NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION - GUILFORD COUNTY |
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In This Issue:
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Monthly Round-Up–Extension Events
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Announcements
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Upcoming Events, Workshops, & Classes
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Other Community Events & Resources
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Over 30 members of the community attended the 2025 Guilford County Land Use & Retention Summit to learn real solutions to help protect working lands and guide landowners through complex decisions about property and succession! The event was co-organized by Marcus Williams, NC Extension Agent, Agriculture - Food Crops; Alyssa McKim, NC Extension Program Coordinator, Food Security; and Dr. Biswanath Dari, Assistant Professor and Natural Resource Specialist at NC A&T.
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A special thanks to everyone who participated in the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census! Whether you participated at home, attended our "counting event" in the Demo Garden, or participated elsewhere, your contribution matters! If you still need to report your data collected from this year or want to find out more information so you can participate next year, visit: https://gsepc.org/. |
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What to Know About Soil Testing
Testing Services for Nutrients and pH is provided by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Soils Lab for free to North Carolina residents except during peak season (December 1- March 31) when there is a $4 fee. Soil test boxes are available at the Ag Center. Please mail your soil test boxes to the testing lab in Raleigh using the address listed on the form. Learn More |
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Staff Spotlight:
New County
Extension Director
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Guilford County is pleased to announce Natalie Owens will serve as the new director of the NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center, effective Friday, Aug. 1.With over 29 years of experience in community outreach and nutrition education programming, Owens brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her background includes extensive experience in grant compliance, building state-level partnerships, and providing training for program assistants. |
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NEW LIVE SERIES -
Live at Lunch: Tuesdays in the Garden |
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Join us on Tuesdays at noon for our new series, Live at Lunch - Tuesdays in the Garden! These sessions will be great opportunities to learn fall gardening tips from Horticulture Agent, Taylor Jones, featuring live demos & a Q&A during your lunch break.
View our lives on our Facebook page! |
| LEARN MORE & REGISTER |
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SAVE THE DATE -
September 29th, 2025 |
Gardening Across Generations #1: Vermicomposting & Composting
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September 29th, 2025
6 PM - 7 PM at the Ag Center
Join us for our first event in our Gardening Across Generations series, designed for families to enjoy together! Come explore various gardening topics through lessons, hands-on activities, and take home a special project from each class to keep growing your skills together! Each class is $50 per family. Learn vermicomposting & composting together & take home a worm bin to turn scraps into garden gold! |
| LEARN MORE & REGISTER |
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SAVE THE DATE -
October 11, 2025 |
Fall in the Garden |
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October 11th, 2025
9 AM - 12 PM at the Ag Center
Join us for this fun and free event for the whole family! There will be many different displays set up throughout the garden that will teach you how to keep your garden going through the fall and winter, as well as get prepared for spring!
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| LEARN MORE |
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Med instead Meds - Recipe of the Month |
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Cooking fish at home may seem like a daunting task. But in truth, cooking with seafood can be a quick and enjoyable way to break the monotony of weeknight dinners. Searing is an easy and delicious way to cook fresh or frozen fish filets. The Med Way includes plenty of healthy and nutritious meals that are also delicious and satisfying. We teach Eating the Med Way through the Family & Consumer Sciences Program.
Seared Salmon
Pair your seared salmon with vegetables and whole grains for a complete meal. |
| RECIPE |
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School Garden Grant Applications Available! |
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Would you like to engage students with hands-on learning experiences in gardening? If you’re interested in starting a school garden, revitalizing an abandoned one, or improving/expanding an existing garden, apply for the Guilford County Extension Master Gardener℠School Garden Grant.
Applications for 2025–2026 school year grants will be accepted from August 1 through September 26, 2025. |
| LEARN MORE |
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Upcoming Classes & Workshops |
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Community & School Gardens- |
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Share the Harvest
June 10th-September, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM at the Ag Center
Share the Harvest has started back up, and the Ag Center is serving as a collection site! The office will serve as a collection site for fresh produce donations until the end of this month.
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| LEARN MORE |
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Supporting GNAA’s Mission Through Extension Programs
NC A&T State Extension and NC State Extension staff met with leaders of the Guilford Native American Association (GNAA) to explore opportunities for education programs and community outreach. GNAA’s mission is to provide educational, social, economic, and cultural opportunities that promote self-sufficiency, self-determination, and the preservation of Native American cultural heritage.
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Needs Assessment
Are you a Garden Leader in the community?
Please participate in this important Needs Assessment. Your responses will help us better understand your challenges, successes, and priorities as leaders of community and school gardens.
This survey should take no more than 10–12 minutes. Your input will directly inform training, support, and resource planning for future programs. All responses are confidential and voluntary. Any questions contact: Crystal Mercer or call (336) 641-2427. |
| TAKE THE SURVEY |
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Horticulture |
Grow With Us |
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For 2025, the Extension Master Gardenerâ„ volunteers have their Fall 2025 free gardening class schedule already on our website! Feel free to sign up for as many classes as you like! |
| CLASSES & REGISTRATION |
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Northwest Piedmont Turfgrass Symposium |
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September 29th
9 AM - 12 PM
Join us for the first Northwest Piedmont Turfgrass symposium. Hear from industry professionals from NCSU & enjoy a green & fairway walk. |
| LEARN MORE & REGISTER |
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New Extension Master Gardenerâ„ Class for 2026 |
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We are excited to announce that we will have a new Extension Master Gardenerâ„ class in 2026!
