Parks and Recreation will manage the Chesterfield County office effective Wed.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) will fall within Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation starting Wednesday, July 1.
Headquartered next to Central Library at 9501 Lori Road, the Chesterfield Cooperative Extension Office provides research-based educational programming in three key areas: agricultural and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer resources.
Cooperative Extension staff can significantly expand services to the community by utilizing a large volunteer base to provide additional outreach. These volunteers serve as Master Gardeners, 4-H camp and club leaders, and Master Food Volunteers to carry forth the work of Extension into the Chesterfield community. The agency also operates a laboratory, where staff assists residents can find assistance with their plant disease, insect or weed inquiries and problems for no charge.
Cooperative Extension’s move under Parks and Recreation comes as longtime Chesterfield VCE Director T. Michael Likins retires June 30 after 18 years with the county.
Prior to Likins’s retirement, both entities began working to streamline programs to better serve residents and enhance their experience.
“We wish Mike Likins well in his retirement. As director, he provided stellar leadership to the Cooperative Extension Service,” said parks director James Worsley. “Our department is excited about the opportunity to continue his vision and enhance services to the community.”
Cooperative Extension will continue offering the same services, camps, seminars, and programming from its Lori Road offices and laboratory, with plans to maintain and enhance gardening, nutrition, and financial wellness programs as part of its transition into Parks and Recreation.
“Both the Cooperative Extension and the Parks and Recreation Department share some similar goals, including maintaining and improving the quality of the environment,” said Scott Zaremba, who is the county’s deputy county administrator for community operations,. “This is a great opportunity for the services in both areas to collaborate and grow to provide even greater benefit to our citizens.”
Learn more about the Cooperative Extension Office by visiting https://www.chesterfield.gov/429/Cooperative-Extension.
