Improving Wellbeing in Accomack County
ID
VCE-1177-1NP
Sharing Knowledge
The Eastern Shore Master Gardeners an integral part of Accomack County Extension’s educational efforts transformed their dedication into tangible benefits that advanced the wellbeing of Accomack Couty residents. Through an engaged network of 58 Master Gardeners, 19 interns, and three emeritus members, they reached more than 5,916 individuals, sharing knowledge via innovative programs such as public radio broadcasts, educational school and community garden projects, tours, and outreach efforts. This resulted in an impressive 5,857 volunteer hours with a public value of $161,067.
A pinnacle of these efforts was Farm Tour Day at Duncan Farms, which engaged 351 third graders, 25 teachers, and 85 volunteers in an exploration of modern farming techniques. This event was a testament to Extension’s mission to implement research in ways that support businesses and communities. The 20 interactive learning stations provided hands-on education on agricultural subjects, supporting Extension’s commitment to community enrichment and the dissemination of knowledge.
Community Voices
“Thank you so much for facilitating the ACPS poverty simulation. Teachers have continued to talk about how important a piece this was to their training. I feel quite sure they will use what they learned and bring more empathy into their classrooms this year as a result of this training.”
Julie Evans
Division Teacher Mentor and Instructional Coach, Accomack County Public Schools
32,596
acres benefitting from VCE research
Partners for Solutions
“You can hear more about agriculture every day by tuning to our local radio station, WESR. I write and record segments focusing on production agriculture, conservation efforts, and economics in order to engage the community about the largest industry in Accomack County.”
Theresa Pittman
Agent
To find out how you can support your local Extension office,
visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.
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, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Publication Date
June 7, 2024
