Extension received the Silver Plow Honor Award for Emergency Response and Heroism for its leadership during and following Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The Neuse Education Team received the honor award Promoting Sensible Management of Natural Resources for its Neuse River water-quality education program. Dan Glickman, secretary of Agriculture, presented the awards.

“Nothing at USDA has impressed me more than the dedication of our work force,” Glickman said. “The honor awards are a tribute to our employees for their diligence, commitment and sacrifice in carrying out their responsibilities.”

Dr. Jon Ort, director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service at N.C. State University, and Dr. Dalton McAfee, administrator of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina A&T State University, accepted the award on behalf of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Other Extension employees involved in hurricane relief also attended the ceremony.

Last September, Hurricane Floyd’s heavy rains claimed 51 lives and resulted in nearly $1 billion of agricultural losses due to unprecedented flooding. The field and campus faculty of both N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University worked tirelessly in the 44 counties battered by Floyd to help Eastern North Carolina farmers and rural families persevere through the chaos.

“I am honored that USDA recognized the vital role that Cooperative Extension played for Eastern North Carolina farmers and families during Hurricane Floyd and its aftermath,” said Ort. “I am proud of this organization and realize how fortunate we are in North Carolina to have so many caring and selfless people who go far beyond the call of duty at a moment’s notice.”

For Extension’s Neuse Education Team, the USDA honor award signifies that North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a national leader in water-quality education programs. “This team is full of folks who really care about the Neuse River and are working within a research-based context to improve its water quality,” said Mitch Woodward, coordinator of the Neuse Education Team, who accepted the award. “We pride ourselves on being part of the solution through education and are honored that USDA views us as a national model for other states and river basins across the country to follow.”