Get Involved

Virginia Cooperative Extension relies on volunteers to accomplish its mission. We believe that active citizen involvement in our programs makes a difference in our success. The work of volunteers at the local level helps us leverage our paid faculty and staff resources into a much greater impact for the people of Virginia.

There are many ways you can get involved with us. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss available opportunities.

Middlesex County Extension Leadership Council (ELC)

An ELC is composed of a diverse group of salaried and volunteer staff who truly own an ever-changing Cooperative Extension program in their planning area. One of the functions of the ELC is to identify the needs and concerns that exist in Middlesex County, but share a commitment to determining solutions, implementing them, and evaluating and reporting results. The diversity of the group enhances discussions, deliberations, and actions.  In addition, there is a recognition that each person bring unique experience and information that will contribute to the process. The ELC serves as a advocate for Extension and its programs.  

Middlesex Master Gardeners

Virginia Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who work within their communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training.  As an educational program of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Master Gardeners bring the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the people of the commonwealth.

If you are interested in joining the Middlesex Master Gardener program, please contact the extension office for more details.

Middlesex 4-H Program

4-H is the place for youth between the ages of 5 and 18 to engage in hands-on learning experiences. The Middlesex 4-H program uses many experiential learning opportunities to teach the latest research-based subject matter knowledge and to foster skill development in citizenship, leadership, and life skills.

In-school programming for 4th and 5th graders emphasizes appropriate grade level SOLs. Also community-based programming is offered in partnership with the YMCA, special interest programs, and clubs. Middlesex Junior 4-H Camp is held each summer at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. This camp is for ages 9-13 with teens serving as counselors. A week long day camp is held each summer for children between the ages of 5-8 years of ages.