Currituck Extension Makes Me Proud

Reflections from the Director

The first days of a new year in extension work are always spent finalizing year end reports and analyzing data. It has been no different in these first days of 2023 for the Currituck Extension staff. As I have poured over the accomplishments of my colleagues and reviewed their plans for what is to come, I am overwhelmed with pride.

I am proud of the 10% increase in the number of educational opportunities conducted by my staff. I am proud of the increase in event attendance. I am proud of the depth of impact resulting from many of the programs we offered. I am proud of the new audiences we have reached and the success of our large scale events. But mostly, I am proud of my team.

What you don’t see behind those accomplishment numbers are the hours and heart that these folks pour into their jobs. These outstanding public servants can often be found working nights, weekends, and longer than standard hours. They patiently listen as clients cry about prescription drug costs and work to find them help. They rearrange their schedules, carry their paperwork home, and stay late to coach youth on public speaking so parents have time to get home from work. They cart air fryers, extension cords, and ingredients to various communities because maybe then, they can teach a few new people how to cook healthy. They sweat in the August sun because someone’s oak trees are dying and a picture in an email just won’t do. They skip lunch because a farmer needs their help harvesting a trial and the weather is finally right. They spend nights away from their own families because they don’t want our Currituck youth to miss out on camps and conferences.

These folks may not always be passionate about every aspect of their jobs, but they are passionate about helping their clients and doing it with excellence. The result of that passion and dedication are devoted clients that experience growth and positive life change. The numbers are wonderful (and can be found here), but they only tell a portion of the story. I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to meet some of these wonderful public servants in 2023!

For more information about NC Cooperative Extension in Currituck county visit our website at currituck.ces.ncsu.edu, contact Cameron_Lowe@ncsu.edu or call 252-232-2261.

Master Gardener Volunteers Speaker's Bureau

The Currituck County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are again offering a Speaker's Bureau for the public. Various horticultural topics will be covered throughout the year. All of the classes will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Currituck County Center from 9:00 – 10:00. The first class to be held on January 19th, is Starting Tropical Fruits. We’ll cover how to process and plant the seeds, care for the seedlings, and maintain your plants for years to come! Head to our Eventbrite registration page to let us know you’re coming and to reserve your spot today.

ServSafe Food Safety Class

Calling all those in the restaurant and food service industry! N.C. Cooperative Extension will be offering a ServSafe Food Safety Class in February. The class will be held at the Currituck Extension Office (120 Community Way Barco NC 27917) and will begin promptly at 9 a.m. each day. ServSafe is a course designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to provide foodservice operators, managers, and support personnel with the knowledge essential for food preparation and handling within their respective facilities to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness. To register, complete the online registration and payment through Eventbrite. The registration deadline is February 3rd.

Horse Show Clinics

Currituck County 4-H will host two clinics to help youth prepare for the 2023 Horse Show season, with particular emphasis on the 2023 District and State 4-H Horse Shows. The clinics offered will provide instruction in all western and hunter events and participants will rotate through small group classes focused on a specific topic. Registered participants will also have the opportunity to identify specific areas for which they would like to have help on the class agenda. Clinics will be held January 21 and February 18, 2023, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Currituck County Rural Center 184 Milburn Sawyer Rd, Powells Point NC.