Rowan County Cooperative Extension

A HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make Ag Night at the Cannon Ballers possible! 🌽⚾️

The rain didn’t hold this group back! Barney Barnhardt got to throw out the first pitch, and we hosted a great pre-game discussion panel about the importance of agriculture in our community.

Attendees enjoyed getting to “touch a tractor,” learn about tractor safety, make homemade butter, and play fun farm-themed games throughout the night. We are so thankful for everyone who came out to support local agriculture and help us share the story of farming in Rowan County! 🚜💚

Meet Reagan our 2026 Summer Intern!
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Hello everyone! My name is Reagan, and I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Rowan County Cooperative Extension as the summer intern. Some of you may already recognize me around the office, as I spent this past spring completing an internship here to earn my Bachelor of Social Work from Appalachian State University.

My time here during the spring truly solidified my passion for community outreach and engagement. Looking ahead, I plan to continue my education and obtain my Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am incredibly eager to build upon the relationships and projects I started earlier this year, and I look forward to combining my social work background with the amazing resources that Extension offers to our community. It’s going to be a fantastic summer, and I can't wait to work with you all. Please feel free to stop by and say hello if you see me around!

Canning season is here, and we’ve got something for everyone! 🍑🥒🫙

Join us for a series of hands-on canning classes where you’ll learn safe, research-based techniques while making something delicious to take home. Whether you're brand new or looking to build your skills, these classes are a great way to gain confidence in the kitchen.

June 11 | 6:00–8:00 PM -Hot Water Bath Canning – Peach Jam (Limit 10 participants) $15 per person
June 18 | 5:30–8:00 PM - Pressure Canning – Green Beans (Limit 10 participants) $15 per person
June 25th | 6:00 - 8:00 - Refrigerator Pickles (Limit 20 participants) $15 per person

Questions? Reach out to [email protected] or 704-216-8970

Upcoming Poultry Processing Class in Davie County
To Register:
go.ncsu.edu/poultryprocessing26

We are so grateful to have partnerships with our local farmers that allow local produce to be turned into delicious meals for Meals on Wheels customers 🥗

Today, Lynette’s team has prepared a special lunch for Mother’s Day. For the first time ever, we are able to incorporate the produce collected at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension Donation Station at the Salisbury/Rowan Farmers' Market into our meals!

Not only do our clients get to enjoy a yummy steak, but they get to enjoy fresh strawberries, spinach, and lettuce from Twin Oak Farms, Correll Farms LLC., Miller Farm Fresh Produce, and Downing Farms, LLC.

Thank you to our shoppers and farmers who helped bring a taste of the farmers market to our homebound seniors!

🍉 Rowan County… it’s time to grow BIG or go home! 🍉

We’re bringing a fresh twist to the fair this year with our NEW Watermelon Contest, and we want to see your biggest, heaviest melons!

Weigh-ins: Every Saturday, July 11 – September 5
Location: L.L. Goodnight & Sons, Inc.
Minimum weight: 25 lbs to qualify
Who can enter: Rowan County growers (youth & adult divisions)
Prizes: 1st & 2nd place in BOTH divisions + winners featured on a banner at the Rowan County Fair (Sept. 21–26)

Bring one watermelon per person (one adult + one youth per household) and see how you stack up against the rest of the county! No need to register for the fair, and winners won’t have to leave their watermelon at the exhibit hall.

Think you’ve got a winner growing in your garden? 👀🍉
👉 All rules, details, and info: https://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu/2026watermelon/

Come by and see us at the Salisbury Farmers' Market. We are here today with the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels, Alexandra Fisher, accepting donations for our homebound residents. Come by today and see us. We've collected a lot of greens already.

Today is the day for this drop-in STEM event for youth ages 5-18! Come see us!

Tomorrow is the day! We are officially hosting a NC Science Festival event! 💡Drop-in to explore the magic of electricity with Rowan County 4-H!

In honor of this year's theme, "Science Matters," we are illuminating the world of electronics with our FREE Paper Circuits drop-in event. Join us to discover the power of learning with 4-H!

📍: Rowan Community Center (in the concourse)
🗓️: Wednesday, April 29th
⏰: 2:00–4:00pm (drop-in)
🎟️: FREE!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM-related occupations are projected to grow by 10.8% through 2031, a rate that is more than double the 4.9% growth expected for non-STEM roles. Come to our STEM event and check out other NC SciFest event to help set your child apart!

Go to https://ncsciencefestival.org/events/ to find NC SciFest events near you!

The Protecting Wheat Quality Field Day is still on for this afternoon!
Please call the office if you have any questions
704-216-8970