Our Mission

North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians.

La Extensión Cooperativa de Carolina del Norte se asocia con las comunidades para ofrecer educación y tecnología que enriquecen la vida de los habitantes, la tierra y la economía de Carolina del Norte.

Who we are

Cooperative Extension is the outreach arm of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and the School of Agriculture at North Carolina A&T State University. We are county agents, professors, scientists and volunteers working together to improve the quality of life in North Carolina. The key components of NC Cooperative Extension’s mission are:

Sustaining agriculture and forestry

Protecting the environment

Maintaining viable communities

Developing responsible youth

Developing strong, healthy and safe families.

More than 25,000 lay leaders comprise the Extension Advisory Leadership System. These volunteers keep Extension professionals aware of local issues and needs.

We receive financial support from three levels of government – federal, state and county – and from private financial sources. We also receive support from agribusiness; organizations devoted to agriculture, youth and health; foundations and individuals. The Extension Service works cooperatively with other state and governmental agencies.

What we offer

Our educational programs benefit farmers, rural and urban residents, families, community and civic leaders and youth.

We are leading the way with programs about:

Aging

Agriculture and natural resources policy

Agriculture and the environment

Animal production and marketing systems

Child care education and training

Community and economic development

Crop production and marketing systems

Family and consumer economics

Family and parents education

Food and forest products manufacturing

Food quality and safety

Health and human safety

Leadership and volunteer development

Marketing and production of alternative agricultural opportunities and enterprises

Natural resource conservation and management

Nutrition and wellness

Residential and community horticulture, forestry and pest management

Residential and community water and waste management

Resilient youth, families and communities

Youth development