Extension and Community Involvment

Extension is not just agriculture.  With an office in every county, Extension is part of the county framework.  Residents depend on Extension for good information, youth development, and community development.  We are here to make our communities better.  

For the past several years, Henderson County has been fortunate to have several projects that will change our footprint.  A new $18mil sports park funded by the City and County is complete.  This project was a direct result of a community visioning process that took place with the help of Extension in 2019. Throughout the process, Extension expertise was called upon to help with community input, project budgeting, best grass selections for the playing surfaces, and long term maintenance plans/budgeting.  The sports fields are expected to bring 20k visitors to Henderson in the first year.

Henderson is also home to John James Audubon State Park.  The same visioning process that led to the sports park, also identified the need for an event center capable of hosting 300+ people.  As a member of the Friends of Audubon board, I was tasked with leading the process to get the center funded via state funds, county funds, and city funds.  Over the past two years, we met with local and state legislators, formally and informally, to explain the need resulting in over $5 million in local funds and over $10 million state funds line itemed in the budget.

In 2014, a group of local business women collaborated to create the Women’s Honor Court; a small pocket park in downtown Henderson.  The purpose was to honor local leaders and their accomplishments.  Although well designed, a long term maintenance plan was needed.  Henderson County Judge Executive called on Extension to help.  With the help of the Henderson Master Gardener’s, we developed a maintenance plan and in partnership with the County, oversee the park’s upkeep. 

The projects are just some examples of how Extension can be involved in their local community with more than just agriculture.  Good relationships with community leaders and the ambition to get involved will help a community grow.  Henderson County Extension has done just that.