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Home My WebLink About8-12-2025 NHC Extension Advisory Council Minutes.docx N.C. Cooperative Extension New Hanover County Center & Arboretum newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington NC 28403 910-798-7660 New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council August 12, 2025 Location: 6206 Oleander Dr, Education Center Welcome & Introductions Attendees: Emilea Norris, Dave Spencer, Duane Truscott, Roben Jarrett, Jay Denmark, Matt Collogan, Amber Ellis, Jessica Gray, Amy Mead, Dietrich Blum, Pat Richie, Jeannie Lennon, DJ Watt, LaKeasha Glaspie, Megan Sweeney, Gaberilla DeSouza All members share introductions with the new NHC CE Director, Amy Mead. Amy leads a presentation on Cooperative Extension that includes history/background, core programs, and vision for NHC CE. Goals include raising the CE profile, becoming a trusted community resource, increasing funding sources to offset county budget cuts and increase non-profit support. Discussed how NHC CEAC can help support CE by identifying community needs, funding, program participation and communicating who we are in the community. SAC Update - Dave Spencer CEAC advocates as a primary function, it is important to have a strong elevator speech when meeting with members of the community and local government. Dave shared the 2025 Mid-year Report with local representatives and received responses. Currently, due to the pause in funding there has been a pause in 4H programming. Family & Consumer Sciences Update - Morgan King There have been collaborations with NHC Environmental Health and increase in pressure canning interest in the community. Morgan presented at the NHC Food Summit on Food Landscape. FCS has held quarterly food lessons at the three senior centers; planning ‘Everyday Essentials’ class for this fall; getting a new training on food business loss; working with Easter Seals UCP and their blender bike, taking the bike to Surfers Healing event to promote physical activity and nutrition. NH High School culinary teacher is using produce from the school garden and planning to tour the Arboretum with students. Consumer Horticulture Update - Gaberilla DeSouza The plant clinic had 3500 contacts and the remote clinics had 1800 contacts. There has been lots of soil testing, classes on soil health, and almost 2000 samples for the year submitted. The courier bill increased almost double. Funds for the courier bill come from the operational budget. Several landscapers and homeowners bring soil samples to NHC CE, which supports local economy. There are several events planned for the year. Tri-County Natural Resource Update - Matt Collogan There have been many collaborations with waterways program. The Native Plant Festival is Sept 20th, Saturday at nurseries. Other planned events include the Native Yard Tour, tickets are on sale through NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. N.C. Cooperative Extension New Hanover County Center & Arboretum newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington NC 28403 910-798-7660 EventBright. An upcoming event to relocate venus flytraps in Boiling Springs is scheduled for Sat 8/16/25, 10a-12p. The Brunswick County Agricultural Fair is coming this fall. Currently, planning a class on the background of poultry due to community interest. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.