Name of Staff Members and Their Titles: 
Cedric K. Jones, County Extension Director; William G. Lord, Area Specialized Agent,Water Resources; Martha L. Mobley, Agricultural Extension Agent, Livestock; William E. Strader, Agricultural Extension Agent, Horticulture; Crystal M. Smith, 4-H Youth Development Agent; Heather P. Wrenn, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent; Cynthia M. Jones, 4-H Directions Coordinator; Stacy R. Burnette, 4-H Friends of Youth Coordinator; Tracy Perry, Agricultural Technician; James B. Egerton, Farmers Market Manager; Sandra Stafford, Administrative Secretary; Janet VanJaarsveld, Secretary II; Sharlene Alston, Secretary II

Staff Cooperation:
The staff of the Franklin County Extension Center, after a few years of transition, has crystallized into an assertive, vibrant, cooperative and supportive team. Our staff of agents, program coordinators and secretaries have implemented “total” Extension programs, visions and impact markers.  Vision impacts have been incorporated in our staff development and implementation of several “across-the-program-board” concepts:

       A.  Annual Strawberry Festival:  Agents in all disciplines and youth from Franklin County High Schools and 4-H programs help to promote the strawberry industry, provide information on food and nutrition, production and marketing, healthy diet, small farm growth, organic berries, farm team concept, and Community and Rural Development (CRD).  In 2006, over 200 customers attended the festival with estimated sales of over $1,500 for the day.

       B.  Annual Watermelon Festival:  Extension agents, staff and 4-H volunteers served several varieties of watermelons and specialty melons which had been donated by local farmers again this year at the Franklin County Farmer's Market shelter.  Over 250 people sampled the melons, and sales were estimated at $2,000 for the day.

       C.  Annual Animal Agricultural Field Day:  Over 900 third graders from public schools, home-schools and charter schools within Franklin County, extension volunteers, county officials and all of the extension staff, collaborate to make the annual Animal Agricultural Field Day a success.  Our goal is to create awareness of the animal agriculture Industry. Live animals such as goats, sheep, cattle, swine, poultry and llamas were exhibited throughout the Riverbend Park in Louisburg where the youth rotated from station-to-station and were taught the importance of this industry in their daily lives.  This year's event was highlighted by Greg Fishel, chief meteorologist for WRAL-TV, when he spoke on “Agriculture and the Weather.”

       D. Annual Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day:  Over 175 fourth graders from Laurel Mill Elementary School participated in the annual Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day camp this year.  Students were rotated to seven stations where they were taught about chemicals, sun, fire, lawnmowers and ATVs by Extension agents and volunteers.  The importance of following safety rules for equipment used around the farm and home was taught.

       E.  Farm-City Week:  Activities for the Farm-City Week ranged from the 4-H Poultry Show and Sale to an  annual country-style breakfast prepared and served by extension staff - another total program and team effort.

          F.  4-H Summer Programs:  All agents and program assistants provide subject matter and assistance in presenting summer learning events and activities to over 175 youth.

       G.  Childcare Provider Training:  Our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent along our 4-H Agent and staff continually hold training sessions for childcare providers to enable them to maintain their accreditation, learn new techniques and sharpen their childcare skills.  Last year, over 100 providers attended classes, each provider averaged teaching 20 children, therefore the training ultimately resulted in reaching 2,000 children.

       H.  Annual Farm Foods and Crafts Tour:  The 3^rd Annual Farm Foods and Crafts Tour highlighted the sustainable way of life in Franklin County by encouraged the purchase of local products, supporting the local art community, and promoting environmental stewardship.  Area farmers and local craftsmen displayed their wares to over 300 visitors.

Resource Utilization:
Our staff is constantly in the training mode.  With tenure ranging from one year to over 25 years, we're always learning.  Agents and program coordinators enroll in University (NCSU and NC A&T) sessions, local county programs and association efforts.  We constantly utilize extension specialists in all extension disciplines, i.e., Tobacco, Soil Science, Entomology, Pesticide, Forage, Plant Disease and Insects, livestock, 4-H, small grains horticulture, etc.

Our staff is fueled by community resources.  The United Way of Franklin County has contributed over $40,000 during the last five years to support summer youth programs.  Agricultural supply/business companies, etc., have made many monetary contributions to the 4-H, Agricultural, and Family and Consumer Sciences programming efforts.  Also, we have utilized the resources of various federal, state and county agencies, other non-profits (such as Partnership for Children), schools, churches, and volunteer service organizations.  The Extension Advisory Council and numerous specialized committees have supported the staff in programming events such as the Annual Tar River Festival.  In addition, the establishment of the Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteers by one of our agents, has provided tremendous aid not only to the horticulture program but to extension overall.

Program Impact:
Our programs have resulted in many significant impacts on the lives of our clientele.

·       Developed a Natural Beef Alliance Group to market pasture-fed beef, estimate over $9,000 in additional income.

·       Assisted growers in producing and marketing organic crops, estimate over $10,000 in additional income.

·       Conducted baby-sitting classes and certified 24 youth ($8 hr x 3 hrs wk x 52 wks = $1,248 x 24 youth = $29,952 additional income.

·       Offered Healthy Lifestyle training to over 300 youth, ages 5-18, and 100 senior citizens.

·       Staff conducted radio programs on agriculture, horticulture, livestock, 4-H youth develop, nutrition and parenting, five days a week, 52 weeks last year.

·       Staff wrote bi-weekly news articles designed to market extension programs to the public.

·       Over 100 private applicators received training and had their pesticide license recertified in 2006.

·       Franklin County Agricultural Board continued to assist growers with farmland protection. Over 500 acres of land were committed to the program this year.

·       In the 4-H Directions program, over 100 youth were referred from the courts and area schools, because of discipline and/or behavioral problems.  The youth have successfully completed the program exercises, returned to school, and made restitution as required.

Grant Funded Program Impacts:

United Way (4-H Summer Activities)                                              $6,000

United Way (Animal Ag Field Day)                                                 $6,000

JCPC (4-H Directions & Friends of Youth)                                   $125,000

Franklin County Arts Council (Farm Foods & Crafts Tour)                $1,100

Whole Foods (Farm Foods & Crafts Tour)                                       $1,000

Progressive Ag Farm Safety (In-Kind)                                             $3,500

WIA Program (Wages for two summer assistants)                              $8,300

                                                                        Total                $150,900