Durham County Cooperative Extension creates opportunities for lifelong learning and connects residents with resources to improve quality of life. It is a part of NC Cooperative Extension, an educational partnership between counties and our land grant universities – NC State and NC A&T – and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring forth research-based knowledge and services.
The mission of Cooperative Extension is to partner with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of North Carolinians. The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, writers of this Blog, represent just one part of one program of Durham County Extension. Get to know the others so you can point your family, friends and neighbors to services that might be useful to them (or to you):
4-H Youth Development – The 4 H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The program offers youth clubs, summer camps, special interest programs and life skill activities for children and youth ages 5 to 19. 4-H works with organizations that request services or education workshops and can fine-tune their approach to the needs of the group.
Family and Consumer Sciences – Food and nutrition are the keywords for this program. The FCS agent helps some 60 families at Briggs Avenue Community Garden in East Durham to grow their own food in a safe and enriching environment. She also conducts workshops like Cook Smart Eat Smart where people learn better home-cooking techniques and trains food service industry workers via NC Safe Plates. Engage with FCS and learn to make sensible choices for a lifetime of health.
Welcome Baby – This family resource center offers emotional and practical family support, child development education, and prevention services designed to strengthen families and caregivers with young children ages 0 to 5 years. All services are offered in English and Spanish.
Transportation / Durham County ACCESS – County residents who are senior citizens or individuals with disabilities, as well as residents going to work or the general public in rural Durham County are eligible to receive safe and accessible transportation through ACCESS.
Community Outreach – This program serves youth and adults and builds community capacity that encompasses all program areas. Key programming includes: a multi-week training series that supports parents in navigating their public schools to help their child succeed (offered in English and Spanish), Kids Voting Durham which helps young people understand and believe in the power they have as active citizens and informed voters, and customized training and family services in caregiving, financial resource management, grandparent support, decision making and more.
Agriculture & Consumer Horticulture – Plant and animal producers and green industry professionals receive ongoing support in the form of direct consultation, workshops and classes and professional pesticide certification. Extension Master Gardener Volunteers educate consumers on plant care, landscaping, soil testing and management by answering specific questions via email or telephone, and conducting free workshops, classes and being present at community events.
“Through these program areas and the workshops, training, and services they provide, Cooperative Extension helps strengthen families and communities. We are dedicated to improving the quality of people’s lives,” says Donna Rewalt, Durham County Extension Director.
Contact Durham County Extension: Located at 721 Foster Street in downtown Durham; Phone 919-560-0525; Website durham.ces.ncsu.edu. Facebook.com/durhamextension. Instagram @durhamextension. Twitter @durhamextension. Programs are open to all Durham County residents and many are free or low cost.