Alabama Extension at Auburn University

By the Numbers

• 596 Total full-time employees
• 18 Program teams
• 6,048 Educational events
• 631,088 Attended Extension programs
• 52,002 Impacted by SNAP-Ed and EFNEP
• 118,778 Alabama 4-H members
• 22,704 Pounds of produce donated through Grow More, Give More
• 142 News stories published
• 3.5 million Alabamians reached through Discover campaign
• $75.1 million Annual budget
• $45.2 million State appropriations: Auburn
• $12.1 million Federal and county appropriations
• $10.5 million Extension grant revenue

Administration

• J. Mike Phillips, Extension Director
• Eve Brantley, Associate Director
• Dana Boone, Director, Financial Services
• Mike Clardy, Director, Communications, Strategic Marketing, and Client Relations
• Jonathan Davis, Director, Information Technology
• Chris McClendon, Director, Human Resources and Strategic Partner Initiatives

Mission

Transforming Lives Through Science-Based Information, Practical Solutions, and Meaningful Experiences

Vision

Serving Communities to Grow a Better Alabama and a Better World

From the Director

In its recently unveiled strategic plan, Grounded & Groundbreaking, Auburn University announced its aspiration of becoming a national model for university engagement and a leading institution for delivering active and impactful research, instruction, extension, and outreach programs. Alabama Extension’s presence in every Alabama county, our deep bench of subject matter experts, and strong roots in local communities uniquely position us to lead the charge. Our commitment is anchored in delivering practical, research-based solutions that translate into real-world benefits for Alabamians.

Our annual report highlights the breadth of Alabama Extension’s work—from advancing agricultural innovation to enhancing health and wellness, supporting economic development, and preparing the next generation through our 4-H youth programs. Employing next-generation Extension and outreach approaches, our dedicated professionals in every county deliver forward-looking programs that educate, inform, and engage residents across Alabama and beyond, advancing lifelong learning and strengthening communities.

We recognize that our success is built on strong partnerships. Auburn University’s synergistic collaborations allow us to complement and contribute to industries, research institutions, universities, governmental and nongovernmental entities, and countless local stakeholders. These partnerships drive meaningful change and ensure that Alabama remains resilient, adaptable, and forward-looking.

As we move into the future, we remain committed to providing trusted, science-based solutions and expanding the reach of Auburn University’s expertise to create lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for Alabama— through education, innovation, and collaboration.

J. Mike Phillips

Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University

By the Numbers

• 8 Program teams
• 70 Full-time employees
• 91 People lost 1,991 pounds in the CHAMPION program
• 1,683 People learned business strategies through the Small Business Café
• 2,634 Pounds of unwanted medication collected at drug take-back drives
• 2,894 Older adults learned how to avoid financial scams
• 42,324 Pounds (21 tons) of e-waste collected and recycled
• 59,724 People learned home gardening & lawn care practices
• 474,300 Contacts made through programming activities
• 111,060 Pounds of fresh produce donated through The People’s Patch
• 6.2 million Contacts made through the website & broadcast media
• $4.1 million State appropriations: AAMU
• $3.3 million Federal appropriations
• $8.3 million Extension grant revenue

Administration

• Majed El-Dweik, Interim 1890 Administrator & VP of Research & Economic Development
• Jennifer Wells Marshall, Associate Director
• Tamara Warren, Assistant Director, Nutrition, Diet, and Health and Federal Nutrition Programs
• Amelia Mitchell, Assistant Director, Field Operations

From the 1890 Administrator

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, through Alabama A&M University (AAMU) and Auburn University (AU), continues to make meaningful experiences in the lives of Alabama residents. At AAMU, Alabama Extension delivers research-based best practices to small farmers, new business owners, 4-H youths, older adults, families, and other entities navigating an ever-changing state, nation, and world.

Our programs address many of Alabama’s most pressing issues, including financial literacy, workforce development, student career readiness in the STEM era, food insecurity, obesity, and other health and environmental concerns.

