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Extension office reports $2.61 ROI, grants and volunteer hours; asks for transport support
Summary
Amelia County Cooperative Extension reported an estimated return on investment of $2.61 per county dollar (based on 2023 data), extensive volunteer support and several recent grants; staff requested assistance securing a van and partnerships to expand programming.
Amelia County's Virginia Cooperative Extension office outlined recent program growth and funding for 2024 and asked the board to consider logistical support to expand reach.
"In 2024, the ROI that was calculated for our office was $2.61 for every county dollar invested," said Mackenzie Gunn, the county's agriculture and natural resources agent. She said the office recorded thousands of volunteer hours and secured $47,000 in program support (in-kind and monetary) and described grants including about $5,000 for genetic testing and roughly $33,000 toward livestock handling and precision agriculture from the Tobacco Commission. LK Mondri, the 4-H agent, summarized youth programming, including a Fishing 101 and archery curriculum that reached middle-school students and plans to grow camper participation.
Gunn and Mondri told the board the office is understaffed and that transportation is a barrier to expanding camps and in-school programming; they requested staff help in pursuing a van to be based in Amelia and suggested the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses might assist with sponsorship or fundraising. The presenters also said they will re-establish an Extension Leadership Council to better match programming to community needs.
