New county extension director David Carter is ready to get started.

Among other things, Carter, who officially started Feb. 1, wants to bring new youth-oriented programs to the extension service.

Carter replaces director Don Smith, who retired in October after years of service.

Carter hails from Folsom, La., and has spent the last 10 years in Baton Rouge going to school at and working at LSU.

He has a bachelor’s in animal science and agricultural business, a master’s in vocational education, a specialization degree in youth development and a doctorate in human resource education.

Carter moved to Adams County recently when he married Natchez native Paige Carlton.

He worked in the East Baton Rouge extension service for the past four years, where he oversaw the 4-H program in more than 60 schools.

“I grew up in the 4-H program,” Carter said. “I was born in New Orleans, so I had never seen a cow.”

Carter’s family moved to the more rural area of Folsom, and he saw cows for the first time.

“When I was 9 years old, I wanted some dogs,” he said. “Instead, my grandpa bought me two sheep.”

Carter started showing sheep, and his love for agriculture grew from there.

Now, he hopes to grow the county’s agriculture programs for youth.

“One thing I want to get across to people is that 4-H is not just cows and cooking,” he said. “It’s not that way anymore. We have a lot of diverse programs — shooting, computers, choir. We have something for every kid.

“And it’s all designed to teach responsibility, leadership skills and community service, whether it’s a horse, shooting or four-wheeler program.”

Carter said his goal in Adams County was to start interactive project-based programs, such as an in-depth horse program and shooting program.

And he hopes to get support for the programs.

“Natchez is a community with a good support base for youth programs,” he said.

“Everybody seems to support what we’re trying to do, which is great. Hopefully, if we start programs to help kids out, in the future, it helps the city with more productive citizens.”