A Natural Resources Extension and Outreach Publication ......A Natural Resources Extension and...
Transcript of A Natural Resources Extension and Outreach Publication ......A Natural Resources Extension and...
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A Natural Resources Extension and Outreach Publication from Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources
A Few Words from Bob Smith
StudentsaretrudgingthroughthesnowonthegroundinBlacksburgasIwrite.ItisalwaysgoodtoberemindedofwhyIleftnorthernMichigansomanyyearsago.Wehadbetween16and20inchesofsnowtheweekbeforeChristmasandthenthecoldsnap came in. It was the first white Christmasinanumberofyears;therefore,therewasalotoftalkinmyhometownaboutthecoolingeffectsofglobalwarminginourareaovertheholidays.IrecentlyreturnedfromaregionalmeetingforExtension,andtwoofthekeyresearchareasidentified under the new administration areclimatechangeandenergysecurity/bioenergy.VirginiaTechisworkinginbothoftheseareas.Asweknow,goodforeststewardshiphasastrongimpactonclimatechange,andtherearenumerousfacultyworkinginthebioenergyarea. Whatbetterwaytostartanewyear than to reflect upon the many opportunitiesforengagementprovidedbycommunitiesandourcollege?OurgoalsaretomakeVirginia’snaturalresourcesmoresustainableandeconomicallyviable.Ihavesharedwithmanyofyouthatworkingwithourfaculty,students,andstafftopartnerwithourlocalitiesisoneofthegreatestjobsapersoncouldhave.Theseeffortsarewherewecanseeadifferencebeingmadeontheground.Ouruniversityisaleaderinengagementacrossthecountry,anditisanincreasinglyimportantaspectoftheworkwedo.ThisiswhereVirginiaTechputsknowledgetowork,asouroldmottousedtosay.WhetheritislookingatgreenspaceinthecityofRadford,orthebestplacetolocateatouristinformationcenteralongtheBlueRidgeParkway,ourengagementeffortsaimtoimprovethelivesofourcitizensandthenaturalresourcesthatsurroundthem. TheBlueRidgeParkway,whichincludes12countiesinCentralandSouthwestVirginia,iscelebrating
its75thanniversarythisyear.Theparkwayisaneconomicdriverfortheregionandisthemostvisitednationalparkinthenation.TheCollege
ofNaturalResources,incollaborationwithBlueRidge75Inc.,willhostaconferenceonthefutureoftheparkwayfromOctober14-16,2010,
attheHotelRoanoke,aspartofitsyear-longcelebration.Theconferencewillfocusonissuesthatimpactthevitalityoftheparkwayanditscommunities,andisinconjunctionwithaconferenceatAppalachianStateUniversityinBoone,N.C.,inApril.For
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What’s InsideServiceLearningandWhole-FarmAgroforestryPlanning
HokiesTeachingGeographyinDominicanRepublic
ConferenceAddressesImpactsofChangingClimatesonWaterResources
ForestBiologyandDendrologyEducationalMaterials—ReachingThousands
IntheField—ForestLandownerRetreatofValue
PalletRe-useandRecyclingSaves Material from Landfill
Wood-BasedCompositesCenter:TheNextTenYears
GeospatialWorkshopTargetsSmall,RuralBusinesses
CalendarofEvents
DirectoryofNaturalResourcesExtensionStaff
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 2
thesemester.Inadditiontolecturesandlaboratoriesonagroforestryprinciples,history,andpractices(e.g.,forestfarming,silvopastures,riparianbuffermanagement),studentsalsoconductaseriesofservice-learningpropertyandlandscape-levelassessments.Studentsareintroducedtopermaculturedesign,agroforestrymarketingandeconomics,andincentiveprograms,andprovidedwithdedicatedwhole-farmplanningperiods.
