Agriculture and Natural Resources
All residents of Fairfax County are eligible to enroll in the Master Gardener Volunteer Training. This is an internationally recognized program of horticultural excellence. Trainees receive hands-on and classroom education from Extension agents and specialists, university faculty, and green industry professionals. Newly graduated Master Gardener Interns then receive training: work on class projects such as Plant Clinics, Demonstration Gardens, Horticulture Help Desk, Workshops and Community Special Events. After completing the requirements: Interns become Certified Master Gardeners. We have daytime and evening classes available for participants.
In Fairfax County there are two Master Gardener Programs:
The objective of the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP) is to improve the water quality and health of Virginians using private water supplies. Initiated in 1989, VAHWQP drinking water clinics have been conducted in nearly every county across Virginia, and 22,000 samples have been analyzed and results confidentially returned to participants. The best part: your water test results are explained in a helpful meeting, where ways of preventing contamination and treating water quality problems are also addressed.
Drinking water clinics are organized by your local Extension Agent and Virginia Tech faculty in the Biological Systems Engineering Department. Participation is voluntary and all information is kept strictly confidential. Anyone with a private water supply system (including wells, springs, and cisterns) may participate.
For more Information, Click here.
What's New
FAIRFAX COUNTY WELL WATER CLINIC
Registration for our 2019 clinic is NOW CLOSED.
Virginia Household Water Quality Program
We provide educational opportunities and information to people who use pesticides as part of their livelihood, to consumers with questions about the use and impact of pesticides in their everyday lives, and to policy makers such as local, state, and federal government regulators and legislators.
People who apply pesticides professionally need to obtain a Pesticide Applicators Certificate. Through education and examination, the certified applicator must maintain their certificate by attending re-certification classes every two years.
For more information please visit the Virginia Tech Pesticide Program.
Pesticide Certification and Recertification information below
Certification/Training
Recertification for Private Applicators
Recertification for Commercial Applicators
A routine soil test package includes analysis for soil pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and B, along with fertilizer and lime recommendations for the specified crop. Soluble salts and organic matter tests are also available. To obtain a Virginia Tech Soil Test Kit please visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office in Fairfax at the address below, or any Fairfax County Public Libraries.
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Fairfax County Office
12011 Government Center Pkwy, 10th floor
Fairfax, VA 22035
We also stock soil test kits at :
Merrifield Garden Center (Gallows Road and Fair Oaks Locations)
Burke Nursery
Twins Ace Hardware (Fairfax City)
Campbell and Ferrara Nursery
- Once you get the box and form, follow the directions for sampling on the back of the form. You will need to take about 12-15 scoops of soil or more to make a composite sample representative of your test area.
- You mail the soil and payment directly to the Soil Testing Lab at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA for analysis. A routine test is $10. It typically takes about 10-14 days for a response.
For more Information, Click here.