North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Union County Center
Your Information Source

Information on this page...

• Who is Cooperative Extension?
• Union County Center Plan of Work
  An up close and personal view of services available to Union County citizens.
• Union County Focus Areas & Objectives
• Enhancing Agricultural, Forest and Food Systems
• Conserving and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources
• Building Quality Communities
• Strengthening and Sustaining Families
• Developing Responsible Youth
• Cooperative Extensions Major Focus Areas
• Vacant Positions

Who we are

Cooperative Extension is the outreach arm of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and the School of Agriculture at North Carolina A&T State University. We are county agents, professors, scientists and volunteers working together to improve the quality of life in North Carolina. The key components of NC Cooperative Extension's mission are:

• Sustaining agriculture and forestry
• Protecting the environment
• Maintaining viable communities
• Developing responsible youth
• Developing strong, healthy and safe families.

More than 25,000 lay leaders comprise the Extension Advisory Leadership System. These volunteers keep Extension professionals aware of local issues and needs.

We receive financial support from three levels of government - federal, state and county - and from private financial sources. We also receive support from agribusiness; organizations devoted to agriculture, youth and health; foundations and individuals. The Extension Service works cooperatively with other state and governmental agencies.

Executive Summary

Union County is located in the lower Piedmont region of North Carolina and is a part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg MSA. Based on the latest information, the county is currently growing at an annual rate of 2.7% making Union County the fastest growing county in the 16 county Metrolina area. Current population is estimated at 127,154. A significant portion of the population is employed in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Other significant employers are construction, public education, poultry processing, light industry, real estate and finance, transportation and services, and agriculture. Union County is ranked third in the state in farm level income. Major commodities are broilers, turkeys, wheat and soybeans, beef cattle, nursery and horticulture.

Key benchmarks identified by a county-wide visioning process related to: education and the current graduation rate, income growth as it related to U.S. Per capita income, the disproportionate share of residential vs commercial tax base, state transportation funding, and overall quality of life with respect to services, infrastructure, and overall growth and change.

Issues and needs identified through Cooperative Extension's Environmental Scanning process were measured against these current trends, and prioritized with respect to need and their relevance to the mission of Cooperative Extension. 19 County Major Programs were identified and formulated under the State Plan of Work objectives in which Extension has developed expertise; enhancing agriculture, forest and food systems; conserving and improving the environment and natural resources; building quality communities; developing responsible youth; strengthening and sustaining familles.

Approximately every two years, county extension centers and campus departments conduct an environmental scan to assess changes in potential audiences and their learning needs. Results of that scan provide the basis for programs (CMP'S), recommending changes in existing Cooperative Extension State Plan of Work objectives, or recommending the creation of a new objective or the deletions of an existing one.

The first environmental scan was held in Union County from December 1997 to February 1998. A second scan was recently completed during a period from November 2002 to December 2003. Major tasks carried out during the scan were as follows:

♦ Development of background materials to assist agents, specialized committees, task forces, program committees and the advisory council with identifying educational needs and setting priorities.

♦ Identification and prioritization of local needs for which Extension programs can be developed, implemented and have a significant impact. Two hundred lay leaders representative of the entire community participated in a meeting designed to identify and prioritize current local needs.

♦ Information gathered was used to develop 19 County Major Programs which form the basis for this current long-range plan.

♦ The Union County Plan, together with plans from the additional 99 counties and the Cherokee Indian Reservation will serve to update the State Cooperative Extension Long Range Plan.

♦ Based on this statewide input, Cooperative Extension Major Program guides will be developed which contain resource information and success indicators to facilitate the development of effective, county, departmental and state plans of work and educational programs.

♦ Cooperative Extension networks with County department heads, municipalities, Chambers of Commerce including Union County Vision 20-20 officials to engage in collaborative problem solving.

