Wilkes County - family and consumer sciences
Spring FCS Newsletter
April 1, 2019
Visit NC Farms App
The Visit NC Farms App has launched in Wilkes County. Participating assets are: Blake Farms, Call Family Distillers, Copper Barrel Distillery, Deal Orchards, Garrett's Country Meats, Hidden Happiness Bee Farm, Hobe's Country Ham, Raffaldini Vineyards, Tevepaugh Orchards, Whippoorwill Academy & Village, and the Wilkes County Farmers Market. 

We are thankful to the businesses for their support and Wilkes County Farm Bureau for sponsorship. Download the app today!
Farm to Childcare - Garden Day - April 10th
Wilkes County Extension is working with the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children to implement the Farm to Childcare program. F2CC connects preschool children with farmers and their food. Children learn about nutrition and are able to help grow food in school gardens. We will be working with Wilkes Developmental Day School on April 10th for a garden beautification day. Contact Courtney if you would like to volunteer this day or at future events.

Farm to School at North Wilkes Middle
Wilkes FCS has been working with students at North Wilkes Middle School to enhance their knowledge of agriculture, food, and build cooking skills. This is part of a program provided by the Wilkes Family YMCA and Communities in Schools. Check our Facebook page to see what the kids cook up in April and May!

Lunch & Learn - Farmers Market 101 
The Wilkes County Farmers Market opens on April 27th. The April Lunch and Learn on April 30, will feature tips for shopping at the farmers market, produce safety, and seasonal recipe ideas. Stay tuned for more information. 

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Cooking with Fresh Herbs - May 7
For this workshop we will hear from the Executive Director of the NC Herb Association. The focus will be on the health benefits of herbs and recipe demonstrations. The workshop will be on May 7 from 6-8pm. Stay tuned for registration information!

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Home Food Preservation 
The Wilkes County Cooperative Extension will be offering free pressure canner dial gauge testing beginning in May. Bring the lid or just the dial gauge to be tested. The office will schedule appointments for the following days: May 8, 13, 20 between the hours of 9am-4:30pm. If you cannot make an appointment for these dates, you may drop off the lid or gauge at the Wilkes Extension Office between the hours of 8:30-5pm. You will be called when it is ready for pick up. Call 336-651-7330 to make an appointment.

In addition to pressure canner testing, a series of workshops will be offered for novice canners or those who would like an update on current research.  The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, May, 29 from 12-1pm. Check the website wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu or call 336-651-7330 for more information.

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Cooking Matters
Wilkes FCS is working with the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children to host a second Cooking Matters series for parents. Cooking Matters is a FREE 6-week course designed for parents and caregivers to learn simple recipes and tips to stretch a family's food budget. 

Class will be held on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm, beginning on May 9th. Contact Courtney for more information. 
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.