Local Programs

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is a program area of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Family and Consumer Sciences exists to improve the general, overall well-being of families by incorporating new knowledge into their everyday lives. It gives these families the skills to perform tasks such as: manage finances and credit successfully/wisely, prepare for and cope with disasters, and to make good parenting decisions. Katrina Kirby, Family and Consumer Sciences, Associate Extension Agent and the Family Nutrition Program-SNAP-Ed. Program Assistant provide programs like these.

Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents provide many opportunities to any age group on various issues including making good parenting decisions, handling food safely, making better nutrition choices with a healthy diet, identifying quality child care, handling credit wisely, managing finances successfully and planning for elder care needs.

These opportunities are provided through educating the Petersburg community with workshops, classes, hands on activities, working health fairs and much more.

Workshops

• Offered FCS Workshops (PDF | 231KB)  

Information

Are you looking for reliable information about parenting?  We strongly recommend Just in Time Parenting. This is a free, monthly email newsletter. This newsletter is timed to your child's age. You will get specific information as she grows and changes. Parents have told us that knowing what to expect as their child changes each month is very helpful. You can find answers to questions like: What should I do about crying? When do babies sleep through the night? Should my child be crawling? When should I start solid food? The newsletter is commercial-fee, no links to toys or products. It is written by university parenting and child development experts. Go here to subscribe or find out more:

https://www.extension.org/pages/22110/just-in-time-parenting-enewsletters#.U-4PEE10zX4

Raising Healthy Kids Blog

http://va.childcareaware.org/category/blog/

Upcoming Events-Petersburg FCS

The City of Petersburg is now offering Virtual "Pathways to Effective Parenting Classes" for parents, grandparents, childcare providers and anyone needing help with parenting and communication skills. Information focuses on pre-school children, primary, elementary school-aged children and teens. Certificates to be awarded to participants that complete the entire eight (8) weeks. Pre-registration is required. Classes fill up quickly.  If questions call 804-733-1880 or email Katrina Kirby at kirby2@vt.edu.  

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes With The PreventT2 Program

As part of a PreventT2 group, you will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. Contact jmunson@vt.edu for registration information.

Being part of a group provides support from other people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes you are. Together you can celebrate successes and fit ways to overcome obstacles.

Read more...

4-H is a comprehensive youth development program of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Youth between the ages of  5 and 18 engage in hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of the local 4-H staff and volunteers.

• Special interest groups
• Community clubs
• School enrichment
• After school collaborations
• Cloverbuds
• 4-H Summer Camp

Many 4-H projects and activities address objectives covered in Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL's http//www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/sols) The following contain specific 4-H school enrichment projects and activities found in our ten curricula areas:

1.   Animal Science

2.   Careers and Economic Education

3.   Citizenship

4.   Communications and Expressive Arts

5.   Family and Consumer Sciences

6.   Food, Nutrition and Health

7.   Leadership and Personal Development

8.   Natural Resources and Environmental Education

9.   Science and Technology

10. Plants, Soils and Entomology

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.

Community Viability Specialists

See a list of our Community Viability Specialists

The Family Nutrition Program is offered through Virginia Coopeative Extension, an educational outreach partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.

The Family Nutrition Program offers a range of programs to teach the basics of healthy eating, active living, food safety, and menu planning on a budget.  Please contact the extension office to obtain more information on individual and/or group cooking and nutrition classes. (804)733-1880.