Alleghany County Cooperative Extension

06/20/2026

🐑 Fun Facts About Sheep's Milk Ice Cream:
• Sheep's milk naturally contains more protein and butterfat than cow's milk, giving ice cream its delicious creaminess.
• Because it's so rich, less air is needed during churning, creating a dense, velvety texture.
• Sheep produce much less milk than dairy cows, making sheep's milk products more of a specialty item.
• Sheep's milk has been enjoyed in parts of Europe and the Middle East for thousands of years and is commonly used to make cheeses like Roquefort, Pecorino Romano, and Manchego.
• While cheese is the most well-known sheep's milk product, artisan creameries are increasingly turning it into delicious ice cream!

Would you give sheep's milk ice cream a try? Tell us what flavor you'd choose! 🍨👇

06/16/2026

Language Assistance : If you are interested in applying for the SNAP/FNS program in North Carolina, you can contact the More In My Basket team. They offer toll free lines that you can call Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm.

Their team offers SNAP assistance in English, Spanish and Portuguese. More In My Basket can answer your questions about SNAP, run an eligibility screening and help you with the application over the phone. For other languages, your local Department of Social Services will provide language translation upon request.

Call More In My Basket today at 1-855-240-1451 (English and Portuguese) or 1-888-382-7105 (Spanish).

06/16/2026

Last chance to join the fun this Thursday 6/18. We still have a few spaces left. Contact the office to register or visit go.ncsu.edu/alleghanysummerfun26🍀🌻🥾

🥾 LAST CALL FOR ADVENTURE! 🥾

We still have a few spaces left for our Blue Ridge Parkway / Doughton Park hiking day this Thursday, June 18! Dust off your hiking shoes and join us for an incredible day in the great outdoors. 🌲✨🍀

Here’s a sneak peek at the fun we have planned:
🏡 Start the morning at the historic Brinegar Cabin with some amazing Park Rangers and an awesome program.🌾🍃
🚶‍♂️ Hit the trail for a short hike with our awesome friends from the Alleghany Sparta Trails Association (ASTA).
🧺 Enjoy a picnic lunch, nature exploration, crafts, and so much more!
🍦 Rumor has it we might even wrap up the day with some ice cream!

AGES: 8+ (under 8 with paid adult)
COST: $15
Wear closed toe shoes & bring a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat. Pack a bag lunch with a drink.
Drop off and Pick up at the Farmers Market

To register contact the office @ 336-372-5597 or go.ncsu.edu/alleghanysummerfun26

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

Week 2 starts Monday!!!🌞🍀

☀️ TIME TO GET READY FOR WEEK 2!!! ☀️
Don't miss out on the second great week of summer! 🎒✨ Spaces are filling up fast - some are full - but we have waiting lists, so if you haven't secured a spot yet, now is the time.🍀💦🐇🐥🥾🐝🐜⚾🍀
How to lock in your spot:
1️⃣ Register for programs at ➡️go.ncsu.edu/alleghanysummerfun26
2️⃣ Make sure your 4-Her is fully registered in 4-H Online ➡️ v2.4honline.com🍀
Questions? We’re here to help!
📞 336-372-5597
📧 [email protected]
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06/11/2026

Budgeting Tips

Stretching your SNAP benefits doesn’t have to be a struggle! 🛒

With a few smart moves, you can fill your cart with healthy, delicious meals without breaking the bank. Here are 3 quick tips for your next grocery run:

🍲Go for store brands: Skip the big names and reach for the "generic" or store-brand versions. They usually have the exact same ingredients but cost way less.

🫘Buy staples in bulk: Stock up on rice, dried beans, and oats. They are filling, shelf-stable and cost much less per serving than pre-packaged meals.

📱Download Store Apps: Clip digital coupons before you go and check the weekly circulars to plan your meals around what’s on sale.

To learn more about the SNAP program, visit the morefood.org website or call the More In My Basket team toll-free at 1-855-240-1451.

06/11/2026

This week our story is all about carrots. Join us as we learn about rabbit's carrot adventures. Rabbit asks all of his friends to help as he goes on a scavenger hunt though the farm and tries to solve the mystery of his missing carrots. Make some of rabbit's favorite carrot soup for your family to enjoy for a quick and easy meal.

https://youtu.be/51KeWXH8bEE

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Makes: 10 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons margarine or butter
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 pounds carrots, grated or chopped (about 7 cups)
6 cups (48 ounces) low-sodium broth (any type)
1 cup water
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill or 2 teaspoons dried parsley or dill

Directions
Wash hands with soap and water.
Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
In a large pot, melt margarine or butter on medium heat. Add celery and onion and sauté until soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add carrots, broth and water. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and uncover. Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes. Stir several times to help release heat.
Puree the soup in batches in a blender, using the manufacturer's directions for pureeing hot liquids, or use an immersion blender. Add salt, pepper and parsley. Serve warm.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
For more flavor, try adding 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger and 3 cloves minced garlic to the celery and onion in step 2. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce or 1 Tablespoon apple cider or rice vinegar after blending the soup.

06/10/2026

Come join the fun @ the ballgame next Friday night where we'll see the Hickory Crawdads take on the Columbia Fireflys! Entry fee includes your ticket, all-you-can-eat buffet & a spectacular fireworks show! ⚾️🎆

🚨 ONLY 3 SPACES LEFT! 🚨

Looking for the perfect Friday night plans? Come with us to Hickory next Friday, June 19th, to watch the Hickory Crawdads take on the Columbia Fireflies! ⚾️✨

From a thrilling game to an epic post-game fireworks show, you won't want to miss this!

📅 When: Friday, June 19th (4:00 PM – Midnight)

💰 Cost: $40 (Includes your game ticket AND an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT dinner! 🌭🍔)

🎒 Ages: 8+ (Under 8 welcome with a paid adult)

Spaces fill up fast so call or register on-line today. Seats are first come, first serve.‼

👉 Register here: https://go.ncsu.edu/alleghanysummerfun26
📞 Or call the office to claim a spot: 336-372-5597

06/07/2026

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus.

“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.” So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there was one case of West Nile Virus, Troxler added.

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history.