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Escambia Names New Extension Service Director
November 4, 2016
Nick Simmons has been named the new extension director and commercial livestock agent for Escambia County Extension
He joins Escambia County from Tippah County, Mississippi. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal and dairy science from Mississippi State University, Simmons is well-versed in agriculture, most recently serving as the Tippah County extension coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with Mississippi State University Extension.
As the new extension director, he will provide administrative support for Extension Services, overseeing the office and ensuring adequate resources are in place to provide educational programs and make a positive impact in the community. Simmons said he looks forward to facilitating continued growth and support of extension programs, working with the talented staff already in place in Escambia County.
“It’s such a diverse group that does so many different things, and my job is to make sure they’re supported and that their story is told to the ones that need to hear it,” Simmons said.
Simmons served for five years as the extension coordinator in Tippah County, covering all components of agriculture, including animal and plant systems, horticulture, timber production and land management. While studying at Mississippi State University, Simmons was president of the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and participated in collegiate 4-H and Block and Bridle Club.
Growing up in Saltillo, Mississippi, Simmons participated in 4-H from a young age, following in his family’s footsteps as a third generation 4-H member. His mother and grandmother also worked in extension services.
“So it was kind of a legacy-type thing, if you will,” Simmons said. “My family’s been involved with it for a long time.”
Simmons now has three children of his own with his wife, Michelle, and their 9-year-old son is already an active 4-H member. Along with the opportunity for professional growth, Simmons said he was drawn to the position with Escambia County because of the county’s abundant resources and strong 4-H program, which currently boasts about 245 members.
“It’s a beautiful part of the state, a beautiful part of the country,” Simmons said. “And then the 4-H program they have here was a big recruitment factor for me. We have the resources here to have one of, if not the premier, 4-H program in the country, we really do.”
One of Simmons’ goals as extension director is to continue to develop the county’s 4-H property in Molino, potentially adding new buildings and structures to provide the youth opportunities to succeed in a variety of educational fields.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on the livestock, but we have the capability of doing science and natural resource conservation-type teaching,” Simmons said. “So I think that’s where we have an area that we can really, really grow over the next few years.”
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Escambia Names New Extension Service Director”
Thanks David, I have kept up with the Land sale and such, was an FFA member from Jay but never had the privilege of 4-H activities
Welcome……. Barrineau Park 4-H is excited to welcome you and your family to Escambia County.
Frank 4H was set up to have community based cubs, separate from FFA which are school based programs, Over the years for whatever reason 4H has tried to move in on school programs inter city youth programs ad programs for under privileged youth, Probably to get federal dollars and broaden participation. Less rural youth are going into these programs. FFA . especially Tate and Northview have done a fantastic job of increasibg their programs foe FFA.
@ Frank, As a farm boy from Cottage Hill, I became a 4H member and showed the Grand Champion Steer @ Pensacola Interstate Fair @9 years old on Fairfield Drive.
There was Narvo Stevens(head of Escambia extension), Edwina Robinson Home EC
extension and usually 2 men and 2 women agents to operate the 4H program.
The 4H program was a program set up in the dust bowl depression years to try to indoctrinate rural youth in farming practices that would aide farmers to stop the top soil from blowing out of their fields. Farmers were overworking their fields and would not listen to the government advisers.
The 4H program was turned over to state AG universities by federal law, So, in Florida it is controlled/operated by University of Florida, IFAS . County commissioners van oversee the program to some degree and here is usually an appointed group to oversee the funding. IFAS has much of the control.
In Escambia County there was a big controversy over the 4H camp being sold to Navy Federal. It caused a rift between the “north and south” parts of Escambia which finally culminated in IFAS conceding to purchase new land around Molino.
Rural farmers raised enough noise to get this new replacement.
Escambia 4H used to be one of the most active and award winning programs in the state. Under the guidance of J.Lowell Loadholtz there were many state award winning 4Hers from Escambia. One year we took most of the state awards, It has since fizzled and this is a demanded change to try to bring back those years,,, like the CUBS have done
I am sue some can add to this or debunk me but that is how I see it!
Is it my understanding that he will be leading the 4-H program as part of his duties? Ignorant to how the system works please educate me someone.
Now maybe the youth can “LEARN BY DOING” and “MAKE THE BEST BETTER”
Welcome Mr. Simmons!!!!
Praise the Lord and Pass the biscuits!
Maybe the richest 4H program in the US will return to its past reward winning ways,
The resources are there, just needed a good mentor to steer it.
Maybe 4H in Escambia can get some of the limelight that Northview FFA has been receiving. Northview has an excellent program!
As a past Escambia 4Her I long to see Escambia 4H youth winning accolades!
What a welcome sight to have someone with such a agricultural and 4-H background. It is also a nice change to have someone who genuinely cares about growing and promoting the 4-H program vs. viewing it as a personal ATM.