I. Executive Summary
Agriculture and related industries are a significant
contributor to the local economy. The
value of farm products at the farm level for 2002 is estimated at 214 million dollars.
An environmental scan was conducted in 2003 to identify
issues and trends effecting
The following is a list of issues and trends identified by the environmental scan:
·
Lack of
economic growth job creation
·
The
impact of livestock environmental regulations on industry viability
·
Family
health and the lack of quality health care
·
Obesity
of youth and adults
·
Compliance
with waste management regulations and record keeping requirements
·
Crime
prevention among youth
·
Farm
business management and marketing skills
·
Tobacco
buyout and the economic impact
·
Lack of
a county convention center
·
Agricultural
literacy of
Cooperative Extension, with our local resources and our
access to the resources of
II. Major Focus Areas and Objectives
Bladen County Cooperative Extension will address 5 major focus areas:
·
Enhancing
Agricultural,
·
Developing
Responsible Youth
·
Strengthening
and Sustaining Families
·
Conserving
and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources
·
Building
Quality Communities
·
Enhancing
Agriculture,
The following agents will have programming responsibilities for this focus area:
Becky Spearman, Livestock
Agent
Vacant, Field Crops Agent
Corey Crabtree, Horticulture
Agent
James Cochran, Area
Specialized Agent, Poultry
Nelson Brownlee, Area
Specialized Agent, Farm Management
Kent Wooten, Extension
Director
Based on identified issues and trends for
· Animal, poultry and aquaculture producers including limited resource audiences will implement practices or enterprises that will achieve individual and family goals related to profitability and quality of life.
· Bladen County citizens (farm and non-farm) will respond to issues of mutual concern that relate to production agriculture, including human nutrition, nuisance identification, food quality assurance, quality of life, economic impacts, the appropriate treatment of farm animals, and environmental stewardship.
· Youth involved in animal projects will improve personal development and learn leadership and life skills related to animal husbandry including: record keeping, finances, producing high quality animal products, sportsmanship, and appropriate treatment of animals.
· Field crop growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans, and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits and quality of life.
· Commercial horticulture growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans, and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits and quality of life.
·
Developing
Responsible Youth
The following agent and staff will have primary programming responsibility for this focus area:
Angela Redinger, 4-H and Youth
Development Agent
Carla Evans, 4-H Program
Associate
Johnice Autry, Teen
Court/Restitution Coordinator
Vacant, Life Skills
Coordinator
Stephanie Hollis, Friends of
Youth Director
Based on identified issues and trends for
· Long term support systems in 4-H clubs will develop competent youth by building internal and external assets through life skill development.
· Youth involved in special interest educational programs will show increased life skill knowledge and subject matter skill.
· Youth involved in workforce preparation programs will acquire improved understanding of occupational career choice options, career preparation options, entrepreneurship knowledge and competencies required in entry-level positions.
· Youth in high risk environments will participate in community based programs resulting in opportunities for the youth to acquire internal and external assets.
·
Strengthening
and Sustaining Families
The following agent and staff will have primary programming responsibility for this focus area:
Sandra Kelly, Family and
Consumer Science Agent
Earlene Blue, EFNEP Program
Assistant
Based on identified issues and trends for
·
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES:
· BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES: Families, including those with limited resources, and those who work with families will gain knowledge and practice skills in understanding lifespan development, positive interpersonal relationships, and improving quality of life.
·
FOSTERING RESILIENCY FOR FAMILIES IN
TRANSITION:
· DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY CAPACITY: Individuals and groups will develop leadership skills and take action to maximize development and use of community resources leading to improved quality of life for all families.
·
PROMOTING SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS:
·
Conserving
and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources
The following agents will have programming responsibilities for this focus area:
Becky Spearman, Livestock
Agent
Vacant, Field Crops Agent
Corey Crabtree, Horticulture
Agent
James Cochran, Area
Specialized Agent, Poultry
Kent Wooten, Extension
Director
Based on identified issues and trends for
· Livestock, poultry, and fish producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water and waste materials for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.
· Field crop producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water, soil, nutrients and pesticides for the purpose of enhancing environmental quality.
· Green industry, greenhouse, fruit, vegetable, and turf growers and turf landscape professionals will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water, soil, nutrients and pesticides for the purpose of enhancing environmental quality.
