Extension’s long-range plan,
4-H Centennial kick-off are highlights of regional conferences
Dr. Jon Ort addresses the regional conference in Raleigh.
Photo by Becky Kirkland
In March, nearly 1,300 employees of North Carolina Cooperative Extension gathered in Greenville, Raleigh and Hickory for regional conferences and the kickoff of the 2009 4-H Centennial in North Carolina.
During each of the conferences, Dr. Marshall Stewart, associate director of N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and state program leader and head of the 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences Department, led a ceremony to kick off next year’s celebration of 100 years of 4-H in North Carolina. Stewart presented Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service at N.C. State University, with a centennial 4-H pin.
From N.C. A&T State University, Dr. Claudette Smith, program leader for 4-H and family and consumer sciences, pinned Dr. Ray McKinnie, administrator and associate dean for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Program. In addition, group photos were taken at each site to commemorate the centennial celebration.
Cooperative Extension’s new slogan, “Empowering people, providing solutions,” was the theme of this year’s conference, which focused on new directions for Extension.
A new long-range plan was presented at each conference, with each of nine goals introduced by a short video describing the challenge the goal was designed to address.
In addition, conferees learned about new Extension marketing materials, as well as a new electronic portal — “One Stop Shop” — where county Extension employees can record all that they do.
The new marketing materials included an updated Extension logo and slogan, new templates for print materials, a set of Extension marketing banners for special events and more. The One Stop Shop will allow county agents to tailor their individual plans of work to those of their county centers. All of their achievements can be captured through this portal for various national, state and local reports.
This marked the first time that conferences were held regionally, rather than in individual districts. In January, Extension restructured its seven state districts into six. Two Extension districts met at each of the three regional conference sites.
— Natalie Hampton
During each of the conferences, Dr. Marshall Stewart, associate director of N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and state program leader and head of the 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences Department, led a ceremony to kick off next year’s celebration of 100 years of 4-H in North Carolina. Stewart presented Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service at N.C. State University, with a centennial 4-H pin.
From N.C. A&T State University, Dr. Claudette Smith, program leader for 4-H and family and consumer sciences, pinned Dr. Ray McKinnie, administrator and associate dean for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Program. In addition, group photos were taken at each site to commemorate the centennial celebration.
Cooperative Extension’s new slogan, “Empowering people, providing solutions,” was the theme of this year’s conference, which focused on new directions for Extension.
A new long-range plan was presented at each conference, with each of nine goals introduced by a short video describing the challenge the goal was designed to address.
In addition, conferees learned about new Extension marketing materials, as well as a new electronic portal — “One Stop Shop” — where county Extension employees can record all that they do.
The new marketing materials included an updated Extension logo and slogan, new templates for print materials, a set of Extension marketing banners for special events and more. The One Stop Shop will allow county agents to tailor their individual plans of work to those of their county centers. All of their achievements can be captured through this portal for various national, state and local reports.
This marked the first time that conferences were held regionally, rather than in individual districts. In January, Extension restructured its seven state districts into six. Two Extension districts met at each of the three regional conference sites.
— Natalie Hampton