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Virginia Cooperative Extension highlights volunteers, new hires and expanded 4‑H access in Chesterfield
Summary
Virginia Cooperative Extension updated the Chesterfield County Board on volunteer impact, new staff hires, expansion of 4‑H programming and partnerships that supported 140 campers and 15 scholarships to 4‑H camp.
Virginia Cooperative Extension on Monday told the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors about recent staff additions, volunteer service and partnerships that county presenters said expand local environmental education and youth programming.
"This is where the magic happens," said Morris White, northeast district director for Virginia Cooperative Extension, describing the volunteer-driven work his office supports in Chesterfield.
White told the board his office covers about 25 counties and that Chesterfield hosts a local extension office with a demonstration garden, beehive, chicken coop, composting station and youth garden. He said the extension has three new county-based hires: an administrative fiscal assistant (Sylvia Lovelace), a volunteer coordinator (Danny Lovegood) and a new 4‑H extension agent (Chandler Burwell).
White provided program metrics to the board. He said 155 master gardeners contributed about 13,000 volunteer hours in the past year, which the extension estimated as $461,693 in value (using Virginia’s volunteer rate) and equivalent to roughly seven full‑time staff. He said public horticulture inquiries answered through the office numbered 708, a 21% year‑over‑year increase. The extension also credited partnerships for a $66,000 project supporting landscape improvements with the county Parks and Recreation Department.
On youth programming, White said Chesterfield sent about 140 campers to 4‑H camp this year and that the county and partner donors funded 15 scholarships for first‑time campers. He described Parks and Recreation and individual commissioners as among the donors who provided buses and financial support.
White and presenters recognized the role of volunteers and local partners, and White presented tokens of appreciation to Parks and Recreation representatives for their assistance with the campship effort.
No formal board action was taken on the presentation; speakers and staff framed the report as an informational update and expression of thanks to county partners.
The extension contact and recruitment details were offered to the board; White invited supervisors to reach out for more information or to connect residents with programs.
