Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), including 4-H
ORMN Project Contact:
Project Background
Virginia Cooperative Extension is part of the national land-grant university system, formed in 1914. Two of its four main program areas are: 1) Agriculture and Natural Resources to help sustain the profitability of agricultural and forestry production and enhance and protect the quality of our land and water resources; and 2) 4-H Youth Development to provide comprehensive youth development programs to educates young people, ages 5 to 18, through a variety of experiential techniques that encourage hands-on, active learning of leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is part of the national land-grant university system, formed in 1914. Two of its four main program areas are: 1) Agriculture and Natural Resources to help sustain the profitability of agricultural and forestry production and enhance and protect the quality of our land and water resources; and 2) 4-H Youth Development to provide comprehensive youth development programs to educates young people, ages 5 to 18, through a variety of experiential techniques that encourage hands-on, active learning of leadership, citizenship and life skills.
ED (Education) Activities with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), including 4-H
Ailanthus Demonstration at Madison Farmer's Market
The invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima is often cut down and the stump treated to prevent regrowth. The downed wood may be turned into natural hardwood lump charcoal for household use, which use is gaining popularity because it is a totally natural product without the binders, borax and possible petroleum products added to enhance burning. Its use also affords hotter cooking temperatures, better temperature regulation, less ash and faster lighting. A cooperative project of the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Tech has been the development of a portable kiln made out of a chicken feed hopper and other readily available materials. Demonstrations of ailanthus charcoal making combines a novel use of downed ailanthus waste wood with an assortment of kilns to produce pure carbon which burns nearly odorless and hotter than a regular wood fire. Other woods may be used, but hardwoods and softwoods should not be combined. Demonstrations may include grilling with ailanthus charcoal. Bagging of charcoal and clean-up are additional components of this volunteer activity.
The invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima is often cut down and the stump treated to prevent regrowth. The downed wood may be turned into natural hardwood lump charcoal for household use, which use is gaining popularity because it is a totally natural product without the binders, borax and possible petroleum products added to enhance burning. Its use also affords hotter cooking temperatures, better temperature regulation, less ash and faster lighting. A cooperative project of the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Tech has been the development of a portable kiln made out of a chicken feed hopper and other readily available materials. Demonstrations of ailanthus charcoal making combines a novel use of downed ailanthus waste wood with an assortment of kilns to produce pure carbon which burns nearly odorless and hotter than a regular wood fire. Other woods may be used, but hardwoods and softwoods should not be combined. Demonstrations may include grilling with ailanthus charcoal. Bagging of charcoal and clean-up are additional components of this volunteer activity.
- Locations: Madison County Farmer’s Market, Madison, VA 22727.(Generally held at Hoover Ridge Park, VA 22727. At the intersection of Fairground Road and Primary School Drive, Madison, VA, turn left onto Primary School Drive, take a left into Hoover Ridge Park. Click for directions to intersection of Fairground Road and Primary School Drive.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Charcoal making is a very dirty, smoky process.
- Special Requirements: None.
- Time Commitment: Generally a shift of several daytime hours. The Ailanthus Demonstration is presented once or twice a year.
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Events & Assistance
ORMN volunteers assist VCE staff at public events and with other staffing needs, such as assisting with registration of attendees, preparing information folders, placing traffic signs, setting up and staffing exhibits, directing visitor flow and answering questions.
ORMN volunteers assist VCE staff at public events and with other staffing needs, such as assisting with registration of attendees, preparing information folders, placing traffic signs, setting up and staffing exhibits, directing visitor flow and answering questions.
- Locations: Varies.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in this activity may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings.
