The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Forsyth County is hosting a listening session at the Forsyth County Extension Center, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, on Dec. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cooperative Extension, which provides educational programs in 4-H, agriculture, family and consumer sciences and community development to citizens in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, is seeking public input as the organization launches a strategic planning initiative for the future.
Dr. Joe Zublena, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service director, will attend each session to update participants on progress and to engage in discussion about the organization’s future. Cooperative Extension in North Carolina has seen recurring federal and state budget cuts of around $20 million since 2000, leaving roughly 90 positions unfilled — mostly at the county level — over the past four years.
The listening sessions and strategic planning process were implemented to help the organization adapt accordingly to the economic environment and resulting impacts going forward. Participant feedback gathered during the listening sessions will be reviewed and analyzed starting in January and will assist in the development of a recommended action plan to meet the needs of Cooperative Extension and its partners for the future. Those who have an interest in participating should call Cooperative Extension at 704-216-8970 for more details.