Sue Counts
endowment fund established Outgoing extension service director
will continue to serve community
By Scott Nicholson
Sue Counts is stepping down as director of the Watauga
County branch of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, but her
name will live on as a contributor to local educational and community-development
programs.
Sue Counts
An endowment fund is being established that will support local
programs in the years ahead, and Counts has asked that people
contribute to the fund instead of commemorating her retirement
with gifts. A retirement event is scheduled for Oct. 12 that will
also raise money for the endowment.
“Sue has invested herself in the community ever since she
moved here,” said Nancy Reigel, chairwoman of the extension
service Advisory Council. “As she’s retiring, she wants
to continue that investment and said, ‘Rather than give me
a retirement gift, put that money into this endowment fund.’”
The endowment fund is already established and the documentation
will be signed Sept. 11 in Raleigh. The endowment will fund community-development
programs in Watauga County, whether through the extension service
or non-profit agencies. The educational programs will be chosen
on a year-by-year business.
“It is her lasting gift, because this will indeed be in perpetuity,”
Reigel said.
After a 27-year career in public health, nutrition education,
teaching and consulting, Counts began working with N.C. State
University in 1993. She became Watauga’s extension service
director in 1998. She has received numerous awards from N.C. Cooperative
Extension Service, Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
and Epsilon Sigma Phi. She served as chairwoman of the Boone Area
Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and 2008. Next year, she will be installed
as president of the N.C. Family and Consumer Science Foundation
board of directors.
But she sees the endowment fund as a key contribution to the area.
“I’m doing it to bring funds to Watauga County so there
can be more family and community development programs,” Counts
said, suggesting health and environmental programs as possibilities.
“I want to leave a legacy but I plan to remain in Watauga
County. I just want to see the community get better and better
and better.”
The retirement event will draw energy from the wind or sun, and
the meal will be “zero waste.” Recycling, renewable
energy, water protection and other environmental exhibits will
be part of the event, along with food and local mountain music
from Southern Exposure.
Counts said she wanted her retirement to focus on the efforts
she’d supported during her career. “I want it to be
an example so other people can see this type of event can happen,”
she said. “These are things I’ve been interested in
and showcasing some of the things I’ve believed in since
I’ve been county director. I think featuring all-local foods
is a big thing for me. We need to promote local farmers and buy
from them. We’re buying it and not asking for food from local
farmers, so, to me, that is making a statement. It’s zero-waste
and all the materials will be composted right there on the farm.”
Contributions to the endowment fund are tax-deductible and checks
can be made out to “Sue Counts Family and Community Development
Endowment.” Checks can be mailed to N.C. Family and Consumer
Sciences Foundation, NCSU Box 7645, Raleigh, N.C. 27695-7645.
Count’s replacement will be selected by the N.C. State Cooperative
Extension Service, with Watauga County government being involved
with the selection process. An interim director may be named while
the hiring process is under way.
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