Program Impact Report

2019 Randolph County Program Impact Report

Approved: January 24, 2020

I. Executive Summary

In 2019, the Randolph County Extension team addressed the issues of agricultural profitability, urban and community agriculture, volunteerism, conservation, and environmental sustainability, health nutrition and wellness, and youth development with a total of 251 non-degree credit classes. This is evident from the 25,817 face-to-face and 741,737 non-face-to-face contacts made in 2019. The Randolph County Extension team was directly involved in helping 437 people obtain certification or recertification training. Certifications have a direct role in maintaining a skilled workforce in Randolph County. A total of $21,043.96 was obtained through in-kind donations, sponsorships, grants, and fees to support programming. A total of 1,013 volunteers from all program areas gave 22,554 hours of service valued at approximately $573,549. Cooperative Extension made significant impacts in all areas of the plan of work. Below are some of the major program accomplishments.

In 2019 programming efforts in Agriculture saw Voluntary Agricultural District enrollment up to 25,665 acres including 618 new acres with more than 530 unique addresses. A Forestry Workshop was hosted to educate landowners on forest management plans. With support and attendance from several local foresters, forestry consultants, and the Randolph County NC Forestry Service, 50 landowners, and participants were educated and had an opportunity to talk with professionals on the subject. In 2019, the Randolph Cooperative Extension Horticulture team had 226 consultations with homeowners concerning issues pertaining to the home landscape. These visits provided a great deal of help and monetary savings to the homeowner with an estimated value of $22,600.

4-H Youth Development continued to create positive impacts with our youth. In 2019, 16,113 young people participated in a variety of 4-H programs including 4-H clubs, school enrichment, special interest workshops, and camping. For example, 230 elementary school youth learned about the importance of agriculture. These elementary school students had eight agriculture-related lessons and one group went on an educational field trip to Millstone Creek Orchards and another to Homeland Creamery to experience what they learned first-hand. They also participated in two additional Christmas Farm-to-Table lessons and learned about Christmas Trees. Another 4-H program is the 4-H Agri-ventures and More Summer Program where over 56 classes were offered. 1596 youth participated in the program where a wide variety of topics were offered including livestock, gardening, canning, camping, hunter safety, electrical projects, Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM), Adulting 101, woodworking, and field crops. Furthermore, bike safety workshops were attended by 354 fourth-graders who improved their knowledge on basic bike safety and maintenance. On-going 4-H programming was conducted through nine 4-H community clubs. These nine clubs provided 1,180 youth with opportunities to build skills in decision-making, communication, teamwork, and resource management.

In the area Family and Consumer Science (FCS) & Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education 1,138 people participated in 53 various FCS programs, including Lunch & Learns, Hands-on Cooking Workshops, Home Food Preservation, Special Interest workshops, and Dining with Diabetes. In addition, the FCS program provided 52 recordings of Fresh & Local for Randolph Communications to approximately 3,000 subscribers in Randolph, Davidson, Chatham, Montgomery, Alamance, Moore, Guilford and Lee counties of North Carolina. “Steps to Health,” North Carolina State University’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education made 2,073 educational contacts through nutrition education programs in FY2019 targeting pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, second grade, and third-grade students. “Steps to Health” youth programs consist of 9 sessions that are designed to educate and inspire children to eat smart. “Color Me Healthy” provides nutrition training and physical activities for children ages four to five. Programs were delivered in Liberty, Ramseur, and Asheboro in Randolph County.

II. County Background

Randolph County, the 11th largest county in North Carolina, is located in the center of the state. Although Randolph County is still considered a rural county, it has the 19th highest population in the state. Urban sprawl from High Point and Greensboro has found its way into Randolph County. There are nine municipalities in the county: Asheboro, Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Trinity, Seagrove, and Staley of which all have seen growth.

Randolph County covers 790 square miles. Asheboro, the county seat, is situated between North Carolina's state capital, Raleigh, and its largest city, Charlotte - just 70 miles from both cities. Randolph County is home to the Uwharrie Mountains, the only national forest in the piedmont of North Carolina. Randolph County is home to the North Carolina State Zoological Park, the nation's largest natural-habitat zoo with 500 acres of exhibits and over 1,000 animals. Also located in the county are the Richard Petty Museum and Victory Junction, (celebrating NASCAR's all-time career victory leader), The NC Pottery Center and the Seagrove area potteries, which enjoy an international reputation for exceptional hand thrown pottery.

The 2010 Census indicates that the population of Randolph County is 141,752. Asheboro is the largest city and County seat with a population of slightly over 25,000. Less than 20% of our county’s residents live in incorporated towns. The County has about 181 residents per square mile, which reflects its generally rural makeup. The racial/ethnic composition of Randolph County is: 115,244 white, 14,742 Hispanic/Latino, 5,946 African American, 1,418 Asian and 2,410 other multi-races.

Randolph Cooperative Extension’s latest environmental scan identified the top five major issues and concerns of residents.
These issues were:
1) Farmland/green space preservation
2) Agricultural profitability
3) Health, Nutrition and Wellness
4) Youth Programming and Families at Risk
5) Life Stages

Each year citizen populated advisory committee members provide input and feedback about what the needs/issues are in their community. Advisory Leaders continue to identify these issues as priorities. Extension's role in addressing these issues is one of education and community involvement. Agents in the different subject matter areas actively program and bring the support of our land grant universities to address these on-going issues using varied strategies.

III. Objectives to Address the Cooperative Extension Long Range Plan

Our family and consumer sciences programs improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Our plant production programs improve production, profitability, and sustainability of the agriculture sector.

Value*	Outcome Description
197	Number of producers who gain skills or knowledge to increase production for local markets.
662	Number of producers who improve local food marketing skills or knowledge.
477	Number of pesticide applicators receiving continuing education credits
321	Number of pesticide credit hours provided
929	Number of crop (all plant systems) producers increasing/improving knowledge, attitudes, and/or skills as related to: 1. Best management production practices (cultural, nutrient, and genetics) 2. Pest/insect, disease, weed, wildlife management 3. Financial/Farm management tools and practices (business, marketing, government policy, human resources) 4. Alternative agriculture, bioenergy, and value-added enterprises