Among our highlights from the past year:

• The People’s Patch, an urban farm on AAMU property, has helped fight food insecurity by providing free, fresh produce to Madison County residents. Alabama Extension offers marketing and promotion, pest management, crop selection, harvesting, and other services. Plans are now underway to expand outreach opportunities.
• We launched AAMU’s North Alabama Ag Expo, a new event showcasing agriculture in 13 counties across northern Alabama. In its inaugural year, the Ag Expo reached an estimated 800 attendees, and we are just getting started.

Want to learn more? Visit us online or connect with us on social media:

• Alabama Extension at AAMU: www.aces.edu/urban
• AlabamaExtensionAAMU on Facebook
• Subscribe to our newsletter, Urban Extension News: www.aces.edu/go/UENews
• PeoplesPatchFarm on Facebook
• North Alabama Ag Expo: www.aamu.edu/agexpo

Or come see us in person at the James I. Dawson Building on the Alabama A&M campus! We are ready to partner to improve lives and communities in Alabama.

Majed El-Dweik

Interim 1890 Administrator

   

Extension Regions

Alabama Extension is comprised of seven geographic regions: Northwest, Northeast, Central, West Central, East Central, Southwest, and Southeast. An assistant director for field operations manages each region, providing leadership for all 67 county Extension directors and scores of agents and administrative assistants.

Alabama Extension Catalytic Engagement Across Alabama

As Auburn University advances its Grounded & Groundbreaking strategic plan, Alabama Extension is taking a leading role in delivering on one of its most transformative priorities: catalytic engagement. With a presence in every Alabama county and deep roots in local communities, Alabama Extension is uniquely positioned to turn Auburn’s knowledge into real-world action—sparking innovation, empowering people, and building partnerships that shape the future of our state.

Catalytic engagement at the community and state levels is a step beyond outreach and education—it is about active, reciprocal partnerships that deliver measurable impact. Alabama Extension embodies this through its boots-on-the-ground approach, connecting university research and resources directly to the people who need them most. Whether it is supporting farmers with climate-smart production practices, helping families navigate financial challenges, or guiding small businesses through digital transitions, Extension meets Alabamians where they are and helps move them forward.

This engagement is catalytic because it creates momentum—unlocking opportunities for others to succeed. A new farmer gains confidence to grow their business. A rural town revitalizes its economy through entrepreneurship programs. A school garden sparks student interest in science and nutrition. These outcomes do not happen in isolation. They happen because Extension is embedded in the community, working side by side with local leaders, elected officials, and residents.

As Auburn’s most visible and accessible public-facing unit, Alabama Extension amplifies the university’s commitment to service and elevates the role of land grant engagement. Through its partnership with Alabama A&M University and thousands of state and local stakeholders, Extension fosters collaboration across disciplines, geographies, and institutions— demonstrating that catalytic engagement is not a single initiative, but a mindset and a mission.

Auburn’s Grounded & Groundbreaking plan calls for bold, community-centered action. Alabama Extension answers that call every day—leading disaster recovery in flood-stricken counties, improving food systems through research-based education, and preparing the next generation of leaders through youth development. It is not just about responding to needs, it is about anticipating them, designing solutions together, and building long-term capacity for change.

By leading the charge on catalytic engagement, Alabama Extension is not only advancing Auburn University’s vision—it is also redefining what is possible when academic excellence meets on-the-ground impact.

Extending Knowledge, Improving Lives

Alabama Extension takes the university to the people. As educators, we are partners in every county, bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people, and communities. Our research extends knowledge and improves lives.

Identifying Issues

Alabama Extension starts by engaging directly with communities to understand their most pressing concerns. Through county offices, surveys, and partnerships with local leaders, Extension identifies key issues impacting Alabamians—ranging from agricultural challenges to health and economic concerns. This community-driven approach ensures that Extension focuses on the most relevant and timely needs across the state.

