Virginia Cooperative Extension facts for kids
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|
| Type | Federal-State-County Partnership |
|---|---|
| Established | 1914 |
| Director | Mike Gutter |
| Location |
Headquarters Blacksburg
,
in Virginia
,
|
| Affiliations | Virginia Tech and VSU |
| Website | www.ext.vt.edu |
The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) is a special organization in Virginia. It helps people across the state learn new things. VCE shares useful information with over seven million residents. This information covers topics like farming, nature, family life, and helping communities grow. It also includes programs for young people through 4-H.
Contents
What is Virginia Cooperative Extension?
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership. It works with the federal government, the state of Virginia, and local counties. Its main goal is to share knowledge from universities with everyday people. This helps communities solve problems and improve their lives.
How VCE Helps People
VCE offers many different programs. These programs are designed to help people in various ways.
- Agriculture and Natural Resources: This part helps farmers grow better crops. It also teaches about taking care of animals. They also show how to protect our natural environment. This includes forests, water, and wildlife.
- Family and Consumer Sciences: This area helps families with daily life. It teaches about healthy eating and managing money. It also gives tips for raising children.
- Community Viability: This focuses on making communities stronger. It helps towns and cities plan for the future. It also supports local businesses.
- 4-H Youth Development: This is a big part of VCE. It offers programs for kids and teens. Young people learn important skills like leadership and teamwork. They also get involved in projects about science, healthy living, and citizenship.
VCE's University Connections
VCE works closely with two important universities in Virginia. These are Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Both are known as "land-grant universities." This means they were given land by the government a long time ago. Their mission is to teach practical skills and share research with the public. VCE is the main way these universities reach out to people across the state.
Where VCE Works
Today, Virginia Cooperative Extension has a wide network. It has faculty and staff at both Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. You can also find VCE offices in 107 counties and cities. There are 11 special centers for agricultural research. Plus, there are six 4-H educational centers. This means VCE is active in almost every part of Virginia.
How Virginia Cooperative Extension Started
Virginia Cooperative Extension began in 1914. This was after a law called the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 was passed. This law created the Cooperative Extension Service across the United States. Its purpose was to bring university research directly to farmers and families. It helped them use new scientific methods. Over the years, VCE has grown and changed. It now helps with many more topics than just farming.
