VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION GARDENER HANDBOOK

Virginia Cooperative Extension Gardener Handbook is a guide for all gardeners in Virginia. It covers a variety of topics important for beginning and experienced gardeners, including soil health, native plants, and integrated pest management. This manual provides an understanding of the basics of gardening in Virginia and helps to build a strong foundation of gardening knowledge. Resources for additional reading can be found at the end of each chapter. We encourage readers to take a deeper dive into the topics that interest them and continue their learning journey.

Extension Master Gardener Coordinator’s Manual

This document is meant to be a guide as you move through building and coordinating Extension Master Gardener Programs in Virginia. The State Office is always available to assist and answer questions, please reach out directly to the State Coordinator or send a message to the general office email at [email protected].

9-8-25 Monthly Meeting Agenda

These slides were published for the September 2025 Western Tidewater Master Gardener Monthly Meeting

Social Media Policy

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Virginia Tech recognizes the value of social media platforms for a range of goals and must balance its support of social media with the preservation of Virginia Tech’s brand identity, integrity, and reputation.

VT - Media Release Form

Before Taking a Picture and Recording a Speaker – Media Release Procedures
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences requires that a media release form must be completed for all traditional and electronic media (e.g., photographs, video, audio footage, and testimonials) that are obtained from non-Virginia Tech individuals.

Better Impact (BI) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To see the most recently answered questions, please see dates following answers. New questions have been added to the end of each section

Copyright - Update for Agents

Do I need permission to use photos, graphics, figures, artwork, etc., that I find online?

Important Reminder: Copyright Compliance for EMG Associations

What is unauthorized image use? When someone takes a photo and posts it online, they retain the copyright for that image. We can’t use copyrighted images without permission or a license (with the exception of fair use).

Designing engaging, mission-aligned programs: Creating Programs with EMGs in Mind

Angelette Pryor - Extension Volunteer Manager Hanover Unit - 8-15-25

Using Online Applications in Better Impact for Extension Master Gardeners in Mind

Better Impact Training: Online Applications There are a few differences in the applications between the EMG and VMN programs, but the information presented here is still very relevant and should be useful to EMGs.

Extension Master Gardener Re-enrollment in Better Impact

Re-enrollment through Better Impact will be completed through the Qualifications section of the volunteer’s profile rather than through paper forms. If for some reason you have some volunteers who need to use a paper form (ex. do not have a computer or lack the necessary computer skills), please enter the details of their signed form into Better Impact to ensure everything is tracked and completed.

Introduction to EMG social media

We recommend that units primarily use Facebook. If your unit is interested, you might also consider using Instagram and Twitter.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Brand and Style Guide

This document can serve as a guide for how to use the Virginia Cooperative Extension brand in a host of various communications and marketing materials. To maximize the impact of our brand, it is crucial that our logo, colors, and other details have a consistent look and feel.