- Special Requirements: May need to be able to deal with the public. If youth are involved, ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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Madison 4-H Adventure Club - not currently an active project
The Madison 4-H Adventure Club members, who are high school students, are clearing, cleaning up and removing trash, debris and invasive species from an area behind the Waverly Yowell School in Madison, VA. The 4-H Adventure Club goals include protection of the Robinson River watershed, design and installation of a nature trail, design and installation of a pollinator garden planted with native plants. ORMN volunteers will assist the members of the 4-H Adventure Club in developing the design of the pollinator garden and selecting the best native plants for the local ecosystem. The 4-H Adventure Club sponsor is Kris Jarvis - kris.jarvis(at)comcast.net
The Madison 4-H Adventure Club members, who are high school students, are clearing, cleaning up and removing trash, debris and invasive species from an area behind the Waverly Yowell School in Madison, VA. The 4-H Adventure Club goals include protection of the Robinson River watershed, design and installation of a nature trail, design and installation of a pollinator garden planted with native plants. ORMN volunteers will assist the members of the 4-H Adventure Club in developing the design of the pollinator garden and selecting the best native plants for the local ecosystem. The 4-H Adventure Club sponsor is Kris Jarvis - kris.jarvis(at)comcast.net
- Location: 1809 N Main St, Madison, VA 22727. Click for directions. Enter the northern-most Waverly Yowell driveway off of Rt. 29B, drive to the left around the brick building, turn right at the ball field and drive up to a graveled area behind the cafeteria.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: As with all 4-H Projects, olunteers must sign the Standards of Behavior for Virginia 4-H Volunteers, and complete and sign the 4-H Volunteer Form. ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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Orange County Ag Day
For over 20 years, Orange County 3rd-graders have learned about Orange County's largest industry - agriculture - in Ag Day field trips planned and managed by Virginia Cooperative Esxtension's Orange office, with financial support from Virginia Farm Bureau and other support from Orange County Public Schools. Rotating through 12 stations that correlate to third grade Standardsd of Learning, students learn about various aspects of agriculture and agricultural commodities. ORMN volunteers may be able to help staff the Forestry or Soils stations to support this activity that serves over 500 youth each year.
For over 20 years, Orange County 3rd-graders have learned about Orange County's largest industry - agriculture - in Ag Day field trips planned and managed by Virginia Cooperative Esxtension's Orange office, with financial support from Virginia Farm Bureau and other support from Orange County Public Schools. Rotating through 12 stations that correlate to third grade Standardsd of Learning, students learn about various aspects of agriculture and agricultural commodities. ORMN volunteers may be able to help staff the Forestry or Soils stations to support this activity that serves over 500 youth each year.
- Location: Virginia Tech's Northern Piedmont Center (formerly Northern Piedmont Agricultural Research & Extension Center),14471 Research Rd, Orange, VA 22960. Click for directions.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: As with other 4-H Projects, volunteers may have to sign the Standards of Behavior for Virginia 4-H Volunteers, and complete and sign the 4-H Volunteer Form. ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Orange County Ag Day field trips occur over two days during the school year. Hours each day - 9:30 am – 1:30 pm.
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Rappahannock 4-H Day Camp Creeks & Critters
ORMN Activity Contact: Ed Dorsey - ebdorsey(at)aol.com
The purpose of “Creeks and Critters” is to educate youth on the value of clean streams by conducting a survey of macro invertebrates present in healthy streams. Activities are designed to show the relationship between stream health and various species that depend upon them. ORMN volunteers help youth collect and sort macro invertebrates to determine which and how many are sensitive, or tolerant of pollution.
ORMN Activity Contact: Ed Dorsey - ebdorsey(at)aol.com
The purpose of “Creeks and Critters” is to educate youth on the value of clean streams by conducting a survey of macro invertebrates present in healthy streams. Activities are designed to show the relationship between stream health and various species that depend upon them. ORMN volunteers help youth collect and sort macro invertebrates to determine which and how many are sensitive, or tolerant of pollution.
- Location: Northern Virginia 4-H Center, 600 4-H Center Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630. Click for directions.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in this activity may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. ORMN volunteers will enter the water of local streams, where there are slip hazards.
- Special Requirements: As with all 4-H Projects, volunteers must sign the Standards of Behavior for Virginia 4-H Volunteers, and complete and sign the 4-H Volunteer Form. ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Rappahannock 4-H Day Camp is held Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am to noon, generally the second week of June annually. Several monitoring sessions are held each day.
