Orange County Center: About

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About

Our Mission North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. La Extensión Cooperativa de Carolina del Norte se asocia con las comunidades para ofrecer educación y tecnología que enriquecen la vida de los habitantes, la tierra y la economía de Carolina del Norte. Orange County Plan of Work I. Executive Summary Orange County, at the edge of the Research Triangle region, has seen tremendous growth in the past 30 years. The county’s population has doubled since 1968, to now 118,227. While the county contains Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the state’s most densely populated municipalities, it also includes a longstanding rural agricultural community in its northern and southwestern reaches. Orange County is rapidly urbanizing with a high cost of living and a very technological and service driven economy. Orange County has had a growing number of retirees to settle in the county because of the surrounding universities and medical facilities. Also, there has been an increase in the Hispanic population in the county due to the availability of jobs in the building and green industry, as well as service-oriented jobs. In the last decade, subdivision development has mushroomed in this historically rural area, altering the agricultural landscape. Orange County’s two northernmost townships, Little River and Cedar Grove, have seen tremendous growth in new housing. As farmland is converted to other uses, the county suffers a loss of open space, increased environmental degradation and a diminution of the social fabric and values characteristic of rural communities. Historically, northern Orange County depended upon the traditional North Carolina industries - textiles, furniture and tobacco - for their employment. Opportunities in these areas are rapidly decreasing as the nature of industry in the county becomes much more technologically driven. Since the late 19th century, tobacco has been the primary crop in northern Orange County and remains the third largest component of the county’s agricultural economy; after nursery-greenhouse and dairy (grade A milk). While a large number of the county farmers still depend largely on tobacco income, the decline of the tobacco industry has caused significant difficulties for the 178 tobacco farms that remain in Orange County, virtually all in northern Orange County. However, agriculture is still an important segment of the county’s economy. To address agricultural issues as well as critical needs identified by our clients, the Orange County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has partnered with and continues to collaborate with governmental agencies, communities and civic groups in an effort to coordinate educational programs that deal with county priority issues. In order to ensure that the Orange County Center is meeting the needs of our clientele, an environmental scan/needs assessment was conducted. Techniques used for collecting information were through a written survey that was mailed to the Agricultural Community (100), Family and Consumer Science (100), 4-H Volunteer and Youth Development (141), Advisory Council Members, County Commissioners and County Management Team (27). Follow-up surveys were also conducted by telephone, meetings and one-on-one interviews. The following needs were identified based on program areas: Agriculture: Programs need to be expanded in the areas of Commercial Agriculture, Agricultural Environmental Pesticide Education and Consumer Horticulture. Family and Consumer Science: Promoting Healthy Weight in Children and Adults, Parent Education for At-Risk Families, Financial Planning and Debt Reduction for Families. 4-H Volunteer and Youth Development : Community Development, School-Age Care and Special Projects. Orange County Cooperative Extension Staff will focus their efforts on five major areas: Enhancing Agriculture, Forest and Food Systems; Developing Responsible Youth; Strengthening and Sustaining Families; Conserving and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources; and Building Quality Communities. II. Focus Areas and Objectives in the Extension Long Range Plan A. Enhancing Agriculture, Forest and Food Systems Objective A-1: Animal, poultry and aquaculture producers will implement practices or enterprises that will achieve individual and family goals related to profitability and quality of life. Objective A-2: North Carolina citizens (farm and non-farm) will respond to controversial issues of mutual concern that relate to animal agriculture, including human nutrition, nuisance identification, food quality assurance, quality of life, economic impacts and the appropriate treatment of farm animals. Objective A-3: Youth involved in animal projects will improve personal development and learn leadership and other skills related to animal husbandry including: record keeping, finances, producing high quality animal products, sportsmanship and appropriate treatment of animals. Objective A-4: Field crop growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits and quality of life. Objective A-5: Commercial