Extension News November 2025

November Employee Spotlight

Carmen Long

This November, we are thrilled to feature one of our most dedicated and long-serving team members, Carmen Long, who brings decades of experience and passion to her work across our communities. Carmen’s role is Area Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, serving both Surry and Alleghany Counties.

Carmen's commitment to Extension is truly remarkable, spanning an incredible 38 years in total—20 in Surry and 18 in Alleghany, with 10 years spent as a dual agent for both counties. When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Carmen emphasizes the impact she has on people's lives: "Helping people, teaching new skills, providing research-based information," along with cherishing "The relationships I have made through the years." She approaches every day with gratitude, believing the best part of her day is simply waking up each morning, recognizing that "Every day is a gift."

Carmen’s passion for learning and creating doesn't stop when she leaves the office. She recently took on a big personal challenge, learning a new craft and successfully recovering her own sofa—a project she’s quite proud of! This spirit of adventure extends into her leisure time; believe it or not, a fun fact about Carmen is that she enjoys the thrill of high rope courses and zip lining!

When not guiding families in Surry and Alleghany, Carmen enjoys a vibrant life outside of work. She and her husband love to shag and attend beach concerts. She also makes sure to carve out time for her family, including spending time with her parents and going on fun day trip adventures with them. Carmen finds her ultimate inspiration in her children: Kelsey, Carson, and Bryce.

Carmen has a creative streak, loving to repurpose items into something new, along with other hobbies like sewing/crafting, hiking/walking, and gardening. At home, she is kept company by her cat, Rocky, and her dog, Josie Belle. A hidden talent her colleagues might not know is that she plays handbells at church.

If she could spontaneously travel anywhere tomorrow, she'd head back to Ireland. Carmen and her family loved their trip five years ago, and she feels she has unfinished business, wanting to see everything she missed the first time. She also fondly recalls turning her children's traveling sports into "mini vacations." Finally, for a little indulgence, her go-to comfort food is a simple pleasure: Dark Chocolate.

Thank you, Carmen, for your tireless work, your positive spirit, and your decades of enduring dedication to the families of Surry and Alleghany Counties!

Preventing Food Waste During the Holidays

Have you ever found yourself throwing away food that is expired or can't be consumed? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), over one-third of available food in the United States goes to waste every year.

Not only is food waste bad for the environment, it's also bad for your wallet! Throwing away food means throwing away money. With the rising cost of food, we need to make good decisions about how we spend our food dollars. Use these tips and helpful hints to stretch your food dollars.

Prepare fruits: After purchasing fruits, prepare them for snacking and cooking throughout the week. For example, remove the rind from large fruits such as pineapple and melons, cut them into chunks, and place them in airtight storage containers in the fridge for easy consumption. Some produce, like berries, should only be washed right before eating to prevent mold. To learn more, take a look at this More in My Basket blog post: “Reduce Food Waste."

Freezer meals: Large batch meals are great candidates for portioning to freeze. Have more Thanksgiving leftovers than you can eat? Freeze some. Casseroles, one-pot recipes, soups, and stews are ideal. Other favorites include sloppy joes, tacos, shredded barbeque pork, and fillings to roll up a burrito. Freezing half of the prepared meal offers several benefits: your family doesn’t tire of the same food, prepared ready-to-eat meals are on hand, and best of all, uneaten portions don’t get thrown away. Remember to mark your container with when the meal was cooked and frozen. Not sure how to package freezer meals? See “Freezer Meals: A simple solution with little cleanup.”

Create several meals from the same item: Large food items such as your Thanksgiving turkey may take several days to consume. With some creativity, multiple meals can be made with turkey. Day one, eat the turkey as an entrée with vegetable sides. On day 2, make turkey noodle soup. There will be plenty of turkey from day one, and soup makes the perfect freezer meal. Finally, on day 3, use the remaining turkey to enjoy a sandwich or quesadilla. Purchased rotisserie chicken from the deli would work the same way. Looking for recipes? See this 3-part series “One chicken – several meals.”

The USDA also recommends that you:

Plan your next grocery trip: Write down all the items you need to purchase and bring the list with you to your local grocery store. Be sure to check your pantry to avoid buying duplicates. This should help you stay consistent and only buy the items you truly need. Remember that if you receive SNAP benefits, you can use them to stock your pantry!

Control your portions: When serving your plate, choose smaller portions; you can always go back for more later if needed. This helps reduce food waste, since food left uneaten on your plate often ends up in the trash.

Recycle food scraps: Instead of mixing your food scraps with other trash, recycle them into compost (a mixture of ingredients added to soil to help it grow). You can see more about composting at home here. The composted material can be great for those seeds and edible plants that are also a SNAP-eligible purchase.

