The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States, designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives.

The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant universities. In most states the educational offerings are in the areas of agriculture and food, home and family, the environment, community economic development, and youth and 4-H. The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the USDA administers funding for Smith Lever Act services in cooperation with state and county governments and land-grant universities.

In segregated North Carolina, the NC Extension Service was operated by North Carolina State University for whites and North Carolina A&T State University for Negroes. Dual extension programs were implemented in Edgecombe County and were a great service to the county’s rural farm families.

During World War I, Esther K. Fountain was employed as the first Negro Home Agent in Edgecombe County. She was followed in 1919 by Carrie Battle.

In 1923 and 1924 white home agents carried on the work with Negro women and girls. Then a lapse came in the Negro work until 1935 when Carrie B. Bratcher and Lucy O’Hicks were made emergency agents during the summer.

Then, in 1935, full time Negro Farm and Home Agents were employed. Ida Mae Williams served as Home Agent until 1938. Hazel Scales Parker followed her.

Fletcher D. Wharton was born near Greensboro in Oak Ridge where, at an early age, he was exposed to educational instruction in the home of a professor at Oak Ridge Military Academy where his mother was employed.

In 1935, Fletcher Decatur Wharton became the first black county extension agent in Edgecombe County, a position that he held until his retirement in 1951. Under his supervision, Edgecombe County was made a training center for black county agents.

In addition to other achievements in Edgecombe County, Wharton is remembered for establishing farmers markets in Rocky Mount and in Tarboro, and, in association with others, he helped found the Edgecombe County Credit Union and the Tarboro Civil Forum.

After graduating with honors from the Agricultural and Mechanical College (now North Carolina A&T State University), Wharton joined the faculty of the school. He subsequently taught in West Virginia. He returned to North Carolina and served as a professor at what is now Winston-Salem State University.

In 1919, Wharton became the first black county agent in Vance County and subsequently served as a county agent in Arkansas and in Kentucky.

Wharton moved to Oklahoma in 1926, serving in several school systems as either principal or as vocational agricultural teacher in addition to holding the position of visiting professor at Langston University.

Wharton’s long career as adviser to farmers and as a teacher enabled him to fulfill an abiding interest in service to people. Many of the youth with whom Wharton worked held responsible positions, attributing much of their success to his inspiration and guidance.

He died on Sunday, April 17, 1977, at the Penick Home in Southern Pines. He was survived by his wife of 61 years, Annie Harris Wharton; two daughters, Annie W. Bridges and Juanita W. Taylor; and, one son, F. D. Wharton Jr.

One outstanding extension program started during Wharton’s tenure and under the direct supervision of Hazel S. Parker was the annual 4-H Leaders May Day.