Names of Staff members and their titles: 
Jacqueline Roseboro, County Extension Director; Michael Shaw, Agriculture Agent, Crops; Dalton Dockery, Extension Agent, Home Horticulture; Phyllis Creech, Extension Agent, Livestock;  Howard Wallace, Extension  Agent, Commerical Horticulture; Larry Wright, Agricultural Technican; Nakoma Simmons, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development; Marshia Ward, 4-H EFNEP Program Assistant; Evelyn Smith, 4-H Program Assistant, Carolyn McCain, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences; Meleah Stanley, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences; Teresa Thompson, PEARL Nutrition Program Assistant; Rebekah Thompson, EFNEP Program Assistant; Darlene McQuillan, EFNEP Program Assistant; Nan Rackey, Adminstrative Secretary; Linda Brulet, Secretary; Ann Pridgen, Secretary; Linda Duncan,Secretary; Alfonzo Ward, Receptionist; and Fred Boone, Receptionist.

Staff Cooperation:
The Columbus County staff  and the word “teamwork” are synonymous, for the staff truly works as a unit to accomplish goals/objectives/tasks.  Whether it is preparing a report to the people, doing a presentation, marketing or cleanup after an event, each member contributes to get the job done. 

In 2000, the staff created marketing subcommittees to promote Cooperative Extension in the county. Every member of the staff serves on a committee and committees are chaired by agents, PAs and secretaries. In 2004 Evaluation/Critiques Teams were developed  to aid in improving county success stories.  All members of the Columbus Team  are responsible for staff meetings and attending county commissioners' meetings. 

Interdisciplinary activities are the center of staff programming. In 2005  Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources and 4-H, worked together to provide seven workshops at three sites for the county 4-H summer program.  Working with a local school system, Agriculture, FCS and 4-H participated in a two-day field day for 485 youth. This activity included farm tours, trip to the local farmers' market and nutrition education workshops. Gardens for Seniors is a collaborative effort between Agriculture and FCS. They work to educate senior citizens on the health benefits of fresh vegetables and help them construct raised beds to grow fresh vegetables. Each of these activities will be part of programming efforts for 2007.

Resource Utilization:
In the first six months of 2006, the Columbus County Team has secured $19,721.20 in grants, donations, and in-kind  for programming. The team has partnered or  collaborated with 38 agencies/organizations to help develop, implement, and evaluate programs.  The Team utilized the services of over 700 volunteers who contributed 8,183 hours to the county program.  In addition to local resources, the staff works with specialists  and other Extension offices in the state to develop/deliver programs. Some of the events/activities include: 4-H livestock clinics, Cape Fear Young Adult Leadership Conference,  Beekeeping School, Southeastern Alternative Farm Tour, Seniors Gardens for Health, Pesticide Collection Day, Canola Bioenergy Field Day,  Healthy Marriages Workshop,  and Regional Child Care Training. 

Program Impact:
In Columbus County, the staff is truly making a difference in the lives of their clients. More than 580 senior citzens received counseling and enrolled in a Medicare Part D (drug prescription drug plan) on or before the May 15 deadline and saved an average of $174.60 in annual  premiums. Twenty-three 4-H livestock club members earned $12,000 from their livestock projects; 22 commerical landscapers and homeowners saved $800 by reduction in pesticide use; and 97 percent of enrolled EFNEP participants improved their food resource management practices. These are only a few of the impacts that are being made in Columbus County.