Provides educational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of research based, integrative statewide Extension programs that meet the needs of limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged audiences. Delivers training and educational support materials for ANR agents and their clientele/customers in natural resources, consistent with the philosophy, policy and overall mission, goals and educational objectives of the Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University. This position works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs relating to production agriculture, agroforestry, pond management and small-scale irrigation technologies. Secures external research funding for programs to engage underserved and limited-resource audiences in the revitalization and profitability of small farms and managed woodlands.
This position 1) designs and develops educational programs based upon solid needs assessments and/or situational analysis of small-scale farmers and woodland owners in the local communities 2) collaborates with academic and research faculty, county staff, regional/district directors at NCAT and NCSU, state program leaders, the ANR program leader, and other extension specialists and research scientists in the development of County Extension programs in natural resources; 3) provides technical training for county staff and statewide partners; 4) prepares curricula and program accomplishment reports to share with internal and external audiences and assist with marketing the organization and its impacts; 5) assists technical staff with utilization of resource materials within their program components; and 6) conducts applied research on the A&T University Farm and on cooperating farms related to natural resources. The Extension Specialist in Natural Resources reports to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University.