Mecklenburg County Center

Mecklenburg County Center | N.C. Cooperative Extension

Image by Kevin Ruck

October Newsletter

October, 2025

As October is in full swing...

As autumn settles into Mecklenburg County, we welcome a new season of growth and reflection. October is a time to celebrate the harvest—both in our gardens and in our communities. From colorful fall produce at local farmers markets to school gardens preparing for cool-season crops, this month reminds us of the value of sustainability and connection to our local food system.

Our horticulture team, including the Extension Master Gardener volunteers, is ready to help you transition your gardens for fall, while Family and Consumer Sciences offers tips for preserving seasonal produce and preparing hearty, nutritious meals. Meanwhile, 4-H youth are busy participating in the elections and learning the importance of voting.

Join us this month as we continue to learn, grow, and give back to our community. Whether you’re tending a garden, exploring local foods, or looking for new ways to get involved, the N.C. Cooperative Extension is here to support you every step of the way.  Here are some of the events we'd like you to know about.

Online and other Educational Events

Farm to Fable: Separating Farm & Food Facts from Fiction

Online Lunch & Learn Event:

Learn evidence-based information on modern food production and agriculture to address and dismantle common myths.

Register here: Farm to Fable: Separating Farm and Food Facts from Fiction Tickets, Tue, Nov 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Holiday Food Budgeting & Food Safety Lunch and Learn

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Registration: Register on Eventbrite

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County, for a seasonal Lunch and Learn focused on holiday food budgeting and food safety. The holidays are a time for celebration, but they don’t have to break the bank or cause food safety worries. Learn how to:

• Plan a festive holiday menu on a budget
• Make the most of what you already have at home
• Reduce food waste during the season
• Keep foods safe from shopping to leftovers

This one-hour session will offer practical, research-based tips to help you enjoy a safe, affordable, and delicious holiday season.

Enroll Now: 2026 NC Farm School – South Central Cohort

Ready to start or grow your farm business? The North Carolina Farm School (NCFS) helps beginning and transitioning farmers build profitable, sustainable plans with guidance from N.C. Cooperative Extension experts.

2026 South Central Schedule

• Virtual Orientation: March 2 (6:30–8:00 p.m.)
• In-Person Sessions (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.):
  • March 16 – Mecklenburg County
  • April 20 – Rowan County
  • May 18 – Iredell County
  • June 15 – Cabarrus County
• Graduation Dinner: June 29, Cabarrus County (6:30–8:30 p.m.)

Why Choose NC Farm School?

1. Develop Your Personalized Farm Plan
Get hands-on guidance to design a business plan that fits your vision, scale, and market. Participants receive one-on-one consultations throughout the program to refine their goals and strategies.

2. Learn from a Statewide Network of Agricultural Experts
NC Farm School is powered by N.C. Cooperative Extension and connects participants to agents, specialists, and mentors across the state who are invested in your success.

3. Join a Supportive Community of Farmers
Network with peers who share your passion for agriculture, whether you’re growing produce, raising livestock, or exploring value-added products.

For more information or to register, please visit: https://ncfarmschool.ces.ncsu.edu/2026-ncfs-south-central/

2025 Legacy Fest

Presented by The West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition

Join our neighbors in an afternoon of fun, music and memories.  Find more details and register here:

2025 Legacy Fest Registration, Sat, Nov 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

N.C. A&T State University Inaugural Ag Awareness Weekend

Ag Career Awareness Day

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.,

STUDENT CENTER (DEESE BALLROOM)

Farm-to-Table Dinner

honoring the 135th Anniversary

of the Second Morrill Act

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, UNIVERSITY FARM PAVILION -

 INVITATION ONLY RECPTION AT 5 P.M. I DINNER AT 6 P.M.

Ag and Environmental Sciences Day

at Truist Stadium - N.C. A&T vs. Campbell

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, TAILGATE AT

11 A.M. I KICKOFF AT 1 P.M.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University is launching a new fall tradition with Wolfpack Harvest, an event designed to bring together alumni, students, faculty and friends of the college to celebrate everything that makes the CALS Pack special.

The inaugural Wolfpack Harvest will take place on Nov. 8 from 1-5 p.m. at the Plant Sciences Building on Centennial Campus. In addition, satellite events will be held at three locations across the state (the Coast, the Triad and the Mountains) to host alumni a little closer to home. 

Fresh from the Farm, a visit to your local farm stand

By Sam DeRosa, Local Foods Agent

As the seasons shift and local fields come alive with the colors of fall, there’s no better time to explore a local farm stand in Mecklenburg County. These small but mighty markets are cornerstones of our local food system—connecting residents directly to the farmers who grow their food and fostering a sense of community rooted in sustainability and shared values.

Visiting a farm stand is more than a quick grocery stop; it’s an experience. You’ll often find just-harvested produce, local honey, pasture-raised eggs, handmade jams, and baked goods—all sourced within miles of home. You can pick your own pumpkins and get those spectacular photos in the field with your smiling family.

Many farm stands, like Pascuales Farm, Deep Roots CPS, or Small City Farm, also offer a chance to meet the growers themselves. These conversations not only build relationships but also offer insight into seasonal eating, sustainable practices, and new ways to cook with what’s in season.  These growers love to talk about why the in season produce they have just picked is filled with flavors you won’t get anywhere else.  They will often have fun and engaging programs on the farm.

Shopping at a farm stand supports local agriculture and keeps dollars circulating within our community. It also encourages environmentally friendly practices by reducing the miles your food travels and cutting down on packaging waste. You’ll taste the difference, too—produce picked at peak ripeness simply can’t be matched by grocery store imports.  A recent article in the Charlotte Magazine has a more robust list of farmstands close to us: A Roundup of Local Farms In and Around Charlotte - Charlotte Magazine.

Before you visit, bring reusable bags, a cooler for perishable items, and a spirit of curiosity. Ask what’s fresh this week or what new crops are coming in next season. Whether you’re buying sweet potatoes, crisp apples, or a fresh bouquet of flowers, you’re helping sustain local farms and strengthen Mecklenburg County’s local food network—one visit at a time.

Let us know you want to volunteer!  Sign up here to be notified of volunteer opportunities:

For the latest news, programming, and event updates from N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!