Local Teen, Jeremiah Johnson, Grows 44-pound Watermelon

HAMLET — Richmond County is a wealth of agricultural successes, and for one local teen, his success has come in the form of a massive watermelon.

Jeremiah Johnson, a 14-year-old who resides in Hamlet, planted the Moon and Stars variety watermelon in April in his personal garder. Tending to it daily, Johnson watched as the melon sprouted and grew into its final product. 

What is Johnson’s secret to growing such a fantastic watermelon?

“I let my free-range chickens wander through the garden,” Johnson said, who is actively involved in Richmond County’s 4-H program at Camp Millstone in Ellerbe. “The chickens being around the plant added calcium to allow it to grow so large.”