Virginia Cooperative Extension

Export trade conference to be held in March

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia’s agricultural export opportunities and challenges will be a focal point for discussion during the 2012 Governor's Conference on Agricultural Trade, taking place March 13 and 14 at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Va.

Virginia no-till conferences set for Feb. 6-8

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Farmers will receive hands-on, how-to information in nearly every aspect of conservation tillage at three No-Till Alliance winter conferences on Feb. 6, 7, and 8.

Online course offered for Virginia forest landowners

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment are offering an online course to help private landowners become better stewards of their land.

Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results Program names advisory council

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Many Virginia agricultural industry leaders to serve on the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results Program advisory council.

Virginia 4-H Livestock Team places third in North American International Livestock Exposition

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia's 4-H Livestock Judging Team placed third overall in this year's National 4-H Livestock Judging Competition making it eligible to represent the U.S. in next year's Royal Highland Show in Scotland, along with the first- and second-place teams.

Bear magnets: Bird feeders, pet dishes, and trash cans lure wildlife into neighborhoods

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

As Virginia's bear population rises and development increases, bears are taking advantage of food resources in residential areas. People may unknowingly feed bears without realizing that their actions often result in negative consequences for the bears.

Virginia Tech faculty members honored at National FFA Convention

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National FFA Organization honored Virginia Tech faculty members Alan McDaniel and Dave Winston at its national convention.

Virginia Food Security Summit to be held Dec. 5 and 6 in Charlottesville, Va.

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Food advocates from across Virginia will gather in Charlottesville, Va., for the second annual Virginia Food Security Summit, "Connecting Our Farms, Food, Health and Environment," on Dec. 5 and 6 at the University of Virginia.

2012 Winter Forage Conference to feature weed management expert Kathy Voth

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council and Virginia Cooperative Extension will host the 2012 Winter Forage Conference at four locations on Jan. 17-20.

Virginia Tech's door opened and they came

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Visitors included folks from the university community, alumni, donors, and curious children and adults from all over the state. The hundreds who came had a chance to learn about such things as cows with portholes, race cars, snakes, flowers, and how disease spreads.

Turfgrass research makes a fast football field at Virginia Tech

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

During the University Open House on Saturday, Mike Goatley, professor and Virginia Cooperative Extension turf specialist, will provide insight into the GreenTech ITM modular system on Worsham Field in Lane Stadium.

Stadium Woods: Natural heritage in the heart of Virginia Tech's campus

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For well over 200 years, regal oaks have stood on a knoll that now borders Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium. The 57 ancient oaks, each measuring more than 3 feet in diameter, form part of a unique, old growth forest in the heart of campus called Stadium Woods.

Carl Griffey named W.G. Wysor Professor of Agriculture

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

He has earned the distinction of being the premier small grains breeder in the eastern United States.

R. Michael Akers reappointed Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Akers is an internationally renowned research scientist who has received many national awards for research excellence.

Roger Harris named head of the Department of Horticulture

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Harris first came to Virginia Tech in 1993 as an assistant professor and has taught classes in nursery crops, plant propagation, and landscape contracting.

Patricia Williams named College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Employee of the Year

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Patricia Williams of Ironto, Va., has been named the 2011 Employee of the Year for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Changes coming at the Virginia Tech Foundation: Raymond D. Smoot Jr. to step down; John E. Dooley to become chief executive officer

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Smoot, a 1969 Virginia Tech graduate, intends to retire from full-time leadership of the Virginia Tech Foundation in July 2012.

Virginia Tech seniors have both a scholarship and a veterinary career ambition in common

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students Emi Scott of Floyd, Va., and Bailey West of Smyth County, Va., are recipients of an extraordinarily generous scholarship funded by the late Margaret Groseclose "Peggy" Skelton, a former associate professor at Virginia Tech who died in July 2010.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences names Mary Leigh Wolfe head of biological systems engineering

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The department's programs integrate the biological sciences and engineering to solve agricultural, biological, and urban problems.

Bed bug insecticide resistance mechanisms identified

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Discoveries about the genetic basis for bed bugs' resistance to popular insecticides will accelerate efforts to understand the biochemical basis for resistance and provides molecular markers for surveillance.

Community Voices series will focus on older youth aging out of the foster care system

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The next talk in the Community Voices fall 2011 series features Norma Wood, on Oct. 25, who will speak on youth in the foster care system at The Lyric Theater at 7 p.m.

Virginia Tech alumni and faculty inducted in the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Eight Virginia Tech Hokies were inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame at the Virginia State Fair in Doswell, Va., on Oct. 7.

Donald Horsley recognized as 2011 Virginia Farmer of the Year

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension has selected Donald Horsley of Virginia Beach as Virginia Farmer of the Year, an award that applauds individual contributions to the commonwealth's agricultural industry.

