Filtering by tag: Agriculture & Food ✕

weed in lawn with seed heads

The New Neighbor You Didn’t Invite: Chevreulia acuminata

Extension agents across North Carolina sometimes share questions they have with other agents across the state. These questions usually end up being incredibly insightful, so when a plant…

mining bee with pollen sticking to her back legs

Friend or Foe? Protecting Pollinators in the Ground

As the days begin to lengthen and the "Persephone Days" come to an end, Lee County residents often notice a flurry of activity in their lawns: small mounds of soil and hundreds of tiny hovering…

Apples ripening on a tree in a backyard orchard. This apple's leaves were eaten on by Japanese beetles and the fruit are covered in scab, which is an aesthetic issue. Apples can be challenging to grow in a backyard orchard, but with a little work you can

Winter Chores: Caring for Old Apple, Pear or Peach Trees

North Carolina is blessed with a Goldilocks climate, where we can grow a lot of different plants and crops with just a little bit of effort. In Lee County we have some incredible heirloom pears, and…

Frozen green peas with ice crystals on their surfaces

Make Your Freezer Your Friend This Winter

Make Your Freezer Your Friend This WinterDuring winter, when there is a more limited variety of fresh produce available locally, frozen foods are a great option to keep on hand. While they may not be…

Hay in the snow

Winter Safety on the Farm

On the farm, safety is a 24/7/365 job. When working with heavy machinery or large animals, even a small slip can easily become potentially life threatening. The winter months present their own…

man counts insects during community science event

2025 Was a Record Year for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in Lee County

On the cusp of 2026, we are reflecting on the great success we had in Lee County through the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC) in 2025. North Carolina has much to celebrate! The 2025 GSEPC…

The Next Harvest workshop — Jan 29, 8:30am–1pm at McSwain Center, 2420 Tramway Rd, Sanford

Upcoming Event: The Next Harvest - Farmland Preservation and Estate Planning

Protect your land's future! Learn about estate planning and conservation options to keep your land in the family. Free food & expert help! North Carolina is second in the country for farmland…

This is the Pollinator Haven Garden dirt therapy banner 2026 which pictures text and a picture of the Pollinator Haven Garden pergola and hands cupping soil

Pollinator Haven Garden Dirt Therapy Sessions Offer Skill Building and Community

Sometimes, the best medicine is a morning in the sun with your hands in the soil or an early start to the weekend to get some gardening tasks done. Join the N.C. Cooperative Extension—Lee County…

Witchhazel is one of the earliest blooming native trees in the Southeast. I have observed many snowfalls on its delicate petals. Winter is a time for rest and reflection, and even snow can help plants interpret the changing of the seasons. Photo by Amanda

Persephone Days: Days to Be Thinking About Your Garden

December 21 marks the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year. For many cultures, this is a spiritual turning point, but for a gardener or farmer, it marks the heart of the "Persephone Days."…

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NC Christmas Trees

North Carolina Christmas trees are known around the world as trees from North Carolina are sent to multiple countries and to every state in the US. We produce approximately 20% of the Christmas trees…