Extension Agent, Ag - Small Farms and Local Foods (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent

Extension Agent, Ag
- Small Farms and Local Foods (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent) Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG190883CE

Position Number

Position Number NC-

Position Type

Position Type NC Cooperative Extension

Department Information

Job City & State

Department

Department Durham County Extension

System Information

Working Title

Working Title Extension Agent, Ag
- Small Farms and Local Foods (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent)

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time
- Permanent

FTE

FTE 1.0

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

Are you looking for a rewarding career that will let you give back to your community? NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state. We are the model of excellence in non-formal, research-based education that advances agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, youth and communities, while creating prosperity for all North Carolinians.

Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without being tied to a classroom and school bell. Check out this video on what it"s like to work for NC State Extension.

While our employees are located in NC County offices, they reap the benefits of employment at NC State University. Some of our benefits include:

• Paid time off
• Paid tuition
• Retirement Savings
• Supplemental Benefits Programs
• Wolf Perks!

The agent in this position will have educational responsibilities in all aspects of agriculture, with a focus on small farms and local foods. The successful candidate must be able to conduct educational programs that focus on the profitability and sustainability of North Carolina agriculture, utilizing research-based best practices, including the adoption of proven technologies, business, and financial practices. This position will operate in both urban and traditional agricultural environments and will serve small to medium-sized farms.

The agent will be able to work with farmers focused on crops ranging from niche market gardens to conventional livestock and field crops.

The agent will support the work of the Durham County Farm Campus, working closely with the Extension Agriculture Team and Farm Manager to further develop the campus and provide impactful agricultural programming. Located in northern Durham County, the Farm Campus is a 129-acre property that includes large tracts of farm fields, four ponds, and a forest, and is being developed for a farming education space as well as for outdoor recreation opportunities.

With Durham County’s established traditional agriculture and a thriving local foods movement, this position offers an opportunity to support farmers and the local community at every point in the food system.

The position may be hired at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Agent level if the selected candidate meets the required qualifications.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension gives our residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NC State University and NC A&T State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Cooperative Extension field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina citizens.

Durham County is located in central North Carolina and in 2025 reported a population of an estimated 347,240 residents. The county is home to Durham, the 4th largest city in North Carolina, along with Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and Durham Technical Community College. Durham County includes both urban and rural areas with a growing interest in local foods, and has 18,603 acres in farms.

The popularity of North Carolina products is encouraging to traditional agriculture as well as fueling new agricultural operations. The 2017 USDA census states there are 241 farms with an average farm size of 77 acres, while other current 2022 data indicates there are more than 300 farms. Many Durham County farms are well below 77 acres, with market gardens, small livestock, and niche and emerging crop operations flourishing.

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