New extension agent on duty in White County

CLEVELAND - White County has its first full-time county extension agent in many years. Nathan Eason was recently appointed to the position and began his duties October 1.

Eason said he has been busy getting settled in.

"(I'm) getting started getting to know people. That's the basics, starting to build those relationships with the county, people within agriculture, homeowners (and) just providing that unbiased research that the University of Georgia does," Eason said.

He said he wants to devote a lot of time to promoting 4-H and reaching out to youth in the county.

Eason said he's glad he can concentrate on just one county.

"Because of budget cuts, White County was unsure if they were going to get one, but due to some early retirements, we were able to come in and get a lot of younger new agents to come in these counties and fill these positions."

Eason's background is in soil nutrition and pasture management, but he said he knows he has to be, as he put it, "a jack of all trades" to serve the diverse interest of the county."

Eason was born in Tifton, but grew up in Athens/Oconee County. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia.

Eason is married, and his wife secured a teaching position at Mt. Yonah Elementary School. The couple lives in Cleveland.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/10/266724