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.

Highland County Extension Leadership Council (ELC)
The Extension Leadership Council membership serves as a good sounding board to Extension. This includes identifying Highland and Bath County issues that Extension can help to address, evaluate current Extension programming, define and obtain needed resources, advocate for Extension, design and implement a relevant plan of work, speak out for Extension at public meetings, and recruit volunteers.

Currently the council meets twice annually or when meetings are called. Most of the ELC members are in contact with the Extension staff at various times throughout the year and give input as needed.

This council endorses the "Plan to Serve Virginia Agriculture". The Memorandum of Understanding is reviewed by the council and updated as needed. The members are encouraged to be the "eyes and ears" of their communities so that grassroots concerns and ideas can be addressed.

The Highland ELC began December 12, 1995 after several ELC Transition Team meetings. Currently, the council consists of members representing various communities in both Highland  and Bath Counties plus Extension Staff members. These members represent agriculture, family, 4-H/youth, senior citizens, and government.

Contact the Highland County Extension staff at (540) 468-2225 to get involved.

4-H Volunteers
4-H is a youth development organization committed to assisting youth and the adults who work with them in acquiring the leadership abilities, life skills, and attitudes that will help them to become self-directing, productive members of society.  Through hands-on learning activities and programs, 4-H provides youth with opportunities to "learn by doing."  This is a volunteer-led, community-centered, and family-oriented program that is supervised by a trained youth development professional or extension agent.  If you are interested in helping to "make the best better," please contact the Highland Extension Office at 540-468-2225.