Local Programs
The Arlington County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension is your local connection to Virginia's land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Through educational programs based on research and developed with input from local stakeholders, we help the people of Arlington County improve their lives. We provide education through programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Viability.
ANR programs have something for everyone interested in urban agriculture, horticulture and sustainable landscape management. We host an in-house help desk to answer your plant, insect or gardening questions and offer programs year round on various topics.
- Kirsten Conrad - Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Related Extension Publications
Extension Master Gardener Help Desk
Let our Master Gardeners help with your plant, insect and other gardening / horticulture questions. Follow the help desk link to find out more about our help desk and what to bring to help us answer your questions.
Public Education Programs
We offer a variety of programs on various topics. Please visit our public education page to see our regularly offered courses. In addition, if we have volunteers available, we can tailor a program for your group or event. If you don’t see what you are interested listed here, please contact us.
Between the Rows Garden Guide
Need a list of “to-dos” for your vegetable and herb gardens?
Information in this publication covers general garden design, planning, maintenance, and pest and disease detection.
Volunteer Opportunities
Affiliated Organizations
Do you want to have fun, make new friends, and learn new things?
4-H is the place for you! In 4-H you learn through experience while working with other kids and adults who care about you! The Arlington County 4-H programs offer youth ages 5-18 opportunities to gain knowledge, leadership skills and community service experience through hands-on projects and activities. 4-H is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and our local government. Arlington 4-H typically meets every other Saturday during the school year. During the summer, 4-H meets on a modified schedule.
STEM, Culinary, Financial Literacy and Civil engagement projects are offered during the school year. Summer 2025, 4-H will offer Project Wild a nature curriculum and food preservation.
4-H Goal: To help young people grow into capable, responsible, confident members of their communities by providing information, opportunities, activities, and events which are educational, developmental, and fun.
Meet your 4-H Agent!
Arlington 4-H Calendar
Family and Consumer Sciences programs focus on finance, nutrition and family and human development needs of Arlington and Alexandria residents through classes offered at various public venues. Consistent with VCE's mission, our educational programs utilize research-based curricula from public university or federal government sources.
- Aisha Salazar - Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences
Volunteer Opportunities
Financial Education
We provide financial education to more than 6,000 Arlington and Alexandria residents each year. Our diverse programming ranges from financial simulations for school aged children to financial coaching sessions for adults.
Nutrition Education
Our various programs help children, youth, and adults establish and maintain healthy diets to prevent chronic diseases and obesity.
Energy Efficiency Education
This award winning program trains volunteers in energy and water efficiency and conservation techniques, specifically focusing on skills for weatherizing apartment building units.
Engaging with Communities
Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists in community viability work with Extension agents, campus-based faculty, organizational partners, communities, and individuals to further opportunity and build capacity in five program areas:
- Leadership & Planning
- Community Enterprise and Resiliency
- Community Food System and Enterprises
- Community Planning
- Emerging Community Issues
Examples of our work include training county elected officials, educating entrepreneurs, facilitating collaborative projects, supporting the growth of community food systems and local economies, enhancing agent skills and community capacity in facilitation and leadership, conducting problem-driven research, and creating publications and tools that address critical community needs.
Do you have a question about Community Viability?
Perhaps one of the Community Viability specialists below can help you. Contact a Community Viability specialist or direct a question to them using our Ask an Expert system.