Union County Focus Areas And Objectives

ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL, FOREST AND FOOD SYSTEMS

2.Farmland Stewardship and Greenspace Preservation
Objective: Participants will increase their appreciation of the role of agriculture in the economy and resource conservation and adopt practices to increase benefits from farmland and open-space.
Target Audience: Local elected officials, Farmers and Agri-businesses, Builders and Developers, General Public

3. Agriculture and The Environment
Livestock and poultry producers and users of animal and poultry and waste 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 2: All commercial pesticide applicators, public operators, consultants, dealers and private pesticide applicators will be certified and trained in pesticide best management practices to protect worker health, crop safety, beneficial insect populations and respond to other environmental protection issues.
Target Audience: Livestock and poultry producers, contract waste haulers, crop farmers, agri-business and Ag product suppliers, licensed pesticide applicators.

4. Animal Production and Marketing Systems
Objective: Livestock, poultry, equine and forage producers will select, adopt, and successfully implement management practices aimed at enhancing the profitability and sustainability of their enterprise.
Target Audience: Livestock and poultry producers, forage producers, horse owners, market operators, feed and animal health suppliers.

5. Marketing and Production Of Alternative Agricultural Opportunities and Enterprises
Objective 1: Business oriented producers will identify, create, and develop production and marketing systems for specialty crops aimed at increasing income.
Objective 2: Small, part-time and limited resource producers will enhance their marketing opportunities and skills through increased development of local farmers markets.
Target Audience: Vegetable and fruit producers, small, part-time and limited resource farmers, local government officials

6. Crop Production And Marketing Systems
Objective: Grain, oil crop, and cotton producers will be assisted in evaluating alternative production practices, hybrid selection, use of pesticides, and exploring financial management and marketing options to ensure enterprise productivity and sustainability.
Target Audience:Grain, oil, crop and cotton producers, ag suppliers and dealers, crop consultants

7. Residential And Community Horticulture And Turf Management
Objective 1: Green industry clientele will adopt plant selection and management practices for residential and public facility landscapes aimed at improving aesthetic and economic value while practicing environmental stewardship.
Target Audience: Turf and landscape professionals, nursery, greenhouse and turf growers, ag dealers and suppliers, consultants
Objective 2: Master Gardener participants will develop leadership skills and attitudes aimed at increasing the program's growth, impact and visibility.
Target Audience: Master Gardener Volunteers

CONSERVING AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

8. Environmental Awareness And Conflict Resolution
Objective 1: People confronted with a wide range of view points on natural resource and environmental management issues will gain knowledge, awareness, understanding and skills to develop plans for overcoming barriers that prevent them from realizing the link between informed decision making and the capacity to sustain natural resources.
Objective 2: Special interest groups will increase their understanding of and appreciation for the complex relationships between agriculture and the environment and their relationship to economically sustainable communities.
Target Audience: Public officials, environmental activists, builders and developers, the media and consumers.

BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES

STRENGTHING AND SUSTAINING FAMILIES

11. Developing Leadership and Community Capacity
Objective: 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.
Target Audience: Extension & Community Association Members

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE YOUTH

13. Life Skills and Career Development
Objective: Through activities such as competitions, presentations, responsible club work and project completion, local youth will gain knowledge and develop skills which will increase their workforce preparedness.
Target Audience: Local youth

14. Volunteer Training and Development
Objective: Through training provided by the 4-H and Youth Development professional, volunteers will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, design, and implement successful club work and special interest programs.
Target Audience: Volunteers

15. Resource Development and Allocation
Objective: 4-H professionals and volunteers will work through local government, non-profit organizations, volunteer associations and clubs to create the resources necessary to conduct local program efforts.
Target Audience: Local government, non-profit organizations, volunteer associations

16. Program Marketing
Objective: The Extension 4-H professional staff, volunteer leaders, youth leaders, and youth advisory committee members will develop a comprehensive program aimed at increasing visibility of and participation in 4-H and Youth Development Programs and activities.
Target Audience: Adult volunteers, civic organizations, youth ages (5-11), business community, media

Other Programs

Due to the size and economic importance of agriculture in Union County, Cooperative Extension serves the primary role of information provider and marketing and promotion for this industry. As a result Cooperative Extension provides leadership for Farm City, NC/SC District Fair, Ag Appreciation Week including Wake Up To Ag Program, the Farmland Preservation Program, and the Union County Agriculture Alliance.

