Local Programs

Insect Identification Laboratory
Homeowners and farmers can submit insect samples for identification by bringing a well-preserved, dead insect sample to the Suffolk Extension Office. Bring sample in a zip lock plastic bag. Master Gardener volunteers or Extension Agents will try to identify and make a recommendation if insect is a pest. If we are not able to identify, we will mail your insect sample to the Insect ID lab at Virginia Tech. 

Plant Disease Laboratory
Homeowners and farmers can submit plant samples for disease identification by bringing a plant sample with root intact in a ziplock bag with one pint of moist soil to the Suffolk Extension Office. If Extension Agents or Master Gardeners are not available or able to identify disease, we will mail to the Plant Disease Laboratory at Virginia Tech or submit the sample virtually. There is a $35 fee associated with sending in these samples.

Weed Identification Laboratory
Homeowners and farmers can submit weed samples for identification by bringing freshly dug weed with root wrapped in a moist paper towel inside a ziplock bag to the Suffolk Extension Office. If Extension Agents or Master Gardeners are not available or able to identify weed, we will mail to the Weed ID Laboratory at Virginia Tech.

Soil Testing
Homeowners and farmers can submit soil samples to the Soil Testing Laboratory at Virginia Tech by picking up soil sample boxes at the Suffolk Extension Office. We will provide you with the application form and instructions for taking the soil sample and mailing to the lab. A report will be emailed to you from the Soil Testing Lab with recommendations for the plant/crop you plan to grow.

Well Water Clinic                                                                                         The Virginia Household Water Quality Program provides water testing programs and practical information to private water supply users about maintaining and protecting private water systems including wells, springs and cisterns. In the U.S. regular testing and treatment of municipal water supplies is required under the Safe Drinking Water Act but private water systems are the responsibility of the owner. We offer a water testing program (drinking water clinic) in Suffolk once a year. This program provides affordable, confidential water testing, interpretation of results and help understanding how to solve water problems.

Other Programs

Pesticide Collection Program
Every five years we partner with VDACS to collect unneeded or unwanted pesticides in the Southeast District. You can find out more about the program here.

Pesticide Applicator Certification & Recertification
We offer certification review classes for those preparing to test for their certification as a Private applicator, Registered Technician, or Commercial Applicator. We can also administer the Private Applicator test in our office by appointment. We conduct multiple recertification events for all icensure types throughout the year. Check out Pesticide Applicator Training page for more information.

Peanut Pod Blasting Clinics
We conduct peanut pod blasting clinics to determine optimum harvest timing for peanuts in order to maximize yields. These are held locally at various agri-chemical retailers.

Production Meetings                                                                                                                             Regionally we offer many educational meetings on crops grown throughout Southeast Virginia. These meetings are held annually and typically also offer pesticide applicator recertification credits. Annual meetings include Southeast Field Crops Conference, Hampton Roads Fruit & Vegetable Workshop, Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs, Virginia Peanut Production Meeting and the Annual Virginia Cotton Growers Association Meeting. Check our Production Meetings page for more information.

Extension Master Gardener Program

State Website | Local Chapter Website | Facebook

Extension Master Gardeners are trained volunteer educators. They work within their local communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training.

As an educational outreach component of Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardener program brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities – Virginia Tech and Virginia State University – to the people of the commonwealth.

All volunteers are trained and have at least 50 hours of horticultural classes and return at least 50 hours of volunteer community service through their local Extension office.

If you wish to receive information on upcoming training classes, volunteer opportunities, or would like general information about the Suffolk Master Gardener Program, please feel free to contact our Extension Master Gardener Office at 757-514-4335 or suffolkmg@gmail.com. 

Healthy families are the cornerstone of healthy communities. Family and Consumer Sciences puts research-based information to work in people’s lives, helping families find answers for living well, raising youth, eating right, and spending smart.

The Suffolk Extension Office is without the services of a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent on-site; however, there are FCS Agents in the surrounding cities of Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.  

Chesapeake Extension Office: 757-382-6348

Portsmouth Extension Office: 757-393-5197

Virginia Beach Extension Office: 757-385-4769

The following publications are available online at http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/

• Financial Management: Family Taking Charge of Finances Series: #354-099
• Talking With Creditors: #354-102
• Getting Out of Debt: #354-027
• Food Cents: #348-006
• Be Heart Smart: #348-735
• Know Your Cholesterol Number: #348-018
• Food Storage Times for the Home: #348-682
• Outdoor Food Preparation & Safety: #348-016
• Keep Food Safe: #348-593
• Family & Human Development: A Matter of Principles: #350-053
• Nourishing Children with Books: #348-950
• Emergencies: Are You Prepared” Your Personal Checklist of Important Document: #354-141

The 4-H Youth Development Program is a community of youth ages 5-18 across America, who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.  The mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to develop youth and adults by working together to help youth realize their full potential. This is accomplished by enabling youth to become effective, contributing citizens of society through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences.

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:   

• Leadership & Planning
• Community Enterprise and Resiliency
• Community Food System and Enterprises
• Community Planning
• Emerging Community Issues

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 Expert system.

Community Viability Specialists

See a list of our Community Viability Specialists