James Morgan
Dougherty County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent and County Extension Coordinator
Where are you from?
I’m from Orangeburg, South Carolina.
What does an average day on the job look like?
Most people in Extension can tell you there is no “average” day. My today might look very different than tomorrow. For me, I may get a few calls on soil or water sampling, dying grass or fungus in grass, chemical recommendations, controlling armadillos or removing bees. I may get a request to give a presentation at a garden club. I may have to send a plant sample or photos to a specialist for help. A client might walk into my office with a few leaves in their hand or an insect in a jar for me to identify.
All of this is happening in between homeowner site visits, responding to emails, approving purchase orders, making time for lunch, getting pictures or text messages on my phone, deadlines, reporting, communicating with my staff, signing check and voucher requests, approving leave, preparing for a presentation or program I am about to give, and responding to requests like this one from Extension marketing. I did not mention that as a county department manager I have a separate email to manage. Because part of our funding comes from the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners, I am in constant communication with the county administrator and the finance department.
Why did you choose to be a part of UGA Extension?
During the last semester of my senior year in college I did an Extension internship instead of direct student teaching. At that time, I experienced firsthand what it was like to help a farmer, lead a 4-H club meeting and teach parenting classes. It became clear that I enjoyed helping people. So, after graduate school, I was hired as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension agent for South Carolina State University’s 1890 Research and Extension Program.
While there, I always knew that I wanted to continue my education and retire in Georgia, so I began applying for agent positions. In March 2000, I began my career with UGA Extension in Lumpkin, Georgia, in Stewart County.
What has been the best experience you've had so far as part of Extension?
I am grateful for the friendships made with colleagues and clients over the last 21 years and traveling to various parts of the country presenting my work at national association meetings.
I traveled to Honduras in 2007 to train Extension agents at Zamorano University on how to use our Distance Diagnostics Digital through Imaging System.
How has your experience as part of Extension changed you?
It’s made me more confident in my ability to make recommendations based on research-tested information.
What do you like to do outside of work — hobbies, interests, secret talents?
I enjoy hiking, traveling, cooking, strength-training, running and going back home to visit my parents.
Agent planting in flowerbed before elementary school class.
Agent planting in flowerbed before elementary school class.
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