About

Our Mission: Community and Rural Development (CRD) at NC State Extension utilizes, connects, and enhances research and educational efforts within Extension Programs to strengthen communities and foster economic prosperity.

Current Capacity Staffing and Programming:  Five full-time staff, led by Dr. Susan Jakes, Associate State Program Leader in partnership with County Directors and District Directors across the state.  CRD provides services statewide in the following areas:
  1. Community and Economic Development
  2. Latino Programming
  3. Local Food System Development
  4. Leadership and Engagement
  5. NC AgVentures Farmer Grant Program
  6. Urban Programs

CRD Vision: CRD aims to improve community vitality and economic prosperity by harnessing the resources and expertise within NC State Extension. This vision is accomplished through engaged leadership, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions.

Cultivate NC


Cultivate NC supports community systems improvements through planning assistance, technical support for development projects, agent training, interdepartmental and interstate collaboration, and program evaluation.

Latino Programs


Latino Programs provide leadership for Extension’s initiatives to build organizational capacity to engage effectively with audiences from various backgrounds. This program partners with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and/or University colleagues to contribute, co-submit and/or co-PI awarded grant and gift funds to support this programming.

NC AgVentures Grant Program for Farmers


NC AgVentures is an Extension grant program sponsored by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC). The overall goal is to strengthen the rural economy, particularly in places negatively impacted by the downturn in the tobacco industry. The program offers two grant options; an individual farm grant or a community grant. Both grant options are available in the following counties:  Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth,, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnson, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Northhampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes, Warren, Yadkin

Local Food Programs


The Local Food Program at NC State Extension provides training and support for County Local Food Coordinators and other Extension Agents engaged in local food work. The Program Manager makes resources available on its portal, provides training on local food systems and resources created by the Local Food Program Team, and creates opportunities for cross county and cross program communication.

Urban Programs


Urban Programs is a developing area of CRD work. Through urban extension efforts, we are working to fulfill NC State Extension’s vision to be a dynamic and relevant organization, responding to changes in the social, demographic, and economic environments of our state. Highlighted programs include work on getting the vote out for Durham County youth, nutrition and cooking education in Mecklenburg and New Hanover Counties, local water resource protection in Guilford County, community garden development in Forsyth County, and Summer Food Services for youth in Wake County.2018 Impact Sheets for each of these programs are found below.