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Improving Wellbeing in Bland County

ID

VCE-1177-12NP

Authors as Published

A boy and a girl planting plants in a raised garden planter.
4-H members assist with planting in the community garden.

Sharing Knowledge

With the help of local businesses and Master Gardener grant money, we were able to start a community garden at the Bland County Extension Office. The Bland County Community Garden had four community participants who raised 58 pounds of produce, and 13 Bland County Senior 4-H members maintained one of the raised beds. They planted, conducted garden maintenance, and harvested throughout the summer.

A day camp on food preservation was hosted by the Bland Extension Office in late summer. The 4-H’ers who participated in the community garden got practical experience by canning 60 jars of blackberry jam. The community garden provided the opportunity to reach and educate the community in a unique and hands-on way.

Community Voices

Dr. Miranda Cox.

“My involvement in 4-H allowed me to develop important life skills such as public speaking. It has also shown me the value of leadership and the importance of volunteering to better serve your community. Today I use all of these skills as a local family doctor.”

Dr. Miranda Cox
Family Care, Wythe Physician Practices


190
Bland County 4-H All Stars


Partners for Solutions

Elizabeth Johnson.

“I have worked with Bland County Extension for 24 years. This year I reached my goal of assisting 100 youth and adults obtain 4-H All Star status. I am very proud of their accomplishments and have strived ‘To Make the Best Better.’”

Elizabeth Johnson
Agent

Bland County - Funding by Source: 49% State, 28% Local, 11% Federal, 12% Other. Total Funding: $340,551.
$2.55 return on investment for every dollar invested by the county in Bland County.
$82,852 value of extension volunteer hours in Bland County.

To find out how you can support your local Extension office, visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.

144 Seddon Street
Bland, VA 24315

bland.ext.vt.edu

276-688-3542


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law

Publication Date

June 24, 2024