· Extension will network with agricultural service agencies and allied agri-business professionals to promote economically and environmentally sound practices for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.
· ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Participants, particularly youth, will increase their appreciation for and knowledge of biological diversity and ecosystem management.
· NATURAL RESOURCE DECISION MAKING: Limited resource and other audiences confronted with a wide range of viewpoints on natural resource and environmental management issues will gain knowledge, awareness, understanding, and skills to develop plans for overcoming barriers that prevent them from realizing the link between informed decision making and the capacity to sustain natural resources.
· WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: Watershed residents, businesses, industries, and government officials will adopt and promote effective practices to conserve and protect ground and surface water and other related natural resources.
· PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING PROGRAM: All commercial pesticide applicators, public operators, consultants, dealers and private pesticide applicators will be certified and trained in pesticide Best Management Practices to protect worker health, crop safety, beneficial insect populations and other environmental protection issues.
·
Building
Quality Communities
The following agents will have programming responsibilities for this focus area:
Vacant,
Field Crops Agent
Corey
Crabtree, Horticulture Agent
Kent
Wooten, Extension Director
Based on identified issues and trends for
III.
Relationship to
Cooperative Extension will serve as a resource before, during and after any emergencies or natural disasters. Extension will provide assistance and educational materials prior to emergencies or natural disasters to prepare citizens for such events. Extension will work through Emergency Management Services to help provide basic assistance and comfort to residents during emergencies or natural disasters. After such events, Extension staff will evaluate damages and assess losses to crops, livestock, farm buildings and equipment, stored commodities, farm and timber property, feed, and supplies. Reports will be completed and submitted as requested by Emergency Management Services.
Extension will work with Economic Development in helping promote growth in business and industry within the county. Assistance will be given by providing data and technical assistance as appropriate.
Extension is committed to a collaborative approach in
solving county needs and seeks opportunities to build a working relationship
with county government to meet its objectives.
IV.
Diversity Statement
Bladen County Cooperative Extension is committed to
serving all the citizens of
IV.Primary Delivery and Evaluation Systems
Bladen County Cooperative Extension staff will use several methods to deliver educational programs based on available resources and targeted audiences. Emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency will be major considerations in delivery method selection. Collaboration with other agencies and partners will be utilized to more effectively deliver programs.
Delivery methods include formal meetings such as workshops, conferences, educational meetings, and demonstrations. Television, radio, news articles, and web sites will be used to reach targeted and general audiences. Newsletters, brochures, videos, and curriculum will be used to deliver educational programs to selected audiences. One-on-one visits will be used as appropriate.
Program evaluation is essential to program success and continuation. Program evaluation will include on-going assessments of the effectiveness and viability of planned and implemented programs. Such assessment will be conducted via observations, interviews, data analysis, testimonials, questionnaires, and surveys as appropriate.
VI. Advisory Leadership System Membership
ADVISORY COUNCIL
2003-2004
Mr. Leon Martin,
Chair Ms. Kelva
Autry Mr. Henson
Barnes
P. O. Box
Mr. Chester
Barnhill Mr.
19221
Mr. Andrew Gatica Mrs. Joyce
Gillespie Mr. Billy
Harrelson
Mrs. Laura Hartley Mr. Wayne Howard,
Jr. Mrs. Deloris Keuvelaar
Mrs. Connie Kinlaw Mrs. Barbara Knight Mr. Rufus Lloyd
Mr. Ronald Allen Mr. Danny
McDuffie Ms. Dorothy McKoy
The Honorable Nancy
Phillips Mr. Chuck Moore Mr. Jimmie Smith
P. O. Box
Mrs. Joyce Walters Mr. Harold Wright
AGRICULTURE
SPECIALIZED COMMITTEE
2003-2004
Dan Ward Mark Stanland Wade Byrd
P. O. Box
Mike McPherson
LIVESTOCK
SPECIALIZED
COMMITTEE
2003-2004
Mark Lennon David Gooden Albert Beatty
Lennon Farms, Inc.
