Hometown Heroes

Extension In Your Neighborhood

Partnering with federal, state and local governments, as well as N.C. A&T State University, we operate as part of an educational network called N.C.

Local Extension centers staff 758 professionals, while 549 employees work at campus and other facilities supporting our mission.

We celebrate our "Hometown Heroes" – Extension experts from five districts statewide – who change lives and create brighter futures in their communities.

NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Austin Brown

As County Extension Director, Austin Brown has been instrumental in working with local leaders to build a new Extension center for Camden County. As field crops agent, he helps county farmers thrive. He provides in-depth crop data, including monitoring harmful pests. He works closely with the Northeast Ag Expo team to conduct field trials for corn, soybean and wheat varieties.

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Gaebryl Vives

Gaebryl Vives worked with Extension while a student at Durham Tech, and became a Family and Consumer Sciences program assistant after graduating. While working on his bachelor’s degree at NC State, Vives manages volunteers for Durham Tech’s Harvest Pantry, which grew 2,229 pounds of produce for food insecure community members in 2023.

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

Ashley Brooks

Ashley Brooks went to poultry judging nationals as a 4-H’er in Halifax County, but “didn’t win anything,” she said. As a 4-H agent in Craven County, she looked on proudly as her team won the 2023 national championship. “I know the value of this program personally and it’s so enriching to see my 4-H’ers go beyond what I did,” she said. “They give back to their community.”

SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Crystal Starkes

Crystal Starkes is known for innovating in her nine years as a 4-H agent. In 2023, she collaborated with two AgTech elementary schools in Union County to teach "Agriculture + Technology: Connecting Coding to RealLife Agricultural Problems" to K-5 students. The lessons explored how farmers and scientists use autonomous tractors for crop harvesting and soil quality assessments.

WEST DISTRICT

Jim Hamilton

Jim Hamilton has a way with words. The Extension director in Watauga County is a novelist and often writes about Extension’s work for local and regional publications. His Christmas tree story won an award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2023. He also helped write grants securing $4.6 million for a USDA-inspected facility for Watauga meat producers.