Local Programs

Financial Education

Budgeting and debt management workshops

Classes help participants create effective spending plans, understand how to access and read their credit reports, rebuild and maintain a good credit record, and establish savings. Financial programs can be presented to public, civic and church groups at Public Library, senior centers, house of worship and other sites. Programs are free of charge. For more information on financial workshops contact Jane Henderson at johns59@vt.edu or call the Amelia Extension Office at 804-561-2481.

One-on-one financial counseling

The Amelia County Extension office has a limited number of one-on–one financial counseling sessions available to Powhatan residents. Individuals and families can receive assistance with the creation of a spending and savings plan, reconciling debt, setting and achieving financial goals and other financial issues and concerns. Contact the Amelia County Extension office to arrange an appointment.

Virginia Cooperative Extension--Financial Management Publications

Publications on a variety of issues including:

1. Credit
2. Families
3. Taking Charge of Finances
4. Health Care
5. Home Business Management
6. Insurance
7. Loss of Income
8. Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning.

Use these helpful links to increase your knowledge of money management issues:

• Annual Credit Report - http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ Go here to get your FREE annual credit report!

• Federal Trade Commission for the Consumer - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm

Education is a key tool to prevent consumer injury. This website offers publications with advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics.

• Federal Trade Commission - National Resource on IDENTITY THEFT - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help protect individuals from identity theft, as well as steps to take if it occurs. It is also a comprehensive reference center – for consumers, businesses, law enforcement, and the media – with access to specific laws, contact information, and resources from state and federal government agencies.

• MyMoney.gov - http://www.mymoney.gov/ The Federal Government’s website dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money – how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet your personal goals.

Health and Wellness

Nutrition education classes assist participants learn and adopt good food and nutrition practices that promote optimal health. Programs emphasize sound nutrition choices, encourage healthy lifestyles, support the prevention of chronic disease, and encourage safe methods of food preservation.

Virginia Cooperative Extension - Food and Nutrition Publications

Publications on a variety of issues including:

1. Health & Nutrition: Cancer Prevention, Heart Disease, Childhood Nutrition, Cooking & Meal Planning, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Shopping, Health & Exercise, Adult and Childhood Weight Management.
2. Food Safety: Food Borne Pathogens, Safe Food Handling and Food Allergies.
3. Food Preservation: Canning Methods, Freezing and Dehydrating.
4. Recalls and Alerts https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls/index.html
5. Understanding and Managing Food Allergies
6. When the Power Goes Out

Chronic Disease Prevention L.I.F.T. Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together Balanced Living with Diabetes - https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/4-steps

Diabetes Prevention Program -https://www.ext.vsu.edu/dpp

Use these helpful links to increase your knowledge of topics regarding health, nutrition and home food preservation:

• MyPlate - http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ The Federal Government’s dietary guidelines offers information on the five major food groups, and a site where individuals can create personalized eating plans. MyPlate also has interactive tools to help assess your food choices based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• Spend Smart, Eat Smart - http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/ Iowa State Extension’s Spend Smart Eat Smart website has a wealth of resources including money saving tips for meal planning and grocery shopping, interactive activities, recipe videos and blogs hosted by ISU Extension nutrition specialists.

• The National Center for Home Food Preservation - http://nchfp.uga.edu/ The National Center for Home Food Preservation is your source for current research-based recommendations for most methods of home food preservation. The Center was established with funding from the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (CSREES-USDA) to address food safety concerns for those who practice and teach home food preservation and processing methods.

Amelia County Extension also offers free Pressure Canner Gauge Testing: The dial gauge on your pressure canner lid should be checked at least every 2 years, preferably every year. Schedule an appointment to bring your canner lid with the dial gauge by the local extension office to have the gauge tested. There is no fee for this service.

Master Volunteer Program

Master Food Volunteer

Combine your love of cooking, nutrition, physical activity, and helping others by becoming a Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Food Volunteer. The Master Food Volunteer Program helps Extension reach more Virginians with up-to-date, research-based knowledge on food preparation, nutrition, food safety, and physical activity.

Master Financial Education Volunteer

Training to become a Master Financial Educator Volunteer consists of a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction on financial management. It may occur over several weeks, for example in seven three-hour sessions.