Wayne County NC Cooperative Extension

Friday Plans = Sorted! Come support our 4-H Junior Chefs! 🧺🍓

This Friday, June 12 at 12:00 PM, head over to the Farm Credit Farmers Market to watch our 4-H Market Makers live cooking showcase!

Our youth are spending a high-speed Thursday learning everything it takes to run a local food business—from identifying peak-quality NC produce to mastering kitchen scaling math for a crowd.

Did you know? 🍑 North Carolina ranks in the top 10 states in the U.S. for peach production, and right now in June, our local NC varieties are reaching peak natural sugar content! Our junior chefs are learning exactly how to select the firmest, sweetest ones straight from market crates.

They will be putting their new culinary and public speaking skills to the test live in front of our incredible guest judges:
⭐ Suzanne Ledoyen (Health Department Director)
⭐ Kelly Tyndall (Lenoir County Extension Agent)
⭐ Joel Gillie (Public Affairs Director)
⭐ Giorgio Kristev (IT Director)

Come taste what they’ve cooked up, learn some fun crop facts from the kids, and enjoy a day at the market. See you there! 🍀

🐛 Calling all young entomologists! 🦋

Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Mount Olive 4-H Insect Collection Project! Youth ages 8-18 will learn how to catch, identify, and professionally display insects—with the exciting opportunity to enter their collections into the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair and the NC State Fair! 🏆

📅 WHEN: Thursdays (July 16, 23 & August 6, 13, 20, 27)
⏰ TIME: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 WHERE: UMO Kornegay Student Farm (408 Garner Chapel Road, Mount Olive, NC)
💵 COST: $60 (Includes your full insect collection supply kit!)

🔍 No experience needed! This is a hands-on, family-style project, so parents/guardians are expected to attend and help their youth build their amazing collections.

🚨 Space is limited! Secure your child's spot before it fills up: https://forms.gle/FxrgNrXpVpZyz8Mj9

Project organized and led by Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent. For questions, email [email protected].

Wayne County Cooperative Extension Agriculture Development Agent Jennifer Johnson recently had the opportunity to tour Britt Farms and learn more about their operation and the important role local agriculture plays in our community. 🌱

We are thankful to Vernon and Jennifer Britt for welcoming us to their beautiful farm and sharing more about their work, dedication, and passion for agriculture. Opportunities like these help highlight the value of supporting local farms and the impact agriculture continues to have across Wayne County.

Supporting local farmers helps strengthen our local economy, preserve farmland, and ensure our community has access to fresh, locally grown products. We are proud to spotlight the hardworking farms that help feed and serve our community every day.

Our Agriculture Agent, Daryl Anderson, recently conducted a soybean variety test plot in partnership with Southern States and Asgrow on Friday, May 22.

These variety trials play an important role in helping evaluate soybean performance, adaptability, and yield potential under local growing conditions in Eastern North Carolina. Cooperative Extension continues to support research-based recommendations and provide valuable information to help producers make informed decisions for their operations. 🌱🚜

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed Monday, May 25th as we take time to honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

We hope everyone has a safe and meaningful holiday weekend. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday.

🫐 Blueberries are an important crop in Eastern North Carolina, and several different varieties can be found growing between the Farm Credit Farmers Market and the greenhouse! Each variety has unique characteristics, including differences in flavor, size, and harvest time. Stop by to learn more about local agriculture and the crops that thrive in our region.

Looking for a place to connect at the market? 🌾💬

Stop by our Country Chat Corner at the Farm Credit Farmers Market— a welcoming community space designed to encourage conversation, connection, and fellowship among market visitors.

✨ Free to participate
✨ Open to all community members
✨ A relaxing space to sit, chat, and connect

Scan the QR code to reserve your spot today!

Today’s Tasty Friday at the Farm Credit Farmers Market focused on creative and nutritious ways to enjoy fresh, local strawberries 🍓

While there was not a live cooking demonstration this week, visitors were able to sample Frozen Greek Yogurt Strawberry Bark made with fresh strawberries and honey donated by Britt Farms. Along with samples, guests also received recipes and a seasonal newsletter featuring nutrition tips, strawberry information, and simple ideas for incorporating local produce into everyday meals.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about healthy food choices and supporting local agriculture!