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Local Programs

Lyle Currin, Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, is here to assist you with your agriculture questions and concerns.

We have soil boxes and forms you need to send off your soil samples.  Testing of samples for commercial crop is still free of charge, but samples submitted for gardens, lawns, etc. are $10 per sample for routine test.

If you need a private pesticide permit to purchase restricted-use chemicals, you may call the Nottoway Extension Office and set up a time to come take the required test. 

We are fortunate to have trained, qualified Master Gardener volunteers to help you with your horticultural questions. Call the Nottoway Extension Office and request a Master Gardener call you to discuss your garden and lawn concerns. We will put you in touch with a Master Gardener who can answer your questions in a timely manner.

Join a dedicated team of more than 5,000 volunteers who work in communities throughout Virginia to promote research-based horticulture. Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) provide vital public education related to creating and managing home landscapes, vegetable gardening, turf management, and more!

Virginia Cooperative Extension – Master Gardener Volunteers work specifically towards these goals:
  • Enhancing the environment through sustainable landscape practices
  • Using horticulture and landscaping to positively impact youth
  • Using horticulture and landscaping to promote community development and economic growth
  • Producing food in public and private gardens to improve human nutrition and food security
  • Using horticulture to improve the overall quality of life for Virginia's citizens
Requirements to Become a Virginia Cooperative Extension – Master Gardener Volunteer
  • Receive 50 hours (minimum) of training 
  • Complete 50 hours (minimum) of volunteer service within horticultural education programs. Exact hour requirements vary by county. To remain an active Extension Master Gardener, you must complete 20 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of continuing education each year.

(These 100 hours must be completed within the first year. Then you earn the title of Virginia Cooperative Extension - Master Gardener Volunteer)

To maintain the title of Master Gardener Volunteer you must complete the below annually:
  • Must contribute at least 20 hours of volunteer service each year to remain active
  • Must participate in at least 8 hours of recertification training

For more information on the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program, please visit their website Virginia Master Gardener Program.

The Nottoway 4-H program is a youth development program that targets youth ages 9-18 and Cloverbuds ages 5-8. Many are youth are introduced to 4-H through in-school programs in grades 4 and up.

4th Graders are introduced to 4-H and receive supplemental instruction on Virginia Studies that coincides with SOL guidelines. 5th and 6th graders receive hands on learning in areas of Science that coincide with SOL guidelines. Middle school students participate in activities that promote mental health and confidence building. High school students enrolled in the Agricultural Class engage in workshops led by both the 4-H and ANR Agents.

4-H Clubs

 The 4-H Little and Large Livestock club is open to youth ages 7-18. This club teaches members about various livestock and agriculture education. Club members have enjoyed incubating eggs, visiting area farms, planting vegetable seeds, and learning how to judge livestock. This club meets at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Nottoway County Extension Office. Club members DO NOT need to own, or have the ability to own, livestock.

The 4-H Teen Leader Club meets once a month at Nottoway High School right after school dismisses. Please contact our office for meeting dates.

The Nottoway 4-H Shooting Sports Club is open to youth ages 9-18. This club teaches youth about firearms safety. The Club also travels to various competitions within the state and even National competitions. Disciplines include BB, Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery. This Club currently has a waitlist (adults willing to volunteer as instructors may have the opportunity to bump their child to the top of the list) and meets in the Spring and Fall. Please contact our office for information on how to put your child on the list.

Don’t see a Club here that interests you? 4-H offers much more than livestock and agriculture education. You can start a Club on just about ANY topic (STEM, sewing, fishing, outdoor skills, you name it!). All that is needed to start a club are at least 2 un-related adult Volunteers and interested youth! Please contact our office for more information on how to start your own 4-H Club!

4-H Camps

Nottoway currently teams up with Cumberland, Amelia, and Nelson counties for Junior 4-H Camp at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center. This camp is an overnight camp lasting Monday-Friday for one week in the summer. The camp is open to youth ages 9-13. Teens may also come to camp as Teen Leaders after going through the proper training and being active in the 4-H Teen Leader Club. Camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonders of outdoors, build confidence, make new friends, and a place where they can be their wonderful selves. Registration for camp begins in January.

Cloverbud Camp is for youth ages 5-8. It is a weekend long overnight camp that usually occurs in June and is also at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.

Nottoway also does several day camps during the summer and sometimes on Spring Break week. These camps also take youth (ages 9-13) on various trips around the state of Virginia to learn about Natural Resources.

Some mini-camps are also offered during the Fall and Winter months. Those include Winter in the Woods and Food Frenzy, both at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.

We are always looking for more Adult Volunteers to help us with camp. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming an Adult Volunteer, please contact our office.

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:   

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.

Community Viability Specialists

See a list of our Community Viability Specialists

Extension Leadership Council

Nottoway Extension Office would like YOUR help! We have openings for our Extension Leadership Council. This group of area stakeholders (residents) meets quarterly to discuss programming needs within the County. Please contact our office for more information.