Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Cooperative Extension We offer resources, programs, and services that support individuals and communities in Virginia.

Virginia Cooperative Extension reaches more than 1.8 million people every year with education from Virginia's land-grant universities — Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility

For more than a decade, Livvy Preisser has served southeastern Virginia as an agriculture and natural resources agent wi...
08/11/2026

For more than a decade, Livvy Preisser has served southeastern Virginia as an agriculture and natural resources agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension- Isle of Wight where she supports producers, connects youth with agriculture, and builds relationships throughout the community.

From peanut production and livestock workshops to Virginia 4-H programs and community partnerships, Livvy sees Extension as more than having all the answers. It’s about connecting people with the right resources and creating opportunities that make a tangible difference.

Read more about Livvy’s journey and impact in Isle of Wight ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/ur95G

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Southwest District Food Preservation Conference! From canning and fermentati...
08/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Southwest District Food Preservation Conference!

From canning and fermentation to dehydration and pressure canning, participants spent the day building practical food preservation skills, connecting with Extension educators, and learning from one another.

We appreciate everyone who helped make this conference a success!

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Forestry teamed up to bring environmental education to lif...
08/04/2026

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Forestry teamed up to bring environmental education to life for 11 Pre-K–8 educators through a Project Learning Tree grant.

Participants explored hands-on, budget-friendly activities they can take back to their classrooms, from measuring trees like foresters and making recycled paper to discovering insect camouflage and creating "poe-trees."

These ready-to-use lessons will help students connect with forests, natural resources, and environmental stewardship in engaging and memorable ways! 🌳

Have you got plans for your garden this month? August is a busy time for planting! 🌞🌱Direct Sowing:Zones 6A & 6B: Beets,...
08/03/2026

Have you got plans for your garden this month? August is a busy time for planting! 🌞🌱

Direct Sowing:

Zones 6A & 6B: Beets, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnips

Zone 7A: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 7B: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8A: Bush Beans, Beets, Carrots, Collards, Kale, Cucumber, Eggplant, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Okra, Peppers, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

Transplanting:

Zones 6A & 6B: Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zone 7A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zones 7B & 8A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce, Tomatoes

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide
To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

Last week Charles Green, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, joined the Virgin...
07/31/2026

Last week Charles Green, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, joined the Virginia Cooperative Extension Advisory Council for a tour of the Virginia Household Water Quality lab. The lab provides affordable, confidential water testing along with interpretation of results and recommendations for solving water problems for Virginians with private wells.

Drinking water clinics occur annually around the commonwealth. You can get your well water tested for 28 chemical and bacteriological contaminants through your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

Learn more ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/urTaU

Happy ! 🌟Meet Lydia Sanzone, a Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences senior majoring in Nutrition and ...
07/30/2026

Happy ! 🌟

Meet Lydia Sanzone, a Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences senior majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Psychology. As a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Intern, Lydia has embraced every opportunity to learn, from nutrition education with Virginia 4-H youth to financial literacy workshops and programs supporting older adults.

One of her proudest accomplishments was leading a 4-H day camp centered on international foods, where she introduced young people to new flavors while exploring where food comes from and the important role it plays in cultures around the world.

Lydia plans to become a registered dietitian and hopes to continue implementing community nutrition education in her future career.

We are grateful for Lydia and the incredible contributions of our interns across Virginia Cooperative Extension!

Virginia Cooperative Extension helps cut flower growers across the Commonwealth build stronger, more profitable farms th...
07/29/2026

Virginia Cooperative Extension helps cut flower growers across the Commonwealth build stronger, more profitable farms through research-based education, on-farm consultations, and connections with fellow growers. 🌸🌻

Watch now to learn how Extension agents are helping strengthen Virginia's growing cut flower industry one farm at a time ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/urQKW

It's not too late to plant for July! ☀️🌱Direct Sowing:Zones 6A & 6B: Bush Beans, Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, ...
07/17/2026

It's not too late to plant for July! ☀️🌱

Direct Sowing:

Zones 6A & 6B: Bush Beans, Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Rutabaga, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 7A: Bush Beans, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Rutabaga, Summer Squash

Zone 7B: Bush Beans, Lima Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn

Zone 8A: Lima Beans, Bush Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Watermelon

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

Transplanting:

Zones 6A, 6B, & 7A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks

Zones 7B & 8A: Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide
To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

While many gardens are in full swing by July, it's not too late to get more plants in the ground! 🥒🥕Direct Sowing:Zone 6...
07/01/2026

While many gardens are in full swing by July, it's not too late to get more plants in the ground! 🥒🥕

Direct Sowing:

Zone 6A: Lima Beans, Bush Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cucumbers, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn

Zone 6B: Lima Beans, Bush Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn

Zone 7A: Lima Beans, Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Cucumbers, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Watermelon

Zones 7B & 8A: Lima Beans, Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Cucumbers, Muskmelons, Okra, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Watermelon

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

Transplanting:

Zone 6A: Cauliflower, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Zones 6B & 7A: Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Zones 7B & 8A: Eggplant, Peppers, Pumpkins, Tomatoes

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide
To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

06/30/2026

🚨 The final deadline to apply for the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant is this Wednesday, July 1, at 5 p.m. 🚨 When the online WebGrants portal closes, late applications cannot be accepted so get yours in today.
If your commercial farm or private timber tract within the 27 designated southwest localities suffered uncompensated damage from Hurricane Helene, submit your application now.
🔗 Watch the Training Recording & Apply Here: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml

Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia Department of Forestry

Address

101 Hutcheson Hall
Blacksburg, VA
24061

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(540)2315299

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