Relationship to County Government Objectives

The County Extension Director is a member of the Union County Vision 20-20 Executive Board.

With regard to emergencies, Cooperative Extension provides leadership for the County Animal Response Team (CART).

Diversity Statement

Union County Cooperative Extension utilizes all reasonable efforts with regard to identifiable groups and seeks to secure minority representation on all advisory groups. Both Latino and African-Americans are an integral part of the overall Advisory Council.

Primary Delivery and Evaluation Systems

Primary delivery methods include workshops, conferences, educational meetings, demonstrations, radio and television, news articles, visits and web site. Program evaluation includes on-going assessments of the effectiveness and viability of planned and implemented programs. Such assessments are conducted via observations, interviews, data analysis, testimonials, and surveys.

Our county web site address is: http://www.union.ces.ncsu.edu

Advisory Leadership System Membership

Staff Membership

Jerry Simpson, County Extension Director
E-Mail: jerry_simpson@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3738; mobile (704) 363-2173; nextel 11339
Responsibilities: Administration, Livestock, Forages, Community Development, Water Quality

Sally McNeill, RD, LDN , Family and Consumer Education Agent
E-Mail: sally_mcneill@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3732
Responsibilities: Health and Wellness, Food & Nutrition, Food Safety & Preservation, ECA Liaison

Robin Landsman, Family and Consumer Education Agent
E-Mail: robin_landsman@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3737
Responsibilities: Human Development, Leadership Development, Family Resources Management, ECA Liaison

Tom Pegram, Agricultural Extension Agent
E-Mail: thomas_pegram@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3739; mobile (704) 363-2223; nextel 11386
Responsibilities: Pesticide Education, Field Crops, Water Quality

Laura King, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent
E-Mail: laura_byrd@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3740; mobile (704) ; nextel
Responsibilities: 4-H Youth Development

Laura Grier, 4-H Program Associate
E-Mail: lagrier@ncsu.edu
Phone: office (704) 283-3821
Responsibilities: 4-H Program Associate

Dana Braswell, Extension Administrative Secretary
E-Mail: dana_braswell@ncsu.edu
Phone: 704-283-3742

Chris Austin, Extension Secretary
E-Mail: chris_u_austin@ncsu.edu
Phone: 704-283-3720

Lisa Eubanks, Extension Secretary
E-Mail: lisa_eubanks@ncsu.edu
Phone: 704-283-3735

VACANT POSITIONS:

Contact Information Union County Center, 3230-D Presson Road, Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: (704) 283-3801
Fax: (704) 283-3734

What we offer

Our educational programs benefit farmers, rural and urban residents, families, community and civic leaders and youth.

We are leading the way with programs about:

• Aging
• Agriculture and natural resources policy
• Agriculture and the environment
• Animal production and marketing systems
• Child care education and training
• Community and economic development
• Crop production and marketing systems
• Family and consumer economics
• Family and parents education
• Food and forest products manufacturing

• Food quality and safety
• Health and human safety
• Leadership and volunteer development
• Marketing and production of alternative agricultural opportunities and enterprises
• Natural resource conservation and management
• Nutrition and wellness
• Residential and community horticulture, forestry and pest management
• Residential and community water and waste management
• Resilient youth, families and communities
• Youth development

How we communicate with you

Extension agents, located in every county and on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, are the bridge between specialists on the university campuses and you.

The staff in your Extension Center coordinates educational programs, public meetings, workshops, field days, personal consultations and satellite broadcasts to help you improve your life. Your Extension Center is stocked with publications, newsletters, computer programs and videotapes on a variety of topics. You'll also find us on the World Wide Web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/.