What does a child exhibiting a steer at the Central Piedmont Junior Livestock Show have to do with a pond owner asking for assistance to control weeds in their pond?What does a restaurant manager learning food safety skills at a Safe Plates course have to do with a new landowner seeking advice on agricultural development and business planning?The connection is Cooperative Extension.North Carolina Cooperative Extension, a true extension of our state's land-grant universities into North Carolina communities, provides educational programs in the areas of agriculture, family & consumer sciences, rural and community development, and 4-H youth development.Launched in 1914 nationally by the Smith-Lever Act, Cooperative Extension has always been about extending research-based solutions into communities where the information can be applied to make life better for individuals, families, farms, and businesses. The mission of the Orange County Extension team aligns with the NC State Extension mission: “To extend research-based knowledge to all residents, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state”.

In this edition of Report To The People, you will have the opportunity to read several success stories that highlight the work of our team this year. From 4-H youth exploring coastal ecology on Masonboro Island to cattle farmers learning about new techniques for cattle breeding, our team has brought innovative programming to Orange County in ways that address identified needs. You will hear about the launching of the state’s newest prescribed burn association and learn how our Family & Consumer Sciences Agent partners with the Carolina Community Garden to encourage garden patrons to cook with locally sourced ingredients. And there is even more to explore!

Visit go.ncsu.edu/orangereport2024 to view the full report.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our staff.