Virginia Tech® home

Improving Wellbeing in Amelia County

ID

VCE-1177-5NP

Authors as Published

Students in a line, practicing archery.
Amelia shooting sports.

Sharing Knowledge

Middle school youth participating in archery programs acquire vital life skills such as focus, discipline, confidence, patience, and teamwork. Through archery, students develop physical coordination and learn sportsmanship and respect for rules. These essential skills not only enhance their archery abilities, but also prepare them for success in academics, relationships, and life itself.

Amelia 4-H shooting sports instructors have brought archery instruction to area youth through summer day camps, clinics, and in-school programming (through PE classes at Amelia Middle School). These opportunities have been free of charge with all equipment provided.

By December, 174 youth ages 9-16 will have had the opportunity to learn how to shoot! Most of these students have never shot a bow and possess low confidence in hitting the target. After archery instruction, 100% of students reported increased confidence and improved accuracy and thought learning a new skill was fun, while 83% wished to continue in the shooting program. Teachers also report seeing an increase in focus and confidence in the classroom.

Community Voices

Thomas Jordan Miles III photo.

“The Balanced Living with Diabetes program has empowered older adults of Piedmont Senior Resources-Farmville to improve their overall health. Extension agent Jane Henderson has taught them better ways of eating and exercising, and their experiences have enabled them to remain flexible and lower blood sugar levels through changes in habits.”

Thomas Jordan Miles III
Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging


894
Participant’s in Local Programming


Partners for Solutions

Mackenzie Gunn photo.

“Farm and recreational ponds are an important part of the landscape, but aquatic weeds and water quality issues can be challenging to navigate for land and farm owners. I offered aquatic weed identification and pond water quality analysis services, alongside pond management workshops focused on maintaining a healthy ecosystem through water quality, chemical and nonchemical weed management, and fish management.”

Mackenzie Gunn
Agent

Amelia County - Funding by Source Chart: 54% State, 26% Local, 17% Federal, 4% Other. Total Funding: $378,705.
$2.87 return on investment for every dollar invested by the county in Amelia County.
$87,718 value of extension volunteer hours in Amelia County.

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

16360 Dunn Street
Suite 202
Amelia, VA 23002

amelia.ext.vt.edu

804-561-2481


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 10, 2024