Extension Showcase at Fairlington Community Center Highlights 2017 Achievements
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Extension Showcase at Fairlington Community Center Highlights 2017 Achievements

The Master Food Volunteers of Virginia Cooperative Extension have prepared a breakfast for everyone. Nancy Broff, Master Food volunteer, points out the array of different colors displayed on the long buffet table “because we eat with our eyes” and because it calls attention that foods of different colors have different nutrients. She says they offer vegan alternatives such as the avocado tartines as well as gluten-free flourless chocolate chip muffins. The Extension breakfast is held each year to introduce the community to extension activities and to thank them for their support.

The Master Food Volunteers of Virginia Cooperative Extension have prepared a breakfast for everyone. Nancy Broff, Master Food volunteer, points out the array of different colors displayed on the long buffet table “because we eat with our eyes” and because it calls attention that foods of different colors have different nutrients. She says they offer vegan alternatives such as the avocado tartines as well as gluten-free flourless chocolate chip muffins. The Extension breakfast is held each year to introduce the community to extension activities and to thank them for their support. Photo by Shirley Ruhe.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Arlington County Board Chair, Jay Fisette, receives an award from Judy Connally, Executive Leadership Council of Virginia Cooperative Extension and former Virginia state representative, for his long-standing support of extension activities. And because he is a “gardener and nice human being,” Connally also gives him an itea virginica for his yard or his garden. Fisette commented he had hoped the award would be someone to take care of his garden. The Arlington County and the City of Alexandria held their annual Extension Showcase on Dec. 1. Virginia Cooperative Extension builds local relationship and collaborative partnerships, helping people put scientific knowledge to work through the commonwealth’s land-grant universities.

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Diane Charles, executive director of ALIVE! in Alexandria, discusses mutual food goals and concerns for low-income families with Jennifer Abel, senior extension agent at the annual 2017 Extension Showcase on Dec. 1. In 2017 1,234 volunteers worked in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria with almost 35 hours donated on average by each volunteer. The volunteers participate in five different program areas such as Energy Masters where 180 volunteers have made improvements in 744 Alexandria and Arlington apartments.

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Joan McIntyre, a Master Gardener of Northern Virginia (MGNV), talks to bystanders about sustainability and an overall focus on reducing the amount of fertilizer and energy that goes into maintaining a yard. She stresses the importance of native plants. The Junior Master Gardener and Outdoor Explorer program at six elementary schools in 2017 reached 130 students with the support of 31 volunteers. MGNV is available to assist in plant selection, planting practices, pest and disease control in Arlington and Alexandria.

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Haregowoin Tecklu represents a diverse community in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension as she demonstrates Eritrean coffee. She says she roasts the beans and grinds them then puts them in water in the jebenn (pot). “Everything is from back home.”