We Are Your Virginia Cooperative Extension

...operating in today's changing environment where education makes a difference;

...envisioning a future where we foster hope for a better tomorrow by enabling Virginians to realize their dreams and shape their futures through proven scientific knowledge and practical experience;

...rooted in the love of land and learning that is a Virginia Heritage; and

...providing Virginians with educational programs for more than 80 years as part of a nationwide network of county, state, and federal instructors.

We are Virginians working with Virginians in our communities, homes and businesses. A product of cooperation among local, state, and federal governments, we operate 107 county/city offices so that we are close to all the people of the Commonwealth. We are Extension educators--local agent faculty and campus faculty--taking knowledge from the Virginia State and Virginia Tech land-grant universities, and their nationwide sister institutions to everyday people with everyday problems.

We are joined by thousands of volunteers who contribute millions of hours to help us reach and teach more than 1 million Virginians. We work closely with hundreds of private and public sector agencies and organizations to complement and supplement our resources, so that collaboratively, we better serve Virginia.

Helping people to solve their own problems through educational programs is our business. Our help is found in our workshops, seminars and demonstrations, over the phone, in our research-based publications, radio and TV programs, and satellite broadcasts and interactive computer programs to reach people in their homes, workplaces and local communities.

What we teach varies from place to place as local people participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of our needs-driven programming. We are a dynamic organization advocating positive change, which will lead to more productive lives and vibrant communities.

The broad areas of focus for Extension educational programming include:

Agriculture & Natural Resources programs are designed to meet the needs of farmers, landowners and agricultural related businesses. Educational information is offered in animal science, crop & soil science, farm business management, and environmental horticulture.

4-H Youth Development is an informal, practical, learn-by-doing, fun and educational program for boys and girls, ages 5 through 18, from all racial, cultural, social and economic backgrounds. Membership is open to all youth in this age range without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, or religious affiliation.

Family & Consumer Science programs are designed to meet the needs of families and consumers. Educational information is offered in family and human development, management, housing and consumer education, and nutrition and wellness.