Guilford County government has tapped a new leader to oversee the local branch of one of the state’s most wide-reaching public service programs.
On Friday, Aug. 1, Natalie Owens officially stepped into her new role as director of the NC Cooperative Extension-Guilford County Center. County officials say Owens brings nearly three decades of experience in community engagement, nutrition education and public outreach, and they add that they expect her leadership will strengthen the agency’s efforts in food security, agriculture, youth development and in other areas as well.
Owens most recently served as a State Specialist II and TNCEP/SNAP-Ed Coordinator with the University of Tennessee Extension. In that role, she helped lead programs under both the Tennessee Nutrition and Consumer Education Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education initiative. She also played a key role in building partnerships at the state level and provided training for educators and program assistants.
Her career in this area began in 1995 with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, where she managed the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program across several counties in both northern and southern Alabama. Over the years, she’s built a reputation for her expertise in grant compliance and her commitment to public health and education.
“I am excited to return to my home state of North Carolina, and I am honored to be joining the NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center,” Owens said in a statement released as she assumed the job. “I look forward to building upon the foundation of excellent work already being done in this community. I am committed to helping Guilford County residents access valuable resources, trainings, and programs in agriculture, health, nutrition, and youth development.”
Assistant County Manager Erris Dunston said Guilford County is fortunate to have Owens at the helm of the department.
“Natalie’s extensive background in nutrition education and community engagement makes her an excellent fit as director for Cooperative Extension,” Dunston said. “Her experience will be invaluable in supporting and enhancing the county’s food security work and all the various programs the NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center offers.”
Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Oakwood University and a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Tennessee.
The NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center is a department of Guilford County and operates in partnership with NC State University and N.C. A&T State University.
The center offers a wide range of programs for residents of all ages, including services in agriculture, horticulture, food and nutrition, environmental stewardship and 4-H youth development.
If you want to learn more about the programs and services available through the county’s Cooperative Extension Office, you can visit guilford.ces.ncsu.edu or check out the Guilford County Food Security Hub.
