For the latest news from N.C. Cooperative Extension, visit the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' brand new news center. We hope you'll update your bookmarks and visit the new site.

Ray Kimsey, senior information strategist with Extension Information Technology, developed the site. "It didn't make sense to duplicate the whole site. The goal was to make a site that was useful for someone using a phone," he said.

A new publication, Keeping Garden Chickens in North Carolina, is now available online. This 16-page publication gives information on choosing breeds for raising chickens at home, coop design, basic care, feeding and more. The publication was prepared by Anne D. Edwards and Donna K. Carver. Available online:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/Backyard_Chickens.pdf

These new Extension publications are also available online:

AG-439-75W, Starter Phosphorus Fertilizer and Additives in NC Soils: Use, Placement and Plant Response
Prepared by Sheri Cahill, Deanna Osmond, Ronald Gehl, D. Hardy and Carl Crozier, Department of Soil Science
Decades of fertilizer application have led to phosphorus enrichment of most N.C. agricultural soils. Maintaining adequate soil P levels for crop growth can reduce P runoff, save money and protect the environment. Based on research with different N.C. crops and soils, the authors discuss plant response to starter P fertilizer, additives (such as AVAIL) and fertilizer placement. Available online:
www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-75.pdf

In late April, 17 Extension agents added their names to the growing roster of graduates of North Carolina Cooperative Extension's New and Aspiring County Extension Director Leadership Development Program. The program is designed to help position employees for success as they become county directors or as they consider next steps in their careers.

In the early 1970s, a group of employees of the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service sued the organization over unequal pay for employees of color and over segregated 4-H and Extension Homemaker clubs. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for the Bazemore v. Friday plaintiffs in 1986, setting an important precedent on the burden of proof in work place discrimination cases.

In October, many of the original plaintiffs in the case returned to the JC Raulston Arboretum for a reunion and to hear Cooperative Extension and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences administrators describe efforts to improve diversity. The plaintiffs left saying they were impressed with efforts increase diversity among employees and students in the College.

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According to the News & Record, "The Ibrahim children … are active in 4-H and have competed in turkey-raising at the State Fair for four years," and also that their father, who assisted them in getting their offer to President Obama, is Dr. Jimo Ibrahim, farm safety, energy and environmental specialist for The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T."

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A feeling of anticipation was in the air as 62 Extension specialists and advisory leaders met on in May in Charlotte for the 4th Southeast Region “Strengthening Extension Advisory Leaders (SEAL) Conference.”

The conference was started in 2000 by a small group of dedicated professionals from six southeastern states who saw the value of maximizing the dedication of advisory leadership.

They organized a venue where collaboration among the southeastern states could occur biannually, working as a team to share resources, with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of advisory leaders’ skills and support.

Read more in The Rocky Mount Telegram

Hamilton received his master’s in forestry from Auburn University and his doctorate in forestry from N.C. State. Idassi, who received his doctorate in forest resources from Mississippi State University, is currently Extension Forester at Tennessee State University

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Rep. Bob Etheridge, second congressional district, visited his home county and Harnett County Extension Center recently to learn about the impacts the local Cooperative Extension program is having on the county and its residents. Cooperative Extension Advisory Board members, along with Extension customers and administrators, were among those who attended this event.

“Back Home” visits are held annually for U.S. congressional representatives in order to showcase quality Extension programs and provide a forum for Extension Advisory Leaders to interact with members of Congress.

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Walter Earle, Wilson County Extension director, coordinated a fundraiser to endow the Governor James B. and Carolyn Hunt 4-H Scholarship Fund. A benefit concert was held in January at the Cultural Center in Wilson. The endowment will fund college scholarships.

Betty McCain was mistress of ceremonies for the concert, which featured the Wells Family Band and local 4-H talent. Governor Hunt attended the event and was honored. The past recipients of the scholarship were also present and received recognition. There were two signature sponsors, Time Warner Cable and Bridgestone Firestone, along with other sponsorship levels supported by local businesses and individuals.

In April, a delegation from North Carolina, including seven North Carolina Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council members and two Strategic Planning Council members from N.C. A&T State University, attended the Public Issues Leadership Development conference in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean and director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, accompanied the group, along with Dr. Marshall Stewart, associate director, department head and state program leader for 4-H and family and consumer sciences, and Dr. Ed Jones, associate director and state program leader, agriculture and natural resources and community and rural development, both from N.C. State University; Joy Staton, N.C. Cooperative Extension state advisory leader; Sheilda Sutton and Anita Wright, both of N.C. A&T State University.