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Memorandum of Agreement with Union County and North Carolina State University - Cooperative Extension
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Baucom, Union County Cooperative Extension, Director, 704-283-3738
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to 1) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, 2) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and 3) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager’s discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
North Carolina Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension) provides the opportunity for North Carolina State Extension and North Carolina A & T Extension to work together to better serve the people of the State through the delivery of locally relevant programs, education and expertise. The primary purpose of Cooperative Extension is to provide the people of North Carolina with the most current and relevant unbiased research-based information - particularly that which is related to strengthening the economy through profitable, sustainable and safe food, forest and green industry systems; protecting the environment and natural resources; and empowering youth and families to lead healthier lives and become community leaders. These purposes are furthered by Cooperative Extension employees who are charged with carrying out the extension education programs of the universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Cooperative Extension has sufficient flexibility to permit attention to the special problems, needs, and interests of the citizens and leadership in each county. Therefore, the programmatic, personnel, and funding complement reflects the unique needs of each county. County Advisory Councils are consulted regularly to assist in prioritizing the county educational program content. Program clientele or recipients of services include individuals, families, communities, municipalities, agricultural and seafood processing and marketing firms, other businesses and certain organizations. These services are delivered to adults and youth in both urban and rural settings.
To assure that educational programs offered by Cooperative Extension meet the needs of the local clientele, it is important that both elected and appointed decision-makers at each level of government understand their respective responsibilities and relationships in conducting and funding this work. To this end, this Memorandum of Agreement will detail the individual relationships and mutually agreed-upon responsibilities of NCSU and each county or tribal community that signs this Memorandum of Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.