December 13 2007

Carpenter was praised by several persons who nominated him for his outstanding service, including assistance to young persons in the 4-H program. He was especially noted for working to help area beef and dairy farmers face the exceptional drought conditions currently in the southeast region of the United States.

“As advisor to the Catawba Valley Cattleman’s Association for thirteen years, Jeff has guided this organization to become one of the top associations in the State of North Carolina, with a membership of over 100,” said Clarence Hood, President of the Catawba County Farm Bureau, in remarks he made while presenting the award to Carpenter. “He has taken the leadership to arrange outstanding programs for our monthly meetings and an annual Educational Tour for cattlemen to learn new methods to improve their operations.”

During the current drought of 2007, Jeff took the initiative to assist cattlemen by arranging programs to cope with the lack of forage, carrying farmers to look at alternate feed sources, arranging hay contracts and transportation, taking samples for nitrates in baled corn stalks, and answering continuous phone calls from growers desperate to find a way to feed their livestock,” Hood continued. “His leadership at this critical time has given assistance and encouragement to livestock producers in this and surrounding counties, many of whom would have just given up and liquidated their herds had it not been for his help.”

Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University in 1983, and earned a Masters Degree in Crop Science from N.C. State in 1987. He began working with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, as Livestock Agent serving Catawba, Gaston and Lincoln counties, in 1994. He and his wife, Rachel, live in the Plateau community and have two children, Mason and Sarah Grace.

“Thanks to Jeff, livestock has been a major part of my 4-H background,” said Lisa Baxter, a Catawba County 4-H member. “He helped me start my first 4-H Market Lamb Project as well as guide and support me as I developed my own small flock. Now that I am older and preparing to leave for college, I realize how truly blessed I am to have someone like him in my life. From helping me calculate equations when I created my own feed ration to demonstrating how to tube feed lambs when I had an ewe go down after a difficult birth, Jeff was always there to lend a helping hand.”

In her letter supporting Carpenter’s nomination, Baxter also noted that Carpenter introduced her to livestock judging and the 4-H Skillathon, a series of competitions designed to allow members to showcase their skills in a variety of areas. Baxter was a member of the 2005 National Champion Skillathon Team and recalled Carpenter’s pride in telling the team the news that they had been named champions as, “almost like he was talking to his own children when he was saying how proud he was of us and all that we had accomplished”. Baxter also noted that Carpenter toured colleges with her to help her make sure she found the right school, and also helped her research scholarship opportunities.

“Several years back, Jeff took the initiative to work with North Carolina State University researchers to develop an economical and locally available feed to assist producers in our area with creep feeding their calves, as well as assisting with supplementing feeding of cattle during times of forage deficit,” Hood noted. “This special feed pellet ration is manufactured locally by Midstate Mills and has been a tremendous help to local cattlemen.”

“I’m honored to join the list of well respected recipients of this award and I feel privileged to serve Catawba County as an Extension Agent,” Carpenter said. “Extension workers only deserve part of the credit for any success they have in their career, as the clients they serve determine a good measure of what we are able to accomplish. Catawba County is great because of its people and that’s evident in the way they work together to tackle problems and issues in our community. It’s a pleasure for me to be able to work with a great staff, appreciative farmers and energetic 4-H members.”

“Jeff possesses a tremendous amount of technical knowledge and works hard helping local farmers sustain their businesses,” observed Catawba County Extension Director, Fred Miller. “However, his ability to foster positive relationships with any and every client who happens to call is what makes him special and truly deserving of this recognition. He is a role model and mentor for livestock agents and 4-H youth across North Carolina, and I feel fortunate that he is a part of our Extension staff here in Catawba County.”