NC State Extension

We are excited to announce that Liz Driscoll will be stepping into the role of interim assistant director of youth programs for NC State Extension, effective Oct. 1.

Driscoll, an NC State Extension associate who designs agriculture, horticulture and natural resources programs and curriculum for youth, has taken on new leadership responsibilities to help strengthen and modernize Extension’s youth development programming across North Carolina.

“Liz brings a strong track record of collaboration, program development and systems-level thinking, which are essential for advancing the goals of the NC 4-H program and supporting our strategic priorities,” NC State Extension Director David Monks said. “She has demonstrated the skills and strengths needed for this role, particularly in coordinating efforts among Extension's specialists, state 4-H staff and county-based agents.”

Read more about Driscoll and the position at the link in our comments.

Fiber h**p is a promising industry for North Carolina, but collaboration will be key to overcoming system challenges that could stand in the way. Alternative Crops Extension Specialist David Suchoff and others at NC State are working to build those partnerships.

“Right now, the main challenge for fiber h**p is to get the entire processing infrastructure in place. That is the limiting factor to successful commercialization,” said Suchoff, who also serves as an NC State associate professor of crop and soil sciences and Extension outreach and engagement platform director for the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative.

Read more at the link in our comments.

We like to think we've got the best autumn leaves around. 🍂 Happy first day of autumn, North Carolina.

Do you have a favorite picture of autumn in our state? Drop them in the comments down below! ⬇️💬

September is National Fruits and Veggies Month! 🫐🌽 Have you been growing fruits and veggies this summer? Share your harvests in the comments! ⬇️💬

When you buy local beef, you're directly supporting North Carolina farmers. 🥩

Through MeatSuite.com — a platform administered by NC Choices, which is an initiative of N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) — North Carolina shoppers are connecting with local farmers to fill their freezers.

“We have seen a 30% increase in inquiries, store visits and sales the last month,” said Beth Rhyne, co-owner of R&B Rhyne Farms in Angier, North Carolina . “The greatest request has been for locally sourced beef. Our bulk beef inquiries and sales have gone up significantly. Customers want to know exactly where their meat comes from.”

Learn more about MeatSuite and the North Carolina beef industry at the link in our comments.

Please join us in congratulating Durham County Horticulture Agent Ashley Troth for receiving the 2026 Distinguished Early Career Award from the Extension Master Gardener National Committee! 🎉

Troth was recognized for demonstrating outstanding leadership, measurable program impact, innovation, collaboration, and commitment to the Extension Master Gardener mission.

In just eight years with N.C. Cooperative Extension, Ashley has distinguished herself in all of these areas—strengthening the Extension Master Gardener program in Durham County while contributing ideas, leadership, and expertise to the statewide program.

Read more about her and the recognition at the link in our comments.

NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers, Durham County

A new app is in the works that will help farmers protect their crops, livestock and machinery when a storm or flooding event is forecasted. 🛜⛈️

The sensors measure water depth, soil moisture and salinity in real time, and the app sends a notice to farmers if flooding is imminent so they can take steps to either immediately harvest threatened crops, protect livestock or remove equipment from the field.

The new web-based tool should first be available to farmers in flood-prone Hyde and Washington counties later this year with the goal to eventually cover all 100 North Carolina counties.

The project is a collaborative effort between NC State University, its N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, East Carolina University and SAS.

Read more about the new app and the collaboration to create it at the link in our comments.

The top employer in North Carolina? Agriculture and its associated industries. 🚜💰

The latest statewide report found that the food, fiber and forestry sector employed 20% of North Carolinians and generated $117 billion in economic activity in 2024.

"It is clear that agriculture, defined as the food, fiber and forestry sector, employs more people than any other industry in North Carolina — one of every five jobs statewide or about 1 million jobs total," said NC State Hugh C. Kiger Distinguished Professor Jeffrey Dorfman, who authored the report.

Learn more about the economic impact of North Carolina agriculture at the link in our comments.

North Carolina 4-H alumni were recently honored for "making the best better" at the 2025 North Carolina 4-H Alumni Award ceremony. 🍀🏆

The achievements and service of 4-H Alumni Award recipients exemplify 4-H’s mission, living out the mission of 4-H and creating a legacy of excellence within the organization.

Read about the recipients and their accomplishments at the link in our comments.