horticulture growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits, and quality of life. Objective A-7: Part-time and limited resource farmers will increase the quality of life and the sustainability of their farms through crop diversification, integration of appropriate alternative opportunities and enterprises, intensive management practices, water and nutrient management, business management and expanded markets. ObjectiveA-15: Consumers will increase their knowledge and adopt practices concerning proper plant selection, cultural practices, test management strategies that maximize plant performance while minimizing inputs and protect environmental resources. Y. Developing Responsible Youth Objective Y-1: Long term support systems will develop competent youth by building internal and external assets through life skill development. Objective Y-9: To increase availability of quality school-age care as a result of collaboration and/or increased resource development. F. Strengthening and Sustaining Families Objective F-1: Building Healthy Families – North Carolinians, including limited resource individuals/families, will improve the quality of their lives through eating healthy, being active, handling food safely, managing resources for food security and practicing healthy promoting behaviors. Objective F-2: Building Strong Families – Families, including those with limited resources, and those who work with families will gain knowledge and practice skills in understanding lifespan development, positive interpersonal relationships and improving quality of life. Objective F-3: Fostering Resiliency for Families in Transition – North Carolinians, including those with limited resources, will develop skills and strategies to manage effectively their personal finances through expected and unexpected economic change and life events. Objective F-4: Developing Leadership and Community Capacity – Individuals and groups will develop leadership skills and take action to maximize development and use of community resources leading to improve quality of life for all families. Objective F-5: Promoting Safe and Healthy Environments – North Carolinians, including those with limited resources, will improve the safety and health of their working and living environments. E. Conserving and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources Objective E-1: Livestock, poultry and fish producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water and waste materials for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection. Objective E-8: Pesticide Certification and Licensing Program. All commercial pesticide applicators, public operators, consultants, dealers and private pesticide applicators will be certified and trained in pesticide BMP to protect worker health, crop safety, beneficial insect populations and other environmental protection issues. C. Building Quality Communities Objective C-8: Individuals, families and communities will increase knowledge and adopt practices to improve preparedness and response to natural and man-made disasters and emergencies and to increase safety in the home and work environment. III. Other Programs Each year Orange County Commissioners develop a plan of work prioritizing community needs. In formulating these areas, four major program areas fall under the auspices of Cooperative Extension, Orange County Center. 1. Hispanic/Latino Relations There has been a dramatic and rapid influx of Hispanic/Latino people into the Orange County community. This emerging population, although providing a reliable labor force to the community, has language barriers, cultural differences and lives at or near the poverty level and thus is vary vulnerable. The Hispanic/Latino population face extreme difficulties in finding safe, affordable housing, secure jobs and accessing government services such as education, health care and social services. 2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan Orange County Commissioners identified a goal to prepare a plan to respond to public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and natural disasters. 3. Youth Services The objectives of this goal are to identify and promote available recreational and educational programs for youth ages 13-19, as well as identify gaps in service and address them accordingly. 4. Farmland Preservation To develop a comprehensive voluntary farmland preservation program for Orange County. This objective focuses on completion of the New Consensus for Farmland initiative, promotion of the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program, public education on the benefits of farmland preservation and the economic viability of farms and farm markets. Examples of the programs/services that Cooperative Extension, Orange County Center are implementing in these areas include, but are not limited to, the following: - Enhancing Agriculture, Forest and Food Systems: Implementation of the first Agricultural Farmer website; www.orangecountyfarms.org Annual Orange County Agricultural Summit - Developing Responsible Youth Summer Youth Leadership Institute Annual Middle School Summer Day Camp (Summer Sizzle) - Strengthening