Burke County
State ESP County Performance Award

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Staff Cooperation:
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center has had several challenges and many opportunities within the last few years. Our team (Spring Williams, Eleanor Summers, Donna Teasley, Judy Benfield, Gail
Lail, Deidra Hicks, Craig Adkins, and Molly Sandfoss) has been through lots of changes, one of them was moving into a new building and being responsible for facility management. As a staff, we decided to use this
to our advantage in helping to promote Extension and Burke County. As a total staff, we have networked with specialists and other agencies to be able to serve as a meeting place and host for many regional, district
and state events, meetings, and seminars. Throughout the year, we have hosted or provided space for more than 193 events, activities, and programs. Each staff member works to coordinate and facilitate arrangements with specialist in their program areas. In addition, to marketing and publicizing events when necessary. A second part of bringing the University and programs here to Burke County has been the unique opportunity of being the only county office that provides an office space for a State Specialist. Andy Allen, Viticulture specialist is housed in Burke County, while other specialists are based in Raleigh. This helps both Burke County to be seen as a link
to the University, while also being a savings the University in having the specialist closer to the clientele and programs and being easily accessible.

II. Resource Utilization:
As mentioned, the Burke County Staff has worked closely with specialist, university personnel, county personnel, and others in providing adequate meeting facilities. This in turn, has helped many organizations and groups save money in locating a meeting space. It has also been beneficial to the citizens of Burke County to bring the resources they have requested right here to the county. With the Burke County Extension Office being conveniently located off of I-40, we have been able to be a good mid-point for regional and district activities. Allowing other counties and organizations to access our office as a resource. With two area agents, Molly and Craig we have also been able to bring in some area programs and additional resources. Finally, as a county we are utilizing our office space as a resource for the university to provide a base for a specialist. As wel las, providing
a specialist here in Burke County as a resource to our citizens.

III. Program Impact:
Some of the events, programs, and meetings hosted during the past year
include but are not limited to:
NC Cattlemen's Meetings, Nickels for Know How, Soil & Water Conservation District Meetings, Voluntary Agricultural Board Meetings, County Commissioner's Meetings and Retreat, NCDA- Pesticide Schools, NC
Volunteers Council, Public Works, Area Forestry meetings, SART Meetings, NC Wildlife, NC Ag. Statistics, Dr. Ort visits with Counties, State Advisory Council Meetings, District CED meetings, NC CATCH, Farm Service
Agencies, Conservation Easements, EMS Training, NCDA Pest Control School, Horseman's Association, REINS, OFA/VFGA/NCCFGA Grower Seminar and Tour, CALS Dean Wynne and Dr. Ort Visits to the Districts, and of course, local clubs , associations, and organizations. The variety and number of educational opportunities that have been provided at the Burke Agricultural Building have helped to spotlight the
NC Cooperative Extension, Burke Center and has been a positive and successful marketing tool in continuing the mission of Extension. Awareness of our programs and collaborations with others, has impacted
our office tremendously. The Burke County Staff continues to network and collaborate to bring programs/activities/and seminars to Burke County.