Serving Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery 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 Montgomery area delivered 367 hybrid training sessions and 20 special events. Program participants learned best practices in the areas of Alabama 4-H youth development, community resource development, environmental stewardship, family and child development, health, money management, and urban agriculture. In addition, 10 pounds of drugs were collected from a drug take-back event.

• 3.5 Full-Time Equivalents
• 3+ Counties Served
• 12,706 Urban Extension Direct Contacts
• 12,488 Urban Extension Indirect Contacts

Montgomery 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.

Montgomery County Extension Office 

Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation, and Performing Arts Center

6281 Trotman Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116

Phone: (334) 270-4133

Jimmy Smitherman, 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.