Serving Limestone and Madison 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 Huntsville area delivered 335 hybrid training sessions and 26 special events. Program participants learned best practices in Alabama 4-H youth development, community resource development, environmental stewardship, family and child development, health, money management, and urban agriculture. In addition, 1,705 pounds of drugs were collected from prescription drug boxes and drug take-back drives.

• 4 Full-Time Equivalents
• 2+ Counties Served
• 16,098 Urban Extension Direct Contacts
• 116,971 Urban Extension Indirect Contacts

Huntsville Urban Center Program Impacts

Urban Extension activities resulted in the following impacts:

• 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.
• 3,028 youth attended STEM Day and 862 youth ages 5 to 18 visited the Mobile STEM Lab. These students used the engineering design process to solve technical and scientific problems.
• 5,898 (80 percent) of 7373 participants increased their knowledge of urban gardening and lawn-care practices, such as water conservation, composting, and pest control.
• 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.
• 200 participants at the Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit learned best management practices regarding goat and sheep reproduction, biosecurity measures, and how to increase agribusiness revenue.
• 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.

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.

Madison County Extension Office 

Charles Stone Agricultural Center

819 Cook Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone: (256) 532-1578

Sinead Lounmala, 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.