Mr. Chris Mullins is a familiar and trusted face around Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). Many know him from his work as a Horticulture Extension Specialist at Virginia State University (VSU)’s Randolph Farm, while others know him from his extensive partnership engagement across the VCE system. With 26 years of experience in several roles in VSU’s College of Agriculture and VSU-CE, including most recently as Director of Randolph Farm, Mullins recently stepped into another new role. On December 5, 2025, he became Interim Associate Dean for Extension and VSU’s Extension Administrator, following the departure of Dr. Janine P. Woods, who accepted the role of Executive Director of County Cooperative Extension for the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Mullins began his career at VSU in 1999, where he gained experience teaching academic classes, conducting research and delivering Extension programming; work that become central to his career. As a specialist in indoor agricultural systems and vegetable gardening, he frequently gave workshops on hydroponics and aquaponics systems to growers and hobbyists. His expertise and approachable style led many participants to return for more workshops and to seek his advice on their operations. Over time, Mullins assumed new responsibilities in leadership roles, including serving as VSU’s Extension Program Leader for Food, Ag Systems & Agroforestry. In 2023, he stepped into another key leadership role as Director of Randolph Farm, continuing his long-standing commitment to applied research, education and outreach.

Like a plant that puts out runners multiplies its fruitfulness, so one person with vision, passion and expertise, has the ability to reach out, develop supporters and make a huge difference in a community. Wanda Johnson is such an individual. 

The PROmoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) model is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Grant. PROSPER seeks to avoid opioid and other substance misuse through proactive prevention strategies.

At VSU, the Dietetic Internship Program integrates teaching, research and Cooperative Extension to give students a well-rounded understanding of the food production process, as well as nutrition education and how to address food insecurity in low-income communities.

With almost one in three low income families in Petersburg receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Virginia State University’s Family and Consumer Sciences Program in partnership with Petersburg Healthy Options Partnerships, Petersburg Healthy Community Action Team, River Street Market and the Harding Street Urban Agriculture Center have teamed up to establish a new market concept called POP! (Petersburg Offers Produce) Market.

The beginning of a new year is a good time to examine your finances and put the brakes on bad spending habits. What seems like small insignificant purchases – if left unchecked - can add up in the long run, and lead to money management problems.

Shopping, sales and savings are words that have become synonymous with Christmas, but bargain hunters should add one more word to their holiday vocabulary – self-control.