Nina Ambrose is the new University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Agent in Carter County.
Ambrose was selected last Thursday to fill the post after longtime agent, Keith Hart, retired last year.
Ambrose says she is excited to offer her experience as an agricultural educator to Carter County citizens as the agriculture and natural resources agent.
After receiving her bachelors at University of Florida in animal sciences with an equine specialty focus and agricultural business minor, she received a masters degree from Clemson in Agricultural Education with a wildlife concentration.
Ambrose taught high school agriculture in Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she was the Future Farmers of America advisor.
“One of the best things I have to offer is a wide variety of experience,” said Ambrose. “In a way, I’ll still be a teacher, and my role will be similar because I’ll be answering questions, solving problems and teaching certification classes.”
She said she had to learn a lot to become a teacher and will have to do the same to be an agriculture agent, but that with her university background and teaching experience, she feels confident she will be effective.
Her first goal is to assess the needs of Carter County residents.
Hart has been helpful, Ambrose said, showing her where he left off and introducing her to a number of people within the community.
“I want to continue his progress,” she said.
She intends to become an instructor of pesticide certification courses and wants to implement similar programs.
Another of her ambitions is to start a Master Gardener program which educates individuals who then volunteer, promote gardening and offer regional horticulture advice to people within their communities.