March 2026
Community
Pesticide Collection Day
Pesticide Collection Day took place on March 19th at Edwards and Foster Farm, co-sponsored by Cooperative Extension and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Family & Consumer Science
Farm & School Field Trips
Franklin County 4-H
Teen Retreat
Franklin County 4-H attended the Northeast District 4-H Teen Retreat with 15 4-H'ers. Kendal Thornburg and Sophia Bobbitt are current district officers and Holly Thornburg and Ayden Wyatt were elected as the incoming district officers. We have a Franklin County 4-H alumnus who is currently serving as a state officer. The youth attended workshops, participated in a community service activity and had a banquet.
4-H Celebration Night
Franklin County 4-H held their 4-H Celebration Night on March 4th. We had over 100 people in attendance. County Manager Mr. Ryan Preble, brought greetings and Franklin County 4-H's very own alumnus, Lance Williams, was our guest speaker. Youth were recognized for all their 4-H work in 2025. For additional 4-H information contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office at 919-496-3344, 4-H Agent, Meg Wyatt.
Horticulture
What Are All Those Holes in the Ground Coming From?
They are most likely the solitary bees such as the "colletids" and "andrenids" that often emerge in the spring of year. Even with the cooler weather we've experienced, rain that has softened the soil (for digging purposes) and open/exposed areas warm more quickly contributing to this burst of activity. The bees begin foraging for food and seeking out new nesting sites. This activity can continue through June. If you have further questions about insects in the landscape do not hesitate to call your local Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344. You can also visit our website at franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.
Livestock & Horse Series
Winter Horse Educational Series
The last meeting of the Winter series was conducted on March 19th. Dr. Megan Tyrrell, Neuse River Equine Hospital, presented Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) - Understanding, Preventative, Symptoms, Vaccine, Botulism (hay), Seizures.
Cow Camp: Back to the Basics
On March 11th, Part two of the Cow Camp series series was conducted. Genetics, Understanding Beef Cattle EPD's, Forages and Direct marketing were the topics. For more livestock information contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office at 919-496-3344, Ag Agent, Martha Mobley.
Local Foods
Visit NC Farms
North Carolina farms welcome visitors with authentic, hands-on experiences rooted in agriculture. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a seasonal outing, Visit NC Farms helps you find events, connect with local farmers, and support the people who grow your food. We bring together a statewide network of agritourism farmers, tourism partners, and local food advocates to celebrate North Carolina agriculture.
Upcoming Programs
- April 16th - V Credit Pesticide Training, Franklin County Extension Center
- April 1st • April 8th • April 15th - Spring Extension Gardener Classes
- April 2nd - Using Multifunctional Marketing Strategies to Grow Profit
- May 10th - 5th Annual WIA Local Food & Fiber Farm Tour
- June 16th - 5-County BEEF Tour (rain date June 18th)
- August 7th - 30th Annual Franklin County Horse Farm Tour
For more information about our programs and events, contact Franklin County Cooperative Extension office, 919-496-3344, or visit our website.
Credits:
Franklin County Center