At their November meeting, the Clay County Board of Commissioners was presented with the County Partnership Award by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Clay County Center, recognizing the Board’s outstanding support of and collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension. This award celebrates local governments that demonstrate exemplary commitment to Extension through resource support, program involvement, and county-led initiatives that advance shared community goals.
Clay County Government and N.C. Cooperative Extension, Clay County Center have built a model partnership rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a shared dedication to improving the quality of life for county residents. The county provides critical financial support that helps Extension attract and retain highly qualified staff, as well as in-kind resources such as public meeting spaces used for 4-H, nutrition education, agriculture and horticulture programs, and the Master Gardener's Downtown Discovery Garden.
A major highlight of their partnership is the co-development of a new permanent farmers market venue featuring a commercial kitchen. Extension played a key role in shaping both the design and programming for this facility through active participation on the planning committee. Once complete, the venue will expand opportunities for food and nutrition education, agritourism, and small business development.
Extension is also deeply engaged in planning discussions for a proposed multi-use agriculture and livestock arena that will serve youth, educational, and community events. Beyond program support, Extension contributes expertise in county strategic planning, grant development, and emergency preparedness—further reinforcing the value of this strong, cooperative relationship.
By investing resources, including Extension in decision-making processes, actively supporting programming, and partnering on county initiatives, the Clay County Commissioners exemplify the four core criteria of the County Partnership Award. Their leadership has helped strengthen Extension’s reach and impact, making Clay County a standout example of what can be achieved through dedicated, collaborative local governance.
