barry A. This grueling discipline combines elite marksmanship with rigorous testing in wildlife identification, hunter safety, and outdoor survival. Backed by months of intense preparation following statewide tryouts, the NC Hunting Skills Team secured a coveted top-10 national finish.

Individually, North Carolina's standout competitor peaked with an incredible 10th-place overall finish out of nearly 750 total competitors, placing them in the top tier of youth marksmen in the country. Supported by dedicated volunteer coaches, NC 4-H continues to demonstrate excellence, discipline, and exceptional sportsmanship on the national stage.

4-H National Shooting Sports

4-H Jr. Master Gardener Level 2

Thanks to growing interest from new families and the continued enthusiasm of current members, the Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club is expanding! Beginning this year, we will offer Level 2 of the Junior Master Gardener curriculum, allowing us to provide more advanced gardening, environmental science, and leadership experiences for older youth.

Level 2 is open to youth ages 12–18 and will meet alongside our Level 1 group on the 2nd Thursday of each month from August through May at 4:30 p.m. at Selma Burke Recreation Center in Mooresville. Please note that the first meeting for the 2026–2027 year will be held on August 20 instead of August 13.

Interested in learning more or registering? Contact Adreanna White at awhite6@ncsu.edu.

Helping Your Landscape Survive the Drought

This guide from the NC State Extension provides actionable advice for protecting landscapes during severe droughts. It highlights signs of drought stress (such as leaf curling and mid-day wilting) and details survival strategies, including managing mulch to conserve soil moisture, skipping fertilization to avoid stimulating vulnerable new growth, and prioritizing watering efforts for newly planted trees and shrubs over low-priority annuals or lawns.