April 2024
Community
Administrative professionals from the Northeast District met Friday, April 12th for their Spring meeting at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Center, in Louisburg. Twenty-one professionals from the association brought items to be donated to the Franklin County 4-H community service project, which is collecting items to include in hygiene packets to be delivered to Franklin County Schools children in need.
4-H
4-H'ers Participated in the 2024 Central Piedmont Junior Livestock Show and Sale
Five Franklin County 4-H'ers participated in the Central Piedmont Livestock Show and Sale on Tuesday, April 9th. Youth participating included: Mackenzie Davis, Caleb Davis, Laithan Blankenship, Abigail Blankenship, and Grayson Blankenship. Makayla Davis was present supporting her family and friends but could not participate due to an arm injury! She was their biggest cheerleader! The youth brought home many ribbons for their animals winning in their classes but they also brought home the following: Abigail- Reserve Champion Senior Showmanship; Grayson- Grand Champion Breeding Heifer; Laithan- Reserve Champion Intermediate Showmanship; Caleb- Grand Champion Senior Showmanship, Reserve Champion Feeder Steer, and the Go Getters Award. We are very proud of these youth and wish them luck in their future shows around the state and in other states this season. For more 4-H Youth Development information, contact 919-496-3344, or Meg Wyatt.
Franklin County 4-H County Council 4-H'ers participated in a community service project with the Northeast District Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals to purchase and pack hygiene bags for middle and high school students in Franklin County. These bags will be provided to anyone that needs them. The kits contain: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, soap, washcloth, deodorant, shampoo, and females received some feminine products in their kits. We were able to pack fifty-one bags. This set of hygiene bags will be donated to Terrell Lane Middle School.
Family & Consumer Science
The Home School Group learned about limiting sugar beverages, and did sugar density tests. Seniors made Strawberry Freezer Jam at the Franklinton Senior Center. For additional Family & Consumer Science information, contact 919-496-3344, or Dominque Simon.
Senior Jam Session
Growing in Franklin
Growing Tomatoes - Choosing Your Tomato Varieties
Tomato planting season is upon us, leaving gardeners with a pretty big decision to make. The tomato variety you select now will have a huge impact on your future success, but hundreds of different varieties are available. Will you go with hybrids or heirlooms? Determinate or indeterminate? Large or small fruits? Sorting through this confusing array will help you choose the right varieties for your garden. Learn more
Nutritional Value of Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain vitamins A, C, and K. Tomatoes are also a good source of niacin, chromium, and potassium. Vitamin C protects the body from free radicals which destroy the healthy cells in the body. Niacin helps to lower triglyceride, a fat present on our blood. Learn more
For more gardening or vegetable information, contact N.C. Cooperative Extension Franklin County Center office, 919-496-3344 or visit our website.
Small Farms
Local Foods
The Franklin County Farmers Market opened for the season Friday, April 26th. Market Hours: Open Fridays, 9am to 1pm. For additional Farmers Market information, contact 919-496-3344, Pat Ayscue, Farmers Market Manager. Learn more
Visit NC Farms App
The Visit NC Farms app can connect you to farms in communities across North Carolina. The app is available for Apple and Android phones. Download the app to explore local foods, farmers markets, local restaurants and more. Get the app at the App Store or Google Play. #VisitNCFarms Learn more
Upcoming
- 4-H Sizzling Summer Sessions begin June 10 - Registration beginning May 3
- Community Cares Food Drive through June 14, drop-off donations at Franklin County Cooperative Extension Center office, 103 S Bickett Blvd., Louisburg
- May 12 - Women in Ag Local Foods Farm Tour
- May 16 - May 23, Back to the Basics-Small Farm Bootcamp
For additional program information contact the Franklin County Center office at 919-496-3344 or visit our website!