Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station

Shelley Duke will receive Virginia Tech's highest honor

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The 2013 recipient of Virginia Tech's highest honor, the William H. Ruffner Medal, is Michele "Shelley" Duke of Middleburg, Va., who is being recognized for the substantial difference she has made to the university through her volunteer service and support.

Virginia Tech plays pivotal role in boosting state's agricultural exports

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia had $2.61 billion in agricultural exports in 2012, a record-setting number. Since 2010, agricultural and forestry exports have increased 17 percent.

Peter B. Schultz receives Distinguished Service Award from Research Center Administrators Society

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Peter B. Schultz, director of Virginia Tech's Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center was recently given the Distinguished Service Award by the Research Center Administrators Society of the United States.

Video: Virginia Tech students create $5 million building plan for the Reynolds Homestead

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The students' architectural work was "fabulous," says Elizabeth Gilboy, director of the Community Design Assistance Center, which produced the proposed Patrick County project.

Jim Gerrish of American GrazingLands Services to speak at the 2013 Winter Forage Conference

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council will co-host the 2013 Winter Forage Conference at four locations on Jan. 22-25.

Research instrument opens new avenues of discovery

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech will help scientists and researchers develop and discover new drugs, curb pollution, and monitor environmental conditions, among other things.

First Hokie Stone on Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building 1 marks new phase of construction

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The new building at the corner of Duck Pond Drive and Washington Street is the first of four that will eventually make up the Human and Agricultural Biosciences Precinct.

Danny R. Peek named Virginia Cooperative Extension Southwest District director

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Danny R. Peek has been with Extension for 14 years as the burley tobacco specialist at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Glade Spring, Va.

Pork conference targets small-scale producers

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host a small-scale and niche-market pork production conference on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Tidewater center in Suffolk, Va.

Robert Grisso named associate director of Virginia Cooperative Extension

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The agriculture and natural resources associate director works closely with industry partners, stakeholders, and other state agencies and university programs at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University to identify critical issues and develop knowledge-based resources to address the needs of Virginia's agriculture and natural resources sectors.

Infestation of stink bugs continues to spread across state

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A team of Virginia Tech researchers is working across the commonwealth to find a way to control the brown marmorated stink bug and keep it from spreading farther around Virginia and to other southern states.

Livestock industry to induct former faculty and alumni in Livestock Hall of Fame

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The 2012 inductees will have their portraits hung at Virginia Tech in the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Teaching Arena during a ceremony to be held Saturday, Sept. 22.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences researchers recognized for their work

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Jeffrey Derr and Igor Sharakhov receive the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences annual Awards for Research Excellence.

New videos help homeowners grow beautiful, environmentally friendly lawns

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

In a new series of seven videos, Virginia Tech's Head Golf Coach Jay Hardwick teams up with the university's turfgrass experts to provide tips on every aspect of lawn care, from initial seeding to proper watering techniques.

In memoriam: Bonnie Lee Appleton, professor emerita of horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences remembers Bonnie Lee Appleton, retired Virginia Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist, who died Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Norfolk, Va.

John Lee Pratt Animal Nutrition Senior Fellows present research

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The John Lee Pratt Animal Nutrition Senior Fellows program promotes the study of animal nutrition across departments throughout the college.

Virginia Tech and University of Tuscia lead international research team to unravel origin of devastating kiwifruit bacterium

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

An international research team led by Virginia Tech Associate Professor Boris Vinatzer and Giorgio Balestra of the University of Tuscia in Italy has used the latest DNA sequencing technology to trace a devastating pathogen back to its likely origin.

Steven Blank brings 30 years experience to Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Steven Blank said he is delighted to join the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He noted the department's long history of both service to agriculture in Virginia and the country.

Prestigious National Institutes of Health training program answers biomedical research need

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Six veterinarian trainees will be funded by this grant to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research through this National Institutes of Health training program, starting July 1.

Horse owners to blend science/trust at extravaganza

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Building relationships with horses can help owners and trainers understand and interpret the animals' subtle, yet, significant communications.

Scientists awarded grant for mosquito egg production research

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech biochemists are working to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate mosquito egg production, in order to identify target molecules that can be used for mosquito control.

Virginia Farm to Table Plan now available

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, The University of Virginia, and the Virginia Food System Council recently released the "Virginia Farm to Table Plan: A Strategic Plan for Strengthening Virginia’s Food System and Economic Future."

Virginia Tech collects books to restock South Sudan's universities' libraries

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech faculty have been working with their counterparts at the University of Juba and the Catholic University of Sudan to re-establish agricultural programming at the higher education level.

Biochemist receives prestigious international award

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Sobrado received the technology award for his work in identifying the mechanism of action of these enzymes, and for the design and development of two assays that allow his team to identify specific inhibitors against these enzymes.

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.

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.

Researchers discover novel anti-viral immune pathway in the mosquito

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Scientists at Virginia Tech are working to understand the mosquito's immune system and how the viral pathogens that cause diseases are able to overcome it to be transmitted to human and animal hosts.

Translational medicine turns Virginia Tech's innovations in the life sciences into clinical solutions

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

Virginia Tech is developing plans for a Translational Medicine Building, which will include an expansion of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as well as research laboratories and training spaces for interdisciplinary research among three colleges.

Virginia Tech to break ground on first building in new Biosciences Precinct

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

Virginia Tech will break ground on the first building in the new Biosciences Precinct at the corner of Duck Pond Drive and Washington Street later this month.

Virginia Tech team to investigate the genomics of wood for biofuels production

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A team of Virginia Tech researchers is working to characterize the genes involved in wood formation in poplar trees with the goal of improving the quality and quantity of wood as a feedstock for biofuels production.

Parent of new Southwest Virginia clean energy company wins French, international CleanTech competitions

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The French company that will use Virginia Tech technology as the basis of a clean energy business in Abingdon, Va., has won an award for using plant-based biotechnolgy to create sustainable, clean fuels and other chemicals.

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.

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.

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.

Plant researchers locate transporter used for nicotine metabolism

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In a recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences publication, a team of Virginia Tech and Purdue University scientists identified a distinct transporter used by tobacco plant cells for nicotine metabolism.

Research team unravels tomato pathogen's tricks of the trade

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech scientists sequenced the genome of several isolates of a bacterial tomato pathogen in order to track the pathogen's ability to overcome plant defenses and to develop methods to prevent further spread.

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.

Family's quest to learn about Lady Astor Rose takes them to Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Lord Astor, grandson of the first woman to serve in the British Parliament and Danville native, visited the institute to learn more about the research and production of the Lady Astor Rose.

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.

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.

A special flower will grace the University Open House

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Scientists from Virginia Tech and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research collaborated to develop a new method for breeding plants. The result is the group's first commercial enterprise, The Dan River Plant Propagation Center in Danville and a special day lily, the VT Spirit, bred in Virginia Tech's colors of orange and maroon.

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.

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine digs in to the future; new buildings move forward

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Two new buildings are coming to life, with a third in store for the future, at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, as the college continues to make room for growth to its instructional and research programs.

Enzymes are possible targets for new anti-malaria drugs

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A multi-university research team used novel biochemistry to help understand the biology of the malaria parasite and to find new drug targets.

Life Science Forum introduces university research, regional companies

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Fifth Annual Southwest Virginia Life Science Forum on the evening of Oct. 6 will bring together university researchers and business people to discuss discoveries and possible collaborations.