N.C. Cooperative Extension - Henderson County Center

09/02/2026

Craving apple cider donuts and gearing up for the NC Apple Festival? 🍎🍩 Big crowds can get overwhelming quickly, but a little prep goes a long way toward keeping your group safe!

Check out these essential crowd safety tips:
📍 Set a clear group meeting spot in case cell service drops
👕 Dress kids in bright, matching colors and snap a quick photo of them before heading out
📱 Keep your phone fully charged and hold your arms near your chest if a crowd gets too packed

Stay safe while enjoying the festivities! Read the complete guide: https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/family/ways-to-stay-safer-in-large-crowds

09/01/2026

🌱 Passionate about agriculture, horticulture, and community education? NC State University is hiring an Extension Program Assistant - Agriculture in Hendersonville, NC! Help connect residents with research-based science solutions and support local agricultural programs. 🚜🌾

👉 Apply today: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/233979

08/30/2026

Apple season is officially here in Henderson County, and the NC Apple Festival is right around the corner! 🍎✨

Whether you're baking a fresh apple pie, making homemade sauce, or looking for the perfect crisp snack, choosing the right apple variety makes all the difference.

Check out this handy guide from N.C. Cooperative Extension to find the best local apples for your favorite recipes and taste preferences: https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/news/apple-varieties/

08/29/2026

🌱 Clear out old chemicals safely! Join the Free Pesticide Collection Day hosted by NCDA&CS and NC Cooperative Extension to protect our community and environment.

📍 Where: 74 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
📅 When: September 2nd | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
✅ Accepted: Almost all pesticides, including banned, out-dated, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

⚠️ Got unreadable labels, gas cylinders, or containers larger than 5 gallons? Call (828) 255-5522 beforehand for special instructions!

More info here: https://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/news/free-pesticide-disposal-event/

08/29/2026

🍎 Last few days to get those entries in! The 2026 Apple Recipe Contest is almost here! If you're thinking of entering - now is your chance. Entries will close on Monday, August 31. Can't wait to see y'all there!

Find all the information you need here: https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/news/2026-apple-recipe-contest/

08/26/2026

"Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh...Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing" - Parton, "Love is Like a Butterfly"

As we mourn the loss of the incredible philanthropist, fierce humanitarian, and proud 4-H Alumna, we find comfort in the gentle beauties of nature. Growing up in East Tennessee, Dolly Parton fondly remembered spending time following butterflies from bush to bush. “Butterflies don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they are so beautiful”

We encourage you to do the same: spend some quiet time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of our local pollinators. You can find a guide here that will help you identify and support the butterflies in your own backyard.

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/butterflies-in-your-backyard
https://www.dollyparton.com/

08/24/2026

Need a quick, nutritious morning boost as the kids head back to school? 🎒🥛

This Banana Berry Smoothie is the ultimate easy breakfast or after-school snack! Packed with bananas, frozen berries, vanilla yogurt, and milk, it blends up in just 5 minutes to keep everyone energized and ready for the day ahead. 🍌🫐✨

Get the simple 4-ingredient recipe here:

Makes 4 servings Ingredients 2 bananas 1 cup frozen berries 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt 3/4 cup low-fat skim or soy milk 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional) Directions In a blender, combine bananas, frozen berries, yogurt, and milk. Blend until smooth. Add a few ice cubes and blend until smooth for a thic...

08/22/2026

Got a summer garden overflowing with zucchini? 🥒✨ Don't let your harvest go to waste! From baking delicious breads and whipping up crisp zucchini boats to freezing and preserving for later, check out these creative (and tasty!) ways to turn your zucchini surplus into delicious meals.

Read the full guide from N.C. Cooperative Extension here:
👉 https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/news/from-garden-to-table-creative-uses-for-an-abundance-of-zucchini/

08/21/2026

🧚✨ Time is running out for a magical summer adventure! The fairies at Bullington Gardens are packing up their tiny homes and getting ready to migrate to Mexico alongside the monarch butterflies at the end of August. 🦋

With only two weekends left, don't miss your chance to explore the whimsical Fairy Trail before they take flight! 🌲🏠

Plan your visit here: https://www.bullingtongardens.org/gardens-facilities

08/20/2026

🐝 Passionate about pollinators? 🐝 You can help us protect them by participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census!

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 21 and 22 is a community science project that invites folks of all ages to observe and count pollinators in their yards and neighborhoods. This annual event aims to collect data on pollinator population levels and educate the public on the importance of pollinators.

Learn more about the census, save the date and join the count at the link in our comments.