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.
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 |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
143 | Number of producers who diversified their marketing strategies into local markets (direct, intermediated/food service, institutional). |
543 | Number of producers (and other members of the local food supply chain) who have increased revenue |
28 | Number of new farms (beginning farmers) selling into local markets for local consumption (in this reporting period) |
1 | Number of farms that made safety improvements following a CSF on-farm safety review |
5 | Number of farmers, employees or family members adopting regular use of appropriate PPE following AgriSafe or Certified Safe Farm participation |
42 | Number of participants that have adopted farm safety practices |
2 | Number of producers reporting reduction in fertilizer used per acre |
769 | Number of crop (all plant systems) producers adopting best management practices, including those practices related to nutrient management, conservation, production, cultivars, pest management (weeds, diseases, insects), business management, and marketing |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
Our animal production programs improve production, profitability, and sustainability of the agriculture sector.
62 | Number of producers who gain skills or knowledge to increase production for local markets. |
62 | Number of animal producers who increased knowledge of farm business management, business planning, financial management, marketing, or estate planning. |
161 | Number of animal producers who learned how to develop a management plan (i.e. grazing plan, feeding plan, drought plan, business plan, disaster plan, etc.) |
161 | Number of producers who increased knowledge of pasture/forage management practices (field improvement, herbicide management, grazing season extension, weed control, forage quality, haylage production, nitrate testing, etc.) |
161 | Number of producers who increased knowledge of nutrition, ration balancing, mineral supplements, breeding, and reproduction |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
62 | Number of producers who diversified their marketing strategies into local markets (direct, intermediated/food service, institutional). |
161 | Number of producers (and other members of the local food supply chain) who have increased revenue |
62 | Number of producers adopting extension-recommended practices related to planning, marketing, and financial management |
161 | Number of producers who adopted Extension-recommended best management practices and production changes related to nutrition (mineral, feed rations) |
62 | Number of producers who adopted Extension-recommended best management practices and production changes related to internal parasite management (fecals, deworming) |
161 | Number of producers who adopted Extension-recommended best management practices related to pasture management |
161 | Number of producers who adopted Extension-recommended best management practices and production changes related to nutrition, ration balancing, mineral supplement, breeding, and reproduction |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
Our 4-H youth development programs grow the skills young people need to succeed in life and career.
181 | Number of teachers trained in 4-H STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum |
6452 | Number of youth (students) increasing knowledge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) |
260 | Total number of female participants in STEM program |
5400 | Number of youth (students) participating in 4-H dropout prevention (student at-risk) programs |
13647 | Number of youth increasing knowledge of life skills |
6977 | Number of children/youth who improved knowledge of local food and agricultural systems. |
13647 | Number of youth increasing/improving knowledge, attitudes, skills, and/or aspirations regarding leadership |
2050 | Number of youth demonstrating increased knowledge of natural resources and environmental issues |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
321 | Number of teachers using 4-H STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum in their classrooms |
7000 | Number of youth (students) gaining career / employability skills |
5400 | Number of youth (students) gaining entrepreneurship skills |
13647 | Number of youth using effective life skills |
1850 | Number of youth willing to participate in conservation actions |
6300 | Number of youth increasing their physical activity |
25 | Number of youth volunteers serving in new or expanded roles within Extension |
125 | Number of youth assuming new/expanded leadership roles in the community |
275 | Number of youth increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption |
850 | Number of youth who grow food in school gardens. |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
Our consumer horticulture programs teach families and communities about environmentally friendly methods for gardening and controlling pests.
164 | Number of individuals who gain knowledge or acquire skills related to vegetable/fruit gardening |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
57 | Number of individuals who grow food in community gardens. |
144 | Number of individuals who begin home food production by starting a vegetable and/or fruit garden |
157 | Number of participants who use extension-recommended best management practices in landscapes, turf, and gardens, including pest (insect, weed, disease, wildlife) and soil management |
144 | Number of participants growing food for home consumption |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
Our food safety and nutrition programs create a safer and more sustainable food supply and improve the health and nutrition of individuals, families, and our communities.
241 | Number of participants who increase their knowledge of safe home food handling, preservation, or preparation practices |
10 | Number of food handlers who increase their knowledge and skills in safe food handling practices |
241 | Number of individuals who learn how to prepare local foods, including through use of home food preservation techniques. |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
127 | Number of adults increasing their fruit and vegetables consumption |
64 | Number of participants who consume less sodium in their diet |
* Note: Values may include numbers from multi-county efforts.
IV. Number of Contacts Made by Extension
Type of Contact | Number |
Face-to-face* |
25,817 |
Non face-to-face** |
741,737 |
Total by Extension staff in 2019 |
767,554 |
* Face-to-face contacts include contacts that Extension personnel make directly with individuals
through one-on-one visits, meetings, and other activities where staff members work directly
with individuals.
