News & Announcements

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: All About Lavender

Beyond the benefits of aromatherapy, lavender’s array of health benefits and practical uses stems back centuries. While it can be a persnickety plant to get established, once it has found its happy place, lavender will only require a lot of sun ...

Promoting Soil Health & Environmentally Conscious Practices in Loudoun County

Soil health is an essential part of a successful farming operation, but how can we promote productive agriculture in ways that foster soil health, steward the environment and are economically feasible and rewarding?   On May 4, 2023, more than 40...

VCE Loudoun Graduates Twenty-Two Master Gardener Volunteers & Two Beginner Horticulturalist Farmers

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Loudoun is proud to welcome twenty-two new graduates into the Extension Master Gardener program. The graduates completed over 65 hours of instruction to become trained in horticulture and natural resource management. T...

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: Transitioning to Native Plants

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: Transitioning to Native Plants

Interested in using native plants, but don’t quite know where to start? Join Master Gardener Jane Kirchner as she shares examples of successful and stunning native plant landsca...

Time Well Spent: VCE Loudoun Recognizes Master Gardeners, Master Food Volunteers and 4-H Volunteers

This National Volunteer Week, VCE Loudoun expresses gratitude for the volunteers who serve Loudoun County as Master Gardeners, Master Food Volunteers and 4-H Volunteers. In 2022, over 500 VCE Loudoun volunteers contributed over 15,000 volunteer hours. Bey...

VCE Loudoun Releases Crops Suitability Tool for Identifying Optimal Land for Farming in Loudoun

Virginia Cooperative Extension – Loudoun (VCE Loudoun), in partnership with the Loudoun County Office of Mapping and Geographic Information, announces the release of its Crops Suitability Tool. This interactive map assists people in identifying optimal si...

Loudoun Hunger Relief and VCE Loudoun Present: Cooking on a Budget

Interested in improving your skills in the kitchen? Want to get more creative with your meals? Learn tips and tricks to help you plan, cook, and prepare nutritious meals with VCE Loudoun's Master Food Volunteers and Loudoun Hunger Relief. &nb...

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: The ‘Awesome’ Health Benefits of Gardening

The physical health benefits of gardening are well known: exercise, strength building, and fresh air. What about the impact of nature and gardening on our emotional and mental health? How can plant care be ‘self-care’? How does the experience of ‘awe’ hel...

VCE Loudoun Offers Reduced Cost Water Testing for Wells, Cisterns, Springs

Do you have a well, cistern, or spring? Did you know that it is your responsibility to test your water to ensure that it is safe to drink for your family?

Registration for VCE Loudoun’s reduced cost water testing program is open this spring. The number of ...

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: Snakes Alive: An Introduction to the Snakes of Loudoun County

Snakes play an important role in maintaining the balance and diversity of native species. They keep rodent and insect populations in check and in turn are preyed upon by larger species. While they spend the cold months in hibernation, much of their summer...

VCE Loudoun 4-H Youth Engage with State Leaders at “4-H Day at the Capitol”

On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Loudoun 4-H members traveled to Richmond, VA for 4-H Day at the Capitol, where they participated in a Town Hall, took part in the State 4-H Rally, and learned about civic engagement. These events emphasized the imp...

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: Native Plants vs. Cultivars: Which to Choose?

As native plants become more popular, many cultivars are being offered in the marketplace. But do these cultivars still benefit pollinators and wildlife, or are they just decorative items in the landscape? Learn about the results of several trials that ha...

VCE Loudoun Offers Sustainable Gardening Workshop in Spanish

Plant Nova Natives, in partnership with VCE Loudoun, is offering a free workshop for Spanish-speakers interested in sustainable gardening and landscaping. This program is offered in Spanish and is designed for landscaping and gardening professionals.&...

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Present: Hard to See, but the Spotted Lanternfly is Still Here

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is still a threat, even despite the chill of winter. Knowing the SLF life cycle and understanding 200 Growing Degree Days (GDD) helps us determine how to proactively target the SLF. At this virtual event, we will train our eye...

VCE Loudoun Graduates Seventeen Volunteers into Master Gardener Program

VCE Loudoun is proud to announce seventeen new graduates into the Extension Master Gardener program. The graduates completed over 65 hours of instruction and 75 hours of their internship learning about best practices in horticulture. They join a county-wi...