RALEIGH — N.C. State Extension and The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University have launched a rebranding effort for their strategic partnership known as N.C. Cooperative Extension. Effective immediately, a new logo is being rolled out in local Extension centers across the state, as N.C. State and N.C. A&T adopt a new marketing strategy to grow awareness and engagement for N.C. Cooperative Extension.
N.C. Cooperative Extension comprises the respective land-grant universities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and 101 local governments statewide.
Growing awareness, creating prosperity
Dr. Rich Bonanno, associate dean and director of NC State Extension, said, “feedback during the planning phase made clear that those who know Extension love Extension, but many North Carolinians don’t know us or recognize the educational services being offered by these two premier universities in their own communities.”
Extension professionals in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians translate research-based information and technology from N.C. State and N.C. A&T into everyday applications, providing educational programs specializing in agriculture, food and nutrition, 4-H youth development, community development and the environment.
“It’s critical to our mission and the growth of our state that we bolster efforts to provide North Carolinians with research-based tools from our universities, which starts by introducing ourselves with a fresh look,” added Bonanno.
Through the collective efforts of the individual partners, who form a vast network dating back to 1914, N.C. Cooperative Extension bridges the state’s two land-grant campuses with communities statewide.
Redesigned logo and simplified identity
N.C. State and N.C. A&T have introduced a new logo for their N.C. Cooperative Extension partnership, highlighting the involvement of each university. It’s a simple but key step according to Sheri Schwab, director of county operations with N.C. State Extension.
“It’s important that we emphasize the presence of the universities in communities across the state, while maintaining a unique identity for the Cooperative Extension partnership. People recognize the value behind N.C. State and N.C. A&T; we want them to know they have access to the latest research discoveries without being on campus.”