Caswell County Extension Long Range 2007 Plan of Work
Caswell County Executive Summary:
Caswell County is a uniquely scenic and historic Piedmont North Carolina county with a total population of 23,693 people (2001 U.S. Census Bureau estimate). With careful and immediate planning, these irreplaceable qualities may be preserved for future generations to be able to enjoy and reap the social, economic and cultural benefits such assets can provide. From the courthouse square to the reconditioned tobacco barn, the county has many rich architectural styles that if preserved will enhance the residents as well as visitors lifestyle. Caswell County will never have a tremendous amount of industrial growth because the county is the bedroom county to Chapel Hill, Burlington, Greensboro, Raleigh and Danville, Virginia industrial growth areas. Tobacco production had been the major income source for the county in the past years which has changed drastically because of the tobacco buyout program, company contracting changes, and retiring tobacco farmers in the past 10 years. The tobacco production emphasis has been refocused toward the establishment of a new winery, greenhouse production for vegetables and nursery crops, strawberry production, contracting chicken breeder operations, increase in cattle production, forestry management, agri-tourism, adding value to agricultural products, and other alternatives to tobacco production.
Some descriptors for the county are as follows:
Caswell County is uniquely situated only 45 minutes from Greensboro and an hour from Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park, meaning easy access to two major airports, as well as all the other amenities of "city life", but with the benefit of a relaxed country lifestyle and great outdoor recreation.
You're just minutes away from first class entertainment, shopping and dining. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes play hockey an hour away in Raleigh. Within 45 minutes you can reach four minor league baseball games including the famous Durham Bulls. You’ll be within a 45 minute drive of more than 200 restaurants.
For those wanting to stay closer to home, you can enjoy excellent live entertainment at the Caswell County Civic Center. Extensive recreational programs include youth leagues for baseball, softball, football and basketball. There's even a new gymnasium at the Caswell County Sports Complex, along with three baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a toddler lot and walking trail.
Outdoors types will love Hyco Lake - a 3,780 acre lake available to the public for skiing, fishing and other water sports. The golf fan can enjoy the advantages of Caswell Pines Golf Course, one of the top ten rated public courses in the piedmont of North Carolina.
Located within an hour's drive of the Research Triangle Park and Greensboro
Predominantly rural county covering approximately 425 square miles.
County population 23,693 (2001 Census)
Over 85,000 workers in the 18-34 age group within 30 miles
171 acre Industrial Park on a major 4-lane Highway 29 (Future I-785) at $8,5000/acre
Property tax rate of only $0.645/$100
Specialized workforce training programs at Piedmont Community College
A population of over 2 million within 60 miles
North Carolina Visitors Welcome Center located on future Interstate 785 (Highway 29) with a major railway adjacent to Highway 29.
An environmental scan was conducted by the Caswell County Cooperative Extension Staff and local Extension Advisory Council members involving environmental scan surveys, local Extension Advisory Meeting, and personal face-to-face interviews with citizens of Caswell County. As a result of the environmental scan certain issues and trends for the county were identified. The educational needs identified were as follows: 1) diversify into alternative crops, 2) better nutrition and Aging With Gusto programs, 3) more traditional 4-H programs, 4) more environmental programs, 5) parenting teen programs, 6) livestock production and marketing programs, 7) farmland preservation, and 8) promote tourism and preserve the historical aspects of the county. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Caswell County Center will play a major educational programming role in satisfying the needs of the citizens of the county.
Focus Areas and Objectives in the Extension Long Range Plan
A1. Animal, poultry and aquaculture producers including limited resource audiences will implement practices or enterprises that will achieve individual and family goals related to profitability and quality of life.
A4. Field crop growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans, and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits and quality of life.
A5. Commercial horticulture growers will implement recommended and potential production practices and systems, investigate innovative agricultural opportunities, develop business and human resource plans, and explore marketing options to ensure continued farm productivity and profits and quality of life.
A7. Part-time, limited resource and other farmers will increase the quality of life and the sustainability of their farms through crop diversification, integration of appropriate alternative opportunities and enterprises, intensive management practices, water and nutrient management, business management, and expanded markets.
A15. Through the consumer horticulture program, consumers will increase their knowledge and adopt practices concerning proper plant selection, cultural practices, and pest management strategies that maximize plant performance while minimizing inputs, and protect environmental resources.
E1. Livestock, poultry, and fish producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally sound practices to manage water and waste materials for the purpose of improving air and water quality protection.