5222
Kathy Dugan Ronnie Hutchinson Dale Meyer
5556 Braxton Road Hutchinson Farms, Inc. ISU Cyclone Farms
Hope
Robert Jessup Lee Johnson Ronald Gooden
FAMILY AND CONSUMER EDUCATION
SPECIALIZED COMMITTEE
2003-2004
Joan Allen Greg
Elkins Julie
Ellis
Toni Fisher Elizabeth
Harris Karen Huntley
265 Morganwood Drive 487 Hillcrest Drive P. O. Box 1026
Susan Kornegay Brandii Linville Linda Lloyd
38 Westwood Drive Bladen Health Watch
Annie McKee Dianna
Roberts Carol
Strickland
154 McKee Road 2662 Old Hwy 41 Rd.
Vanessa Ussery Hazel Williams
2104 E.
Broad St.
FRIENDS OF YOUTH
SPECIALIZED COMMITTEE
2003-2004
Kelva Autry Steve
Bunn Mark
Gillespie
Tomye Glenn Wanda
Johnson Dorothy
McKoy
Bladen
Dennis
P. O. Box
Grace Thompson
Juvenile Court Counselor
4-H
SPECIALIZED COMMITTEE
Aaron Cox Connie Kinlaw Marie McKoy
P. O. Drawer
Patricia Faulk Kathy Lamaster Tommy Rains
844 Webb Faulk Road 1171 NC 53 Hwy W P. O. Box 482
Laura Hartley Alex Lucas Jessica Warren
Lewis Hollis Dorothy McKoy
VII. Staff Membership
Kent Wooten,
Kent_Wooten@ncsu.edu Agriculture Policy
910-862-4591 Community
& Rural Development
Farm Management
Forestry
Vacant, Agricultural Agent, Field Crops Tobacco
Peanuts
910-862-4591 Cotton
Corn
Soybeans
Small
Grain
Soil
Fertility and Management
Pesticide
Education
Pond
Management
Alternative
Agriculture
Becky Spearman, Agricultural Agent, Livestock Waste
Management
Becky_Spearman@ncsu.edu Swine
910-862-4591 Cattle
Youth
Livestock
Horses
Goats
& Sheep
Wildlife
Management
Aquaculture
Corey Crabtree,
Agricultural Agent, Horticulture Blueberries
Corey_Crabtree@ncsu.edu Gardening
910-862-4591 Master
Gardeners
Alternative
Agriculture
Fruit
and Vegetable Production
Lawn
Management
Landscaping
Sandra Kelly,
Family & Consumer Science Agent Nutrition
Sandra_Kelly@ncsu.edu Health
and Wellness
910-862-4591 Child
Care Development
Parenting
Food
Safety
Family
Resource Management
Budgeting
Housing,
Apparel and Textiles
Extension and Community Association Limited Resource Nutrition
Education
Earlene Blue, EFNEP
Program Assistant
Earlene_Blue@ncsu.edu
910-862-4591
Angela Redinger,
4-H Agent 4-H
& Youth Development
Angela_Redinger@ncsu.edu Community
Clubs
910-862-4591 Special
Interest Clubs
School
Enrichment
District/State Events and
Competitions
Summer
Programs/Camps
Friends 0f Youth
Teen
Court/Restitution
Life
Skills
Carla Evans, 4-H
Program Associate
Carla_Evans@ncsu.edu
910-862-4591
Johnice Autry, Teen
Court/Restitution Coordinator
Johnice_Autry@ncsu.edu
910-862-4591
Vacant, Life
Skills Coordinator
910-862-4591
Stephanie Hollis,
Friends of Youth Director
Stephanie_Hollis@ncsu.edu
910-862-4591
James Cochran, Area Specialized Agent Poultry Production and Management
James_Cochran@ncsu.edu
910-671-3276
Nelson Brownlee, Area Specialized Agent Limited Resource Farm Management
Nelson_Brownlee@ncsu.edu
910-671-3276
Support Staff:
Devona Beard, Administrative Secretary Administration
Devona_Beard@ncsu.edu Community
& Rural Development
910-862-4591 Farm
Management
Forestry
Brenda Gooden, Secretary Family
& Consumer Education
Brenda_Gooden@ncsu.edu Horticulture
910-862-4591
Beverly Burney,
Secretary Field Crops
Beverly_Burney@ncsu.edu Livestock
910-862-4591 4-H
Cathy Fields, Secretary, Part-time 4-H
Cathy_Fields@ncsu.edu
910-862-4591
VIII. Contact Information
Phone: 910-862-4591
Fax: 910-862-6939
Web Site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/bladen/