Local Programs
4-H Jr Summer Camp
Jamestown 4-H Center also has specialty camps throughout the year for youth 5-13 with counseling opportunities for older youth. Visit Jamestown on the web at www.jamestown4hcenter.org
Visit our 2025 4-H Camp Website for more information
____________________________
2025 4-H Summer Day Camps
REGISTER TODAY!
4-H Wildlife and Conservation Camp
July 24th & 25th, 11AM - 4PM
Ages: 11-13
Ignite your passion as you explore exciting careers in the great outdoors! Discover the thrill of identifying local wildlife and unleash your creativity by crafting a wildlife management plan. Every day can be an adventure filled with exploration and learning—let's find your spark in nature!
4-H Food Challenge Cooking Camp
July 31st & August 1st, 11AM - 4PM
Ages: 9-14
Get ready for an exciting summer filled with global flavors! We’re diving into an incredible culinary adventure, exploring everything from mouthwatering Street Tacos to the rich and aromatic Penang Curry. This is your chance to challenge your taste buds and elevate your cooking skills with sizzling skillet action! Let’s travel the world through our plates and discover new tastes together! Who’s ready to join the fun?
4-H Cloverbud Explorers Nature Camp
August 19th -21st, 9AM -12PM
Ages: 5-8 (must have completed kindergarted)
Cloverbud Explorers Nature Camp: Young campers will dive into the wonders of the outdoors through guided nature hikes, exciting scavenger hunts, and playful outdoor games that encourage teamwork and creativity. They'll learn about local plants and wildlife, create nature-inspired crafts, and enjoy storytelling sessions under the trees. With a focus on hands-on exploration and plenty of fresh air, our camp offers a safe, fun, and enriching environment for kids to connect with nature and make new friends.
____________________________
4-H Clubs in Gloucester
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.
Gloucester 4-H Horse Club
Open to youth aged 9-18. Learn all about horses, participate in horse education contests and riding events.
4-H Animal Science Club
Open to youth aged 9-18. Explore a variety of animal science activities and projects related to your chosen animal.
Cloverbud's
Open to youth aged 5-8 (cannot turn 9 within the current 4-H year). Explore the treasures of 4-H through crafts, nature and community service projects.
4-H Peer Teacher/Jr. Interpreter Program
2024 APPLICATION PERIOD IS CLOSED
Frank Long, ANR Agent
Middlesex Extension Office
(804) 758-4120
Robbie Longest, ANR Agent
Essex Extension Office
(804) 443-3551
robbiel7@vt.edu
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)
In State samples are $10.00
|
SEND A PLANT DISEASE IDENTIFICATIONSAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS HERE |
|
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 |
||
|
||
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.
Three Things to Know about Well Water
1. We’ve heard a lot about lead and other metals in drinking water recently, but what you may not know is that it is incredible rare for these metals to be naturally found in groundwater. Instead, water that is either too low in pH, and/or has other corrosive elements, is leaching the metal from plumbing components. The water doesn’t have to be all that corrosive or acidic to leach metals either, it’s generally recommended that drinking water have pH above 6.5 to prevent corrosion, which means regular rain water is more than acidic enough to leach metals from your pipes!
2. There are quite a few different sources of potential contaminants to drinking water; surface contaminants could be getting into your drinking water, especially if the well head or grouting is not well maintained, metals could be leached from your plumbing, sodium may be added from your softener, and many contaminants come naturally from the groundwater if they aren’t addressed with treatment devices.
3. How often should you test your drinking water? Generally, it’s recommended to test for bacteria annually, and do more comprehensive tests every three years or so, including testing for pH, total dissolved solids and other local concerns. Testing is particularly important since some of the contaminants most detrimental to your health (E. coli, nitrates, lead, among others), may be at high enough levels to cause serious health issues without you ever noticing a different smell, taste, or appearance.
2025 Well Water Clinic Dates to be announced soon! If you would like to be added to a interest list please email Glenn Sturm, gjsturm@vt.edu.
The Virginia Family Nutrition Program is a program within Virginia Cooperative Extension that extends the land-grant education and outreach mission of Virginia Tech by offering a comprehensive collection of resources, educational programs, and services across the Commonwealth to improve the health of families. The motto of the Virginia Family Nutrition Program is Eat Smart, Move More.
The Virginia Family Nutrition Program has a specific focus of addressing food security and the prevention of costly chronic diseases. Our commitment to finding real solutions for our communities is showcased through a variety of programs and initiatives that impact community health.
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.
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.
SUBMIT A QUESTION TO THE
GLOUCESTER MASTER GARDENERS HERE
____________________________________________
Upcoming Master Gardener Events:
Master Gardeners Present at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
The Gloucester Master Gardeners will present informative programs throughout the year. These gardening presentations will be at Brent and Becky’s in the Chesapeake Room at 10:00 a.m. No registration is required and programs are FREE.
Join us for :
- February 15th: Pruning
- March 15th: When and How to Plant Vegetables
- April 19th: Honey Bees
- May 24th: Tick Forum
- June 21st: How Plants Work
- July 19th: Gardening with Fowl
- August 23rd: Hydrangeas
- September 27th: Saving Your Harvest
- October 18th: Gardening Myths
- November 15th: House Plants
- Decemeber 13th: What To Do For Next Years Garden
Other Upcoming Events
Monday, May 5th: The Tree's Ate a City by Christina Verderosa, Abingdon Episcopal Parish House, 10:00 AM.
Saturday, May 10th: Gloucester Farmers Market at Historic Ware Church. 9 AM to 1:00 PM. Visit the Gloucester Master Gardener tent for gardening tips, secrets and even bring your gardening or plant questions. Also pick up a soil sample kit!
Monday, June 2nd: Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production by Ben Dukes, VSU Small Farms Outreach Program. Zoom, 6:30PM.
Saturday, June 21st: Abingdon Day at Abingdon Episcopal Church, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
RESOURCES:
Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide
VTechWorks (VCE) Publications Database (search by topic to pull up publications)
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
