JoCo Grows Agriculture

08/06/2026

What a summer! 💙💛

Through This Door gave Bright Leaf Hot Dogs and JoCo Grows Agriculture the chance to visit FFA programs across Johnston County and see the work happening inside classrooms, greenhouses, shops and barns.

Along the way, the KP cutout became an unofficial crew member, we even took a ride on a zip line, Nicole showed a lamb… or maybe the lamb showed her, and Justin got to hold Popcorn the chicken. 😂

Most importantly, we met incredible students and advisors who proudly shared their projects, skills and love for agriculture.

Thank you to every chapter that welcomed us!

The fun is not over yet. Keep an eye out once school is back in session because Bright Leaf and JoCo Grows have a few surprise visits to make to announce the winners! 👀

08/03/2026

Happy National Watermelon Day! 🍉

We celebrated last week at the first ever JoCo Block Party! The Johnston County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers joined us to talk about the crops they grow and what it means to grow food for the community. Learn more about local agriculture and how watermelon made the JoCo Block Party extra sweet:

https://www.johnstoniannews.com/news/johnston-county-visitors-bureau-hosts-first-joco-block-party-1e10402b?fbclid=IwY2xjawTd0ApleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeVFT2NOUgGszrS6XaX5_q6gsKpwbHlCR5pDPtC2dmPLlnS7mvfGFVF1OPFHY_aem_5TIeG8GWqxoo04T4r7L0Kw

Johnston County Visitors Bureau’s first JoCo Block Party brought vendors, civic groups and music to Smithfield, aiming to engage residents and visitors.

07/22/2026

Want to learn more about the research helping shape the future of North Carolina to***co production?

Check out how NC State researchers are testing drone applications right here in Johnston County! 🚁🌱

07/16/2026

🚪 Episode 5 of Through This Door is at South Johnston FFA! 💙💛

At South Johnston FFA, we got a behind-the-scenes look at their pet salon, where students gain hands-on experience working with animals. We stopped by the egg washing station to see how fresh eggs are cleaned and prepared before they make their way to customers. Then, we explored the greenhouse, where students are getting ready for their fall plant sale! 🌱🥚

Oh... did anyone else notice KP making a special appearance? 👀

Take a look behind the scenes at what South Johnston FFA has been working on this summer! See y'all next Thursday for the final episode! Remember to share their video with your friends! $500 is on the line!

07/09/2026

🚪 Episode 4 of Through This Door is at North Johnston High FFA Chapter 💙💛

At North Johnston FFA, we caught students getting ready for the Floriculture Career Development Event (CDE) and Introduction to Horticulture CDE. We even tested our own plant ID skills!

We checked out the shade house and even helped build their new cold frame greenhouse! We spent some time with the chickens and learned they sell fresh eggs to help support their FFA program! 🥚

Take a look behind the scenes at what North Johnston FFA has been working on this summer! See y'all next Thursday for more fun! Share their video with your friends! $500 is on the line!

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸🌾

Today we're celebrating the people, places, and freedoms that make agriculture possible.

From the fields that feed our communities to the families who work them every day, we're thankful for the opportunity to support Johnston County agriculture!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

07/02/2026

🚪 Episode 3 of Through This Door takes us beyond the classroom and into the barn with Princeton FFA Alumni & Supporters 💙💛�
This week, we visited Zade Jennings Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, where he's raising and caring for his show livestock. From daily feeding to preparing animals for the show ring, his is SAE teaching responsibility, dedication, and hard work. It's one more way FFA members are building skills that will last a lifetime.

Take a look behind the scenes of Zade's SAE project and see what Princeton FFA has been working on this summer! See y'all next Thursday for more fun! Share their video with your friends! Remember $500 is on the line!

06/25/2026

🚪Episode 2 of Through This Door is at Corinth Holders FFA! 💙💛

Who knew one FFA chapter could hold so many different interests? 🌾

At Corinth Holders FFA, we met students preparing for Parliamentary Procedure, Food Science, Agronomy, Equipment & Machinery Identification, Insect Identification, Seed Identification, and Ag Mechanics. Some were in the shop. Some were studying insects. Others were learning how to run a meeting. Different skills, different passions, but all connected through agriculture!

Take a look behind the scenes of what Corinth Holders FFA has been working on this summer! See y’all next Thursday for more fun! Share their video with your friends! $500 is on the line!

06/24/2026

Tag along with us at NC FFA State Convention!

We spent the afternoon finding our JoCo FFA members, cheering on competitors in the Meats Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE), visiting with the North Carolina Watermelon Queen, testing our watermelon seed-spitting skills, and so much more.

Special thanks to Bright Leaf Hot Dogs for helping us bring a little extra fun to convention week! We’ve hidden 15 red ducks around the convention center. If you find one, snap a photo and tag so we can see where they all turn up!

And don’t forget to follow along with our FFA chapter highlights throughout the summer to see how Johnston County is growing the next generation of agricultural leaders. 🌱

06/22/2026

Adventure is calling! 🌾☀️

These future JoCo Grows Junior Extension Agents picked up their kits and are ready to explore agriculture, food, nutrition, and 4-H through hands-on activities this summer.

Want to join the adventure? Stop by our office this week to pick up your FREE Junior Extension Agent activity booklet and start working toward your completion kit. We can’t wait to see all you accomplish this summer!

📍 2736 NC Highway 210, Suite A, Smithfield, NC 27577
🕒 Open Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM (following the Johnston County Government holiday schedule)