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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agent and farmer in a field looking at soybean plants

Extension

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.

How Extension Works 

Feeding Our Future

NC State Extension – through our Extension faculty and county-based agents – translates research-based knowledge into everyday solutions.

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Woman holding basket of tomatoes in a field.

Improving Our Health

Extension offers educational programs that address public health issues, improve economic well-being, and help people make healthier decisions.

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A boy and girl play with a giant toothbrush at an interactive oral health display.

Enriching Our Youth

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.

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4H youth participating in the 4-H Electric Congress work on electrical challenges.

Strengthening Our Communities

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.

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101 Local Centers

NC State Extension has locally-focused services in every North Carolina county and the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Locate a Center 

N.C. Cooperative Extension

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.

Find Answers

See Extension in Action

The NC State Extension YouTube channel features how-to videos, features on 4-H students and more.

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Discover our Resources

Our publications and factsheets cover a range of agricultural topics, from lawn care to large-scale crop production.

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Attend an Event

Our Extension agents and faculty researchers share knowledge at events statewide. Find one in your area.

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County Centers

N.C. Cooperative Extension has offices in all 100 North Carolina counties and with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Find your local extension center’s website in our directory.

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