Names of Staff Members and Their Titles:  Jim Monroe, County Extension Director; Robbie Furr, 4-H Extension Agent; Ebony Roach, 4-H Program Associate; Susan Buckley, 4-H Program Assistant

Staff Cooperation:
The total extension program concept in Mecklenburg County is survival. After the Cooperatiave Extension merger with Park and Recreation in 2003, and the slated elimination of all Extension programs in 2004, the programs that received funding shifted their focus to only producing results that meet the county’s needs. With a total of five Extension staff members (two horticulture agents, one 4-H Agent, two 4-H PAs), it is important for us to maintain constant communication to ensure we are focused on results. With the elimination of all support staff, we must also work together to streamline our workload as we assume the duties of those eliminated positions. As the only Extension office in North Carolina with this staffing model and organizational structure, it is important for us to work closely and offer the support necessary to maintain morale and enthusiasm for the organization. 

Resource Utilization:
Community resources are necessary for efficient programming in Mecklenburg County.  Because we are a part of Park and Recreation, we have access to program facilities at 21 recreation centers and a variety of parks.  This has allowed us to provide 4-H clubs in all recreation centers, pesticide certification/training in community parks, Extension Master Gardener classes in community parks, and horticulture workshops in recreation centers.  The local library system has been a valuable resource for the horticulture program as the consumer horticulture agent and Master Gardeners provide monthly workshops in local library branches. 

4-H proram staff receive annual training from the state 4-H office.  State 4-H staff have also assisted in conducting county-level programs such as a local 4-H curriculum training.  4-H is a part of POST (Partners in Out-of-School Time), a communitywide youth advocacy group that is a valuable resource for program partnerships.  4-H also partners with the local YMCA, YWCA and other afterschool programs.

Program Impact:
The Mecklenburg 4-H program has grown from seven clubs to 79 clubs in 18 months.  The 4-H volunteer base has grown 110 percent, with youth enrolled in clubs increasing 900 percnet.  The 4-H customer satisfaction rate is at 92 percent. 

The horticulture program received a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating and reached more than 41,000 citizens in Mecklenburg County through consumer and commercial horticulture programs as well as the Master Gardener hotline.  The community garden program has also expanded to seven gardens and one demonstration/education garden.