Summer Internship Program: Nelson County

Primary Program Area Focus:  ANR

1. Describe your plans for this internship.  (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)

The Nelson County VCE Unit is seeking a summer intern position that would have 50% ANR duties and 50% 4-H duties.  This would provide the intern with experience in education for adults as well as children. 

2. Describe the knowledge / skills you expect the intern to gain from this experience.

Our office focuses on many agricultural areas.  The intern would gain knowldege and experience in several ways and with several programs:

ANR

• Master Gardener - assissting with the Demo Garden and the Mallory Creek Garden in cataloging all species grown in each garden along with researching recommendations for growing food and native plants in Virginia.
• Cattleman Group - researching soil types and forages that are best suited for cattle raising in Nelson County.
• Extension Garden - work with ANR agent on educational documents about gardening and farming in Nelson County.
• Public Relations - attend events with agents such as Nelson Health Fair, Pressure Gauge Testing Clinic, Farmers Markets at Nellysford/Lovingston/Rockfish. Create a survey about the needs of our community for seniors.

4-H

• Youth-work with 4-H agent to assist with programming for 2026 summer camp.
• Cloverbuds - work with 4-H to create age appropriate program about soil healtlh.

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

Daily duties:

• Learn about questions from the public that arise about soil sampling, water testing and other diagnostic offerings from Virginia Tech.
• Visit with ANR Agent homeowners, farmers, orchards, and vineyards with questions about their particular crops.