CULLMAN, Ala. – Dr. Kira Sims began her new position as the Cullman County Extension Coordinator in July following Tony Glover’s retirement. In her first months, she has been familiarizing herself with Cullman and various people in the local farming community, elected officials, clients of the extension and other Extension agents. Sims says, “So far, everyone I’ve met has been very supportive of Extension and wants to continue to see it thrive in Cullman County.”
Cullman County Extension is a part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System which is the primary outreach organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. The system delivers research-based educational programs in agriculture, forestry, wildlife, etc., with extension offices in all 67 Alabama counties.
Sims’ background and interest in horticulture has been invaluable to her in this new position. She has achieved two degrees in horticulture from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in horticulture from North Carolina State University. Sims worked as an Extension agent in North Carolina before coming to Alabama, so she brings extensive knowledge and experience to her new role at the Cullman office.
Sims talked about how welcomed she has felt coming to the Cullman Extension, saying, “We’ve had a lot of new faces come into the Cullman County Extension office and changes made, but there has been one consistency that has made my transition into this role smooth, and that is my administrative associate, Beth Glasscock. Her time and experience in Extension has been invaluable to me. I appreciate the warm welcome and support she has given. I appreciate the support of all those I have worked with over the last few months and look forward to building those relationships over the next several years!”
One of the upcoming programs the Extension office is planning is the Master Gardener Volunteer training class this spring, offered both in-person at the County Extension office and virtual options. The classes will be held on Thursdays beginning Feb. 3 – May 5 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration is currently open online at (https://www.aces.edu/go/2022springMGclass). There is an early bird discount of $150 through Dec. 19, after which the registration price goes up to $200 until it closes on Jan. 23.
Sims says, “We are looking for participants that have an interest in gardening and learning more about a variety of topics including trees, vegetables, turfgrass, soils, pest management and more. Many of the current Master Gardener volunteers also love the social aspect – learning and working along-side people that share their interest in gardening.” If anyone has questions about the class, they can call the Cullman Extension office at 256-737-9386.”
Sims has helped to plan several programs in the upcoming year through partnerships with North Alabama Agriplex, Wallace State and Extension offices in the region. To stay up to date on the upcoming programs and events follow Cullman County Extension on Facebook or subscribe to their e-newsletter (https://www.aces.edu/go/subscribecullman) that comes out every other month.
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