** Non face-to-face contacts include contacts that Extension personnel make indirectly with
individuals by telephone, email, newsletters, news articles, radio, television, and other means.
V. Designated Grants Received by Extension
Type of Grant | Amount |
Contracts/Grants |
$1,000.00 |
Gifts/Donations |
$4,400.00 |
In-Kind Grants/Donations |
$4,400.00 |
United Way/Foundations |
$8,244.96 |
User Fees |
$2,999.00 |
Total |
$21,043.96 |
VI. Volunteer Involvement in Extension Programs
4-H |
95 |
8293 |
4799 |
$ 210,891.00 |
Advisory Leadership System |
10 |
2 |
0 |
$ 51.00 |
Extension Community Association |
104 |
12399 |
62408 |
$ 315,307.00 |
Extension Master Gardener |
720 |
1555 |
1739 |
$ 39,544.00 |
Other: Administrative |
8 |
1 |
2 |
$ 25.00 |
Other: Agriculture |
53 |
212 |
501 |
$ 5,391.00 |
Other: Forestry & Natural Resources |
23 |
92 |
357 |
$ 2,340.00 |
Total:
|
1013 |
22554 |
69806 |
$ 573,548.00 |
* The number of volunteers reflects the overall number of volunteers for multiple events.
VII. Membership of Advisory Leadership System
- Voluntary Agriculture Board
- Kemp Davis
Bernard Beck
Clifford Elliott
Wilbert Hancock
Ken Austin
Thomas Lawrence
Roger Pritchard
Randall Spencer
Leverette Strider
Bobby Allen
Joe Allen
Linda York
Lisa Holder - Keeping Randolph County Beautiful
- Sarah Laughlin
Bob Langston
Paxton Arthurs
Joy Sparks
Greg Patton
Kaitlyn Johnson
DJ Seneres
Clinton McNeill
Eric Martin
Danica Heflin - Extension Community Association Board of Directors
- Becky Gray
Karen Amolsch
Janet Gartner
Sharon Carpenter
Janet Paccione
Kim Lemons - Master Gardener Advisory Board
- Raymond Cardwell
J.C. Cardwell
Janet Mackey
Becca Whitley
Susan Garkalns
Vernece Willettt
Harold Hartsoe
Sharon Hartsoe
Kermit Williamson
Kay Williamson
Chuck Smalley
Carol Smalley
Mary Pickett
- Agricultural Program Advisory Board
- Jon Albertson
Bobby Allen
Ken Austin
Bernard Beck
Randy Blackwood
Mickey Bowman
Susan Hayes
Nancy Cross
Jessica Cutler
Kemp Davis
Matt Lange
Greta Anita Lint
Jimmie Moffitt
Eddie Nunn
Brent Scarlett
Shelton Strider
Linda York
Virginia Wall
Bill Ward
Kelly Whitaker
Rebecca Whitley
Dennis Wicker
Mark Wilburn
Heather Wright
Dustin Ritter
Wesley Corder
Amy Kidd
Mark Walker
Chris Maner
Andrew Atwell
Caroline Sheffield
Mike Harmon
Lindsay Davis
Brenda Collins
Jessica Gordon
Terri Frazier
Brian Downing
Sarah Piper
Amanda Cogley
Elisabeth Pack
- Horticulture Specialized Committee
- Jim Clodfelter
Karen Clodfelter
Shawn Dezern
Brook Dezern
Jessica Hall
Walter Krasuski
Beverly Mooney
Keith Pritchett
Caroline Sheffield - Livestock Association Board
- Rodney Hardy
Michael Harmon
Henry Craven
Cody Wright
Raymond Caviness
Mark Walker
Dennis Wicker
Amy Frye
Jeff Maness
Dustin Daniel
Scott Cole
Todd McLeod - Randolph Advisory Leadership Council
- Joseph Sand
Vernece Willett
Larry Penkava
John York
Wanda Beck
Carol Stevenson
Suzanne Dale
Guy Troy
Mark Wilburn
Jessica Wilburn
Lori Hughes
Michael Harmon
Mike Hansen
Roger Pritchard
Susan Garkalns
Becky Gray
Tammy O'Kelley - Field Crops Specialized Committee
- Thomas Lawrence
Ben Millikan
Clifford Elliott - Small Ruminant Specialized Committee
- Jim Merritt
Maria Jessup
Jarod Bowman
Charles Hickerson
Jacqueline Kilby
Michael Beal
Jennifer Leister
Dustin Ritter
Jesi Leonard - Horse Specialized Committee
- Allie Yokley
Brittney Nelson
Sarah Pack
Nancy Sharpless
Kelly Lewis
Anna Pittman
Lori Robbins
John Callicutt
VIII. Staff Membership
Kenneth Sherin
Title: Broadband Access and Education Coordinator and County Extension Director
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: kenneth_sherin@ncsu.edu
Jonas Asbill
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture - Poultry
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: jonas_asbill@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Serving the poultry industry across 20 counties in the North Central and Northeast districts
Jill Cofer
Title: County Extension Administrative Assistant
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: jpcofer@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Support the administrative functions of the Cooperative Extension - Randolph Center including accounts payable and receivable, internal database maintenance for VAD and other contacts, scheduling and other duties.
