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:   

• Civic Leadership and Engagement,
• Community Enterprise and Resiliency,
• Community Food System and Enterprises,
• Community Planning, and
• 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. 

 

	Brian Calhoun, Ph.D. Associate Director Community Viability (540) 231-1247 dcalhoun@vt.edu
	Eric Bendfeldt Extension Specialist, Community Viability Community Food Systems and Enterprises (540) 432-6029 ebendfel@vt.edu
	Jonah Fogel, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Community Viability Community Planning (804) 527-4234 jfogel@vt.edu
	Scott Tate Extension Specialist, Community Viability Community Enterprise and Resiliency (540) 231-9423 atate1@vt.edu
	Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Community Viability Emerging Community Issues (804) 524-5494 cmtyler@vt.edu
	Martha Walker, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Community Viability Civic Leadership and Engagement (434) 766-6761 walker53@vt.edu