Serving Calhoun, DeKalb & Etowah and surrounding counties

Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University

As America’s landscape slowly evolved from rural farmlands to bustling cities, the national Cooperative Extension system also expanded its outreach to develop programs and resources for urban and suburban audiences. These activities fall under the term Urban Extension, which is the primary focus for our unit. Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University:

• Provides impactful, relevant educational resources
• Advances urban and suburban communities, and
• Enhances the quality of life for residents.

Urban Center County Impacts

Based on the grassroots needs assessment for the Anniston/Gadsden metropolitan statistical area, Alabama Extension provides educational resources that meet many state and county goals, such as STEM, child literacy, workforce development, and health.

Program Delivery

We delivered 45 training sessions and 20 special events in health and nutrition, child literacy, water conservation, and successful aging.

• Counties in Center – 3+
• Urban Extension Direct Contacts – 3,784
• Urban Extension Persons Served – 658
• Volunteer Service Hours – 3,744
• Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) – 3

2019-20 Anniston/Gadsden Urban Center Impacts

Our educational initiatives help to meet many state and county goals such as STEM, child literacy, workforce development, and health. Our team made a shift to expand online learning to young and old alike. As the needs of our audiences, available funds, and the way in which people learn continue to evolve, you can count on Alabama Extension to be there – making a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve.

• 122 Children improved reading skills
• 287 People learned healthy living skills
• 119 Older adults completed an advance directive
• 50 Rain barrels installed to conserve water
• 119 Parents learned skills to teach reading

Urban Extension COVID-19 Specific Response

COVID-19 changed the way we disseminated information to our audiences. We quickly adapted by providing online learning opportunities and other resources on digital platforms such as Zoom, social media and our website (www.aces.edu).

• 48,473* views – Increased reach by expanding to online classes, learning videos, and virtual support.
• 16,122 participants – Developed live webinars to continue teaching Extension “in-person” class series.
• 70 digital products – Created digital products to manage home life during the pandemic.**

* Numbers provided only represent public sessions/web pages. They do not include private sessions held with partners, youth groups, and closed sessions that required registration. **Digital products like webinars, articles, activities, and videos addressed pandemic-specific consumer needs.

We are Here

State Office – Alabama A&M University
Dr. Allen Malone, 1890 Extension Administrator
4900 Meridian St
Normal, AL 35762
(256) 372-4939

Calhoun County Extension Office
County Administration Building,
1702 Noble Street, Suite 108
Anniston, AL 36201
(256) 237-1621

Visit www.aces.edu/directory for Statewide office locations. For more impacts: www.aces.edu/go/stateimpacts

Download a PDF of 2019-20 Impacts: Urban Center – Anniston/Gadsden.