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Iredell County honors Cooperative Extension director Nancy Keith at final meeting; 4‑H member to represent county at youth conference
Summary
At the Aug. 19 meeting the board recognized Cooperative Extension Director Nancy Keith on her retirement and heard from 4‑H/FFA student Kimber Volsky, who will attend the Youth Voice Conference in Greenville as a county youth delegate.
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners recognized Cooperative Extension Director Nancy Keith at its Aug. 19 regular meeting as she prepares to retire after serving the county since 2012. Commissioners, the county manager and staff praised Keith’s longtime work with local agriculture and extension programs, and staff held a retirement reception the preceding Friday.
Chair Connolly and other commissioners thanked Keith for her service and noted her statewide reputation. Keith told the board she was raised on a dairy farm in Iredell County, worked 23 years in Yadkin County, and returned in 2012 to lead Cooperative Extension after the passing of her predecessor, Mr. Vaughn. Keith said she intends to remain available to the community and encouraged colleagues to call her personal number if needed.
Before Keith’s remarks the board heard from Kimber Volsky, a 4‑H member and FFA officer who said she will be the county’s youth delegate to the Youth Voice Conference in Greenville, North Carolina, this weekend. Volsky described her involvement in 4‑H and FFA activities including dairy evaluation, dairy skillathon, quiz bowl, public speaking and leadership roles in her FFA chapter. She credited mentors and the Extension staff with helping her develop public‑speaking skills and agricultural knowledge.
Commissioners encouraged Volsky to continue competing at state contests and thanked Keith for building the Extension staff. Vice officials and colleagues said they would seek to keep Keith involved on boards and committees even after retirement.
Context and next steps: Staff said the Cooperative Extension office has had relatively low turnover and that Keith helped to place team members in their current roles. The board did not take formal action beyond recognition and thanks; staff will proceed with routine transition planning for replacement and ongoing Extension programs.
Ending note: Commissioners and staff emphasized Keith’s ties to the county’s agricultural community and the importance of Cooperative Extension programs to local producers and youth development.
