John Gurganus started as the Small Farms Area Agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension, Pender County Center on July 7, 2025.  John is in a new position that covers Pender and 8 other counties including Brunswick, New Hanover, Bladen, Robeson, Columbus, Sampson, Cumberland, and Hoke.  He is, however, housed in Pender County where his main office is.

John comes to us from Todd, NC close to Boone, but has lived in Hampstead for the past 10  years. He lives with his wife of 5 years, Ashley, and their red bone coonhound, Harper, 7 chickens, and ball python, Jake.  Ashley works for a horse riding therapy company in Wilmington.  John has a younger sister who is a physician assistant in Denver, Colorado.

John really enjoys being outdoors, especially doing water sports.  He likes to kayak, garden, landscape, do minor construction, and farm.  He also enjoys collecting shark teeth.  John likes the mountains and the beach.  In his free time, he enjoys watching comedies like Anchorman.  Previously, John worked for Redbeard Farms, Xanadu Farms, and the Research Station in Castle Haynes.

If you would like to send John a welcome message, his new email address is jbgurganus@ncat.edu or stop by and introduce yourself to him the next time you are in the Extension office at 801 S Walker St in Burgaw.