Colleen Church named Yadkin Extension director

Colleen Church, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension agent in Davie County for the last nine years, has been named to direct Cooperative Extension programs in Yadkin County.

Church’s appointment as Yadkin Extension director was announced by Sheri Schwab, associate director and director of county operations for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University, and Aaron Church, Yadkin County manager. She succeeds Nancy Keith, who is now the Iredell County Cooperative Extension director.

Church’s appointment as Yadkin director is effective Nov. 1.

Church has served as a horticulture agent in Davie County since 2003. She was responsible for consumer and commercial horticulture and pesticide education programs and worked with Extension Master Gardner Volunteers. Church worked as a floriculture supervisor, nursery technician and sales associate, and research assistant at North Carolina State University before joining Cooperative Extension.

The new Yadkin director holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from N.C. State University, both in horticultural science.

Jim Cowden, director for Cooperative Extension’s North Central District, which includes Yadkin County, described Church as a “quiet leader.”

Cowden added, “She is a realist who has a responsible work ethic. She is willing to take on challenging tasks and workable compromises, which will serve her well in her new role as Yadkin County Extension director.”

In addition to administrative and community development responsibilities as county director, Church will provide commercial and consumer horticulture programming for Yadkin County.

— Dave Caldwell