Program Areas
We Grow Wilkes County: Family and Consumer Sciences
Summer 2024
Family and Consumer Sciences Program Spotlight: Home Food Preservation Workshops
This summer, Elisa Phillips and Chelsea Johnson (Family and Consumer Sciences Agents in Wilkes and Yadkin Counties, respectively) joined forces to offer several hands-on canning workshops. Participants learned safe canning techniques and gained hands-on experience making and canning grape jelly and blueberry spice jam.
One participant shared that she was unaware of the basics of canning before the workshop. She did not realize that jars needed to be placed in either a boiling water bath or a pressurized steam environment to be safely processed, but instead thought you could place hot food in jars and leave them at room temperature to process. Though this “open kettle method” of canning is practiced by some in the canning community, it is not recommended as a safe method of home canning. After the class, the participant shared that she would feel comfortable engaging in canning at home on her own as a result of her participation in the workshop.
Though this is a minor example, these anecdotes make this work meaningful and demonstrate our goal here at N.C. Cooperative Extension: to empower people with skill sets they can use beyond the classroom.
We Grow Wilkes County: Horticulture
Summer 2024
Horticulture Program Spotlight: Tomato Tasting at the Wilkes County Farmers' Market
On Saturday, July 20th, the Wilkes County Master Gardeners held their annual tomato tasting at the Wilkes County Farmers Market. Most tomatoes are grown in Western Carolina and the amount of varieties available to homeowners and producers has greatly increased in the last ten years. The event highlights and showcases tomato varieties that can be grown in Wilkes County. The public had the opportunity to try 17 tomato varieties this year. For the 2024 tomato tasting, the top 3 varieties were Amy’s Apricots, grown by Gypsi’s Ridge Honey, Blueberry, grown by Joan Johnson, a Wilkes Master Gardener, and Carolina Gold, grown by Huie Farms.
Seed Library Update: Providing Free Seeds to the Citizens of Wilkes County
At the Wilkes County Public Library and the Traphill Branch Libraries, there is a seed library available to the public. The Wilkes County Extension Office, along with Wilkes County Master Gardener Volunteers, have been providing a wide variety of vegetable and flower seeds to the seed libraries since the fall of 2022. Seed libraries provide individuals an opportunity to try to grow something new, encourage the raising of healthy produce, and provide seeds to underserved communities. At both seed libraries, one can also find basic vegetable and garden information pamphlets and NCDA soil testing boxes. This year, the seed libraries have already served over 300 individuals, and over 800 seed packets have been distributed. This is up from the 412 families served last year. Fall gardening is right around the corner and many of the fall vegetable seeds were just restocked. Next time you are at the library stop by and see what seeds are available and pick up any you may need.
Strawberry Growers Workshop Highlights
This workshop gave an overview of current strawberry production and marketing strategies for western North Carolina.
August 9th, 2024 – 1:00 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.
We Grow Wilkes County: Livestock
Summer 2024
The future of agriculture depends on the education of the next generation. Recognizing this, Wilkes County Extension, in collaboration with Ag South, NC Farm Bureau, and the Wilkes County Cattlemen's Association, has taken a significant step toward engaging the community, especially young people, in understanding the importance of agriculture.
These organizations have collectively purchased two educational fiberglass cows and a trailer designed to travel throughout North Carolina. The initiative aims to bring agriculture to life for students and the general public, helping them grasp the vital role it plays in everyday life—from the food on our tables to the clothes we wear.
The educational cows serve as hands-on educational tools, offering a unique opportunity for interactive learning. Students can see, touch, and learn about the anatomy of a cow, the process of milk production, and the many other ways cattle contribute to our daily lives. These cows are not just static displays; they are part of a broader effort to make agricultural education accessible and engaging for all ages.
To ensure that this message reaches as many people as possible, the trailer has recently been wrapped in eye-catching graphics that highlight the importance of agriculture. The vibrant design is intended to draw attention and spark curiosity, encouraging conversations about farming, livestock, and the critical role these industries play in sustaining our communities.
As the trailer travels throughout Wilkes County, it serves as a mobile ambassador for agriculture, making appearances at schools, fairs, community events, and more. This visibility is crucial in an era where many people are disconnected from the sources of their food and other agricultural products.
We Grow Wilkes County: Forestry Extension
Summer 2024
Forestry Extension Spotlight
Forestry Extension has had a great summer. Throughout the summer many landowners have sought advice in managing their forestland. Visiting their properties, I enjoyed the opportunity to provide insight that helped hone their goals for forest management. Other landowners experienced insect and disease problems. Some of the pest and pathology problems I have experienced this summer have been scales on Japanese maples, general yard tree decline, and hemlock wooly adelgids.
Also throughout the summer, Extension Forestry has hosted several events to highlight forest management:
*At the beginning of the summer I conducted a mountain forest management workshop in Mitchell County.
*Watauga 4H hosted a 3 day forestry summer camp. The campers toured several sites in the area and learned first hand how forestry is performed throughout the state.
*A tree ID workshop was conducted at Stone Mountain State Park. Attendees hiked 3 miles and learned to ID plant species that are regularly seen throughout the mountains.
As the summer continues, Extension Forestry will be there to assist landowners with all of their forestry needs. Other learning opportunities will be available as I will be presenting to Wilkes Master Gardeners and presenting an introductory forestry class at the North Carolina Forestry Summit this September in Hendersonville.
If you would like guidance with forestry, feel free to contact me at npgatlin@ncsu.edu.
We Grow Wilkes County: 4-H
Summer 2024
4-H Program Spotlight:
New 4-H Agent Coming Soon!
2025 NCD 4-H Poultry Show
2025 North Central District 4-H Poultry Show
Youth ages 5-18, as of January 1, 2025, that wish to participate, should:
Register and pay a $25 registration fee by August 16. Youth will receive 5 chicks that “should” all be hens. Chicks will be vaccinated for Mareks Disease.
Chicks can be picked up at your County Extension Center during late September (we will confirm a date closer to time). Participants should also submit a 4-H Project Record book on their project by February 28 in order to be eligible to compete on at the Poultry Show on March 15.
4-H Poultry Show Registration
August 16, 2024 – Registration Deadline
Timeline of Events
August 7, 2024 6:30 p.m. – Poultry Show Q&A Zoom
August 16, 2024 – Registration Deadline
September 5, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – Brooding Webinar
September 12, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – Nutrition/Housing Webinar
September 19, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – Health Webinar
Late September (day TBD) – pick up chicks from Local Extension Office
January 2025 – All participants must enroll/reenroll in 4-H Online.
TBD – Poultry Showmanship Workshop
TBD – Project Record Book Workshop
February 28, 2025 – Project Record books due
March 15, 2025 – NCD 4-H Poultry & Rabbit Show
All active links for registration and additional resources can be found here: https://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/07/2025-ncd-4-h-poultry-show/
Sign up today, Wilkes would like to have some participates!! We are challenging Wilkes’ youth to step up! We are here to help! Our goal is 5 youth for the show! Contact Sam if you need help with registration at 336-651-7335 or salusk@ncsu.edu!
Wilkes County 4-H Photo Gallery-Awesome Job Everyone-way to go!!!
Workshops/Events