Durham, N.C. – The Durham County Cooperative Extension has hired Janel Louise Ohletz as the first Agriculture Agent for Small Farms and Local Foods. This position represents a significant expansion of the Extension’s agricultural services for all growers in Durham County and the commitment of Durham County Government to support our local food system.

This creation of the new agriculture agent was approved by the Durham Board of County Commissioners in with the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget in June. It is a cost-shared position with North Carolina State University contributing 40 percent of the hire’s salary and Durham County Government providing 60 percent.

“We are so excited to have Janel bring her expertise to our N.C. Cooperative Extension team in Durham County to benefit our farmers with increased access to research-based technical support and expertise,” Extension Director Donna Rewalt said. “This new role represents an expanded commitment to our unique and growing agricultural landscape in Durham County. We are grateful to Durham County and our Board of County Commissioners for their vision and commitment to our farms, growers, and local food system.”

Ohletz’s hire will allow current Agriculture Agent Ashley Troth to deepen her focus on Commercial Ornamental and Consumer (Home) Horticulture and County Associate Extension Agent Darnell Parker to continue to serve business planning needs for the agriculture community. Through these three roles, Durham County Government and the Cooperative Extension will be able to work more in depth with farmers, local gardeners and landscapers. Ohletz’s duties will include increasing the profile of agriculture across the county, providing direct consultation and support to farmers, implementing programming to help producers understand and follow Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines, as well as supporting producers pursuing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification.

Ohletz grew up in rural New Hampshire on a small family farm with a market garden and barn animals of every genre and formerly worked as a chef.  As a result, she has a strong connection to locally grown food and working toward a more sustainable and equitable food system.  She recently received her Ph.D. in Soil Science as a USDA National Needs Fellow in the Crop and Soil Science Department at North Carolina State University. Dr. Ohletz has a M.S. in Agricultural Science and a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from the University of New Hampshire.

For more information on the Durham Cooperative Extension, visit https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu or call (919) 560-0525.

 ###