Bur Oak dedication, Hokie Bugfest festival to honor legacy of William Alwood

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Virginia Tech entomology community will come together on Oct. 14 and 15 for Alwood Days, a series of events to celebrate the life and legacy of former faculty member William Bradford Alwood.

Virginia Cooperative Extension announces administrative changes

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Ed Jones, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension, has announced several administrative actions to enhance the organization's effectiveness and better serve the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Extension and cooperatives to hold 35th annual Forestry and Wildlife Field Tours

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with Virginia's natural resource agencies, companies, and associations, will hold their 35th Annual Fall Forestry and Wildlife Field Tour Programs starting Oct. 13.

Tony Wolf receives 2011 Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Tony D. Wolf of Winchester, Va., received the 2011 Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award for his contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. Wolf is the director of the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester.

Robert Smith appointed to forest research council

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Robert L. "Bob" Smith of Christiansburg, Va., associate dean of engagement in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, has been appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack to the Forestry Research Advisory Council.

George J. Flick Jr. honored with emeritus status

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1969, Flick has made significant contributions to the understanding of food science and technology through his work in seafood technology, aquaculture, and risk management.

Post Hurricane Irene Tuesday update: Loss of power continues to affect operations

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On Monday, the Virginia Tech will assess the impact of Hurricane Irene on university facilities.

Youth compete at State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at Virginia Tech

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

More than 130 young people from across the Commonwealth of Virginia gathered on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg for the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on June 29.

Virginia Tech leads study to improve food security in southern Appalachia

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

While the popularity of locally and regionally grown food is on the rise among Americans, food accessibility remains a major concern for those with limited financial resources.

Virginia Tech's forest landowner program offers course in selling rural land

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Real Forestry for Real Estate, an educational session to aid real estate agents who sell rural land, is part of a strategy to put sound forest management information into the hands of new landowners.

Virginia's tree fruit industry has new insecticide to fight stink bugs

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia's fruit industry has a new weapon in the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug, a thumbnail-sized pest that has made headlines over the past year for the trouble it caused growers and homeowners alike.

Virginia Master Naturalists partner to develop 'Working Woods' at James Madison's Montpelier

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Master Naturalists will host a guided tour of the Working Woods Walk at James Madison's Montpelier on July 17. The newly opened 28-acre Working Woods, adjacent to Montpelier's old-growth forest, showcases various conservation management practices based on today's best forest science knowledge.

Megan Seibel named director of new agriculture leadership program

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Megan Seibel of Roanoke, Va., has been named director of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) program for Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Photos: Hahn Horticulture Garden Gala

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:13:28 -0400

Julie Walters Steele is new Reynolds Homestead director

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Julie Walters Steele is the new Reynolds Homestead director in Critz, Va.

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Green Industry Council expand garden container recycling program

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Green Industry Council are bringing a successful garden container recycling program in Richmond to the rest of the state.

Virginia Cooperative Extension debuts new website, Shaping Extension's Future

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension has launched a new website that shares information about Extension's impact on the economic, environmental, and social well-being of Virginians and opens lines of communication with its stakeholders and clients.

Board of visitors approves 2011 faculty promotions, tenure, continued appointments

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved the following promotions, tenure, and continued appointments at its June 6 meeting.

Virginia youth are hot for 4-H State Congress, June 20-23

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

More than 500 teens, volunteer leaders, and Virginia Cooperative Extension agents will attend the 91st annual 4-H State Congress at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus from June 20 to 23.

Virginia Tech awards alternative agriculture grants to five Virginia high schools

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Students at Carroll County, Giles, Grayson County, Holston, and Randolph-Henry high schools are learning how to grow and market alternative agriculture crops through an innovative grant program offered by the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Try your luck at the Hahn Horticulture Garden’s Garden Gala on June 11

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's Hahn Horticulture Garden will hold its seventh annual Garden Gala on Saturday, June 11, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., at the garden on Washington Street on the university's main campus.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences names Tom Thompson head of crop and soil environmental sciences department

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has named Thomas L. "Tom" Thompson of Lubbock, Texas, head of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.

Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition seek participants for educational need survey

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition invite beginning farmers and ranchers in Virginia to share their educational and resource needs by completing a short online survey.

Allison Echols receives 2011 Graduate Student Teaching Award from North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture has recognized Allison C. Echols of Gap Mills, W.Va., with the 2011 Graduate Student Teaching Award.

Master Naturalist Program receives environmental award

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program, a multi-agency initiative based in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, received a 2011 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award.

Virginia Cooperative Extension to co-host Economic Resources for Rural Virginia forums, May 19 and June 7

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Emory & Henry College, Longwood University, the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development, and Virginia Cooperative Extension's Community Viability program are hosting two economic forums that will link rural communities to Virginia’s economic resources.

Virginia Tech and partners develop state's geospatial workforce

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Two one-week workshops offered through the Geospatial Technician Education Through Virginia's Community Colleges project are providing community college faculty and high school teachers with professional development in geospatial technology.