Jonathon Smith is the new Orange County Cooperative Extension Director. Smith replaces Tyrone Fisher, who was promoted to North Central District Extension Director, which comprises 20 counties in the northern Piedmont. Smith had been serving as interim director for Orange County since June 2022.
"I have enjoyed my time in Orange County as a member of the Cooperative Extension team since 2017 and it will be my honor to serve the people of Orange County in this new leadership role,” said Smith. “We have wonderful people in Orange County, and I look forward to working with them to ensure Cooperative Extension provides responsive and effective educational programs in the areas of agriculture and food, health and nutrition, 4-H Youth Development, and community and rural development. We want to be the 'go-to' resource and partner for farmers, families, businesses, and youth.”
Smith graduated from N.C. State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Agricultural Education. He earned his Master's of Public Administration from N.C. State in 2015 and has obtained graduate certificates in Youth Development and Leadership, and Professional Communication and Managerial Skills.
He worked as an Agricultural Education teacher for Carteret County Schools for two years before beginning his career with Cooperative Extension in November 2017 as an Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, in Orange County.
Orange County Cooperative Extension strives to make positive impacts in the county and state through research-based educational programs in the areas of family and consumer sciences, agriculture, community and rural development, and 4-H youth development.