Financial Education Programs

 Virginia Cooperative Extension brings research-based financial education to classrooms and community centers in Arlington and Alexandria. Our free programs use hands-on activities to teach children about smart spending. We offer classes for all ages and abilities and currently offer classes in English and Spanish. If you need the class in another language, please let us know. Please reach out if you are interested in a class. We ask that you have a minimum of 10 people registered for us to hold a class.  Please contact Aisha Salazar at asalazar@vt.edu to request a program in your school or community.


Free Financial Coaching

VCE Master Financial Education Volunteers offer free and confidential financial coaching. Financial Coaches are available to answer your questions about money management, budgeting, debt reduction, retirement, saving strategies and more.  Sessions are based on one's needs; coaches help with budgets, answer financial questions, and provide helpful resources.  Coaches will contact you by email, Zoom, or phone.

See the many, many classes and programs at
https://arlington.ext.vt.edu/programs/financial-education.html

If you are interested in coaching, please fill out this form.

 

4-H 2026 Program Offerings

 4-H is the place for you! In 4-H you learn through experience while working with other kids and adults who care about you!  The Arlington County 4-H programs offer youth ages 5-18 opportunities to gain knowledge, leadership skills and community service experience through hands-on projects and activities. 4-H is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and our local government. Arlington 4-H typically meets every other Saturday during the school year.  During the summer, 4-H meets on a modified schedule.

4-H helps young people grow into capable, responsible, confident members of their communities by providing information, opportunities, activities, and events which are educational, developmental, and fun.

Arlington 4-H Current Offerings

 

School-Year Projects:

• STEM – Hands-on science and technology activities
• Culinary – Cooking skills and nutrition education
• Financial Literacy – Smart money management for youth
• Civic Engagement – Leadership and community involvement

Upcoming Summer Programs:

• Overnight Camp – Front Royal, VA
• Food Preservation – Learn safe and practical techniques
• Project Aquatic – (Potential) Explore water ecosystems and conservation

Meet your 4-H Agent: Deborah Madden

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Programs

 

MGNV Programs

Extension Master Gardeners provide free gardening-related Virginia Cooperative Extension approved community service for Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. Working as both problem solvers and teachers, we can be found in many locales. We staff Plant Clinics, develop and maintain Demonstration Gardens, conduct Public Education programs. We are involved in schoolyard gardening for the young and horticultural therapy for the elderly and disabled. We  also assist VCE staff in training others to become Master Gardeners through the annual Master Gardner training class. See our “become a Master Gardener” page for more information.  You may also visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” page for answers to the most common questions about VCE Master Gardeners and what exactly it is that we do.

For more information on our programs & activities please visit our different sections below. They can also be accessed by using the programs drop down menu in the navigation bar above.

• Extension Master Gardener Help Desk
• Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinics
• Demonstration Gardens
• Public Education – Master Gardener Virtual Classroom
• Speakers Bureau
• Youth Education Program (YEP!)

Extension Master Gardener Help Desk Support

 VCE Master Gardener Help Desk is now open from 9am - 12pm Monday through Friday. We are closed on Holidays.

Got an insect or plant disease problem?   We can help! You can find us in our usual space at the Fairlington Community Center.   

Please call ahead at (703-228-6414) to make sure that a volunteer is available or submit your question to us directly by email with background information found in this form:

You can print and scan this form to return to us. Send this information and your photos to us at mgarlalex@gmail.com  

Before you contact us, check out this VCE publication with helpful plant problem diagnosis tips.

How to take good diagnostic photos:  
For best results, submit
1. a photo of the entire plant
2. a photo of the branch or section of the plant that is in question
3. closeup photos of the problem, the top and bottom of a leaf if applicable, the signs of insects if applicable.
4. Tips for taking a picture of an insect-  Put it in the freezer for a few minutes to slow it down enough to take a good picture; put it on a piece of sticky paper to slow it down; don’t smash it;  place it inside of a small glass jar? 

Meet the staff