Starting a new role with Extension means joining a statewide network committed to one shared mission: helping North Carolinians solve real-world problems and prosper. Extension connects research from NC State and N.C. A&T State universities to communities in all 100 counties and the Qualla Boundary. And it all starts with you.

• Learn more about Extension.

We're All Communicators

Regardless of your role or location, you’re an Extension communicator now. How each of us talks about our work shapes the perceptions, trust and connections that carry our mission forward. This toolkit will help you hit the ground running from day one.

The NC State Extension Marketing and Communications team (Extension MarComm) is also here to help you. We manage the Extension brand, develop statewide communications and provide tools you can use in your daily work – from logos and templates to writing guidance and promotional support.

• Meet our Extension MarComm team.

PAGE SECTIONS

Review this toolkit – organized into five short sections – to set up your communications, learn our brand basics and find the right resources to share your work with stakeholders:

1. Key First Steps
2. Understanding the Extension Brand
3. Everyday Tools and Resources
4. Ordering Branded Materials
5. More Support

These early steps will help you get set up with key tools to communicate effectively and represent Extension in your community. Completing this quick checklist now ensures you’re ready to share your work and support our brand from the start.

• Confirm Orientation and Accounts
  Acquaint yourself with Extension’s orientation materials and make sure your campus credentials and email are active so you can access internal systems and resources.
  • Official Extension Onboarding Resources (EOD)
  • Technology To-Do List for New COUNTY Employees (EIT)
  • Technology To-Do List for New CAMPUS Employees (EIT)
• Create Email Signature
  Use our standard format to keep communication consistent across the state. The signature builder ensures your info displays correctly on all devices.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension (County employees)
  • NC State Extension (Campus employees)
• Request Name Badge
  Every employee receives an official Extension name badge to use for meetings, events and community outreach.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension (County employees)
  • NC State Extension (Campus employees)
• Order Business Cards
  If your role includes public-facing events or networking, you'll likely need Extension-branded business cards – and your first box is on us.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension (County employees)
  • NC State Extension (Campus employees)
• Claim Complimentary Branded Shirt
  New employees receive one complimentary Extension shirt to help you look the part and hit the ground running – review the details to order your shirt.
• Discover the Brand (and Subscribe)
  Watch a video training to learn more about our Extension brand and marketing resources, plus bookmark the brand site and subscribe to our updates to make your life easier.
  • Extension Branding and Marketing Training Tools
  • Extension Brand
  • Subscribe to Extension MarComm Updates

2. Understanding the Extension Brand

Our brand is how we show North Carolina who we are and what we stand for. Every message, graphic and interaction helps build trust with the people we serve. This section gives you the basics so you can communicate with confidence and consistency.

• Extension Brand Platform and Messaging
  Extension’s brand is built on five core traits that shape how we show up across the state: Innovative, Intellectual, Purposeful, Trusted and Caring. These characteristics guide our voice, visuals and the way we serve communities.
• Brand Style Guides
  Find everything you need to create clear, consistent materials that reflect Extension:
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension
• Program Names and Usage
  Using consistent program names helps audiences understand the resources we offer and makes Extension easier to recognize statewide. Before creating materials, check our approved naming conventions and examples.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension

3. Everyday Tools and Resources

Extension employees communicate with the public every day — through programs, events, stories, social media and local outreach. These tools help you share your work clearly and consistently while building our brand across the state.

• Logo Downloads
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension
• Referencing Extension and Required Statements
  Use these resources to ensure you’re presenting Extension correctly and including required statements that help us stay clear, consistent and compliant in all public-facing materials.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension
• Templates and Design Resources
  Create polished, on-brand materials quickly using our templates and tools.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension
• Photo and Video Guidelines
  Learn what types of visuals work best for Extension and how to capture on-brand, audience-friendly content.
  • Photo Resources
  • Video Resources
• Social Media Basics
  If you manage or contribute to local social channels, these quick guides help you stay accurate, accessible and aligned with the Extension voice.
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • NC State Extension

4. Ordering Branded Materials

Extension-branded items help you represent the organization in your community and at local events. Here’s how to request banners, signage and promotional materials when you need them.

• Requesting Local Signage
  Counties and programs can request local signage for their facilities, vehicles and other instances by contacting our team. These items follow Extension brand guidelines to ensure a consistent look statewide.
  • Signage for County Centers
  • Vehicle Decals
• Purchasing Promotional Items
  Extension MarComm is not able to maintain promotional inventory to supply all of our local centers and programs. You can contact us to confirm if limited quantities of items may be available, but this should be a contingency; not Plan A.
  
  If you need giveaways or branded materials like banners, table covers or swag items for outreach, check our approved vendors and ordering guidelines. Lead times may vary, so plan ahead — especially for large events.
  
  Extension MarComm often works with The Roberts Group, who regularly assist counties / departments with local promotional needs and are a good place to start.
• Using Approved Vendors
  Certain branded items must be ordered through approved university vendors – care should always be taken to protect the brand and ensure quality results.
  • Guidelines for Ordering Branded Materials
  • List of Licensed Vendors

5. More Support

Communications is everyone's responsibility – but you don’t have to navigate all of it on your own. Whether you’re planning local outreach, telling a story or promoting a program, we’re here to help you build confidence and share Extension’s impact in your community.

• Extension Marketing and Communications Team
• Building a Local Marketing Plan
• Extension Storytelling
• Subscribe to Receive Regular MarComm Updates

Submit a Story or Project Request
Need support with writing, design or general project planning? Use our request forms and we’ll follow up to confirm next steps.

• Share a Story Idea
• Submit a Project Request