Yancey County
State ESP County Performance Award

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Staff Cooperation: The Yancey County Staff supports one another in program and resource development as well as program events. Examples of staff cooperation include: Annual Tobacco Growers' Meeting and Dinner; 4-H Volunteer Awards program; Career Smarts Awards Ceremony; 4-H Talent Show; 4-H Summer Programs, and EFNEP Appreciation Dinner. We can always count on our staff to help market all the programs offered at the Center and to assist other staff members with network links. Two examples are: the 4-H Mountain Challenge Coordinator, Cane River 4-H/SOS Coordinator, Ag Technician, and Agriculture Agent collaborated to design a bush garden at one of the middle schools; also the CED, Agricultural Agent, Ag Technician, Secretaries, and two 4-H Program Assistants worked to help revitalize the Yancey County Farmers' Market. Overall, it is really the attitudes and little things we do for one another that leads to our cohesiveness as an Extension Staff. Total staff support is one way to describe the Yancey County Staff, but I would describe us as being friends

Resource Utilization: The Yancey County Staff is proud to be both a part of NC State and NC A & T State University, and supports all university trainings and programs. Our staff uses University resources in several ways. Examples are: In-Service Training, specialist contacts, department resources, CES publications, 4-H program curriculum, EFNEP Program curriculum, and several grant acquisitions. 4-H Programs continually utilize schools making Yancey County School System one of our biggest resources. All nine of the Yancey schools are very much aware of Extension programs and welcome and appreciate the contributions of our staff members. Ivan Randolph, Yancey School Superintendent, has acknowledged Yancey County 4-H for all of its hard work with students. 4-H programs involve the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, fire departments, and emergency medical technicians. 4-H programs receive financial assistance through the local Bi-Lo grocery store and Yancey County United Way. Our FCS Agent and the EFNEP Program Assistant use several local agencies for support and referrals for parenting classes, EFNEP lessons, and Senior Nutrition Program.

The Yancey Extension Center staff has made significant changes and has improved the lives of clientele in several ways including: increased participation in the farmers' market; increased crop production and improved production practices; increased farmer profits; local farm production grant awards; improved parenting practices; improved family budgeting skills, improved nutrition for limited resource families; beekeepers improved practices and profits; 100% success with 4-H Mountain Challenge participants avoiding further involvement with the juvenile court system; teachers and principals acknowledge the advantage of 4-H Career Smarts Program; increased leadership and project skills of 4-H members; and improved nutrition skills of elderly. The success of the Yancey County Extension Program lies in the commitment of our staff helping our fellow neighbors succeed and grow.