Extension Agent, Ag-Livestock & Forages (Assistant, Associate, or Full)

Position: Extension Agent, Ag-Livestock & Forages (Assistant, Associate, or Full) | Buncombe County, Asheville, NC | Full-Time Permanent, 12-Month Recurring, FTE 1.0 | Posting PG190911CE

About the role

NC Cooperative Extension in Buncombe County seeks an Extension Agent to lead livestock and forages programming. The agent serves as a member of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE) staff, delivering research-based education from NC State University and NC A&T State University to county residents. Buncombe County encompasses roughly 422,368 acres with 1,074 farms (53% small operations, average 73 acres) and a population near 278,000. Agricultural enterprises range from traditional beef and dairy operations to small ruminants, mixed vegetable farms, greenhouses, and urban agriculture within Asheville.

The agent provides leadership for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in consumer and commercial livestock production, pasture management, animal nutrition, animal waste management systems, and 4-H/youth livestock programs. The role requires engaging diverse audiences, conducting farm visits, building community partnerships, and generating resources to increase program capacity. The position may be hired at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Agent level depending on qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, market, and evaluate educational programs for measurable impacts in livestock and forages
• Develop curriculum and learning outcomes; maintain organized Livestock/Forage/Agriculture programs aligned with NCCE mission
• Work with producers, agri-business, community leaders, Extension Leadership Councils, and specialists to identify and prioritize issues
• Actively seek outside resources to enhance livestock and forages programming
• Conduct farm and business visits to stay current on local needs in agricultural production, marketing, and environmental protection
• Foster communication among agricultural producers, marketers, processors, and consumers
• Deliver research-based information via diverse teaching methods: meetings/workshops, short courses, field days, tours, on-farm research, demonstrations
• Market agriculture programs and services using various media
• Assess and evaluate agriculture programs regularly to determine educational needs and impact
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for agriculture program implementation
• Collaborate with other Extension programs, staff, agencies, and community organizations
• Serve as educational advisor for local livestock and forage related community groups
• Ensure programs comply with NCCE, NC State, NC A&T, state, county, and federal laws, policies, and guidelines
• Report program successes, impacts, and evaluation data through required county, state, and federal reporting systems
• Attend required trainings from NCSU, NC A&T, and Buncombe County government
• Engage the agricultural community: livestock producers, crop-livestock mixed farms, potential new farmers, and homesteaders
• Address key programmatic needs: beef/cattle herd health and management, small flock/backyard poultry, pasture/forage improvement, nutrient and waste management, outreach to beginning farmers and youth
• Support and grow