Program Impact Report

2017 Wilson County Program Impact Report

Approved: January 23, 2018

I. Executive Summary

The Wilson County Extension team worked diligently in 2017 to address issues facing the county and its people. Issues and needs were ascertained through citizen input, economic indicators, and other sources of data. Identified areas of critical importance include: farm profitability and sustainability, local foods, farm & food safety, volunteer service, life skills and leadership development for youth, nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and consumer horticulture.

Agriculture and related agribusinesses comprise 37.7% of Wilson County’s gross product and account for 11.2% of all employment. The industry is vitally important to the local economy contributing over $2.5 billion (value-added) annually and providing diversification and stability in the local economy. Over 3,000 farmers and agribusinesses have improved the profitability and sustainability of their businesses through participation in extension programs in 2017 and recent farm income estimates document farm income of approximately $144 million annually. Notable agricultural impacts include: improved yields, improved pest management, better variety selection, improved marketing techniques, improved disease management, timely harvesting guidance, forestry management and acquiring certification and continuing education. By adopting recommended practices and participating in extension programs, farmers, homeowners, and businesses have reduced environmental impacts of waste products, pesticides, and fertilizers. Extension efforts are critical to the continued sustainability of the agricultural industry in Wilson County and have resulted in a total impact of an estimated $3.4 million for local farmers and forest landowners in 2017 by either reducing costs or increasing productivity.

Cooperative Extension classes give home gardeners and landscapers the knowledge to enhance the value of their landscapes while protecting natural resources through planting drought tolerant and/or native plants, conserving water through proper landscaping techniques, and lawn maintenance. Many of these classes are held in the Wilson Botanical Gardens. The mission of the Gardens is to promote horticultural education through the use of outdoor classrooms. Adults and children can heighten their appreciation of how horticulture, gardening, landscape design and environmental stewardship are linked to the land they inhabit. Implementation of these practices provides food and shelter for wildlife, reduces erosion and runoff of pesticides, and reduces strain on local water resources. Production of fruits and vegetables in home landscapes has increased as a result of extension classes and information. These horticulture programs are enhanced through the efforts of 25 trained Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Based on survey results indicating an average $123.25 value per consultation, the information provided by the extension agent and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to 6,928 clients was worth $853,876 in 2017. Additionally, the volunteers contributed 2,814 hours of their time at a value of $24.14 per hour for a total of $67,930 along other contributions to support the program. Commercial ornamental horticulture is one of the top crop incomes in Wilson County supporting two of the largest nurseries in the state.

4-H has expanded and adapted to reach an increasing number of youth in Wilson County. A total of 3,165 youth participated in 4-H programs in 2017. Youth learned and employed critical life skills in the areas of Consumer and Family Science, Animal and Plant Science, Leadership skills, Civic engagement, Career guidance, and Healthy Lifestyles. The skills these youth gain will mean better jobs, higher wages, improved quality of life, and greater service in leadership roles. Wilson County 4-H has 14 community clubs for youth to join or they can participate as members at large. At the 2017 4-H Youth Livestock Show and Sale, 84 youth earned over $268,000. The majority of this income is used to support a college education for participants. During the summer, over 306 young people were exposed to exciting hands-on educational day camps such as environmental stewardship, cooking, sewing, leadership, robotics, horticulture, and more. In Wilson County schools, over 2,843 young people were reached through school enrichment and afterschool programs such as Embryology, Magic of Electricity, Project Learning Tree, Health Rocks, and Steps to Health. A total of $6,100 was awarded to 4-H’ers for college scholarships in 2017.

Extension programs for families and consumers addressed a variety of issues in 2017. Food safety education as well as home food preservation education was provided. Food service workers in schools and restaurants as well as consumers preparing and/or preserving food for themselves and family members have benefited from extension educational programs. Keeping food safe not only protects health and well-being but prevents lost wages due to loss of work or the health costs associated with a foodborne illness outbreak. Many North Carolinian's are affected by chronic disease and conditions that compromise their quality of life and well-being. Through educational programs, 578 participants increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and 400 participants increased their physical activity.

These efforts and accomplishments have been made possible through local community support including Wilson County Extension Advisory leaders, volunteers, local businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the Wilson County Commissioners. Private and grant funding sources have contributed $290,690 to support Wilson County Extension programs in 2017. Wilson County Cooperative Extension had 25,530 face to face contacts and 26,377 non-face to face contacts. In addition, 607 volunteers contributed 4,565 hours of their time to support development and delivery of Cooperative Extension programs in Wilson County. While it is estimated that the total monetary value of volunteer time contributions is $110,199, this value is overshadowed by their accomplishments and those of the staff at the extension center to enrich the lives, land, and economic prosperity of Wilson County people.

II. County Background

Wilson County is located in the Coastal Plain Region of North Carolina and covers an area of 373 square miles. It has seven incorporated towns, with the City of Wilson being the largest (Population 49,628). The current population of the entire county is 81,667. The county's racial profile is approximately 57% white, 40% black and 10% Hispanic (Hispanics are included in applicable race categories). The current unemployment percent is 7.8%.

Agriculture continues to provide a major economic impact to the county with farm income estimates of over $172 million dollars in 2016. Tobacco production remains the mainstay of most farming operations in the county and generated over $37 million in gross farm income, more than any other commodity in Wilson County. In 2016, there were 8,500 acres of flue-cured tobacco in Wilson County. In addition to tobacco production, Wilson County has a long and rich history of selling tobacco and continues to be a hub of leaf sales. Completing the 126th season, the Wilson Tobacco Market is still the "World's Greatest Tobacco Market." Multiple leaf dealers and brokers purchased an estimated 120 million pounds of tobacco in 2016 with a gross value of over $258 million.

Nursery and greenhouse production added over $47 million to farm income in 2016. Wilson County has the largest container nursery in the state. Consumer horticulture thrives in Wilson County through the Wilson Botanical Gardens (WBG). The WBG is a 11 acre public garden and a 1 acre Children's Secret Garden has been installed. The WBG is maintained entirely by the Wilson County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.

Sweet potato production generated sales of over 44 million in 2016. Agriculture producers continue to diversify into the production of vegetables and other specialty crops. This production has increased dramatically over the past five years and this trend is expected to continue. In May of 2008, a farmers market opened to offer local producers another marketing opportunity. In 2011 the Farmers Market added an additional location and increased the hours of operation. Wilson County, in conjunction with Cooperative Extension, applied for and received a Gold Leaf Grant to construct a new Farmers Market building, that new facility was completed in 2013.

While agriculture continues to play a vital role in the county, Wilson County does have four companies that employ over 1000 employees. They are Bridgestone/Firestone, BB&T, Wilson Medical Center, Wilson County Schools, and Alliance One International. In addition, two companies, S. T. Wooten Construction, Inc. and Smithfield Packing Company, Inc. employ between 500-999 people.

Families and young people in the county face many challenges. In addition to having a high unemployment rate, Wilson County has an extremely high number of adolescent pregnancies and ranks fifth in the state for sexually transmitted diseases.

III. Objectives to Address the Cooperative Extension Long Range Plan

North Carolina's plant production systems will become more profitable and sustainable.

Value*	Outcome Description
3716	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
10	Number of Extension initiated and controlled County demonstration test sites (new required for GLF/PSI reporting)

Value*

Outcome Description

3716

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

Number of Extension initiated and controlled County demonstration test sites (new required for GLF/PSI reporting)