Join 4-H volunteers and help 'make the best better!'

Do you want to have a positive, lasting impact on young people in our community? 4-H is an organization that engages youth in a large variety of university-based learning programs. We invite you to get involved and help us continue to provide safe, enriching programs where young people can explore a universe of interests, make new friends and gain skills they'll use for the rest of their lives. Click here to fill out our volunteer form. Email completed form to Erin at EEM2790@vt.edu or bring it by our office (address below). 

4-H clubs belong to the families within our community

Future flourishing clubs owe their success to dedicated adult volunteer leaders! Cooperative Extension's 4-H staff train and work with dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, talents and resources to maintain and expand the 4-H program. Our volunteers help encourage and involve youth in educational learning experiences that lead to positive youth development.

Because of our volunteers, 4-H youth are having fun learning new things and gaining new skills. We are proud of their accomplishments. The future of our community, state and nation is in good hands!

4-H Project Leader

 Volunteers guide 4-H youth in learning by doing in a particular interest area. If you have a special skill or interest (such as photography, clothing, gardening or other project areas) you may assist at club meetings and/or at special activities (such as 4-H Project Day, 4-H day camps etc.).

Teen Volunteers 

Some clubs have teen leaders who are also 4-H members. Teens develop their leadership skills and gain experience by assuming responsibilities for project groups or club games or activities under the guidance of an adult leader.

4-H Virginia Cooperative Extension Nelson County

8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy.

Lovingston, VA 22949

What Is A Master Gardener?

The Nelson County Master Gardeners are part of something big.

A Master Gardener is a volunteer horticultural educator who provides science-based gardening information to the community. They are trained by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and work closely with the local Extension Agent to address gardening questions and problems.

The Role of Master Gardeners in Nelson County

In Nelson County, Master Gardeners are a valuable resource for residents seeking guidance on a variety of gardening topics. Their expertise includes:

• Soil health: Understanding soil composition, fertility, and amendments.

• Plant selection: Choosing the right plants for your garden based on climate, soil conditions, and desired outcomes.

• Pest and disease management: Identifying and treating common garden pests and diseases.

• Sustainable gardening practices: Promoting environmentally friendly gardening techniques.

How Master Gardeners Can Help You

If you have a gardening question or problem, the Nelson County Master Gardeners can:

• Provide expert advice and recommendations.

• Help you diagnose plant problems.

• Offer solutions to common gardening challenges.

• Educate you on the latest gardening techniques and trends.

Master Gardeners in Action

To make their knowledge accessible to the community, Nelson County Master Gardeners often participate in:

• Horticultural help desks: Offering in-person or phone consultations.

• Educational workshops and seminars: Sharing gardening expertise with the public.

• Community garden projects: Supporting local gardening initiatives.

• Demonstration gardens: Showcasing best practices and plant varieties.

By working closely with the Extension Agent, Master Gardeners ensure that the information they provide is accurate, up-to-date, and scientifically sound.

Would you like to learn more about specific gardening topics or how to contact the Nelson County Master Gardeners? Check out our events, find us at the farmers market or email at: mastergardenernelson@gmail.com

VMN Basic Training

Due to the small size of our chapter, CBR is normally only able to hold a Basic Training course every other year.  The 2024 course is full, and applications are no longer being accepted.  However, we maintain a list of people who are interested in becoming a VMN volunteer, and if you would like to be added to our list, send your name and email address to the Virginia Extension Office in Lovingston, phone 434-263-7180 or email lmacrae@vt.edu.  We will contact you as soon as we schedule the next course.  You might also consider inquiring about training courses with some of the other chapters that serve the general area.

When the application is available, you may click the button to the right to access and complete it.

The majority of our members live in Nelson County, but we also have members who live in Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Buckingham, and Rockbridge counties and the city of Charlottesville.    Our meeting schedule for 2024 is below, and you are welcome to attend any of the meetings.  Thank you for your interest. 

Bi-monthly Chapter Meetings

Our regular meetings are held on the first Thursday of every other month in the conference room at the Nelson Center, which is located at 8445 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston.  The Center is on the west side of U.S. 29, just south of the traffic light in Lovingston.  Turn west at the sign to the County Library and Tourism Office.  The Nelson Center is on the south side of the parking lot.  Use the entrance door with the covered canopy.

Our 2024 meetings are scheduled for February 1, April 4, June 6, August 1, October 3, and December 5.    Meetings are open to non-members, and each meeting begins at 7 p.m. and ends by 9 p.m.  A guest speaker is featured during the first half of each meeting, and presentations include a variety of nature topics that are of interest in Virginia.   On rare occasions, a meeting date must be changed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstance.  Please contact our chapter advisor or administrative assistant (emails listed below) to ascertain that the upcoming meeting is still being held as scheduled.

Chapter Projects

CBR members volunteer in a wide variety of projects with state agencies that sponsor the VMN program, local partner organizations, and a number of other environmental organizations.  On-going projects include Bluebird trails, docent staffing at the Rockfish Valley Foundation Museum, an annual butterfly count, monitoring and maintenance on public trail systems, work in a new county park, assistance at two area wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries, stream monitoring, and leading walks on nature trails at both public and private locations throughout the area.  If you have information about volunteer projects or continuing education opportunities that may be of interest to CBR members, please contact our chapter advisor.

Volunteer Project Opportunities

To make it easier for volunteers, especially new VMNs, to find volunteer projects to get involved with, we have created a volunteer opportunity list. Clicking on this link will download a PDF with web links and descriptions of all the opportunities we are aware of. If you discover an opportunity that is not listed in this document, please send a link and a description of the volunteer project to Bruce Slater (brulater@gmail.com). Conversely, if you have a problem using the document, please contact Bruce.

Contacts

Chapter Advisor

Justin Barnes  justin.barnes@dof.virginia.gov     
Phone 804-489-4952
Virginia Department of Forestry Headquarters
Fontaine Research Park
900 Natural Resources Drive
Suite 800
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Virginia Cooperative Extension Office for Nelson County

Administrative Assistant:  Cindy MacRae
Email: lmacrae@vt.edu
Phone: (434) 263-7180
Nelson Extension Office
Located in the Nelson Center on U.S. 29, Lovingston
PO Box 298
Lovingston, VA  22949

Chapter Officers

President - Lena Kroll
Vice President – Bette Dzamba
Secretary – Linda Hughes
Treasurer – Cynthia Elkey
IT Chair - Bruce Slater
​Membership Chair - Anne Slotwinski
Chapter Host - Libby Carmines
Chapter Historian - Susan McSwain
Better Impact Administrator - Bruce Slater, Susan McSwain, Lena Kroll
At Large Officers - Wendy Kendrick and Stephen Cassola