A Homecoming to the Shenandoah Valley

Candace DeLong is settling into her new role as Frederick County's consumer horticulture extension agent, and she's already discovering the perks of the position, she explains to host Janet Michael on this episode of The Valley Today. Just three weeks into the job, she's found herself surrounded by enthusiastic Master Gardeners, chocolate Valentine's Day cake, and a team of 150 volunteers ready to tackle any gardening question that comes their way.

However, this isn't Candace's first rodeo in the world of extension work. For the past six years, she served as an extension agent in neighboring Hampshire County, West Virginia, where she covered all areas of agriculture. Now, she's narrowing her focus to home gardening, green industry questions, and working closely with the Master Gardener program—a shift she welcomes after years of juggling everything from livestock to orchards.

From Indiana to Apple Country

Candace's journey to Frederick County began 13 years ago when she left her hometown of Anderson, Indiana, to pursue a master's degree at Virginia Tech. Unlike most graduate students, she didn't spend her time on the Blacksburg campus. Instead, she conducted research at the Alson H. Smith research lab outside Winchester, diving deep into crop load management in apple orchards.

Following her graduate work, Candace spent three years working directly in Frederick County's apple industry, gaining hands-on experience that would prove invaluable. "I was out in the field figuring out diseases and insects and bugs and all of those weed issues and how to deal with them," she explains. Moreover, those years spent driving between orchards gave her an intimate knowledge of Frederick County's geography—a bonus that's already paying dividends in her new role.

The Power of Problem-Solving

Throughout her career, Candace has witnessed the extension system from multiple angles. She's been a graduate student, a grower who benefited from extension services, and now an extension agent herself. This well-rounded perspective shapes her approach to the job, particularly when it comes to science-based problem-solving.

"Through that master's degree, I learned a lot of horticulture, but I also learned how to be a scientist, really how to go through the scientific method," Candace reflects. This analytical mindset proves essential in extension work, where home remedies and folklore often clash with research-based solutions.

A Team Approach to Community Service

Unlike her previous position in rural Hampshire County, where she handled most questions solo, Candace now works alongside a robust Master Gardener program. These trained volunteers staff help desks across five counties—Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Page, and Shenandoah, plus the city of Winchester—answering gardening questions and providing research-based advice to the community.

The Master Gardeners maintain a green helpline every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Frederick County office, where Candace can often be found. Additionally, each county operates its own helpline with specific hours and email addresses, ensuring residents can access expertise close to home.

Furthermore, the Master Gardeners take their knowledge on the road, setting up booths at farmers' markets and community events throughout the growing season. They're already planning an elaborate "Ask a Master Gardener" booth for the June GardenFest at Belle Grove, complete with a prize wheel to reward curious visitors.

Spring Events on the Horizon

As spring approaches, Candace and the Master Gardener teams are gearing up for a busy season. Earth Day celebrations will bring the volunteers to multiple locations, including a new Stephens City Earth Day festival, the Clarke County Fairgrounds event, and the Red Bud Festival in Browntown. Seven Bends Nursery will also host a celebration featuring Master Gardener expertise.

"The two weekends surrounding Earth Day are gonna be—that group will be out and about with their information for sure," Candace notes enthusiastically.

Balancing Work and Family

Despite her horticultural expertise, Candace admits her home garden has seen better days. With a 1-year-old daughter who puts everything in her mouth, maintaining raised beds and unique apple tree cultivars has become challenging. Nevertheless, she's optimistic about the upcoming season and has developed a practical solution: the "snack garden."

"We plant a snack garden that can be trampled on and the vines can be pulled down and they get excited about it," she explains with a laugh. "You have to strategically plan the garden for the children."

A Perfect Time to Start

Candace joins two other new agents—Cynthia Fairbanks, based in Warren County, and Liz Rohrer, based in Clarke County—creating what Janet calls "a new crop of extension agents." This timing couldn't be better, as the trio can attend professional development trainings together and support one another through farm visits and community events.

Meanwhile, her colleague Mark Sutphin, who has been covering both commercial and consumer horticulture, can now focus more on his specialty: working with tree fruit growers and commercial vegetable operations.

Looking Ahead

As Candace settles into her role, she's energized by the constant learning opportunities. "I get to learn along with them," she says of the Master Gardeners. "I get to learn through their educational hours that they get to do. And taking in all that information is really exciting for me."

For residents across the five-county region, Candace's arrival means renewed focus on consumer horticulture and strengthened support for the already impressive Master Gardener program. Whether you're dealing with tomato pests, wondering about tree diseases, or simply curious about starting your first vegetable garden, help is just a Wednesday morning visit—or an email—away.