North Carolina

The 2023 Extension Early Career Conference, "Meet your Specialists", was held October 3, 2023. It was an event hosting county-based NC Cooperative Extension staff (agents and PAs). The session was designed for county staff to meet specialists, campus-based program staff, and area specialized agents. Betty Rodriguez attended the event and shared pertinent information about the NC AgrAbility program, reaching out to 13 attendees through individual sessions.

On October 13, 2023, Betty Rodriguez participated at the Farmer Veteran Coalition of North Carolina Western Educational Conference sponsored by the Frontline to Farm program and hosted at the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Boone, NC. Betty assisted with planning of the conference and as an exhibitor, having the chance to share information and resources with the 23 participants.

The Grassroots Leadership Conference, Charlotte, NC, October 17, 2023, was a conference that brings together diverse stakeholders from across North Carolina to learn about new community development initiatives and identify strategies to improve the quality of life in communities, particularly among underserved and limited-resource populations. This event aims to give participants the inspiration and knowledge to work with neighbors and other community leaders to foster hope, action, and positive change. Betty and Dr. Ibrahim manned a NC A&T Cooperative Extension and NC AgrAbility booth and had the opportunity to network and share information with the 260-plus attendees.

On October 25, 2023, NC Cooperative Extension at NCA&T and NCSU hosted the Center for Environmental Farming Systems Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility at Cherry Research Farm tour, where researchers presented their current work and projects. It is a 2,200-acre research farm, the largest organic farm in North Carolina. Betty presented herself and the NC AgrAbility program to the 25 participants.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition of North Carolina Eastern Educational Conference was hosted at the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension office in Fayetteville, NC, on October 27, 2023. Betty Rodriguez chaired the planning committee for the event. NC AgrAbility participated as exhibitor and speaker. Dr. Cook Marshall shared information about the program with 39 attendees.

Submitted by Beatriz (Betty) Rodriguez