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Livestock Agent Callie Birdsell Leaves Watauga County Extension

Story by Celeste von Mangan Callie Birdsell served her last day as Extension agent at the Watauga County Center of the North Carolina Extension Service on Monday, June 30. A new agent is expected to be hired and working in her stead no later than September 15. Birdsell is pictured with Claude Austin of the Watauga Cattlemen’s Association. Photo courtesy of Watauga County Center

Callie Birdsell, Extension agent for agriculture, livestock and field crops, served her last day of employment at the Watauga County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service on Monday, June 30. Birdsell started her career as an agent at the Watauga center two years ago.

According to Extension Director Sue Counts, Birdsell left to pursue an opportunity out of the area.

“Callie moved to Burlington and took a position in private industry,” Counts said. “Callie was a great person and she implemented a lot of the programs here. She got the Watauga Cattlemen’s Association going strong and she worked with all the horse people. Callie had education programs planned through December, so the person who takes over her position will have an easier time.”

In a letter included in the Watauga County Center summer 2008 newsletter, Birdsell wrote that she decided to leave because “an opportunity has arisen to make changes in my personal life and I feel the need to take advantage of that.”

In her 24-month tenure as an agent, Birdsell established a 4-H livestock Club—the first club of its kind in Watauga’s history—and worked closely with the group’s young members.

“They are a great group of young people and work very hard,” Birdsell wrote in her letter. “If you have the opportunity to work with any of the 4-H Livestock Club members, please do so.”

Birdsell stated that she could not have asked for a better place to start a career than at the Watauga County Center and that she could not have worked with better farmers than those she had the opportunity to come to know through her position as Extension agent.

“I will miss my co-workers in the Extension office and most importantly you, the farmers of Watauga County,” Birdsell wrote. “Thank you for making my experience at Watauga Cooperative Extension so enjoyable.”

Counts is currently reviewing applications for Birdsell’s replacement. “We’re advertising for a new agent,” said Counts. “We have in excess of five applicants this Monday morning and I believe there are some more in. We hope to have that position filled by September 1, with the absolute deadline being September 15. We have to advertise for one month and our goal is to have someone hired by September 1.”

The public is invited to provide input and suggestions about the background and professional qualities they would like an Extension agent to posses and can call Counts at 828-264-3061.