and Sustaining Families On-Going Financial Management Class for Staff and Community ServSafe Management Training - Conserving and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources Master Gardener Volunteer Development Pesticide Education - Building Quality Communities On-Going 4-H Clubs On-Going Extension and Community Association Groups Increase collaboration with communities, businesses, school and government IV. Relationship to County Government Objectives 1. Collaboration of Extension Work with County Government Emergency Operations Implementation and development of a Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide Development of the Orange County Animal Response Team V. Diversity Statement In furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating. Orange County Center of Cooperative Extension continues to ensure that all educational programs and workshops are open to all citizens of the county. Programs are advertised through newspaper articles, program area newsletters, phone calls and word of mouth. Hispanic/Latino and other ethnic/cultural audiences have been involved through our Expanded Foods Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Examples of the EFNEP have been: Providing EFNEP to expecting high school mothers and fathers Nutritional programs for in-home and after-school In-home breastfeeding support programs Scholarship offerings to potential youth participants Collaborative efforts with Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing We do not discriminate from our clientele based on race, religion, social economic status or gender. VI. Primary Delivery and Evaluation Systems Primary delivery methods include workshops, conferences, educational meetings, demonstrations, television, news articles, visits, websites, etc. Program evaluation will include on-going assessments of the effectiveness and viability of planned and implemented programs. Such assessments will be conducted via observations, interviews, data analysis, testimonials and surveys as appropriate. The Orange County Center website address is: http://orange.ces.ncsu.edu The Orange County Extension website provides basic information on the programs offered by the Cooperative Extension staff, as well as educational and informative links to current research-based information. The Horticulture program, in particular, has used the site to promote the Master Gardener Program and provide the public with monthly gardening tips. Potentially with proper resources, the staff could expand the site to provide additional resources and coverage of local Extension events and activities. VII. Advisory Leadership System Membership 1. N.C. Cooperative Extension, Orange County Center, Advisory Council Members Jeffrey Schmitt, Chair Donna Williams, Vice-Chair Carolyn Aaronson David Bailey Mary Crawford Stanley Hughes Beth Kelly Joyce Lee Ulana Stuart Ralph Warren (State Advisory Council Member -Orange, Durham & Wake Counties) Joseph Thompson 2. 4-H Advisory Council Members Carol Lovingood, Vice-Chair (serving as chair) Joyce Lee, Secretary Melinda Bradsher Pam Chapman Kim Fox Tereasa King Willie Lambert Lorie Moore Sharkita Torain Donna Williams 3. Orange County 4-H Volunteer Leaders Melinda Bradsher, President Anggie Thompson, Vice President Lorie Moore, Secretary/Treasurer Diane Thompson, Reporter 4. Orange County 4-H Horse Advisory Council Members Laurie Lee Candace Norman Jean Crocker Jean Goodwillie Toni Massinople Ann Rinalda Bobbie Stanford Cay Stevens Cammie Turner 5. Orange County 4-H County Council Members D. J. Harrington, President Olivia McDonald, Vice President Lillian Lovingood, Secretary/Treasurer Meghan Bradsher, Reporter 6. Orange-Durham Cattlemen’s Association Officers & Board Members Russell Hall, President Eric Bunker, Vice President Nita Bunker, Secretary Kent Davis, Treasurer Gordon Neville, Past President Wes Cook Frank Hollowell Harold Smith David McKee Richie Roberts Watt Parker 7. Livestock Show Steering Committee Members Robert Strayhorn, Chairman Nancy Huskins Dave Gibbs Frank Hollowell Robert Watkins Gail Hughes Stephany Weston Rusty Wagoner Yvonne Wahler Renee Parker Phillip Walker Karen McAdams Dale Crotts Vaughn Compton Iris Fuller Watt Parker Lindsey Kirby James Emory Lee Hollowell 8. Orange-Durham Horse Council Members (REINS) Phil Whitt Ted Hart Susan Hart Susan Chappell Chris Churas Vicki Haskett 9. Orange Dairy Herd Improvement Board Members Leigh Lane, President Ted Moore, Vice President Kathy Shambley, Secretary-Treasurer Bill Latta Clayton Lloyd Russ Seibert Jeff Sykes Mike Teer 10. Master Gardener Coordinating Committee Members Holly McKinney, Chair Ruth Baker Larry Crum Nina Forsyth Andrea Lewis Beth May Heidi Sawyer-Clark Carl Shy Ulana Stuart 11. Extension and Community Association County Council Officers Mary Crawford -President Linda Wade, First Vice-President Laura Lloyd, Second Vice-President Lucy Wilson, Corresponding Secretary Brenda Conway, Recording Secretary Becky Smith, Treasurer Wendy Curtis, Advisor Deborah Brooks, Advisor Deborah Taylor, ECA Liaison Agent
County Plan of Work
County Program Impact Report

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