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Local Programs

Louisa Master Gardeners

If You have a gardening question, please check the Master Gardeners website under the "Got A Question?" section.   You Can also learn how to become a Master Gardener yourself, or look at all the projects they currently work on in our community! 

If what you're looking for isn't there, or you need help identifying a plant or insect, you can send them a picture and an e-mail anytime at louisaMG@gmail.com.  

If you feel like you need some one on one advise you can also call the Master Gardeners Help Desk at (540) 967-3422.

Other Programs

  • Animal Science
  • Central Virginia Cow/Calf Educational Series
  • Louisa Cattlemen Monthly Educational Meeting
  • Central Virginia Cattleman Association-assistance with marketing, genetics and management
  • Orange Area Sheep and Goat Sales, Orange Area Wool Pool
  • Swine and General Livestock Questions
  • Pasture and Forages
  • Farm Business Management
  • Farm Transition Planning
  • Farmland Preservation Easement Training
  • 4-H Livestock Program for youth
  • Water Quality

While viewing the family unit as the cornerstone of a healthy community, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents and volunteers work in Louisa County with a focus on improving wellness for individuals and their families.  There are many aspects of overall wellness including nutrition, health, financial management, and family dynamics throughout the life span.  As educators, community resources, and links to professionals throughout the community, their goal is to implement effective educational and outreach programs that provide people with the life skills needed to make positive changes, and improve their overall sense of well-being.

A graduate of Virginia Tech majoring in Agricultural Economics and after 20 years in the banking industry, Crysti Hopkins will be focusing a lot of programs on financial information.

  • Budgeting, Credit Reports – obtaining, improving and correcting errors, home buying, grocery shopping savings ideas, identity theft, debt reduction, banking accounts, borrowing funds using smart decision making skills
  • Also, Child Care Provider trainings, Food Safety, Cooking for Crowds class for non-profit organizations, food handler classes, ServSafe Food Managers Certification Classes, and Basic Nutrition classes
  • Educational materials and programs for all age groups

Upcoming Events

Links

American Dietetic Association
Buy Fresh Buy Local
Alliance for Healthier Virginians
Family Album Radio
National Center for Home Food Preservation
Smart Beginnings - Ready for School, Ready for Life
USDA - Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Virginia Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship Program
Virginia Household Water Quality Program & Virginia Master Well Owner Network

4-H is the comprehensive youth development program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Youth between the ages of 5 and 18 engage in hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of adult or teen 4-H volunteers trained by 4-H agents. 4-H programs use experiential learning opportunities to teach the latest research-based subject matter knowledge and to foster skill development in effective citizenship, leadership, and other life skills. The 10 areas of 4-H curriculum focus are: Animal Sciences; Communications and Expressive Arts; Environmental Education and Natural Resources; Jobs, Careers and Economics; Plant and Soil Sciences; Citizenship; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health, Nutrition and Wellness; Leadership and Personal Development; and Science and Technology.

Youth also participate in educational experiences at six 4-H educational centers. 4-H has both a school-based and a community-based delivery model, so maximum access to Virginia's youth is provided. The specific learning experiences a 4-H member participates in are shaped locally and supported at the state and national levels. 4-H members learn how to: make decisions, manage resources, work with others, and utilize effective communication skills. 4-H serves as an effective prevention educational program. Involvement in 4-H reduces the potential for dysfunctional involvement in the community by youth. The mission of 4-H is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential--becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, informal, hands-on educational experiences.


What We Offer:

Virginia 4-H - Making the Best Better

No Need to Worry

Misplaced that essential form for tomorrow? We have a few here that you can download as PDF files to get you out of a pickle tomorrow when its due!

Virginia 4-H Standardized Code of Conduct For 4-H Programs/Events (PDF | 558KB)

4-H Health History Report Form (PDF | 437KB)

4-H Youth Member Enrollment (PDF | 365KB)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Equine Release, Waiver, and Indemnification Statement (PDF | 214KB)

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:   

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 Expert system.

Community Viability Specialists

See a list of our Community Viability Specialists