During 2015, the Buckingham ELC has enjoyed many successes. One of the most exciting successes is that we have added eight new members. With those whose term had ended this brings total membership to sixteen community members plus five staff members.

ELC members recognized Extension Volunteers in all program areas during National Volunteer Week in May, providing them with a nice meal and a small token of appreciation.

Members have also taken advantages of opportunities that arise to thank members of the Board of Supervisors and our state elected officials for supporting Virginia Cooperative Extension. This was accomplished through phone calls, personal visits to Richmond, and when elected officials came to Buckingham for the grand opening of the Buckingham Agricultural Resource Network (BARN).

One planned project has not yet come to fruition. ELC members had planned a booth at Buckingham’s Fall Fest. Teams of members were going to take shifts manning the booth and promoting Extension. We used grant funds to purchase double-sided teaspoon/tablespoon combinations with the Virginia Cooperative Extension logo to use as a give-a-way at the table. We also had recruited 4-H teens to offer free face painting and lead spontaneous gau-gau games in a portable pit beside our booth. Unfortunately, the rain and winds from Hurricane Joaquin combined with the other weather systems cancelled the event. We are currently deciding whether to wait to do the promotion at next year’s Mayfest celebration or to hold our own open house this fall.

In November, Buckingham 4-H’ers are speaking to the Board of Supervisors, and the members of the ELC plan to be present to show their support. This presentation was actually a product from an ELC meeting where we felt the need to recognize three 4-H teens for their outstanding work in the area of leadership during 2014-2015. To piggyback on this presentation made this fall to the outgoing board, the ELC plans to make a presentation in February to the incoming board — complete with a welcome packet about Virginia Cooperative Extension.

The Buckingham ELC appreciates the support of the State Extension Leadership Council in helping us to grow stronger and make VCE more visible in our community.