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July 2025 Lincoln Extension Newsletter

Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Newsletter

Edition #17 – July 2025
lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu

July Monthly Newsletter

Welcome to the Newsletter from Lincoln County Cooperative Extension. We are pleased to have such a great community to serve and help support the mission and vision of Cooperative Extension in this wonderful county that we live in. Thank you for your continued support and dedication! Keep an eye on this monthly publication for upcoming events and information from our Agents.

Firework Safety

By Tanya Binafif
As we celebrate the summer season with fireworks, it is important to consider their impact on farms and rural communities. Loud noises can startle and stress livestock, sometimes leading to injury or behavioral issues. Fireworks can also pose a serious fire risk; ashes and embers may drift into fields, dry pastures, or barns, igniting crops or structures. Always follow local burn guidelines and consult your local fire department for regulations and safety tips. Let’s work together to keep our farms, animals, and communities safe this summer.

July Already?

By Rachel Evans
With July comes the second half of 2025 and in a few months the temperatures will drop and holiday season will be upon us before we know it. July has one major, beloved holiday – 4th of July or Independence Day, celebrated with outdoor gatherings, meals, and fireworks. There is also International Joke Day on July 1^st, Build a Scarecrow Day on July 6^th, National Mac N’ Cheese Day is July 14^th, and July 20^th is National Ice Cream Day. How do you celebrate the 4th of July? Do you have another holiday in July that I did not mention?

News From Our Agents

FCS – Family & Consumer Science

I can’t believe the year is already half over!! It has been a scorching summer so far. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, try to avoid sodas. If you are not a fan of water, try the mix in packets, it adds a little flavor.

The Potato Flake Sourdough class was a success with a full class. I will be teaching another session of the class at the Senior Center on July 11^th, contact the senior center if you are interested in signing up. There was so much interest in bread making that I have been working to get a starter going for the traditional sourdough, so be on the lookout for flyers and Facebook posts about upcoming classes. Have more cooking classes in mind and will post them as soon as dates are confirmed. Keep checking our Facebook page—Lincoln County Family and Consumer Sciences for the latest and greatest program offerings.

In other news, the ECA had their June outing on Monday, the 23^rd. We went to historic Washburn’s General Store in Bostic and had lunch at the Fountain at Smith’s Drug in Forest City and topped off the day with ice cream from Scoops in Forest City. We had a great time. As always, if you have any class ideas, please let me know, because I try to use your requests on things you would like to learn to structure future classes!! Reach out to me by email: Brittany.spangler@ncsu.edu

4-H Youth Development

It has been a busy and exciting summer for our local 4-H program, with activities and opportunities in full bloom! From hands-on workshops to leadership adventures, our youth have been learning, growing, and making lasting memories. Our 4-H Summer Fun Program is now in full swing and will continue through the last Thursday of this month. So far, participants have planted herb gardens, made homemade pizza, and crafted tasty desserts, with plenty more fun ahead!

This month, several of our senior 4-H members will be attending NC 4-H Congress, one of the highlight events of the year! This experience offers youth the chance to connect with fellow 4-H’ers from across the state who share their interests and passions. Attendees will enjoy workshops at NC State, formal dinners, ceremonies, delegate opportunities, field trips, and more. It’s a unique opportunity for leadership, personal growth, and making lifelong friends. We are also proud to have a youth representing us at 4-H Electric Congress, a program sponsored by Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and the NC Association of Electric Cooperatives. It is a hands-on experience that sparks excitement for STEM while building life skills.

Our 4-H Mobile Farm has also been on the move, visiting a variety of community summer programs. Even in the summer months, our animals continue to help teach youth where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

We have also partnered with Sally’s YMCA in Denver to host a Jr. Master Gardener Program every Tuesday. Thanks to our wonderful EMGVs, youth attending camp are learning about gardening, nature, and healthy living through hands-on lessons and fun outdoor activities. In addition, our team has been working with LC Parks & Recreation Summer Programs bringing our signature 4-H activities to the youth attending their camps. From STEM experiments to games and creative projects, it’s been nothing but smiles, learning, and summer fun.

To top it all off, we’re cheering on our youth competing in the NC 4-H State Horse Show in Raleigh! These riders have earned their spots through dedication and success at the district level, and we wish them the best of luck.

Horticulture

There are a number of tasks you can perform this July to improve your home garden and grow healthy vegetables and landscape plants. Vegetables can be fertilized to promote healthy foliage and crops. Just make sure vegetables have an adequate amount of moisture in the soil, too much fertilizer and not enough water can lead to overexerted plants.

July is also a good time to prune suckers from the base of landscape trees like dogwoods and red maples as well as grape vines. Removing suckers or runners funnels more energy into the upper story of the trees and vines, creating healthier plants and in the case of grapes more developed fruit.

With July comes unpredictable precipitation and high temperatures. Keep an eye on the forecast as well as actual rainfall, consider installing a rain gauge in your landscape. During dry periods make sure to water regularly to prevent water stress in plants. And during periods of extended rainfall ensure you pause your watering schedule to avoid overwatering and to save on your water bill.

Most importantly when working outdoors during July and the rest of summer, be sure to stay hydrated! Drink water and electrolytes to keep yourself hydrated and to replenish the salts you lose through sweating. When the daytime highs get too high, do your hardest work in the morning and take frequent water breaks.

Livestock

Forage management tips for July:
Graze warm season or summer annual forages as cool season pasture growth slows down. Purchase cool season forage seed needed for seeding in late August or early September. Begin preparing fields you intend to seed this fall. Be cautious of nitrate and prussic acid poisoning of livestock grazing summer annuals after a drought ending rain and on highly fertilized summers annuals.

Catawba Valley Cattlemen’s Association
Speaker: Jacob Lubbe
Gateway Recovery Taylorsville
July 8 at 6 p.m.
1175 S Brady Ave, Newton, NC 28658

Hay season is here! If you would like your hay, haylage, or baleage tested for nutrient content and quality, contact Livestock Agent, Carson Johnson, for more information. She can also test moisture levels in windrowed or baled hay.

NC State Extension has officially launched a statewide hay finder site. This site can be used to advertise hay for sale and also post that you are in search of hay. Check out the website and create a profile:
nchayfinder.com/

Field Crops

Save the Date for the 2025 Corn & Soybean Field Day:
Saturday, August 16^th from 9 a.m. till 12 p.m. More information to follow.

Calendar of Events

• 4th of July – Office Closed
• NC State Farmers Market: Every Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., East Waters Street Pavilion. Runs until end of November. Local produce, meat, crafts, and more!
• Donation Station: Designed to improve access to healthy, local food while supporting local farmers and raising awareness of food insecurity.
• 4-H Summer Fun Days: Every Thursday in July from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. with hands-on STEM activities, life skill development, and more.