2024 Forsyth County Urban Farm School Graduating Class

(Updated: July 17, 2024, 7:34 a.m.)

On behalf of N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, we would like to extend a well-earned congratulations to this year's Urban Farm School Graduating Class.

Farmers market stall displaying vegetables and packaged greens with vendors under a tent

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2024 Graduating Class


 

Joshua Banks


Janna Boettcher


Yoneko Bonilla


Marcus Ginns


Tiah Henderson


Cooper LaRue


Helena LeRoy


Eli M.


Shirika McCalister


Marianna Musser


Cheryl ONeal


Melanie Pilson


Summer Redwine


LaDacia Stone


Over the course of this 12 week program, 14 students dedicated over 900 combined hours in classroom and in the field preparing for, establishing, harvesting and selling a field of vegetables for the Forsyth County Community.


Scroll below to get a quick peak of what they've been up to this season.

Site Analysis and Planning

Group of people standing at edge of tarped field, some holding clipboards
Students measure, soil test, and draft plot designs at the class field plot located at Memorial Industrial Community Development Corporation's Incubator Farm.

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Site Preparation

Group of people using hoes to till soil and prepare garden beds in a field
Students weed, apply compost, and install irrigation lines to in-ground beds.

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Planting

Three people filling and pressing soil into seed-starting trays on a table.
Students sow zinnia and cucumber transplants.

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People in rain jackets planting seedlings from a plastic tray into garden rows
Students transplant their zucchini, cucumber, and zinnia transplants that that were sown in class a few weeks prior.

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Person in straw hat pours water from blue watering can onto garden rows
Students sow and water radish and carrot seeds.

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Site Maintenance

NC Cooperative Extension "Urban Farm School" sign; volunteers weeding and hoeing a vegetable field.
Students keep up with weeds in the field while scouting for insects and diseases.

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Group using red post driver to install a metal post in garden beds by a greenhouse
Students install a trellis for vining cucumbers.

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Person wearing Los Angeles cap lifts muddy root mass with metal tines while others watch.
Students regularly turn their compost pile.

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Classroom

Four people around a table examining seed samples and filling out worksheets
Students learn about plant families and crop rotation.

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People at NC Cooperative Extension table exchanging items at community event
Students practice marketing skills.

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Man cutting green bell pepper on red board; people preparing food in kitchen; "HELLO CLEAN" sign
Students gain hands on practice preparing a value added product.

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Harvest 

People wearing gloves harvesting microgreens with scissors onto a scale
Students gathered as a team to harvest and pack microgreens for market

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Two hands holding bunches of freshly harvested radishes outdoors
Students harvest brightly colored radishes.

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Two people rinsing and sorting produce into blue tubs under a canopy
Produce is harvested, washed and packed for market.

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Selling at Market

Farmers market vendors under a tent selling packaged leafy greens and vegetables, one holds a bag.
Students brought their washed and packaged produce to market.

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Customer hands bouquet to vendor at farmers market stall under white canopy
Student greet customers at market with high quality products and smiles.

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Congratulations to the 2024 Forsyth County Urban Farm School Class.


Happy Growing.
Group of people holding shovels and green bags in front of a screen reading "Congratulations!"

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To read more about the program including an interest form for the 2025 class, please visit this page.

For direct inquiries about the program, please reach out to Celine Richard, Extension Agent, Horticulture (cvrichar@ncsu.edu).

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