By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
HOPE, Ark. — The Hempstead County Cooperative Extension Service has moved to a new site that offers a more modern space where Hempstead County residents can access resources and services related to agriculture, 4-H, family and consumer sciences and community and economic development.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — Officials with Hempstead County Extension, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Chamber of Commerce and local officials celebrate Hempstead County Extension's new home at 1800 E. Third St, in Hope on Nov. 16, 2023. (Division of Agriculture photo.)
In November, the Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce County, Hempstead County Judge Jerry Crane, Hope City Council Director Mark Ross, extension staff and community residents gathered for a ribbon cutting and tour of the new site at 1800 E. Third St.
Extension personnel previously worked in the basement of the Hempstead County courthouse. When the county relocated courthouse operations in 2022 to a former bank building, there wasn’t enough room for Cooperative Extension Service staff. The county later purchased a building from Arkansas Farm Bureau to house extension personnel. The staff moved operations to the new site on June 12.
“It has been a long process as we made this transition, but we are all excited to be here and have space to offer our programs,” Hempstead County Extension Staff Chair Terrie James said.
“We are able to have pesticide applicator trainings here and host meetings for our 4-H clubs, Extension Homemakers Council and Master Gardeners.” Hempstead County has four 4-H clubs and five EHC groups, she said.
“We talk about changes from where we were to where we are going,” said Victor L. Ford, associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “The extension service is always changing. We get basic research and work on the applied research to get information to the people. This new location is going to facilitate that mission not only for agricultural producers but also to families and our children. This is a monumental day, and I look forward to the good things that will happen here.”
The new site offers some perks from the courthouse basement location — including WiFi, street-level access and a parking lot just for extension visitors, for starters. Inside, staff have private office space instead of cubicles, access to a reception area, classroom, kitchen and meeting and storage space.
The Hempstead County Extension staff includes two administrative assistants and three agents who specialize in agriculture, family and consumer sciences and 4-H. There’s also a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program office on site.
The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has offices in every county in Arkansas, but facilities vary from county to county.
“We appreciate the support from the County Judge Jerry Crane and the Quorum Court for relocating us to a new facility,” said Carla Due, director of extension’s Ouachita District, which includes Hempstead County. “We’re grateful for the ongoing support for county extension programs there that allow staff to continue serving the clientele of Hempstead County.”
To learn about Hempstead County Extension programs and services, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/hempstead/. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.