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The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Christmas tree farm with trees and a red barn in North Carolina

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

On the heels of Hurricane Helene's historic impact, North Carolina Christmas trees continue to make the season merry and bright for millions.

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Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season!

With the winter holidays upon us, now’s the time to check out our video series stuffed full of helpful holiday food safety tips, from thawing the turkey and storing leftovers to serving appetizers and prepping pies.

Happy father bringing Thanksgiving turkey to the table for his family's' meal.

Tips for Timing Your Holiday Meal

With such an ambitious menu, you’ll want to make sure everything is timed just right to avoid food safety issues. But what should you cook first? And how long can your prized turkey or other foods sit out? 
Deep fried turkey that has been cooked in a propane gas deep fryer for Thanksgiving is being taken out of the fryer by a man with protective gloves. The fryer is outside because it is too dangerous to have it indoors.

The Safest Way to Fry a Turkey

Roasted, smoked, fried. However you cook a turkey, it’s yummy. If you do decide to fry your turkey, there are extra safety issues to consider – good thing we have a food safety rockstar on our team! 
Raw whole turkey defrosting on a kitchen sink. A dish cloth is in close proximity to the defrosting meat, creating a cross contamination and food safety issue.

Why NOT to Wash Your Thanksgiving Turkey

While it’s tempting to wash your turkey before cooking, you could actually do more harm than good – learn why! 

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Learn and Explore

Discover the latest findings for the kitchen, garden and farm right here. We’ll share tasty, nutritious recipes and safe food prep tips; show you what’s in season and how it’s grown; and help you learn where your food comes from and what it takes to feed North Carolina.

IN THE GARDEN

From growing your own produce to composting your kitchen scraps, we’ll take you through the finer points of putting your green thumb to good use. Go ahead, get your hands dirty.

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Discover plants that will thrive and add beauty to your shade garden!

Selecting Shade Plants to Help Your Garden Shine

There’s always a part of the yard that doesn’t receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Discover several shade-loving plants that will add beauty and interest to your home landscape. 
A hand holding a blooming rose still attached to the bush.

The Promise of a Rose Garden

With proper planning, even novice gardeners can produce beautiful blossoms. Tune in for expert advice that’ll have your garden coming up roses in no time! 
A Venus flytrap plant with an insect crawling across the opening.

The Venus Flytrap: A North Carolina Native

It sounds like something out of science fiction, but the Venus flytrap is real. And not just real, but native to North Carolina. Discover how this fascinating flora snares its prey and other facts! 

IN THE KITCHEN

Join us in the kitchen as we share nutritious recipes, expert cooking advice and food preservation tips to help you make the most of all our state offers.  

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Countertop with bowls of fresh fruits and vegetables, like bananas, blueberries and broccoli, with hands holding a tomato in the background.

Demystifying Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Myths

Are vegetables less healthy when cooked? Are fresh fruits healthier than frozen fruits? What happens to plants’ nutritional value as they’re prepared for meals or storage? Let’s find out! 
An air fryer on a kitchen counter with someone in the background preparing food to cook.

Air Fryers 101: Fried Foods Without All the Grease

Whether you’re just now unboxing that air fryer from last Christmas or you’re looking to take your air frying game to a new level, we’ll help you make the most of your air fryer! 

Food Safety Tips for Home Meal Delivery Kits

As home meal delivery options become available for more food products in more places, all with a quick click, how do you know if your food is safe to eat? 

ON THE FARM

We have a rich agricultural history in North Carolina. Journey with us across the state to discover how farmers produce many of our favorite foods and everyday products that we depend on.

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Honey bees building a comb for their hive.

Promoting a Honey Bee Haven in North Carolina

Discover more about the bustling and beautiful lives of bees, how NC State is helping to promote and protect these essential pollinators, and what you can do to help! 
A smoker grill adorned with the NC State Wolfpack mascot.

Cooking Up Community: North Carolina Barbecue

North Carolina is passionate about its pork barbecue. Take a deep dive into the tradition, culture and community that make North Carolina barbecue special. 
Discover North Carolina eggs and how NC State Extension helps to grow the poultry industry and ensure quality eggs for all.

North Carolina Eggs

Discover how eggs are produced, the types of poultry farming systems in our state, and how NC State Extension helps grow the industry and ensure that quality eggs are available for you!