Category Archives: Agriculture and Natural Resources

21-century Extension

people and cows in field

Carl Stafford (left), an Extension agricultural and natural resources agent, visits with dairy producer Terry Ingram about forage management strategies.

“When Extension began nearly 100 years ago, its purpose was to help people take research developed at a university and other places and put it into practice on the land and in the home,” said Edwin Jones, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension. “Can we still do that today? I believe so.”

Virginia Tech magazine takes a closer look at Virginia Cooperative Extension in its latest issue. Read more…

 

 

Share
Posted in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Community Viability, Family and Consumer Sciences, News, Publications | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Virginia 4-H Wildlife Team wins national championship

The Augusta County WHEP Team

The Virginia 4-H WHEP Team practices at an Augusta County wetlands site with engineer Paul Julian (far right). Team members (from left to right): Katie Fenneran, Trube Short, Meredith Persinger, and Mark Persinger.

These students really know their wildlife. This past summer the Virginia 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Team, made up of four high school students, placed first in the country after competing in the 2011 National WHEP Invitational just west of Little Rock, Ark.

All four team members were from Augusta County and were coached by Jennifer Mercer, a former 4-H Extension agent. Team members included

  • Katie Fenneran;
  • Mark Persinger;
  • Meredith Persinger; and
  • Trube Short.

The team won the Virginia contest in April along with the right to represent the state at the National Invitational on July 26. Continue reading →

Share
Posted in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hampton Roads AREC Sustainable Garden Wins Award From City of Virginia Beach

sustainable garden

Sustainable Landscape Practices Educational and Demonstration Garden at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Virginia Tech’s newly developed Sustainable Landscape Practices Educational and Demonstration Garden at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center is the first place winner in the Landscape/Green Industry category of the City of Virginia Beach’s 2011 Stewardship Awards.

The City’s Stewardship Awards recognize residents, organizations, and businesses within the City who demonstrate initiative and leadership in achieving a healthier outdoor environment.

The half-acre garden, designed by Laurie Fox, research associate, and planted and maintained by the Virginia Beach Master Gardener Water Stewards, wraps three sides of the new classroom addition at the Hampton Roads AREC. It contains 140 plant species and follows the sustainable concepts of biological diversity, resource conservation, low impact/input, long term planning, and water conservation. Thirty demonstrated practices that anyone can do in their landscape include: rain chains, sensors, and barrels, vegetated swales, permeable paving, passive solar heating/cooling, plant diversity and trophic layers, drip and watering bag irrigation, recycled products, proper fertilizer use, solar lighting, and grasscycling.

The garden is open to the public and is well signed for self-guided tours.

Submitted by:  Laurie Fox, research associate, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

 

Share
Posted in Agriculture and Natural Resources | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment