Serving Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale Counties

Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University (AAMU), like many organizations, began resuming in-person activities for 2022. Today, we provide learning opportunities to urban and suburban audiences in person and through virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Facebook Live, and Nearpod. Visit www.aces.edu/go/Programs to explore and register for upcoming Urban Extension programs and services.

Making a Difference

In 2022, county Extension staff in the Florence area delivered 178 hybrid training sessions and nine special events. In addition, 17 pounds of drugs were collected from a prescription drop box and a drug take-back drive. Program participants learned best practices in the areas of Alabama 4-H youth development, money management, family and child development, environmental stewardship, and health.

• 3 Full-Time Equivalents
• 3+ Counties Served
• 3,506 Urban Extension Direct Contacts
• 37,053 Urban Extension Indirect Contacts

Florence Urban Center Program Impacts

Urban Extension activities resulted in the following impacts:

• 3,028 youth from 31 school districts attended Virtual STEM Day. In addition, 862 youth ages 5 to 18 were introduced to the Mobile STEM Lab and other educational activities. As a result of these hands-on learning activities, 78 percent of these youth gained STEM skills, such as problem-solving, analyzing, reasoning, and drawing conclusions.
• 2,143 older adults learned how to prevent falls at home—a leading cause of death among older adults.
• 2,162 youth and adults learned financial literacy skills, such as creating a budget, reducing credit card debt, and the importance of saving and investing money.
• 1,161 participants logged 3,622,634 steps, or 1,715 miles, to lose or maintain weight and reduce the onset of chronic diseases.
• 278 (52 percent) among 534 youth improved their ability to choose healthy foods.
• 846 participants dropped off 1,575 pounds of medication at nine drug take-back events, removing drugs from homes and from entering public landfills and local water systems.

Alabama Extension Highlights

• In 2022, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, consisting of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, developed the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan: Extending Knowledge, Improving Lives (www.aces.edu/blog/topics/about-us/2022-2026-strategic-plan-extending-knowledge-improving-lives/). It serves as a living document to guide programmatic, organizational, and budgetary decisions for the organization.
• In addition, Alabama Extension launched a yearlong marketing campaign called Discover Alabama Extension to increase awareness and visibility of Alabama Extension programs and services offered across the state.

Urban Extension Highlights

• Alabama Extension at AAMU launched a new newsletter titled Urban Extension News that features articles, publications, timely news, a spotlight on partners, and upcoming events. Visit www.aces.edu/go/UENews to subscribe.
• Urban Extension staff secured $6.1 million in competitive and noncompetitive grant funds for 2022-2023.

State Office–Alabama A&M University

Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M University

4900 Meridian St., Huntsville, AL 35810

Phone: (256) 372-5710

Visit www.aces.edu/directory for statewide office locations.

Lauderdale County Extension Office 

802 Veterans Dr., Florence, AL 35630

Phone: (256) 766-6223

Heidi Tilenius, County Extension Coordinator

Visit www.aces.edu/go/directory for a listing of additional Alabama Extension offices and staff.

Find Us Online

• Alabama Extension Calendar: www.aces.edu/calendar
• Alabama Extension at AAMU Facebook: @AlabamaExtensionAAMU
• Instagram: @aamuextension
• X (Formerly Twitter): @AAMUExtension

More Impacts

Visit Program Success Stories at www.aces.edu/blog/category/about-us/aamu/ to find more Urban Extension impact data.