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The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants in Virginia
ORMN Activity Contact: Alfred E. Goossens flavotful.solutions(at)vabb.com
The purpose of The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants in Virginia is for ORMN volunteers to conduct research into plants that grow in Virginia, whether native or introduced, that are toxic to humans. The research is published under auspices of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and used by ORMN volunteers in presentations to the public. For more information contact socratesormn@gmail.com.
ORMN Activity Contact: Alfred E. Goossens flavotful.solutions(at)vabb.com
The purpose of The Socrates Project - Poisonous Plants in Virginia is for ORMN volunteers to conduct research into plants that grow in Virginia, whether native or introduced, that are toxic to humans. The research is published under auspices of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and used by ORMN volunteers in presentations to the public. For more information contact socratesormn@gmail.com.
- Location: Computer research is done from the volunteer's home.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known. Plant specimens may be visited or photographed; they will not be collected.
- Special Requirements: Computer and internet access for research.
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a hands-on natural resource and environmental education program dedicated to teaching young people wildlife management, conservation, leadership, team-building, citizenship and communication skills. Youth study a science-based manual to learn wildlife terms and concepts, about wildlife habitat, how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat, about wildlife habitat management practices, and wildlife damage management. Youth compete in annual state-supported contests in wildlife identification, general wildlife knowledge, wildlife management practices and a written wildlife management plan they must defend orally. Volunteers assist by coaching in subjects that are included in the competitions. Brad Jarvis, a Madison County Extension agent, is a coach. Kelly Mallory, the Madison County Extension agent for 4-H youth, is a coach and a Virginia state coordinator.
The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a hands-on natural resource and environmental education program dedicated to teaching young people wildlife management, conservation, leadership, team-building, citizenship and communication skills. Youth study a science-based manual to learn wildlife terms and concepts, about wildlife habitat, how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat, about wildlife habitat management practices, and wildlife damage management. Youth compete in annual state-supported contests in wildlife identification, general wildlife knowledge, wildlife management practices and a written wildlife management plan they must defend orally. Volunteers assist by coaching in subjects that are included in the competitions. Brad Jarvis, a Madison County Extension agent, is a coach. Kelly Mallory, the Madison County Extension agent for 4-H youth, is a coach and a Virginia state coordinator.
- Location: Madison County Extension Office, War Memorial Bldg, 2 S. Main St, Madison, Va 22727. Click for directions.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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ST (Stewardship) Activities with Virginia Cooperative Extenstion (VCE), including 4-H
Madison 4-H Adventure Club - not currently an active project
The Madison 4-H Adventure Club members, who are high school students, are clearing, cleaning up and removing trash, debris and invasive species from an area behind the Waverly Yowell School in Madison, VA. The Club goals include protection of the Robinson River watershed, design and installation of a nature trail, design and installation of a pollinator garden planted with native plants. Volunteers will assist the members of the Madison 4-H Adventure Club in clearing and removing brush and debris, designing and installing a nature trail, installing a pollinator garden and other features of this proposed natural area. The Madison 4-H Adventure Club sponsor is Kris Jarvis. kris.jarvis@comcast.net
The Madison 4-H Adventure Club members, who are high school students, are clearing, cleaning up and removing trash, debris and invasive species from an area behind the Waverly Yowell School in Madison, VA. The Club goals include protection of the Robinson River watershed, design and installation of a nature trail, design and installation of a pollinator garden planted with native plants. Volunteers will assist the members of the Madison 4-H Adventure Club in clearing and removing brush and debris, designing and installing a nature trail, installing a pollinator garden and other features of this proposed natural area. The Madison 4-H Adventure Club sponsor is Kris Jarvis. kris.jarvis@comcast.net
- Location: 1809 N Main St, Madison, VA 22727. Click for directions. Enter the northern-most Waverly Yowell driveway off of Rt. 29B, drive to the left around the brick building, turn right at the ball field and drive up to a graveled area behind the cafeteria.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None known.
- Special Requirements: As with all 4-H Projects, olunteers must sign the Standards of Behavior for Virginia 4-H Volunteers, and complete and sign the 4-H Volunteer Form. ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: Varies.
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