Get Involved
Virginia Cooperative Extension relies on volunteers to accomplish its mission. We believe that active citizen involvement in our programs makes a difference in our success. The work of volunteers at the local level helps us leverage our paid faculty and staff resources into a much greater impact for the people of Virginia.
There are many ways you can get involved with us. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss available opportunities.
Check out our photo gallery to see some of the interesting VCE is doing in the Roanoke Valley!
Master Gardener Volunteers
Roanoke Master Gardeners are specially trained volunteer educators. We volunteer through and work on behalf of Virginia Cooperative Extension, the community engagement branch of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.
Master Gardeners answer questions, deliver programming, and act as resources for reliable horticultural knowledge. Whether solving landscape challenges, identifying insects and diseases, planning gardens, or helping you to grow your own food, many turn to Roanoke Master Gardeners for expert knowledge, practical experience, and reliable, research-based information.
Master Food Volunteers
Combine your love of cooking, nutrition, physical activity, and helping others by becoming a Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Food Volunteer. The Master Food Volunteer Program helps Extension reach more Virginians with up-to-date, research-based knowledge on food preparation, nutrition, food safety, and physical activity. Contact Family & Consumer Science Agent, Kim Butterfield for more information: mskimb8@vt.edu.
Roanoke Valley 4-H Volunteers Needed
Do you want to have a positive and lasting impact on young people in our community? 4-H works with volunteers to involve youth in an educational learning experience that results in learning for both the youth and the volunteer. 4-H uses the learn-by-doing concept of experiential education. We are always looking for adult volunteers who are interested in sharing their time and talents. Volunteers are needed for short term and long term activities and projects. You can be involved for a few hours, a few days, a few weeks, months or even years. Our volunteers make it possible for our youth to have fun, learn new things and gain life skills. Remember it is your time and talent, so we work with your schedule. The rewards you gain from working with youth are priceless so please take advantage of this opportunity by contacting Leslie Prillaman at 772-7524 or by email: lesliep@vt.edu
Extension Leadership Council
VCE—Roanoke does not determine in isolation the needs of the community, nor does it implement solutions to those needs on its own. Instead, Virginia Cooperative Extension facilitates an approach to education that involves the community in the identification of their own needs and the implementation of solutions. The primary means for Extension to aid community involvement in its programs is through a representative group know as the Roanoke Extension Leadership Council (ELC).
Mission of the Extension Leadership Council: To develop and implement a program plan that will direct Extension's resources toward the resolution of identified issues and concerns.
Roles and Functions of the ELC: Identify and prioritize issues and programs; design, develop and implement appropriate programming; assess and monitor programs and reports results to appropriate groups; be an advocate for Extension programming.
Meetings: Roanoke ELC meets quarterly, varying times in an effort to allow all members an opportunity to attend.