Local Programs
Junior 4-H Camp at Jamestown: Gloucester/Essex Week is June 19-23, 2023
Jamestown 4-H Center also has specialty weekend camps throughout the year for youth ages 5-13 with counseling opportunities for older youth. Visit Jamestown on the web at www.jamestown4hcenter.org.
4-H Clubs in Gloucester
In Gloucester we have 4-H horse clubs, community and animal science clubs and a group for 4-H cloverbuds (ages 5-8).
Typically 4-H clubs meet once a month. They provide lots of fun learning experiences while building leadership and citizenship skills through work on 4-H projects and community service.
Call (804) 693-2602 for information about joining a club, volunteering, and starting new clubs.
4-H Peer Teacher/Jr. Interpreter Program
Deadline for applications to be submitted is April 14, 2023.
Frank Long, ANR Agent
Middlesex Extension Office
(804) 758-4120
Robbie Longest, ANR Agent
Essex Extension Office
804-443-3551
robbiel7@vt.edu
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SUBMIT A QUESTION TO THE
GLOUCESTER MASTER GARDENERS HERE
Our mission as trained volunteers in partnership with the Gloucester County, Virginia Cooperative Extension, is to provide horticultural educational opportunities to the public, through research-based horticultural education programs and activities to enhance the environment and lives of residents in our community.
Become a Master Gardener HERE
Second Saturdays with Master Gardeners at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
The Gloucester Master Gardeners will present Second Saturday programs throughout the summer. These gardening presentations will be at Brent and Becky’s in the Chesapeake Room at 10:00 a.m.
Join us for :
March 11th- (11:00 AM) The Kiskiach Chickahominy Tribe: Culture and Gardening with Chief Charles Bowman
April 8th- Gardening with Fowl
May 13th- Fruit Tree Problems
June 10th- House Plants
July 8th- Floral Arranging
August 12th- Native Bees
September 9th- How Plants Work
October 14th- TBA
November 11th- Growing Green Indoors
December 9th- Plan Now for Next Years Great Garden
Winter Library Series (Main Street)
January 11, 2023: Web-Footed Waterfoul (registration opens 12/28/2022)
February 8, 2023: Bee City Gloucester (registration opens 1/26/2023)
March 8, 2023: Terrapin Dash (registration opens 2/22/2023)
April 12, 2023: Amphibians Alive! (registration opens 3/29/2023)
May 10, 2023: Snakes in Gloucester (registration opens 4/26/2023)
** Call Mainstreet Library to register, 804-693-2998
RESOURCES:
Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide
VTechWorks (VCE) Publications Database (search by topic to pull up publications)
The Virginia Master Naturalist (VMN) program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.
Composed of 30 semi-independent, locally focused chapters, the program is actively supported, guided, and represented by the over-arching statewide VMN program.
Become a Master Naturalist HERE
Soil samples are analyzed for specific soil nutrients to determine proper application rates of fertilizer and lime for optimum plant growth. Routine analysis includes soil pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and B. Soluble Salts and Organic Matter tests are also available. Completed soil test results, along with a recommendation on fertilization and liming, are mailed to the client. Sampling and mailing instructions are found on the sample boxes and forms, which should be sent directly to the lab with the soil sample and payment.
Soil sample boxes and information sheets are available at these locations:
* VCE Gloucester Office
* Tractor Supply (6499 Market Dr, Gloucester, VA 23061)
* Ace Hardware (2384 Hayes Rd, Hayes, VA 23072)
In State samples are $10.00
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SEND A PLANT DISEASE IDENTIFICATIONSAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS HERE |
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How to pay for your sample (BEFORE SHIPPING)
Note: If you are unable or do not wish to pay by credit card via the Destiny One Payment website, you may pay by check or cash at the Gloucester VCE Office. The Plant Disease Clinic will not accept check or cash for payment. Virginia Cooperative Extension Gloucester County Office 6099 TC Walker Rd PO Box 156 Gloucester, VA 23061 |
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The Virginia Tech Insect Identification Lab provides identification and control recommendations to Virginia Cooperative Extension agents. Insect samples and insect damaged plant material from any structural, plant, or animal hosts are accepted. Insects are identified to the lowest taxonomic level needed for control decisions. Control recommendations accompany insect identification results, which are sent back electronically to each Virginia Cooperative Extension office. Digital photos can also be used for identification.
Many insects can be identified and control recommendations provided by your local Extension Office.
The Family Nutrition Program’s mission is to teach limited-resource families and youth how to make healthier food choices and become better managers of available food resources for optimal health and growth. Our programs focus on basic nutrition, physical activity, safe food handling, and thrifty food shopping.
The Family Nutrition Program is offered through Virginia Cooperative Extension, an educational outreach partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.
Our funding comes from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to offer the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to offer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) in Virginia.
The Family Nutrition Program offers a range of programs to teach the basics of healthy eating, active living, food safety, and menu planning on a budget.
If you are interested in signing up for one of these programs or would like to work with the Family Nutrition Program to offer these programs in your organization, please contact Elizabeth Hayes at (804) 693-2602.
Engaging with Communities
Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists in community viability work with Extension agents, campus-based faculty, organizational partners, communities, and individuals to further opportunity and build capacity in five program areas:
- Leadership & Planning
- Community Enterprise and Resiliency
- Community Food System and Enterprises
- Community Planning
- Emerging Community Issues
Examples of our work include training county elected officials, educating entrepreneurs, facilitating collaborative projects, supporting the growth of community food systems and local economies, enhancing agent skills and community capacity in facilitation and leadership, conducting problem-driven research, and creating publications and tools that address critical community needs.
Do you have a question about Community Viability?
Perhaps one of the Community Viability specialists below can help you. Contact a Community Viability specialist or direct a question to them using our Ask an Expertsystem.
Community Viability Specialists