This project is a valuable experience, both for the community who can see different options for the land and for students who see the practical value of their training and work. Ofimportancetothelearninginitiativeisthesemester-longdiscussionandplanningthataimstointentionallyintegratetreesandcropsaspartofanagroforestryplanthatincorporatesthebiological,social,economic,andtechnicalaspectsofwhole-farmmanagementandmeetsthegoalsofparticipatingservice-learninglandowners.Settingthelearningprocessintoapracticalcontext, the role of animals and fish, trees,agriculturalcrops,property-levelgreeninfrastructuredesign,andamenityvaluesinagroforestrysystemsbecomeanimatedand
AsksomeonetodescribelandanditsuseintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleysoutsideBlacksburgandyouwilllikelyheararangeofresponses—forests,rockyslopes,pasture,forage,riparianareas,andlawn,amongothers.Similardescriptionsarejustaslikelyifthesamepersonwereaskedtocharacterizeasinglepropertyineitherofthesevalleys.Achievingcoordinatedregionalmanagementacrossavarietyoflandtypes,uses,andownerships,suchasthoseintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleys,requiresacollaborativeapproach,wherepropertiesaremanagedtobenefit both the individual owner andlargerlandscape.Landusepracticesarenotcenteredononeproductordevelopedinisolation,butcraftedwiththewholepropertyandsustainabilityofsurroundingresourcesinmind.CatawbaandNorthForklandownersareincreasinglyawareofthisneed,andstudentsandfacultyatVirginiaTecharedoingtheirparttomakewhole-farmagroforestryplanningandcoordinationpossible. Forasecondyear,agroupofstudentsfromVirginiaTech’sCollegeofNaturalResourcesworkedwithlandownersandtheCatawbaSustainabilityCenter(CSC)intheCatawbaValleyviaacollaborativeservice-learningprogramthatispartoftheDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation’sagroforestrycourse.Theprogram’sprimaryobjectiveistofacilitatesharedwhole-farmagroforestrylearningbypairingstudentswithlandownersthroughout
ENGAGEMENTmatters
PublishedquarterlybytheCollegeofNaturalResources
324CheathamHall(0324)VirginiaTech
Blacksburg,VA24061
ArliceK.Banks,EditorPhone:540/231-7051
BobSmith,ContributingEditorPhone:540/231-7679
Submissionsmaybesenttotheeditororcontributingeditor
attheaboveaddressorviae-mail.
VirginiaCooperativeExtensionprogramsandemploymentareopentoall,regardlessofrace,color,national
origin,sex,religion,age,disability,politicalbeliefs,sexualorientation,ormaritalorfamilystatus.Anequal
opportunity/affirmative action employer. ExtensionisajointprogramofVirginiaTech,VirginiaStateUniversity,theU.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture,andstateandlocalgovernments.
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Service Learning and Whole-Farm Agroforestry Planning in the Catawba and North Fork Valleys
John F. Munsell, Forest Management Extension SpecialistCourtney Kimmel, Ph.D. Student
Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation College of Natural Resources
FEATURE
moreinformationonalltheactivitiesfortheBlueRidgeParkway75thAnniversarycelebrations,pleasevisitwww.blueridgeparkway75.org. InthisissuewesharewhatJohnMunsell’sstudentsareworkingonattheCatawbaproperty.UrsBuehlmann,DepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,discussestheimpactofpalletrecyclingonlocalcommunitydevelopment,andyouwillhaveaninsidelookatoneofthemanyindustry-universitypartnershipsatVirginiaTechthroughtheWood-BasedCompositeCenter.Dr.JohnSeilershareshishighlysuccessfuldendrologysitethatisusedbypeoplearoundtheworld,andJasonFishersharesExtensionnewsfromtheCentralregion. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorsuggestionsonourengagementefforts,pleasecontactme.
