Mark Tucker found his passion early, spending his entire 30-year career more than half his life working for the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Service.

Tucker, the countys extension director, retires today, which he describes as bittersweet.

Every time Im working on a project it hits me that I wont be able to see this through and my stomach kind of sinks, Tucker said.

At the same time, Im looking forward to retirement and Im very confident everyone here will continue to do great things.

Working for the countys Cooperative Extension Service was Tuckers first job after graduating from N.C. State University with a Bachelor in Science degree and a masters degree in 1987.

The organization is made up of county agents, professors, scientists and volunteers who work to improve the quality of life in the state at an agricultural and environmental level.

The department is a partnership between county government, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State and the School of Agriculture at N.C. A&T State University.

Tucker said he spent the first half of his career working directly with farmers to increase profitability and sustainability.

Farming is hard work and not the highest-paid profession in the world, he said. Working hand-in-hand with farmers was enjoyable, helping with new techniques and new varieties to make their work easier and more profitable.

In the second half of his career, Tucker became director, which he said was gratifying in that he helped initiate new programs and projects.

Tony Bost, a retired extension agent who worked with Tucker for 20 years, said Tucker is leaving big shoes to fill.

As a person, you wont find a person with higher integrity or moral character, Bost said.

Marks fantastic, a gem of a person, and hes known locally and nationally for his leadership, Bost said.

Bost, the chairman of the Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation Districts board of supervisors, said perhaps Tuckers greatest legacy is helping local farmers transition from the tobacco quota program that was phased out roughly 20 years ago.

Mark helped farmers with the logistics of shifting from quota to contracts and understanding what their options are, Bost said. He has been a tremendous advocate for farmers.

Tuckers passion for farming is rooted in his childhood, which he spent on a 100-acre farm in Rockingham County. His parents grew grains, vegetables and tobacco a major cash crop at the time.

I was not the typical high school student. I lived and breathed farming, he said. I was lucky to be able to continue that with the extension service.

Some of Tuckers proudest career achievements include the establishment of Voluntary Agricultural Districts and the recently completed Farmland Protection Plan, which aims to preserve farmland in the county.

Will Strader, the director of the Rockingham County Cooperate Extension Service,said Tuckers dedication to the service will be missed.

He has been a huge asset to the organization over the years, and his leadership has really set an example for the rest of us, said Strader, who will be Forsyth Countys interim director during the search for Tuckers successor over the next couple months.

Im happy for his retirement, but sad to see him go, Strader said.

In retirement, Tucker plans to spend more time with his wife, Ronda, and three children, Kaitlyn, 26; Morgan, 23 and Luke, 21.

He is living on the same farm he grew up on and would like to devote more of his spare time to farming.

Thirty years is a good bit of time. Ive spent over half my life here doing this, Tucker said of his career. Ive been very fortunate to have a job Ive loved the entire time.

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Forsyth County's top agricultural adviser heads back to the farm after 30- year career - Winston-Salem Journal