Consume perishables within days: Check the food available in your home and make sure to use your perishable items first. You can also use the First In, First Out method, which recommends that you shelve your food by use-by or expiration date so that older foods are used first. Store products with the earlier dates in front of products with later dates. Remember: out of sight, out of mind. You don’t want to discover any UFOs (unidentifiable food objects) hiding in the back of your refrigerator.

Order out wisely: If you decide to eat out during the week, try to only order what you can finish. Ask restaurant staff for portion sizes and whether your entrée comes with side dishes. If you take leftovers home, enjoy them the next day for lunch.

Following these tips should help you reduce food waste in your home and increase your available food dollars.

If you would like to learn more about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as “food stamps”) available for limited-income families to help purchase nutritious food, contact the NCSU More in My Basket team toll-free at 1-855-240-1451.

Sources:

Environmental Protection Agency. 2025. “Preventing Wasted Food At Home | US EPA.” Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/preventing-wasted-food-home.

Environmental Protection Agency. 2025. “Composting At Home.” Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

winter squash

Butternut and pumpkin typically get all the attention when it comes to winter squash, but there are other tasty seasonal varieties. No matter which variety you choose, they are all healthy and hearty options to enjoy this time of year.

All varieties of winter squash are fat-free and cholesterol-free. They also contain fiber and other vitamins and minerals. These varieties of squash can last for several months if stored properly. Make sure to store your whole squash in a cool and dry space. Avoid storing the vegetables in a space with direct sunlight.

Winter squash is full of seeds – don’t throw them out! These make a great protein snack. They contain fiber and fat, but mostly healthy fats. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast them for about 10 minutes at 300˚ F. Try tossing them in some spices to add some extra flavor!

Butternut: A good source of vitamin C, A, and copper.

Pumpkin: High in vitamin A.

Acorn: A good source of vitamin C.

Delicata: A good source of vitamin C.

Carnival: Excellent source of Vitamin A.

Spaghetti: A good source of potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A.

The Surry County Teen County Council is working on a service project for the Surry County Animal Shelter. They will each be making handmade items to sell at our 4-H Christmas Market on Friday, December 5th, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Tractor Supply in Mount Airy. All of the proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase pet food and supplies that are needed at the animal shelter. We are proud of our teens for using their hands to provide a larger service for our community! Please come out and shop for holiday gifts and support these hard-working teenagers!

Celebrating Farm City Week

Bridging the Gap Between Field and Fork

Each November, communities across the country come together to celebrate Farm City Week—a time to recognize the vital partnership between rural and urban citizens who work hand-in-hand to support our nation’s food system.

The tradition began in 1955, born from a conversation on a train between Charles Dana Bennett, a Vermont businessman, and Merle H. Tucker, Chairman of the Kiwanis International Agriculture and Conservation Committee. Concerned about the growing divide between farm and city life and the declining public understanding of agriculture, they launched a nationwide effort to build awareness and appreciation for the interconnected roles of farmers, businesses, and consumers.

Today, that mission continues. Across the U.S., Cooperative Extension, farmers, agri-businesses, and civic groups host events that celebrate agriculture’s impact and foster stronger connections between rural producers and urban consumers.

This year, Surry County will proudly celebrate Farm-City Week with a hearty dinner and special program. We’re honored to welcome Zach Gihorski, Director of Government Affairs & Sustainability with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, who will speak on the State of Agriculture Today.

Farm-City Week is traditionally held the week leading up to Thanksgiving, a fitting time to reflect on where our food comes from and all the hands involved in bringing it to the table.

Let’s continue building bridges—between farm and city, field and fork.

Cornshucking Frolic at Horne Creek Farm – A Success!

The recent Cornshucking Frolic at Horne Creek Farm was a fun-filled, educational day celebrating tradition, community, and agriculture! Visitors enjoyed engaging exhibits from the Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Surry County, who shared valuable tips on composting—turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into garden gold!

Meanwhile, the Surry County Beekeepers Association drew plenty of buzz with their display on honeybees, pollination, and hive health. Guests even had the chance to purchase local honey, straight from the hive to the table.

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate and learn with us. We’re already looking forward to next year’s frolic!

Time to Test Your Soil – Before Fees Begin!

Now is a great time to take soil samples in North Carolina! Soil testing is FREE until November 30 — after that, a $4 per sample fee applies from December 1 through March 31.

Take advantage of this free service to improve your lawn, garden, or landscape next spring. Healthy soil = healthy plants!

Contact our office at 336-401-8025 for details.

Lawn Tip

One bale of clean (weed-free) straw should cover approximately 1,000 square feet of lawn. It is possible to apply too much straw. Too much straw can shade seedlings and require removal when the new grass is mowed the first few times. Apply the straw mulch so 20 - 50% of the soil is visible through the straw layer.

