October 2025
Community
Farm-City Luncheon
Everyone worked together to ensure the annual Farm-City luncheon and awards ceremony was a success. Made possible from the efforts from the Ag Board, speakers, volunteers, staff and community. Thank you!
Future Farmers of America
4-H
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Franklin County 4-H is happy to announce the 2025 4-H Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Congratulations to our winners!!!
- 1st Place in Painting Division 8-10 years old-Anna Faulkner
- 1st Place in Carving Division-8-10 years old-Jamerson Kidd
- 1st Place in Painting Division Cloverbud Division-Grace Wilkerson
Women in Ag
Forest Landowners' Conference
On October 7th, Franklin County Women in Ag attended the Piedmont Forest Landowner's Summit at the Chatham County Agricultural and Conference Center in Pittsboro to learn the latest on forest management best practices.
Growing in Franklin
Fall is for Planting
A gardener’s biggest challenge when planting trees and shrubs in this part of North Carolina is the soil. Most often plants suffer from improper soil preparation and planting techniques. A properly planted tree or shrub will be more tolerant of adverse conditions and require less management than one planted improperly. Very often I see trees and shrubs planted in compacted soil with a hole just big enough for the plant’s root-ball to fit in. This sets the plant up for failure immediately. Let’s look at some ways to improve planting techniques and survival rates of plants.
If you have questions regarding planting trees and shrubs or other gardening questions, feel free to contact your local Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344.
Small Farms
Small Farms Needs Assessment
We want to hear from you! Please fill out this survey to help us gain an understanding of what Franklin County needs and wants to see from the Small Farms program, as well as how to best share information, resources, and education. Participation is anonymous. Please share this survey with anyone else in the area this would be pertinent to.
NC Ag Ventures Farm Grant Program
NC AgVentures, a NC State Extension program provides grants to NC farmers and non-profit 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.
Livestock
2025 Senator James A. Speed Scholarship
The Senator James D. Speed Achievement Scholarship is presented to a deserving Junior Beef Exhibitor, age 14-18 years old, in the Jr. Market Steer and/or Jr. Beef Heifer competition. The scholarship continues the legacy that Senator Speed created as a 32-year member of the North Carolina State Legislature and through his commitment and dedication to agricultural interests. The scholarship is funded through an endowment in the NC Agricultural Foundation from donations from the community. The scholarship continues the legacy that Senator Speed created as a 32-year member of the North Carolina State Legislature and through his commitment and dedication to agricultural interests. One of his significant contributions to agriculture was his long-term support of providing working agricultural lands with “Present Use Value”. Farm land would not be able to be productive and owned today by many farm families across North Carolina without the “Present Use Value Taxation” program. THANK YOU to the late Senator Speed for allowing us to farm in this great state of NC.
Local Foods
Farmers Market
Hours: Fridays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Follow us on Facebook for updates!
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 Events
- Nov. 6th - Learn the Art of Pesto
- Dec. 3rd- Franklin County Beekeepers Association and Franklin County Birdwatchers Meetings - Extension Center Meeting rooms
- Dec. 9th - Adapting Your Forestry Plan to Changing Markets
- Dec. 9th - Landscape Professionals December Credit Class
- Dec. 11th -"Farm Taxes and Farm Recordkeeping" - Extension Center Annex presenter, NCSU's Nicholas Brown, JD (Ag Economics) on Ag Recordkeeping
- Dec. 18th - Franklin Region BEEF Producers Marketing Dinner Meeting
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