New Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension director named

Robbie Furr, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service 4-H agent for the last 15 years, has been named to direct Cooperative Extension programs in Mecklenburg County.

Furr’s appointment as Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension director was announced by Dr. Joe Zublena, Cooperative Extension interim director, and Jim Garges, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation director. Furr succeeds Jim Monroe, who retired last year after a nearly 30-year career with Cooperative Extension. Furr has served as interim Mecklenburg director since Monroe’s retirement. His appointment as Mecklenburg director is effective Friday, Oct. 1, 2010.

Furr joined Cooperative Extension in 1991 as manager of a 4-H school-age child-care system in Cabarrus County. He served as a Cooperative Extension 4-H agent in both Stanly and Rowan counties before moving to Mecklenburg County as 4-H agent in 2003.

Furr has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte and a master’s degree in liberal studies from North Carolina State University.

“As the new Mecklenburg County Extension Director, Robbie Furr will provide an enthusiastic and positive attitude in support of the total county extension program,” said Dr. Deborah M. Crandall, director of Cooperative Extension’s west central district, which includes Mecklenburg County.

Crandall added, “Robbie will actively involve extension staff in community projects and make sure extension programs yield high impacts and sound outcomes.”

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is an educational agency supported by county governments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, N.C. State University and North Carolina A&T State University. A staff of agents serves each county and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Backed by specialists at the two land-grant universities, agents conduct educational programs related to agriculture and forestry, family and consumer sciences, 4-H, community and rural development, and other issues of concern to North Carolina citizens. The extension service is headquartered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University.

Written by: Dave Caldwell, 919.513.3127, dave_caldwell@ncsu.edu