The family unit is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Virginia Cooperative Extension strives to improve the well-being of Virginia families through programs that help put research-based knowledge to work in people's lives. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educators help Virginians learn to make good choices for themselves and their families. This, in turn, strengthens their communities and the commonwealth.

A Vision for a Stronger Commonwealth

    Our Extension agents teach Virginians how to improve their quality of life by giving them the skills to:

• Prevent chronic disease with a healthy diet and physical activity
• Identify quality childcare
• Plan for home ownership
• Make good parenting decisions
• Handle food safely
• Be a wise grocery shopper
• Handle credit wisely
• Plan for elder care needs
• Manage finances successfully
• Prepare for and cope with disasters
• Manage home-based businesses

FCS programs reach tens of thousands of families across the commonwealth each year. We work with other state and local agencies for many of our programs, and through these partnerships we maximize the impact and quality of our resources.  Our staff and trained volunteers help build and strengthen these collaborations and extend our resources to more Virginians.

Developing Life Skills

We help Virginians develop wellness life skills in our three pillar program areas:

• Food, nutrition, and health
• Family financial management
• Family and human development

Whether preventing chronic disease with a healthy diet, purchasing a family home, or identifying quality childcare, Virginians benefit from the comprehensive education in these three FCS areas.

Giles County offers some the following family and consumer science programs:

High School Financial Planning Program

Steps to Financial Success

How to be a Babysitter

ServSafe food safety

Cooking for Crowds food safety

Home preservation workshops and pressure canner testing

For the Love of Children childcare provider workshop (in partnership with other Extension Offices in the NRV)

Indoor Air Quality

Sewing classes for all ages

Contact the Extension Office for more information on specific programs.