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Local Programs

Agriculture is the largest industry in Northampton County encompassing 48,279 tillable acres that are farmed. Farming is crucial to the economy of the County and to the way of life of its residents. Based on the 2022 census, Northampton is ranked the number one county in Virginia for vegetable production and aquaculture production based on market value of products. Northampton is also the seventh highest ranking county in Virginia for total value of agricultural products sold. While grain agriculture dominates in the County, small farms and alternative enterprises are increasing in number. Some of those niche market operations include greenhouses, organic, and specialty vegetables.

Agriculture Extension programs include:

  • Agricultural, Horticultural and General Gardening Information   
  • Soil Testing and Recommendations
  • Business Management and Marketing
  • Nutrient Management
  • Educational Programming
  • Pesticide Certification and Recertification
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Vegetables, lawns and more

Diagnostic and Laboratory Services

For more information, contact ANR Agent Helene Doughty at 757-678-7946 ext 3

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. The Northampton County 4-H Program offers youth ages 5-19 opportunities to participate in clubs, educational contests, educational activities, projects,  camps, and much more!

Northampton 4-H Clubs:  Northampton has  a 4-H Shooting Education Club with membership open to girls and boys, 9-18 years of age. The purpose of the club is to help develop leadership, citizenship and life skills through exciting, learn by doing shooting activities. These activities emphasize safety consciousness and ethical behavior. The 4-H Club is supported by trained instructors. Donations provide the group with funds to purchase needed equipment. Shooting programs are offered involving safety training and shooting events in archery, air rifle, .22 rifle, pistol discipline and shotgun clays.

Northampton 4-H in-School Programming:  Northampton County has three public schools and four private schools, as well as homeschool groups, that the 4-H program works in to provide research based instruction that correlates with the Virginia Standards of Learning.   Often the in-school program involves community volunteers to support the event and activities that are provided. Examples of in-school programming include Real Money, Real World (Reality Store), Embryology and Pumpkin Mania.

Northampton 4-H Community Programming: 4-H works with community groups to provide educational and hands on experiences in many subject areas. 

Northampton 4-H Camping Program:  Northampton 4-H promotes a year-long camping program through specialty camps and summer camps.  Many of these camps are district wide or statewide and promote project and leadership development.  Northampton 4-H also provides day camps (often offered in the summer or during school breaks) to encourage specific project development.

Become a 4-H Volunteer!  Adult volunteers work with the kids on age appropriate, research based curriculum and project areas. Volunteers can help out on a short term basis for one program or a long term as a club leader. 

4-H MOTTO:  To Make the Best Better!

4-H PLEDGE:

I pledge...My HEAD to Clearer Thinking,

 My HEART to Greater Loyalty,

 My HANDS to Larger Service,

and My HEALTH to Better Living,

 For My Club, My Community, My Country, and My World.

4-H COLORS:  Green & White

The white is for purity.

The green, nature's most common color, is for life, springtime, and youth.

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H club volunteer or adult chaperone at 4-H camp or other events, or if you'd like more information on Northampton 4-H programs, please contact Erin Morgan at the Northampton Extension Office by calling 757-678-7946 ext 2

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:   

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 Expertsystem. 

Community Viability Specialists

 

Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show – A two-day event for agricultural producers. Exhibitors and speakers come from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to discuss timely agricultural topics. This event typically occurs during the last week of January.

Eastern Shore Agricultural Fair – A partnership between Northampton Cooperative Extension and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce that showcases agriculture and aquaculture in both Accomack and Northampton Counties in a family friendly fall festival atmosphere. This event usually occurs the first weekend in October.

Northampton County Farm Tour – Looking to support agriculture opportunities in local schools and increase agricultural awareness in the community, the Northampton County Farm Tour educates all 3rd graders on agriculture and aquaculture in an “on-farm” learning experience through industry supported booths. This event generally occurs in September.

Well Water Testing Clinics – The Virginia Household Water Quality Program is able to conduct clinics periodically for residents of Northampton and Accomack counties to test their drinking water. In the past, these have been conducted once a year, or sometimes twice a year, depending on available grant funding.