Researching Solutions

Once issues are identified, Alabama Extension collaborates with Auburn University researchers and other experts to explore possible solutions. By conducting research and field trials, Extension develops science-based strategies tailored to Alabama’s unique challenges. These solutions are tested and refined to ensure that they are practical and effective for the state’s diverse regions.

Delivering Results

After developing solutions, Alabama Extension brings the findings directly to the people. Extension agents provide practical advice to farmers, families, and community leaders through local workshops, demonstrations, and online resources. By translating research into actionable guidance, they empower Alabamians to tackle local challenges and enhance their quality of life.

Auburn University Program Impacts

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources
• Human Sciences
• 4-H Youth Development
• Federal Nutrition Programs

Alabama A&M University Program Impacts

120 goat producers attended the Alabama Goat & Sheep Summit at AAMU’s Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Hazel Green, Alabama. As a result of this training, goat and sheep producers can enhance herd resilience, optimize production efficiency, and contribute to the economic growth of small ruminant production in Alabama.

800 people attended the first North Alabama Ag Expo. This event allows participants to increase their knowledge of current agricultural practices and available resources for small farmers, learn more about ag-related careers and research, and build partnerships that strengthen agricultural operations in urban and rural communities in North Alabama.

3,986 students engaged in STEM activities. As a result, 78% of students demonstrated stronger analytical skills, and 66% were proficient in using digital tools, coding, and robotics, which are essential skills in today’s workforce.

400 people, including AAMU faculty, students, and staff, engaged in Quad activities during Alabama Extension Week. This event promoted the products and services Alabama Extension offers across the state.

Rural Health Initiative

After a Chambers County installation in 2023, Alabama Extension, in partnership with Auburn University, has expanded its Rural Health Initiative by installing OnMed CareStations in Wilcox and Greene Counties, providing residents with real-time virtual visits with licensed health care professionals. These stations address critical health care access challenges in rural Alabama, where hospitals and doctors are often far away, particularly benefiting seniors and school communities. Partnering with the University of West Alabama and local leaders, the initiative also creates opportunities for university faculty and students to support community health needs. The project is part of a broader effort to improve health care infrastructure in underserved areas, with OnMed CareStations becoming a key tool in bridging the health care gap.

Rural Bus Ads

As part of the Discover Alabama Extension visibility and awareness campaign, public transportation buses in select counties featured ads highlighting ways Extension is making an impact. These counties receive little to no funding from their county commissions. One goal was to demonstrate to county commissioners how Extension is a trusted source of expertise, providing research-based, practical solutions that address the unique needs and challenges those in their counties face. Another goal was to increase awareness of Extension services and strengthen the connection between residents and their county’s Extension office by increasing foot and phone traffic. Each ad featured a county-specific person and the story of how they improved lives in that area.

The rural buses ran throughout Sumter (11,565 population), Greene (7,230), Dallas (35,601), Hale (15,177), Perry (7,572), Lowndes (9,651), Fayette (15,852), and Lamar (13,616) Counties. All but two of these counties are located in the Black Belt region, which is primarily agricultural with low-density settlement, high unemployment, poor access to education and medical care, substandard housing, and high crime rates. Many residents in the target areas rely on public transportation, making these bus ads the perfect way to promote local Extension employees and the work they do. The ads ran from August 1 through October 31, 2024. The buses travel daily through neighborhoods, on state highways, and the interstate, putting them in highly visible areas to promote the planned messages. Each ad prominently featured the employee’s phone number and a dedicated URL, making it easy for community members to take action and reach out.

7 buses, 7 messages, 8 counties, and 23.4 million impressions

By making Extension employees more visible and approachable, this effort bridged the gap between Extension resources and the people who need them. The county Extension directors reported increases in the number of calls and visits their offices received from residents wanting help. Many residents mentioned they specifically called because they saw the bus ad. Katrina Easley, the Extension director for Perry County, helped several people create a winning business plan after they saw the ad that featured her. People in Marengo County called Tamika Dial, the county Extension director, wanting to know what they could do to help support her fight against food insecurity. She reported that there was an increase in the number of donations to the local food bank as a result of the bus ad. Another exciting result included one of the commissioners in a target county seeing the bus ad. The county commission now provides local funding to the Extension office.

