From the mountains to the coast, NC State Extension makes North Carolina better.
We Create Prosperity
What separates NC State from other schools? The same thing that connects it to every corner of North Carolina: NC State Extension. We extend knowledge from our CALS faculty to farmers, families and citizens in every N.C. county. They don’t just conduct groundbreaking research; our faculty deliver solutions directly into the hands of North Carolinians.
We make North Carolina better through programs and partnerships focused on feeding our future, enriching our youth, improving our health, and strengthening our communities.
Our Work Yields a 27-to-1 ROI
NC State Extension’s work helps fuel the N.C. economy.
NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University conduct 4-H programs where over 230,000 young people learn by doing each year.
Extension partners with local governments, businesses, and families across NC. With programs ranging from school gardens and farmer’s markets to Extension Master Gardener groups, we help and sustain NC communities.
NC State Extension is one component of a strategic partnership among NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, and federal, state and local governments. This century-old partnership is called North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
how extension works
National Focus on Local Issues
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is a cornerstone of Extension. Their financial and programmatic support help strengthen Extension efforts to identify emerging research questions and to apply that science and technology to improve the nation’s agricultural, economic and social well-being.
Land-Grants Lead the Way
Since the passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, land-grant universities have worked toward a common mission to extend knowledge to the public. North Carolina is home to two land-grant universities – NC State University and N.C. A&T State University – that ensure that research discoveries are delivered from the campus to the community.
Serving All N.C. Citizens
NC State Extension has offices in every county of North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee. The staff and volunteers work with local government to support agriculture, horticulture, conservation and environmental protection, nutrition and health, as well as a wide variety of consumer, youth and economic concerns.