Marti Day
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture - Dairy
Phone: (919) 542-8202
Email: marti_day@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Responsible for educational programs for dairy farmers, youth with an interest in dairy projects and the general public with an interest in dairy foods and the dairy industry.
Chastity Elliott
Title: County Extension Support Specialist
Phone: (336) 302-6338
Email: chastity_elliott@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Provide support to all areas of our county's office.
Erin Eure
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture - Commercial Fruits and Vegetables
Phone: (252) 357-1400
Email: erin_eure@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Provides educational opportunities and technical support to commercial fruit and vegetable growers, agents, and industry in northeastern NC.
Marissa Herchler Cohen
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture - Animal Food Safety
Phone: (919) 515-5396
Email: marissa_herchler@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Marissa is an Area Specialized Agent for animal food safety, with emphasis on the new Food Safety Modernization Act rules, as they apply to feed mills, pet food and ingredient facilities in North Carolina. Please contact Marissa with any animal food safety-related questions, or Preventive Controls for Animal Food (PCAF/PCQI) training inquiries.
Wanda Howe
Title: County Extension Support Specialist
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: wanda_howe@ncsu.edu
Stacey Jones
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Commercial Nursery and Greenhouse
Phone: (704) 920-3310
Email: stacey_jones@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: I work with commercial greenhouses and nurseries to help them with growing related issues. These issues range from pests (insect, disease, and weeds), substrates, nutrition, and other miscellaneous topics.
Peggie Lewis Joyce
Title: Area 4-H Agent - Central Region
Phone: (336) 242-2080
Email: peggie_lewis@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Provides 4-H Youth Development support to 36 Counties in the Central Region of NC.
Adam Lawing
Title: Extension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: adam_lawing@ncsu.edu
Jeannie Leonard
Title: Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences
Phone: (336) 239-0153
Email: jmleona2@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Nutriton & Wellness, Food Safety (ServSafe, Safe Plate, and School HACCP) Home Food Preservation, ECA Liaison Agent
Annie Mills
Title: Extension Agent, Agriculture - Horticulture
Phone: (518) 573-9224
Email: akmills@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Commercial and Consumer Horticulture, Local Foods, Farmers Market Certifications
Ashley Robbins
Title: Area Specialized Agent - Dairy
Phone: (919) 542-8203
Email: ashley_robbins@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Marti Day and I are the Area Specialized Dairy Agents - the county-based arm of the Cooperative Extension Dairy Team. We are out here in the counties to help you set and reach your farm, family and business goals. We have collaborative expertise in the areas of Waste Management, Udder Health, Cow Comfort, Nutrition and Forage Management with specialties in (Ashley)Reproduction, Records Management, Animal Health and (Marti)Alternative Markets, Organic Dairy, Grazing Management, and On-farm Processing. We hope to provide comprehensive educational programs for our farmers, consumers and youth for every county across the state. We are here for you by phone, email or text and look forward to working with you!
Elena Rogers
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture - Food Safety - Fresh Produce Western NC
Phone: (828) 352-2519
Email: elena_rogers@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Provide educational programs, training and technical support focusing on fresh produce safety to Agents and growers in Western NC.
Blake Szilvay
Title: Extension Agent, Agriculture - Field Crops/Forestry
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Email: blszilva@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: Field Crops, Forestry, Pesticide Education
Jody Terry
Title: 4-H Program Assistant
Phone: (336) 318-6013
Email: jody_terry@ncsu.edu
Allison Walker
Title: Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Phone: (336) 467-2927
Email: allison_walker@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: 4-H Youth Development Agent. Passionate about agriculture and promoting agriculture awareness to youth and adults.
Mitch Woodward
Title: Area Specialized Agent, Watersheds and Water Quality
Phone: (919) 414-3873
Email: mdwoodwa@ncsu.edu
Brief Job Description: NC Cooperative Extension's Goals include:
- NC's natural resources and environmental quality will be protected, conserved and enhanced.
- NC will have profitable, environmentally sustainable plant, animal and food systems.
Protecting our environmental resources, particularly drinking water quality, is a top priority in NC. NC Cooperative Extension is a leader in teaching, researching, and accelerating the adoption of effective water quality protection practices.
IX. Contact Information
Randolph County Center
1003 S. Fayetteville St
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 318-6000
Fax: (336) 318-6011
URL: http://randolph.ces.ncsu.edu