Beaufort County ESP County Performance Award 2001

Beaufort County
State ESP County Performance Award

Beaufort County Extension Staff

2001 marks an outstanding year for the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension staff and TEAMWORK has been the name of the game! The opportunity to work on numerous programming efforts together involved county and area staff as well as many volunteers. Examples include: 4-H Camp Wannagoma, Farm Safety Day Camp, Environmental Field Day, the 4-H Livestock Show and agricultural field days, on-farm-testing and demonstrations. Also, the staff has worked together on a marketing program.

The staff worked together in revitalizing the local Extension Advisory Council and Specialized Committees which are also functioning on a programmatic level. We have an outstanding and diverse group of individuals who are taking an active role in program direction, marketing, recruitment of new volunteers for programs and resource development. Such programs as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Be Active Kids and Elder Fair are examples of staff, specialized committees and volunteers functioning at the highest level.

The procurement of a digital camera and additional computers, software and a photo printer greatly enhanced the ability of our staff to effectively promote Cooperative Extension. One project that the entire staff was involved in was in the preparation of a Beaufort County Cooperative Extension power point presentation to use in marketing of the program. The presentation showcases the entire Beaufort County Cooperative Extension Program. This has been effectively utilized at local Rotary Clubs, the County Commissioner's Report and Luncheon, and the Annual Farm Wives Program. The presentation is being continually updated to include current or new programs. A pictorial of the dynamic 4-H program is digitally captured for power point, news print and web utilization.

The Beaufort County Master Gardener volunteers are a new addition to the Beaufort County CES Program and have worked together to design a landscape plan for the facility that will be both attractive as well as will serve as a demonstration teaching site for homeowners seeking knowledge about plants that perform well in our area. Because of county budget constraints, the County budget did not allow for planting materials for the Extension Center which opened last year. The Master Gardener volunteers have secured resources and donations from the nursery industry as well as local garden clubs and shops to complete the project without county funding.

Resource development is an important part of the Beaufort County Extension Program and the staff is very proactive in their location and procurement. The staff is extended and enhanced through grants supporting relevant programs such as EFNEP and In-Home Breastfeeding Support, Pesticide Container Recycling, Nutrient Management and youth programs. Other programs are possible through collaborations with businesses and agencies accounting for donations of more than $19,200.00, of which $10,200 was raised solely by program volunteers and Advisory Council members. Special funders contributed over $103,116 in special grant awards to programs assisting families and communities. The procurement of these resources provided critical support and continued excellence in programming for meeting the needs of people in Beaufort County.

Major emphasis is placed on marketing the total Extension program. Staff members contributed to a series of full page feature news articles on each major Extension program area and the positive impacts on families and agriculture in the county. Special attention was given to promoting the opportunities for people to become involved in the Extension programs and presented an appealing "open door" atmosphere in the Extension Center. Major media campaigns were planned and conducted promoting Aquaculture, Agriculture, Farm Safety, Horticulture, 4-H, Family and Consumer Science programming and the Advisory Leadership Council. A column with both county and area agents contributing has provided research based information on a variety of topics.

Overall, the Beaufort County Extension Program utilized more than 407 volunteers who contributed more than 3,922 cumulative hours of service to the total Extension program valued at $39,220 (3,922 hours x $10 per hour).

In agriculture programming thirty crop producers prepared and implemented nutrient management plans that have lowered production costs and has reduced the nutrients entering surface waters. Losses to insect and disease pests in wheat were reduced by 3/4 million dollars by producers adopting best management practices identified by the on-farm-testing program.

In 4-H Clubs over 149 youth are shepherded by trained volunteers monthly, resulting in stronger communication skills, higher self-esteem and increased life skills. These youth promise to became competent, contributing members of society who cherish lifelong learning and volunteerism.

The Advisory Leadership Council provided a strong support base for the Beaufort County Extension program and becoming increasingly involved in program planning, implementation, resource development and evaluation.

The success of the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension Program can be directly attributed to the unique working relationship between Cooperative Extension staff, the Advisory Leadership Council, local sponsors and a lot of great volunteers. Together we have joined forces to ensure the growth and success of the program.

2001 ESP Awards

Xi Chapter ESP