E2. Field crop producers will adopt and promote economically and environmentally-sound practices to manage water, soil, nutrients and pesticides for the purpose of enhancing environmental quality.
E8.Pesticide Certification and Licensing Program. All commercial pesticide applicators, public operators, consultants, dealers and private pesticide applicators will be certified and trained in pesticide BMP to protect worker health, crop safety, beneficial insect populations and other environmental protection issues.
F1. Building Healthy Families --- North Carolinians, including limited resource individuals/families, will improve the quality of their lives through eating healthy, being active, handling food safely, managing resources for food security, and practicing healthy promoting behaviors.
F2. Building Strong Families --- Families, including those with limited resources, and those who work with families will gain knowledge and practice skills in understanding lifespan development, positive interpersonal relationships, and improving quality of life. F3. Fostering Resiliency for Families in Transition. --- North Carolinians, including those with limited resources, will develop skills and strategies to manage effectively their personal finances through expected and unexpected economic change and life events.
F4. Developing Leadership and Community Capacity --- Individuals and groups will develop leadership skills and take action to maximize development and use of community resources leading to improve quality of life for all families.
F5. Promoting Safe and Healthy Environments. --- North Carolinians, including those with limited resources, will improve the safety and health of their working and living environments.
4H-1.1. Healthy Weight. Youth will adopt behaviors that will contribute to their total health and well-being.
4H-1.3. Safety. Youth will adopt behaviors that will contribute to their total health and well-being.
4H-2.3: Life Skills. Youth will gain life skills.
4H-3.1. Addressing Social Problems, Issues, and/or Challenges. Youth and adults will address social problems, issues and/or challenges through leadership and volunteerism.
CRD 1. Citizens and private community leaders will use business and economic development concepts to implement sustainable economic opportunities and enterprises.
Relationship to County Government Objectives
The Caswell County Extension Director serves as the County Animal Response Team Coordinator in case of major animal disease outbreak. The Caswell County Extension Center works closely with the Caswell County EMS Director, County Manager, and other governmental agencies when emergencies or natural disasters occur.
Diversity Statement
The Caswell County Extension Center follows all guidelines and reasonable efforts to promote diversity according to Federal Civil Rights ERS Plans in providing educational information to all citizens in Caswell County.
Educational Methods Being Utilized
- Educational Meetings
- Educational Workshops
- One-on-One Intervention
- Demonstrations
- Educational Conference
- Tours
- Volunteer Training
- News Articles
- Newsletters
- Magazine Articles
- Television Programs
- Radio Programs
- Web Sites
Primary evaluation methods that will be used to evaluate and determine impacts of the Caswell County Extension Program will include on-going assessments of the effectiveness and viability of planned and implemented programs. Such assessments will be conducted via observations, interviews, data analysis, testimonials, and surveys as appropriate. Caswell's Extension web site address is
Advisory Leadership System Membership
Lawrence Bernard (Chairman), Marc Thomas (Vice-Chairman), Mac Baldwin (State Board Member), Carmen Graves, Henry Badgett, Ervin Farmer, Ronnie Lunsford, Angela Lipscomb, Lisa Lipscomb, Harrell Mabe, Hester Vernon, Melondy Yancey, Estella Jefferies, Cecil Page, Iris Tate, Deborah Johnson, Fred Pittard, Ron Wiley, George Ward Jr.
Committees (4-H Advisory Committee, Ag. Committee, ECA County Council, Livestock Cattlemen's Board of Directors Committee, FCS Advisory Committee)
Staff Membership
Joey E. Knight, III
County Extension Director
Administration, Livestock, Forage Crops, Community and Rural Development, Consumer Horticulture, Water Quality and Waste Management
Rickey Williams
Agricultural Extension Agent
Forestry, Field Crops, Pesticide Coordinator, Farm Business Management,
Tobacco, Horticulture
Sonya Patterson
Assistant Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences
Betty Gentry
Program Assistant--EFNEP
Expanded Food and Nutrition Educational Program
Brandi L. Boaz
Assistant Extension Agent
4-H & Youth Development
Patsy Mancha
County Extension Administrative Secretary
Tonya Wingate
County Extension Secretary II
Contact Information
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Caswell County Center 126 Court Square P.O. Box 220 Yanceyville, NC 27379-0220
Phone #: 336-694-4158 Fax #: 336-694-5930