Graham County Cooperative Extension & 4-H

09/03/2026

🍂🌳 DON’T PUT YOUR SHOVEL AWAY JUST YET! 🌳🍂

Fall is one of the BEST times to plant trees and shrubs! 🌱

Cooler temperatures and more favorable soil conditions give newly planted trees and shrubs a chance to establish their root systems before the heat and stress of summer arrive.

09/03/2026

🥚🔬 Egg-cellent Science with 4-H Poultry Club! 🐔

Our 4-H Poultry Club got cracking on some hands-on learning!

🥚✨ Youth explored the anatomy of an egg, learning about the different parts and what each one does. Then, we put those eggs to the test with a fun experiment to discover just how strong an egg really is! 📚💪

It was a great reminder that science isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you can see, touch, test, and experience! 🌟

We’re proud of our 4-H’ers for asking questions, making predictions, and learning through doing!



Check out this article on the upcoming 4-H Poultry Show!
https://graham.ces.ncsu.edu/news/4-h-poultry-club-members-prepare-for-annual-poultry-show/

09/01/2026

Attention pesticide applicators: This is an excellent opportunity for you to pick up some extra credit hours online. Be sure to check it out!

Join us for the 2026 - 2027 CEU Lunch and Learn SeriesFirst Tuesday of the Month from September 2026 – June 2027Hosted By: Melinda Roberts, Horticulture Agent, Iredell County Cooperative…

08/31/2026

Gardening Tip Box:
💡This Week's Tip:

🌱Save Seeds for Next Year! 🌻

Fall is a great time to start thinking ahead to next year's garden! Before you clean out those garden beds, consider saving seeds from some of your best-performing plants.

🌱 Choose healthy plants with desirable traits.
🌻 Allow seeds to fully mature before collecting them.
🫛 Clean and dry seeds thoroughly before storing.
🏷️ Label everything with the plant variety and collection date.
📦 Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container.

Saving your own seeds can help you preserve favorite varieties, save money, and become a more self-sufficient gardener. A little preparation this fall can help your garden grow again next year!

📌 Follow Graham County Cooperative Extension & 4-H for more seasonal gardening tips & view our “What’s Growing Now?” series.

08/31/2026

🌾 DID YOU KNOW? 🌾
Quick Extension Fact!

👀 Hay can look good and still vary considerably in nutritional quality!

Two bales may look nearly identical—but their protein, energy, fiber, and overall feeding value can be very different.

🧪 Did you know a forage test can provide valuable information about your hay’s nutritional quality?

A simple forage test can help you make better feeding decisions, avoid unnecessary feed costs, and meet your livestock’s nutritional needs. 🐄🐴🐐

👉 Don’t judge hay by looks alone—test it!

📍 Your local NC Cooperative Extension office can help you learn more about forage testing and interpreting your results.



Read the full article Why Testing Hay Matters for more information.

Hay is often the foundation of a livestock feeding program, but not all hay provides the same nutritional value. Two bales can look nearly identical while supplying very different amounts of protein,…

08/31/2026

🐄 Ask Extension: How Do I Prepare My Cattle for Winter?

Winter is just around the corner! ❄️ Now is the time to make sure your herd is ready for colder weather.

✔️ Evaluate body condition and adjust nutrition
✔️ Make sure good-quality hay and water are available
✔️ Check shelter and windbreaks
✔️ Review vaccinations and herd health needs
✔️ Plan ahead for winter feeding and pasture management

A little preparation now can help keep your cattle healthy and productive all winter long!

📞 Have a livestock question? Ask Extension! We're here to help. 🐄🌱

Check out the full article here!

Winter preparation should begin well before cold weather arrives. For cattle producers in North Carolina, the key is to plan ahead for forage availability, nutrition, water, and pasture conditions so…

08/25/2026

🌱Interested in the upcoming AgOptions Workshop?🌱

The registration deadline is quickly approaching! Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the resources available to you.

📅Register before the deadline!
Space is limited, so secure your spot today!

👉Don't wait--register now!
go.ncsu.edu/grahamcountyevents

🌱Interested in the AgOptions Grant?🌱

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the AgOptions Grant program and how it may benefit your farm or agricultural operation!

📅 Join us for an upcoming AgOptions Grant Workshop and get the information you need to take the next step.

👉 Use the link below to sign up today!

go.ncsu.edu/grahamcountyevents

We hope to see you there! 🚜🌾

08/25/2026

🍅 Who has the biggest tomato in Graham County? 🍅

The results are in, and we’re excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Graham County Cooperative Extension Biggest Tomato Contest! 🌱🏆

Congratulations to our adult and youth winners—and a big THANK YOU to Dirk Cody and Robbinsville Food Mart for sponsoring this fun event and helping us encourage youth and adults to get involved in agriculture! 👏🌱

👉 Read the full article to find out who took home the top spots and just how BIG their tomatoes were!

The results are in for the 2026 Cooperative Extension Biggest Tomato Contest, and this year’s winning tomatoes were certainly something to celebrate!The Adult Division winner was Mickey Odom, who…

08/25/2026

🐔 4-H Poultry Show Coming Soon! 🐔

Our Graham County 4-H Poultry Club members are getting ready to show off their birds and put their showmanship skills to the test! 🐓🏆

Join us Saturday, September 12, at the Graham County Farmers Market to support these hardworking 4-H'ers!

👉 Want to learn more about the upcoming show and what our 4-H members have been learning? Click the link below to read the full article!

Graham County 4-H Poultry Club members are getting ready to showcase their hard work and poultry project skills at the upcoming 4-H Poultry Show on Saturday, September 12th, at the Graham County…

08/19/2026

🐄 Beef Cattle Workshop Coming Up!

Join us for an upcoming Beef Cattle Workshop featuring practical information and valuable tips for cattle producers. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just getting started, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn and connect.

👉 Read the full article for workshop details and registration information!

Graham County beef cattle producers are invited to attend an upcoming Beef Cattle Producers Workshop on Thursday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m. at the Graham County Extension Center, 39 South Main…