Randolph County
State ESP County Performance Award

1. Staff Cooperation:

Randolph County sets a goal each year to provide at least one interdisciplinary educational program. Every staff member participates in the capacity best suited to their competency. During National Water Week, more than 1,000 third graders learn the importance of the water cycle and its' relationship to water conservation by having classroom presentations by Extension staff. Feedback from teachers indicate that students demonstrate improved vocabulary and recollection of conservation methods. All staff provide instruction during 4H summer enrichment sessions reaching approximately 100 youth. Staff assume some responsibility in presenting our annual program accomplishments to elected officials. Throughout the year individual staff members team to deliver educational programs such as Be Active Kids, Farm Safety Day Camp, school age care provider training, gardening, water works wonders, estate planning, and pesticide re-certification training.

2. Resource Utilization:

A number of University specialists are secured to provide training and information in agricultural production and marketing, vitaculture, field crops, forestry, entomology, acre giving, and land use. Staff have been able to access additional funds for such programs as Partners in Wellness, Caregiving, Land Use Options, Farm Safety, Community Based Parent Education, Minority Health, Team Nutrition, Literary, and volunteer development. Utilizing community resources human and financial helps to extend our educational efforts. The Volunteer Center supplements our lack of support staff, United Way and Randolph County Partnership for Children provide additional funding, the Heath Dept., NC Zoo, Planning Department (to name a few) provide instructional staff, and Job Link purchases staff development training materials. Randolph County Extension has a history of cooperation and collaboration with a variety of local agencies, organizations, businesses, and industry.

3. Program Impact:

Evaluation data and customer feedback indicate that our programs help people;
Do a better job of parenting
Use less medication
Improve communication skills
Save money
Learn coping skills
Use fewer pesticides
Learn to locate additional resources
Raise their stand of living
Improve quality of child care
Start new businesses and participate in out of community experiences