September Staff Highlight - N.C. Cooperative Extension of Buncombe County is thrilled to welcome three new employees during the month of August.

Michael Rayburn, our new Urban Agriculture agent, has been operating his own farm "Rayburn Farms" in Barnardsville growing herbs and spices such as Ginger, Peppermint and more. Prior to starting his farm, he worked for USDA/Agricultural Research Services managing the National Native Plant Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum and is a graduate of N.C. A &T S.U. Where he received a B.S. In Environmental Horticulture/ Natural Resource Management & Environmental Design.

Jordan English, Buncombe County's new 4-H  agent, grew up in Barnardsville, North Carolina. She attended college at Appalachian State University where she earned her BS in Environmental Biology and her MS in Biology with a focus in Science Education. After completing her Master’s Degree she taught High School Science in Watauga County for several years. Beginning her career with North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Yancey County, she served as the 4-H Agent for the last four years.

Adam Coulter, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension's new Administrative Assistant, is a native of Haywood County. He has lived in Buncombe County since 2008 and comes to us after a 20 year career in emergency services serving as an EMT, volunteer firefighter, 911 dispatcher, paramedic, and medical helicopter dispatcher. Adam is a 6th generation western North Carolinian and is thrilled to serve the community.