Discover Alabama Extension Campaign Impact

The Discover Alabama Extension campaign addresses the critical identity challenge faced by Extension systems nationwide: members of the general public often struggle to recognize or recall what Extension does beyond its traditional audiences. The first phase of the campaign started in October 2023. The second phase started in October 2024. The full campaign aligned with Alabama Extension’s strategic plan by focusing on enhancing awareness, visibility, and brand identity across the state.

These goals were supported by key messages that emphasized Alabama Extension as a trusted source of research-based information, a leader in youth development through programs like 4-H, and a reliable partner for government agencies, communities, and industries.

A key objective was engaging county Extension offices to amplify the campaign’s reach. Every county office participated in some capacity, contributing to more than 2 million impressions or exposures at the local level. This strong participation highlighted the unified effort of the entire Alabama Extension system to promote the organization’s mission and impact. By surpassing awareness targets and engaging stakeholders across the state, the campaign laid a solid foundation for future campaigns, ensuring even greater audience engagement and advocacy in the year ahead.

• Digital display ads: 4,967,255 impressions
• Basketball sponsorship: 9,000+ impressions
• Paris Olympics TV and digital sponsorship with WSFA: 851,000 impressions
• Social media blitz: 580,000 impressions
• Rural bus ads: 23 million impressions
• Discover Campaign web page: 50,000+ unique visitors

Graham Farm

On May 17, 2024, Graham Farm and Nature Center celebrated the dedication of its newly built pavilion, a beautifully crafted space designed to serve as a gathering point for the community to connect with nature and each other. Nestled within the pristine Paint Rock Valley of Jackson County, this 491-acre jewel is operated as an educational outreach site by Alabama Extension, offering a fantastic opportunity for outdoor recreation, relaxation, and discovery. Donated by Robert and Nita Head, the center provides educational and research opportunities as well as amenities such as pampered camping wagons, meeting spaces, and a commercial kitchen. From birding and hiking to kayaking and glamping, Graham Farm has something for everyone to enjoy while promoting conservation, education, and research. The new pavilion enhances the center’s educational efforts and provides a shelter from the weather, making it a one-stop destination for nature enthusiasts in Alabama.

Alabama 4-H Center

With overnight accommodations for 285 people and exquisite event spaces along beautiful Lay Lake in Columbiana, the Alabama 4-H Center is a premier location for groups of all sizes. The center offers team-building courses, outdoor activities, and a great backdrop for hosting 4-H camps and school field trips.

• Youth attendees: 13,835
• Total attendees: 19,415
• Meals served: 75,814
• Programming hours: 5,500

Growing Extension

Architecture, Design, and Construction

Alabama Extension and Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design, and Construction (CADC) have formed a pivotal partnership aimed at enhancing community development and promoting sustainable design. This collaboration is poised to significantly strengthen Extension’s impact, especially in rural areas, by leveraging the combined expertise of Alabama Extension and CADC’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture. The partnership focuses on innovative approaches to affordable housing through the Rural Studio and Front Porch Initiative, which aim to address housing challenges creatively and sustainably. By integrating Extension’s widespread network and CADC’s housing expertise, this initiative promises to deliver lasting solutions that improve the quality of life and overall community well-being across Alabama. Both organizations share a commitment to sustainability, with CADC emphasizing eco-friendly building practices and local materials, while Extension promotes long-term environmental health and economic viability through sustainable agricultural practices and natural resource management. This partnership exemplifies the power of collaborative efforts to translate academic research into practical solutions, expanding mutual programming opportunities and enhancing life in rural communities across the state.

 

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New May 2025, Alabama Cooperative Extension System 2024 Annual Report, ACES-2838