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Growing Chatham June 2026
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A close-up view of a dandelion seed head, its delicate white fluff poised like tiny parachutes waiting to catch the breeze. Each feathery seed drifts away on the wind, carrying the promise of new blooms wherever it lands. |
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Our office will be closed on June 19, 2026
in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
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9th Annual Juneteenth Festival 2026 |
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Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, as the day enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their legal freedom.
Today, Juneteenth is both a celebration and a call to action. It reminds us that freedom requires remembrance, resilience, and organizing for justice.
CORE continues this legacy by protecting land, defending community, and building power for racial equity in Chatham County.
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| Find out more |
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PITTSBORO, NC— Children and teens are invited to participate in the Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story at Chatham County Public Libraries branches throughout the summer. |
| Find out the details |
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4-H June Updates |
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4-H Summer Camps |
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Summer Time is here! Come join us for one, or all of our summer camp opportunities!
Each camp offerings something unique for your young person. While having fun is our number one priority, Chatham County and North Carolina 4-H offers a safe learning environment for all youth.
Please note that some camps now have a waitlist. Please feel reach to reach out to our staff if interested in the following camps to ensure you are on the waitlist:
For more information on registration or scholarship opportunities, the link below will redirect you to our Chatham 4-H Summer Camps 2026 webpage or contact Sydney Blair at sydney_blair@ncsu.edu |
| Chatham 4-H Summer Camps 2026 |
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North Carolina 4-H Congress |
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North Carolina 4-H Congress is an annual statewide event that brings together 4-H youth from across North Carolina for a week of leadership, service, workshops, and networking. Held each summer in Raleigh, delegates participate in educational sessions, community service projects, campus tours, elections, and social activities while building friendships and developing leadership skills. Youth also have the opportunity to be recognized for their achievements and represent their counties on the state level.
This year's North Carolina 4-H Congress will be held on July 20 - 24, 2026.
Interested in Attending? Contact the Chatham County 4-H Team to Register!
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| Learn more here |
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Artistic Expression & Creative Writing Events |
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2026 NC 4-H Horse Program Creative Writing & Artistic Expression Contest
The deadline for entries for both contests is June 10. Entry fees must be received by June 15.
Exhibits must be submitted to the NC State 4-H Horse Show (Hunt Horse Complex Dining Room) on Thursday July 9 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Entries to be judged beginning at 5:00 PM.
Artistic Expression entries and awards will be available for pick-up in the Dining Room on Friday July 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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| More details about the 2026 NC 4-H Horse Program Creative Writing & Artistic Expression Contest |
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Pest, Disease, and Weed Management
in Vegetable Gardens |
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Missed last month’s episode of Digging Deeper? Don’t worry — you can catch it here on our YouTube channel!
Stop Guessing! The Right Way to Test Your Soil
Thinking about starting a garden? Don't just dig in! This video explains why soil testing is a crucial first step for any homeowner, whether you're planting vegetables, fruits, or flowers. Learn how understanding your soil's unique composition can determine exactly what nutrients and amendments you need for a truly successful and vibrant garden.
Stop guessing and start growing smarter!
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Sustainable Ag |
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Chatham County Farmers' Markets |
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Craving real freshness?
Did you know Chatham County is home to four incredible farmers' markets?
You simply can't get produce any fresher than buying it straight from the hands of the farmers who grew it.
Support local and taste the difference— |
| Find your nearest Chatham County farmers' market here |
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Register Now for Caneberry Biocontrol and Production Workshop |
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North Carolina Cooperative Extension will be conducting an all-day workshop on Caneberry Biocontrol and Production on June 26, 2026 in Mills River, NC.
This is a FREE, in-person workshop. |
| Interested? Find out more! |
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Register Now for Spring Tours of the Pollinator Paradise Garden! |
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Get ready to experience North Carolina’s ultimate celebration of nature! The spring tours at the Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden in Pittsboro officially kicked off on May 9th—and you absolutely cannot miss it!
Secure your spot before it sells out! Experience the ultimate wildlife wonderland at the popular Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden.🌟 |
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Why You Can't Miss This:
- Brimming with Wildlife: Walk alongside honey bees, native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects in their favorite gathering spot!
- Botanical Wonderland: Explore over 240 species of gorgeous perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses.
- Proudly Native: Discover how stunning a garden can be when 85% of the plants are native to North Carolina.
- Exclusive Expert Access: Learn directly from Chatham County Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos, the mastermind who created this paradise 18 years ago!
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| Spaces fill up quickly for these exclusive seasonal tours. Register now! |
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Livestock & Forages |
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Access the latest Livestock & Forages Newsletter!
Here's what's waiting for you in this newsletter
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Poultry Processing Workshop (Harnett County)
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Forage Specialist Insight on Drought
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Hay Directory
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USDA Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
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Fall Pesticide Safety Schools Schedule
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Goat Artificial Insemination Short Course
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Dairy - Frozen Dessert Business
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Annual Forage & Livestock Webinar Series
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NC Beef System Field Day
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Small Farms Field Day - NC A & T
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Goat Fitting Clinic
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| Livestock & Forages Newsletter |
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Forestry |
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Deer, Turkeys, and Beyond: Management to Benefit Wildlife on Your Property
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When: Saturday, June 20th, 2026 | 8:30am - 4pm
Where: Mebane, NC
*Location details provided upon registration
Join staff from NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC Wildlife Federation,
NC State University, and other partners for a hands-on workshop focused
on practical wildlife habitat management for private landowners. The workshop
will be held in Alamance County.
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CRD |
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Family and Consumer Sciences |
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| Open the latest Family and Consumer Sciences - Chatham County Newsletter |
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Chatham Roots: A History of Agriculture |
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21 Children, 22 Years: The Short Life of 4-H Alum Vernon Cheek |
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Seventeen-year-old Vernon Cheek looked out at the world with the bright, hopeful eyes of youth, ready to graduate with the Goldston High School Class of 1931. He had a lifetime of dreams ahead of him, a passion for his community, and a promising future shaped by his proud years in the 4-H club. Yet, life can be heartbreakingly fragile.
Step back in time to remember a young life cut short. Discover his touching legacy in The Story of Former 4-H Member, Vernon Cheek.
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| 21 Children, 22 Years: The Short Life of 4-H Alum Vernon Cheek |
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