Aahhh. The fragrance of a fresh-cut Christmas tree. It is a simple pleasure of the holiday season that no candle or room refresher can replace.
Across our state, the end of November signals the start of tree selling season – a span of a few weeks where North Carolina’s 850 Christmas tree farmers generate the revenue from an entire year’s worth of work. Many of the trees they sell have been a “work in progress” for these farmers for as many as 10 to 15 years. Learn More »
Spotted Lantern Fly
If You Think You Have Found Spotted Lanternfly in NC:
Please take a photo and send it to: badbug@ncagr.gov
When submitting a photo please include the location of the sighting, the date, and your contact information.
Clear, close-up, focused images are the easiest to ID! If possible, add a coin, paper clip, or other small objects to the photo to indicate the size of the insect.
When submitting a photo please include the location of the sighting, the date, and your contact information.
Clear, close-up, focused images are the easiest to ID! If possible, add a coin, paper clip, or other small objects to the photo to indicate the size of the insect.
All your hard work in the garden, pruning, lawn, and flowers has finally settled down.
Now you can cut greenery and berries for decorating.
Prune your grapevines. Cuttings can be used for wreaths.
This is a good time to review your successes and failures in the garden and plan for next year.
Be sure to keep bird feeders filled.
Relax, rest, enjoy your Holidays, and stay warm.
Farmer – Buyer Meeting
February 2022
Are you a farmer looking for new markets to sell your product? Are you a restaurant looking for new places to buy local produce/foods? Are you a wholesale buyer or distributor seeking new clients for your local food lines? NCSU Extension Clay County Center in collaboration with the EmPOWERING Mountain Food Systems project is hosting a mixer to connect farmers with new markets. We are currently in the planning phase and do not have an exact date or time for the event but it will likely be on a Monday evening in February. Right now, we would love to know who is interested in participating. Whether you are a farmer looking to sell products, a restaurant or wholesaler looking to buy products, we want to hear from you. Please email Lisa at lcgonzal@ncsu.edu or call the office at 828-389-6305 to learn more about participating in this event.
Holiday Breads and Farmhouse Wreaths
Our FCS Agent, Kim Terrell, recently offered a class on quick breads. Participants learned the difference between yeast as a leavening agent vs chemical leavening agents, baking powder and baking soda. Helpful bread making tips were shared along with a hands on demonstration on how to make pumpkin bread. As an added bonus, participants made beautiful farmhouse wreaths from all natural greenery and embellishments.
2022 Farm School
Cherokee and Graham County Centers have teamed together to offer a series of Farm School educational programsthat will help farmers, homeowners, gardeners, and youth learn more about farming, agriculture, and rural living in our area. Most workshops listed below are free to anyone who would like to register. However, there is a charge for the grafting workshop to help cover the cost of the materials. If you have any questions about our programs, feel free to contact us. Visit https://cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/10/2022-farm-school/ for more information.
Introduction to the 2022 Chick Chain
January 18, 2022
6:00 p.m. (online Zoom Session)
Graham and Cherokee County
Pruning For Healthy Fruit Trees February 8, 2022 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Graham County)
Raising Chickens February 22, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Graham County) February 24, 2022 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Cherokee County)
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.
