BY KARISSA MILLER
Iredell County Cooperative Extension Director Nancy Keith will officially retire on September 1, bringing to an end a career of service that has spanned four decades.
Her co-workers and family were joined by community members at a retirement party held earlier this month to celebrate this milestone. Her absence will be felt by people across the county — and beyond — who have relied on her advice.
“She’s a great advocate for farmers and is well respected throughout the state,” said County Manager Beth Milton. “She is the person that people in the state contact because she’s a wealth of knowledge and is a well trusted North Carolina resource.”
Calling her “the best in the state,” County Commissioner Gene Houpe said Keith has been a faithful servant to local farmers and the youth.
“She is well known and respected throughout this county and throughout the state,” he said. “She’s leaving big shoes to fill. We will never be able to replace her.”
Keith, who prefers no to be in the spotlight, was presented with a plaque for her service. She said it’s been an honor to serve Iredell and thanked her staff for their dedication and team work.
“They help with anything that goes on. I’d like to thank them and my husband for all the support,” she said.
As she prepares to begin the next chapter in her life, Keith said she plans on spending more time with her family. She is married to Lenny Keith. They have two sons, Larry and Luke, and four grandchildren.
Keith has been involved in agriculture for as long as she can remember. At age 5, she drove the tractor while her dad threw hay off the wagon for the cows. By age 7, she was driving the silage truck, but only in the field.
As she got older, she would come home after school and do farm chores and help with feedings. Keith’s strong work ethic developed from her childhood experiences, seeing her parents’ model hard work and dedication.
A Storied Career
Keith has been the cooperative extension director for Iredell County since 2012. Prior to that, she served as a dairy agent for Yadkin and Davie counties. She was the third female agent in the state and faced gender bias and had to break barriers to be recognized for her work.
In 2007, she was named county extension director for Yadkin County, where she directly oversaw departments of dairy, field and crops, viniculture, pesticides and horticulture. She played a vital role in aiding farmers as they looked towards establishing wineries all around the county.
In 2012, Keith returned home to Iredell when she was hired as the Iredell County Cooperative Extension director. She also served as interim extension director for Alleghany, Alexander, Lincoln and Catawba counties while fulfilling duties to her home county. She also oversaw countywide agricultural and youth programs.
Co-worker and Iredell 4-H program associate Kelly Pierce said Keith is a friend, a great leader and will be missed.
“Nancy is usually the first to arrive every morning around 6 a.m. and is the last to leave — no matter how late she might have worked the night before. She is an exceptional leader and has instilled a family-first attitude,” Pierce said.
Community, Family Minded
Keith is not only dedicated to her job, but has volunteered her time over the years to a variety of causes, including president of Youth Athletic Association, president of the North Iredell High School Boosters (seven years), chair of various United Methodist Church committees, member of Union Grove United Women of Faith and a member of the Iredell County Farm Bureau Board.
Her passion for sports has not dwindled during this time period either she has continued to devote countless hours to coaching over the last 25 years. She has been actively involved in coaching JV and varsity girls basketball at North Iredell High School. A proud 1980 NIHS grad, she said some of her proudest moments have been taking high school athletes to state championship games.