Green & Growin’ Show 2026

The Southeast’s premier green industry event is scheduled for January 19-23 2026 at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons in Greensboro. This is a great conference for anyone in the green industry. The conference includes three days of educational seminars and two days of trade show. For more information, go to Green and Growin' | North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

Reminder: The North Carolina Strawberry Association is hosting their annual Southeast Strawberry Expo on November 11-14, 2025 at the Raleigh Hilton at North Hills.

2026 NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference

By: Elena Rogers, Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture – Fresh Produce Food Safety

The North Carolina Fresh Produce Safety Task Force invites produce growers, food safety coordinators, extension agents, food safety consultants, and professionals involved with produce farms to join us at the 2025 NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference.

This event offers an excellent opportunity to remain informed about industry trends, food safety practices, and receive updates from regulatory partners, auditing companies, and Extension programs in North Carolina.

Date and Time:

December 11, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location:

NC Farm Bureau Building, 5301 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612

Registration / Cost:

The cost is $25.00 per participant, which includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Register and pay via Eventbrite. The deadline to register is December 5, 2025 - no refunds will be issued 7 days before the event.

For additional information go to Join Us for the 2025 NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference! | NC State Extension or contact Elena Rogers at 828-352-2519 or elena_rogers@ncsu.edu.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

This contagious viral disease mainly affects poultry species (chickens and turkeys) and wild birds. It is caused by the avian influenza A virus, and the severity depends on the strain along with what species is affected. Some types of bird flu cause only mild illness in birds, what we typically refer to as low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). While it occurs naturally in wild birds around the world, some LPAI strains become highly pathogenic in poultry. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a deadly disease for domestic poultry, and as it spreads quickly, biosecurity and monitoring for disease are extremely important. Signs to look for include lack of energy/decreased activity, decreased appetite, lower egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, swelling around the head (eyelids, comb, wattles) and shanks, purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, coughing/sneezing, twisting of the head/circling, stumbling/falling down, greenish/watery diarrhea, and sudden deaths without any prior signs of illness. If your backyard flock shows signs of sickness or is dying, report it immediately to your local veterinarian and NCDA&CS Veterinary Division at (919) 707-3250, option 2.

Avian influenza is spread through direct bird-to-bird contact, contaminated surfaces (manure, egg flats, farming materials/equipment), and people’s clothing, shoes, or hands. Reduce the risk of bird flu in your backyard flock by putting in place biosecurity practices. A complete list be found here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza#Tab-ProtectYourFlock-6688

While rare, mammals can be infected with HPAI. The first case of bird flu in dairy cows was reported in March of 2024 and there have been human cases as well. However, there is no known person-to-person spread, and the current public health risk is low. Most human cases happen when someone has direct contact with infected animals. See the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/groups/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/groups.htm for their recommendations for specific groups of people who may be in contact with infected animals and who may be at risk for exposure.

If you have a backyard flock and have questions, please feel free to contact our office and check out the additional resources below.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock/resources https://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/02/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-educational-resources/ https://poultry.ces.ncsu.edu/

Sources: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza#2025-12441

Winter Wheat Planting Considerations

As I sit down to write this article, winter small grain planting has started within some parts of the region. Ideally for growers that would like to push for higher-yielding wheat, the optimum first planting date for our part of the state is around October 15th. However, there is still good yield potential left on the table for wheat that gets planted up until the Thanksgiving timeframe.

A good recommendation from North Carolina State University calls for some sort of nitrogen application before winter wheat planting to promote even germination and even emergence, and it can also support early tillering. At least 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre before winter wheat planting is ideal, where it can be sourced from synthetic fertilizers or animal wastes. Just be sure to remember how much nitrogen you applied before winter wheat planting, because that will become an important factor when you are calculating your topdress application later in the growing season!

Ideally, when it comes to winter wheat planting, you want to spread your risk across your farming operation by selecting at least three different wheat varieties, where you also have the availability to have different maturity ranges. Plus, another good North Carolina State University recommendation is to use newly purchased seed, with an option for a fungicidal seed treatment package. The fungicidal seed treatment can protect young wheat plants from early-season disease pressure; however, you still would need to consider a late-season fungicide application, especially if any of your wheat varieties are susceptible to late-season disease pressure.

NC AgVentures Offers Grant Opportunity for Family Farms!

NC AgVentures, an NC State Extension program, provides grants to NC farmers and nonprofit community groups that work with family farms for agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits. The program, which is sponsored by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, will award a minimum of 50 grants to independent family farms. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their farm operation.

This is a competitive grant program. Applications will be accepted from family farms in the following counties: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes, Warren, and Yadkin.

• NC AgVentures will award grants up to $10,000.
• Application submission begins October 15th, 2025.
• Deadline to apply is 6 PM December 19th, 2025.

For additional information contact your NC Cooperative Extension Agent, or visit our webpage: www.ncagventures.org

News Release: Jackie Miller | 919-628-0163 | Jackie_miller@ncsu.edu