Sam grew up in Highland County on a beef stocker and cow/calf operation.  He was actively involved in local 4-H and FFA programs attending leadership programs and showing all species of livestock.  Sam was tapped into the Virginia 4-H All Stars in 2009.  Extension and 4-H have been an important factor to his family for many years.  Of the many 4-H programs, Sam's greatest passion is the 4-H Youth Livestock and Horse programs.  He enjoys working with youth and families to achieve their goals and learn new life skills.  When not working, Sam enjoys managing and showing his herd of seedstock Simmental and Percentage Simmental cattle as well as traveling and horseback riding.

Education and Degrees

• M.S. Agriculture & Life Sciences, Education, 2019, Virginia Tech

• B.A. Organizational Communication & Public Relations, 2014, Longwood University 

Work Experience:

• Extension Agent, 4-H, Albemarle/Charlottesville, Virginia Cooperative Extension, February 2024- Present

• Extension Agent, 4-H, Rockingham, Virginia Cooperative Extension, January 2018- February 2024

• Extension Agent, 4-H, Tazewell, Virginia Cooperative Extension, June 2014- January 2018

• VCE Summer Intern,  Orange, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2013

Sarah is excited to serve as the 4-H Youth Development Education and Outreach Facilitator for Albemarle County and Charlottesville City.  A second generation 4-Her from Virginia, her projects included clothing and textiles,  performing arts, camping, and leadership.  During her ten year membership in Virginia 4-H, she held local, county, and district leadership positions, and was tapped as a Virginia  4-H All Star in 1998.  She served as a Southwest 4-H State Ambassador for two consecutive years, and was selected to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Because of her passion and success in the Virginia 4-H Fashion Revue Program in her community, she attended Virginia Tech where she studied Apparel Design in the college of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.  She graduated Magna Cum Lade with an Honors Commonwealth Scholar Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Design in 2002, a degree she completed in three years.  

From 2002-2005, Sarah worked on her graduate studies and taught introductory Apparel Design undergraduate courses at Virginia Tech and helped to curate and maintain the Oris Glisson Historical Costume Collection.  Her undergraduate and graduate internships included historical textile preservation in the Colonial Williamsburg Historical Costume Collection, and Industrial Design Engineering at Dan River, Incorporated.  

In 2005, Sarah moved to Seattle, Washington and worked for Eddie Bauer, scaling up the corporate ladder from 2005-2010 in Merchandising and Design.  Sarah departed Eddie Bauer in 2010 as the Merchandise Manager of the Woven Division of Eddie Bauer Outlets to move back to Virginia to care for her terminally ill mother.  

In 2011, she received her Master's Degree in Apparel Design and Analysis at Virginia Tech.  During her career in the Apparel and Textile industry, she traveled the world to develop and source garments with manufacturers and suppliers.  

Sarah enjoys making pottery, she is a choir member and cantor in her church, and is passionate about positive youth development.  She has lived in scenic Albemarle since 2017 with her family and beloved dog.

Education and Degrees

• M.S. Apparel Design & Analysis, 2011, Virginia Tech

• B.S. Apparel Design, 2002, Virginia Tech

Work Experience:

• 4-H Education and Outreach Facilitator, Albemarle/Charlottesville, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2024-present

• 4-H Program Assistant, Albemarle/Charlottesville, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2022-2024

• Product Development Manager, Bacova Guild, Low Moor, VA 2011-2013

• Assistant Branch Manager, Bath County Public Library, Warm Springs, VA 2010

• Substitute Teacher, Bath County Public Schools, Hot Springs, VA 2010

• Merchandise Manager, Wovens, Eddie Bauer Corporate Headquarters, Bellevue, WA 2005-2010

• Instructor, Basic Apparel Assembly, 2004-2005, Virginia Tech

4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing.  The goal of 4-H is to teach youth citizenship, leadership, and life skills.  For more than 100 years, Albemarle/Charlottesville 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. 

Through life-changing 4‑H programs, nearly six million kids and teens across the world have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all.