Improving Wellbeing in Giles County
ID
VCE-1177-38NP
Sharing Knowledge
Youth development is needed in order to advance the well-being of small rural communities like Giles County. Here, youth are often faced with food insecurity, and accessible healthy choices are not always an option in low-income homes.
The Summer Garden Program is a collaboration between Virginia Cooperative Extension, Giles Community Garden, and Carillion Clinic that offers youth real-life examples of healthy living and empowers them to make their own healthy choices. By the end of the eight-week program, participants have learned about MyPlate, nutrition, hygiene, exercise, and gardening.
The Summer Garden Program is needs-driven and addresses topics that youth may not learn about in their homes or traditional educational settings. By conducting pre- and post-surveys, we found an average improvement of 17% in nutrition and healthy behaviors concepts.
Community Voices
“Giles County Extension is helping Giles County and Pembroke Telephone Company to bring broadband access to the most rural parts of the county. Through their partnership, we will be able to offer educational opportunities and advanced technology to an underserved community.”
Leon Law
PemTel President and Giles County Resident
1,200
People reached in October via Facebook
Partners for Solutions
“I helped Ryan and Melissa Duffy learn about a vernal pool on their property and the implications that protecting it has for wildlife in the area.”
Kloe Rife
Agent
To find out how you can support your local Extension office, visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.
507 Wenonah Avenue
Pearisburg, Virginia 24134
540-921-3455
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
July 22, 2024
