How Cooperative Extension Helped a Historian Share His Story
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In Cherokee County, North Carolina, a respected Civil War historian had a lifetime of knowledge—but no way to share it. Despite his deep understanding of local history, he faced a major barrier: digital literacy. Without access to technology or the skills to use it, his dream of preserving and sharing his research with the public seemed out of reach.
That changed thanks to the support of a few key partners—and the hands-on help of Danny Ferreira, a Digital Skills Educator with NC State Extension’s Digital Futures Program.
Through a grant administered by the Southwestern Commission, the historian received a donated laptop from the Cherokee County Department of Senior Services. But the laptop was just the beginning. Danny stepped in to provide one-on-one digital literacy training—working side-by-side with the historian over multiple sessions.
Together, they tackled the basics: how to use a laptop, how to navigate the internet, and how to use tools like Google Docs to start capturing years of research and reflection. The personalized instruction didn’t just build technical skill—it also built confidence.
“It used to be people only called Cooperative Extension with questions about farms and gardens. Now, people are asking how to send an email, how to join a Zoom call, or how to write a document. And we’re still here to help.”
Today, the historian independently uses his laptop and Google Workspace tools to draft content for future educational programming. He’s well on his way to sharing Civil War history with a broader audience—something he once thought impossible.
This is exactly what the NC Digital Futures Program is designed to do: bring trusted, local educators into communities to help individuals build the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s world. Whether it’s helping someone find a job, access telehealth, or—like in this case—preserve local history, the mission is clear: meet people where they are and equip them for the future.
About the NC Digital Futures Program
Launched by NC State Extension and supported by the NC Department of Information Technology’s Office of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, the NC Digital Futures Program places trained Digital Skills Educators in 14 counties across the state. These educators provide digital skills training to individuals and groups, often in partnership with local libraries, housing authorities, senior centers, and other trusted community institutions.
