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Cooperative Extension reports fair attendance, SHIP savings and expanded health programs
Summary
Swain/Jackson Cooperative Extension reported more than 2,000 fair attendees last year, $34,000 raised for fair activities, SHIP assistance providing over $220,000 in medication-plan savings for 225 clients, and new staff additions and 4‑H programming updates.
Rob Hawk, county extension director, updated the board on Cooperative Extension activities serving both Swain and Jackson counties during the July 1, 2025, work session.
Hawk reported the county fair last August drew more than 2,000 attendees and that the extension and fair committee raised over $34,000. The fair included 12 food vendors, 30 craft vendors, 16 educational booths and significant livestock participation, he said. Extension staff reported nearly 100 horticulture entries and 54 4‑H entries at the fair.
Hawk also said the SHIP program, coordinated from the extension office for Medicare/Medicaid open enrollment assistance, served about 225 clients in the most recent open-enrollment period and produced roughly $220,000 in medication-plan savings. The extension staff named local employees—Allison Woodard and Patsy—who manage scheduling and outreach for SHIP during the fall open-enrollment season.
The office reported more than 2,300 contacts across extension programs since last year, with activity in horticulture, livestock, 4‑H, family and consumer sciences, natural resources and community development. Hawk said the office is fully staffed after recent hires, including a new family and consumer sciences agent, Shannon Royce, and a 4‑H agent, Amber Johnston. Royce described health and wellness programs she has offered in both counties, including nutrition and fitness classes, yoga and a pilot donation-station program at a farmers market to direct fresh produce to food pantries.
Extension staff also previewed the upcoming county fair on Aug. 22–23 (presentations referenced dates Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 in discussion) and highlighted other outreach activities such as farm visits, pesticide recertification training and a pesticide pickup event for disposal of legacy products. Staff noted ongoing partnerships with Soil and Water and county volunteer leaders who support fair and extension activities.