If you have been thinking about joining the Extension Master Gardenerâ„ program, now is the time to apply! For this upcoming class, we have made some changes to the delivery of the training classes in hopes to better accommodate a larger group of interested individuals. A full schedule can be found on our website.
Applications for this class will be accepted beginning on September 2, 2025 through December 8, 2025 with required info session(s) on what to expect as a Master Gardenerâ„ student the week of December 8th.
*Take advantage of our early bird application period! Submit your completed application AND fee between September 2 and September 26, 2025 to receive a $20 discount off the application fee ($100 fee instead of $120).
For any questions, contact: Holly Key (hmkey@ncsu.edu) |
| LEARN MORE & APPLY |
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Agriculture |
Private Pesticide Recertification: Category V Credits |
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September 16th
6 - 8 PM at the Ag Center
Guilford County Cooperative Extension is offering a Category V (Private Safety) pesticide recertification course for private applicators. This training allows participants to earn their required two credits. This session will emphasize key safety practices for pesticide handling and application. Participants will develop skills in safe handling methods, equipment operation, and current regulatory compliance. For more information, contact Agriculture Agent Marcus Williams at mjwill34@ncsu.edu or (336)641-2416. |
| LEARN MORE |
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4-H |
Staff Spotlight:
Meredith Kreeger |
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Our very own 4-H agent, Meredith Kreeger, was recognized this month with an Achievement in Service Award (state and national award). She was also recognized with an Excellence in Healthy Living Award, along with Digital Skills Agent Jeffrey Cates and our other 4-H agent, Lauren Taubert. She also received the Communicator Award in Educational Piece and Media Presentation with Lauren Taubert, and Rockingham County FCS Agent, Sarah Paschall.
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Community Development- Digital Skills |
Digital Literacy |
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Select Wednesdays Each Month
10 AM - 12 PM at the NCWorks Career Center, 2301 West Meadowview Road, Greensboro, NC 27407
Join us to gain familiarity with current technology!
Questions? Contact Jeffrey Cates at:
jeff_cates@ncsu.edu , 336.641.2436 |
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Tech Drop In: Browsing the Web – Search Safely & Smartly |
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Sept 4th
3-5 PM at the Ag Center
Join our August Tech Drop In to learn more about operating system skills. Learn how to navigate apps, open apps, and manage files. Technology can be a good tool but sometimes it can be a challenge. Bring your tech into our office for free help. |
| REGISTER |
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Tech Drop In Schedule 2025 |
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First Thursdays
3-5 PM at the Ag Center
Need Tech Help? Here's the Tech Help Drop In Beginner Basics schedule until October to get tech assistance and pick up some digital skills along the way! |
| REGISTER |
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FCS- Health & Nutrition |
Preserve the Harvest: Wildlife Conservation & Preservation |
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October 4th
10 AM - PM Online
Join Rockingham and Guilford County agents to learn all about preserving wild game, food plots, and more! This program is applicable to anyone interested in wild game, so whether you are a hunter or just interested in utilizing wild game, we have something for you! Lunch is provided. Learn more and register today! |
| REGISTER |
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Canning with Extension: Apples |
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Oct 14th
5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Ag Center
Join FCS Agent Vincent Webb to learn more about canning apples. |
| REGISTER |
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Safe Plates Schedule |
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Next Course: October 16th-17th
8:30 AM - 4 PM at the Ag Center
Are you a food service manager or part of the supervisory staff for a restaurant, hospital, nursing home, or school? Join us for our comprehensive program to earn a Safe Plates Certification! |
| LEARN MORE |
| REGISTER |
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FCS- Financial Literacy |
Tech For Vets |
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September 25th-26th (repeats monthy until October)
11 AM - 1 PM at the High Point Public Library
Our Goodwill on the Go unit, with instructors from the NC Cooperative Extension, will be on hand to guide you through creating and navigating all three on your VA benefit accounts.
What to expect:
• Coaching on the digital skills needed to access veteran benefits
• Step-by-step assistance in setting up your online VA accounts
• Learn how to navigate the platforms to easily find and use services
Prior registration is encouraged: |
| REGISTER |
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General Community Resources & Events |
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Fall Festival Flyer - Cottage Grove Neighborhood Association, Collaborative Cottage Grove |
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September 27th at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
10 AM - 2 PM
Get ready for a fun-filled day of fall festivities at the Cottage Grove Neighborhood Association Fall Festival!
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Greater High Point Food Alliance Food Summit 2025 |
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September 19th
The Greater High Point Food Alliance is looking forward to seeing you at this year’s Food Summit, Beyond the Plate: Food Security and Economic Stability through Strategic Partnerships. This year’s theme reflects a powerful message — that addressing food insecurity requires more than just providing meals — it requires collaboration across sectors to create lasting, systemic change. By fostering strong partnerships between nonprofits and the for-profit sector, we have the opportunity to not only meet immediate needs but also build a stronger, more resilient community. Let’s work together to bridge gaps, share resources, and develop innovative solutions that go beyond the plate.
The 2025 Food Summit will take place on September 19th from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at The Loft at Congdon Yards (400 W. English St., High Point, NC 27262).
Please click the button below or scan the QR code to register for free, as well as view the lineup and agenda for the day!
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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 - Guilford County Center, 3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405, United States
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