NC Cooperative Extension- Wake County Center

Last Wednesday was the 2026 Wake OST Summer Summit!

We had an amazing time meeting with before school, after school, summer, and expanded learning professionals and sharing tools, strategies, and resources to better serve youth in Wake County.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help make this event special!

This week is International Compost Awareness Week! To kick off the week, we hosted a pop-up event at Moore Square this past Sunday to share resources about composting and food waste with our community. Thank you to all the folks that stopped by to visit the booths and try the delicious apple salsa, and thank you to our awesome AmeriCorps VISTAS for bringing this event together!

To learn more about Compost Awareness Week, visit: https://compostfoundation.org/icaw-home/

Last week we had the opportunity to host a group of Extension professionals from Virginia Tech. It's always a joy to meet our counterparts from another state and talk about the work Cooperative Extension does in our respective communities.

We're so grateful for the chance to exchange knowledge and resources. Come again, Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension!

This week is Afterschool Professionals Awareness Week! The NC Cooperative Extension Wake County Center is proud to show our support for after school professionals across the nation.

Every young person deserves high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) experiences that support their growth, spark curiosity, and help them thrive. And behind every great program is a dedicated afterschool professional — a mentor, educator, and champion for young people.

This Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (April 20–24, 2026), we’re shining a light on the 850,000+ afterschool professionals nationwide who make a profound difference every day.

Why does it matter?
✅ Nearly 10 million children rely on afterschool programs for learning, exploration, and support
✅ Skilled professionals create safe, engaging environments where youth can grow
✅ Every young person deserves access to quality programs, and that starts with investing in the workforce that makes them possible

National efforts led by the National AfterSchool Association are also advancing workforce supports and new pathways, including a forthcoming Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential.

Join us in celebrating! How will you show appreciation this week? Drop a comment, share a story, or use to spread the love.

Learn more: https://naaweb.org/page/AfterschoolProfessionalsAppreciationWeek

The OST Summer Summit is happening soon!
Join out-of-school time (OST) professionals from across the county for a day of connection, learning, and inspiration.
You can expect engaging workshops, valuable resources, and opportunities to build meaningful partnerships that strengthen OST programs and expand opportunities for youth.
Space is limited, so secure your spot today!
👉 https://go.ncsu.edu/ost_summit26

Join Wake County Cooperative Extension on May 3rd from 1 PM to 4 PM at Moore Square Park, Raleigh, NC for our Compost Awareness Week Pop-Up!

Celebrate Compost Awareness Week with local businesses, nonprofits, and government partners as we spotlight innovative solutions to food waste. This interactive pop-up will transform Moore Square into a hub of action, food recovery, and compost education, showing how Wake County can turn food from landfill to land, and excess into access.

- Win prizes!
- Live Cooking Demo!
- Adopt a Worm!

This event is free, family-friendly, and pet-friendly.
Come learn, taste, and connect with your community!

We are so proud of our Wake County 4-H team for being honored as partners with Maru Gonzalez with the Dr. Opal Mann Green Engagement and Scholarship Award for their work over the last 5 years on the Pass the Mic Program!

🌟 Happy AmeriCorps Week! 🌟

Today's spotlight is on Alyssa Carman, who serves as a Food Security Communications Specialist at Wake County Cooperative Extension!

Thank you, Alyssa, for your dedication and service to the community!

🌟 Happy AmeriCorps Week! 🌟

Today's spotlight is on Maci Davis, who serves as a Food Access Specialist at Wake County Cooperative Extension!

Thank you, Maci, for your dedication and service to the community!