Cultivating Franklin Franklin County Center

June 2025

4-H Youth Dairy Program

11 4-H youth from Franklin and Warren counties competed on June 1st in the Northeast District Junior Dairy Heifer show in Rocky Mount. They showed against Northampton, Halifax, Craven, and Pamlico counties. The following youth were involved: Ava Proctor, Lizzie Shepardson, Lacey Mitchell, Oliver Baker, Clara Baker, Harper Wall, Cora Taylor, Jaquae Oliver, Jaqeim Oliver, Kylar Mclean, and Saylor Beasley.

4-H Sizzling Summer Sessions

Franklin County 4-H Sizzling Summer Sessions have begun and we are having a lot of fun. Week one consisted of NC State Parks and learned alot about trees and products made from trees. We visited Raven Rock, Umstead, and Eno River State Parks. We are looking forward to the next 6 weeks of summer fun.

Growing in Franklin

Cantaloupes in the Home Garden

Athena cantaloupes

Cantaloupe is in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae) and it is a warm season crop that needs full sun. This species is Native to Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, New Guinea and Australia. Another common name for cantaloupe is muskmelon, which comes form the musky odor the fruits may emit when cut. Learn more

For more information about growing sweetpotatoes, or if you have other gardening questions, feel free to contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344. Stay tuned for nutritional information about sweetpotatoes in the next Growing in Franklin article.

Nutritional Benefits of Cantaloupes

Cantaloupe’s pastel hue and sweet and juicy flavor make it perfect for adding to fruit salads or just eating plain. Cantaloupes offer lots of nutrients, fiber and vitamins that benefit your heart health, help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, improve immunity and boost eye health. The phytonutrients found in cantaloupes help with hydration, protect against damage from age related macular degeneration, help prevent asthma, lower blood pressure, aid in digestion, nourish skin and promote hair growth. Learn more

The fresh combination of banana, cantaloupe and low-fat dairy in this smoothie packs a powerful punch of potassium, calcium, vitamin C and beta carotene. Makes one serving and takes maybe ten minutes tops to make.

Cantaloupe & Banana Fruit Smoothies

Community

Franklin County's Rebekah McPhetridge at Soil & Water Conservation workshop at NC State.

Farmers Market

The Franklin County Farmers Market is located in the Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg. Hours: Fridays, 9 am until 1 pm. Follow us on Facebook for updates! For more information visit our website. The Franklin County Farmers Market will be closed Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

The Franklin County Farmers Market is busy on Friday mornings.

Visit NC Farms

Meet the farmers this summer! From the mountains to the coast, more than 2,000 farms, markets, wineries, fisheries, and seasonal events are featured in our network. Plan your visit today! Learn more

Upcoming Events

June 16th - August 8th, Franklin County 4-H Sizzling Summer Sessions
July 12th - 8:30 a.m. 2025 Five County Beef Tour
Aug. 1st, 7:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m., 29th Annual Franklin County Horse Farm Tour
Aug. 8th - 13th Annual Franklin County 4-H Fun Livestock Show
Now Accepting Applications for the James Speed Achievement Award. Applications are due by Sept. 15th to be considered for the scholarship.

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

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Franklin County Center

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Franklin County Center