Cultivating Franklin Franklin County Center

December 2025

Community

2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award

Nomination forms are available in Franklin County at the following location: N.C. Cooperative Extension Center. They can also be found at volunteernc. Nomination forms are due by February 6th, 2026 to the Franklin County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension office (103 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, NC 27549). They can also be emailed to Charles Mitchell. For further questions, please contact N.C. Cooperative Extension at 919-496-3344.

Franklin County 4-H

Volunteer of the Year Award

The 2025 4-H Volunteer of the Year award was presented to the Thornburg Family.

Left to right: 4-H Agent Meg Wyatt, Kendal, Holly, Joseph, Analee and Nathaniel Thornburg.

4-H Club Community Service

Banners and Buckles 4-H Club completed a wonderful community service project. They put together birthday cake boxes for a local food pantry. Each box includes a pan, cake box, sprite (sprite cake recipe), candles, and homemade birthday cards. They made 20 boxes.

Buckles and Bows 4-H Club and birthday cake boxes the youth assembled for a local food pantry donation.

Family & Consumer Science

Food Safety Tips

The holiday season arrives with its familiar glow—twinkling lights, warm gatherings, and a welcome pause from the rush of everyday life. This festive stretch of the year can be the perfect moment to rethink what staying active really looks like. With a little creativity—and a willingness to move between the celebrations—it’s easier than you think to keep your body energized and your goals within reach. While the season invites plenty of delicious indulgence, it’s also a good moment to stay mindful of food safety.

Small Farms

2025 Franklin County Corn Yield Contest

Bell and Bell Farms was the winner of the 2025 Franklin County Corn Yield Contest, with a yield of 226 bushels per acre. The winner received a plaque and a $100 check. The yield contest is sponsored by Franklin County Cooperative Extension and the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Composting Class

Alejandra Martinez taught “The Breakdown on Composting," December 8th, conveying the importance and benefits of composting and walking through compost production, management, and use. There was a time for critical thinking and problem solving as participants who had experience with composting shared about their successes and failures. Participants had the opportunity to create a compost bin to begin their own composting journey.

Pictured at center, Franklin County Ag Agent Alejandra Martinez demonstrates how to make a compost bin.

Farm Tax & Record Keeping Workshop

The Ag Money GamePlan: Taxes and Records for Carolina Producers was conducted December 11th, at the Franklin County Ag Center. NC State Ag Economics Tax Specialist, Nicholas Brown, JD and Laurel Clabaugh, Cash Keep Bookkeeping, of Salisbury presented the educational program.

NC State Ag Economics Tax Specialist, Nicholas Brown, JD taught good business practices to program participants at the workshop.

Livestock

Beef Production and Marketing Meeting

The annual Beef Production and Marketing Meeting organized by Ag Agent Martha Mobley was conducted Dec 18th, at the Franklin Plaza conference room. Dr. Derrell Peel from Oklahoma State University shared his insights on the present and future of the cattle market. Founding members of the Ag Board, Ingrid Volk and Dr. Stone were recognized for their contributions at the meeting.

The 2025 Beef Producers Marketing Meeting speaker shared the latest cattle market trends and attendees had dinner in a holiday setting.

Local Foods

The Franklin County Farmers Market is closed for the season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Franklin County Farmers Market!

Visit NC Farms

VisitNCFarms.com features a regularly updated list of festivals and farm events happening statewide—perfect for planning your next autumn outing. Visit our events page today to discover where you can sip cider, pick pumpkins and make lasting fall memories.

Upcoming

For more information about our programs and events, contact Franklin County Cooperative Extension office , 919-496-3344, or visit our website.

CREATED BY
Franklin County Center

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Franklin County Center