Cultivating Franklin Franklin County Center

March

Franklin County 4-H

Scholarship

Emma Haynes Received a Mountaire "Farm to Table" Scholarship. Please see the video: www.flickr.com/photos/silermountaire/53583607316/in/album-72177720315401511/

Franklin County 4-H Attends 2024 Teen Retreat

14 Franklin County 4-H'ers attended Northeast District 4-H Teen Retreat. Franklin County 4-H traveled to the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC on March 8-10, 2024 to attend leadership workshops, run for office and do officer campaigns, and network with other Northeast District counties. Franklin County had two outgoing officers, Bryson Freed and Mia Clark and one incoming district officer, Tia Iversen. We are very proud of our youth that are leading not only on a county level, but also a district level. Emma Haynes is also serving as a state officer this year. For more information about 4-H Youth Development, contact 919-496-3344, Meg Wyatt.

Pictured, top from left: group of four youth: Caitlyn Franklie, Baylee Freed, Ayden Wyatt and Meredith Potter with their workshop picks; top right: Large group of kids: the front two youth are district officers and Franklin County 4-H'ers, Bryson Freed and Mia Clark. Group photo (left to right), back row: Kendal Thornburg and Layla Stoudemire; front row: Georgia Plascencia, William Kozak, Sophia Bobbitt, Emma Haynes, Mia Clark, Tia Iversen, Meredith Potter, Holly Thornburg, Baylee Freed, Ayden Wyatt, Catilyn Frankie, and Bryson Freed.

Horticulture

Home Gardening

Compost: The Best Soil Conditioner

Composting is a way of recycling organic waste materials that you would ordinarily discard. Many questions that are asked are: What kind of organic waste? How old should it be? How much should I use? What works best: leaves, grass clippings, pine bark, pine straw, hardwood chips, or manure? There is really no right or wrong answer to these questions. Generally, the question asked most often is: How do I get started? Learn more

Fertilizing Trees in the Landscape

Most trees exist in nature without much care, but transplanting trees into urban areas or man-made conditions can create problems. Often these trees are planted in restricted root zone areas, such as along paved streets or in compacted soil. You should keep in mind that the root system is just as important (and delicate) at the top of the plant. Fertilizer or pruning will not help the growth of a tree if it stressed by one of these environmental conditions. Fertilizer is only one factor that contributes to the growth of plants and health of plants. Learn more

Protect Your Plants With Mulch

Homeowners and professional landscapers depend on mulch in their ornamental plantings for several reasons. Functionally, mulches discourage weeds from growing, conserve moisture during drought periods, allow better use of water by controlling runoff and increasing water-holding capacity of light, sandy soils. Mulches help maintain a uniform soil temperature also. A 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch can add to the aesthetic value of a garden while protecting the base of plants from being injured by mechanical equipment. Learn more

For more horticulture information or if you have other gardening questions, contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344 or visit our website.

Family & Consumer Science

Living Well Month

The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences proudly celebrates Living Well Month every year in March to promote healthy living and the great work FCS professionals do to educate individuals, families, and communities across the country. Learn more

Spice Make & Take Cooking Class

Spice Make & Take Cooking Class participants learned how to make their own spices and aromatic spice blends.

Easter Baskets for Seniors

Seniors at the Franklinton Senior Center received Easter baskets donated by The Help Center NC. Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent, Dominque Simon, delivered the baskets. For additional Family and Consumer Science information or questions, contact Dominque Simon, 919-496-3344.

Dominque Simon, FCS Agent delivered Easter Baskets donated by NC Help Center to seniors at the Franklinton Senior Center.

Small Farms

A demonstration of how to inoculate Shitake mushroom logs was conducted Saturday, March 23, at the Franklin County Farmers’ Market shelter. For questions or for more information, contact the Franklin County Extension Center, 919-496-3344, or William Landis, Small Farms Agent.

Mushroom Demonstration

Participants spent Saturday morning inoculating logs with mushroom spores under the market shelter.

Franklin Region Agritourism Opportunities Conference

83 participated in the Franklin area's first Agritourism conference Thursday, March 28th. Discussions included Financial Planning/Access to Capital/Funding, Farm Stay Regulations, Air B&Bs, Tiny Homes as Farmstays, and Northeast Franklin Revitalization Updates, finishing with the Q&A session. For more information contact 919-496-3344, or Martha Mobley.

Pictured from left, top: Presenters Jason McLawhorn, McLawland Farm, Mecklenburg County; Roxanne Cash, The Farm at Buzzard Rock, Yadkin County, Founder & CEO, Farm School on Wheels; Larry Land, McLawland Farm; middle: left, panel of exhibitors; at right, Larry Land, McLawland Farm, Mecklenburg County shows a slideshow. bottom: Tiny homes were a featured topic-left tiny home exterior, right-interior of a tiny home.

Visit NC Farms App

Explore North Carolina with the Visit NC Farms App, the mobile app that connects you to local farms, food and fun! Explore North Carolina with the Visit NC Farms app, the farm fresh app you need. Download the app on the App Store or get it on Google Play. #VisitNCFarms Learn more

Farmers Market

The Franklin County Farmers Market will be open Friday, April 26 with homemade strawberry ice cream available. For Farmers Market information contact 919-496-3344, Pat Ayscue, Farmers Market Manager.

Upcoming Events

For additional program information contact the Franklin County Center office at 919-496-3344.