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http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �
enfoldedintoauniquewhole-farmstrategy.SeanAllen,ajuniormajoringinforestry,commentedthat“Themajorconceptsofwhole-farmagroforestryplanningcannotbefullyunderstoodfromattendinglecturesandreadingourtextbooks.Thereisaneedtogoon-site,talktothelandowners,andworkoutwhatagroforestryapplicationscanbeimplementedontheirpropertytomeettheirobjectives.Thisprovidesanelementofcommunityinteractionthatallowsustogainworkingknowledgeofagroforestrypracticeswhiledealingwithrealworldproblems.”ForHeatherTaylor,adoublemajorincropandsoilenvironmentalscienceandphilosophy,theprojecthashelped“pointmetowardswhatIwanttodowithmygraduatecareer.” Servicelearningprivatepropertyownerparticipantshavehadrelativelysmallparcels,averagingaround35acres,whichrequires
thatstudentsthinkcreativelyandunconventionallyaboutproductionenterpriseandresource-useefficiencies. Other important learning facetsarethedifferentobjectivesandmanagementintensitiesassociatedwithparticipatingowners.Studentsmustshapeagroforestrywhole-farmapproachesthatcorrespondtotheowner’sabilitytomaintainproductionregimes.Lessismoreforsomeowners,whileothersprefertoconsiderhighlyintegrated,intensivepossibilities.Ontheotherhand,studentsassignedtotheCSCfacedadifferentsetofchallenges.Theywereforcedtothinkintermsofthecenter’s377acresanditspublicoutreachandruralbusinessincubationmissions. Attheconclusionofthesemester,students,participatinglandowners,andotherinterestedcitizensandexpertsgatheredattheCatawbaCommunityCentertocelebratethesemester-long
FEATUREService Learning continued from page 2 collaborativelearningexperience.
Studentspresentedtheirplans,followed by an open-floor dialogue. Asinthepast,presentationsraisedverygoodandinterestingideasamonglandownersinattendance.RobGuiles,aCatawbaValleyLandownerandpresentationattendeelastyear,servedasaservice-learningparticipantthisyear. He reflected, “After hearing theclasspresentationslastyearconcerningthesustainabilitycenter,IapproachedJohnMunsellabouthavingastudentgroupinitiateastudyonoursmallfarmshouldthatbedesirableforhisfutureclasses.Thatstudywasinitiatedin2009byonegroup...Itisapleasuretobeexperiencingthistypeofclassfromthe‘otherside.’” Someaspectsoftheplanspresentedlastyearhaveledtoactualon-the-groundimplementationatCatawbaSustainabilityCenter.Forexample,thelocationofbeehives,riparianplantings,andlocalfood plots were all influenced by theplanningeffortsofservicelearningagroforestrystudents.ChristyGabbard,DirectorofVirginiaTech’sCSC,stated,“Workingwithstudentsisawin-winforCSCandforthestudents.Forthestudentsitprovidesauniqueopportunityforexperientiallearningwithreal-worldapplication.ForCSCitprovidesanopportunityforconsultationtogainnewperspectivesandcreativemeansforimplementation.” CatawbaLandcare,alocalorganizationoflandownersinterestedinsustainablelandmanagementandcommunitybuilding,hasbeenverysupportiveoftheprojectandco-sponsoredthe final presentation. Asked about thevalueofsuchopportunitiestoworkwiththeuniversity,CatawbaLandcarecoordinatorCourtneyKimmelresponded,“Fromthebeginningofourplanningsessions
Working in the pouring rain at her farm in the Catawba Valley are Betty Bailey, a service-learning landowner participant (holding corn), and her student partners (l-r: J. B. Snelson, agricultural sciences, Chris Mernin, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Spencer Blakenship, agricultural sciences, and Bonnie Lawrie, agricultural sciences)
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �
ENGAGEMENT
Hokies Teaching Geography in the Dominican Republic
Stacy Boyer, Adjunct Instructor, Department of GeographyCollege of Natural Resources
Aspartofmymedicalgeographycourseinthefall2009DominicanRepublicsemesterabroadprogram,VirginiaTechundergraduatestaughtbasicgeographytoHaitianchildreninagrassrootsschoolonthecountry’snortherncoast.TheBateyMunozschoolinPuertoPlataisfundedbyProjectEsperanza(“hope”inEnglish),anNGO,startedbyVirginiaTechalumniCaitlinMcHaleandKristenPreve. TheSpanishterm“batey”traditionallyreferstocommunitiesofHaitianimmigrantswholiveonoradjacenttosugarcaneplantations.ThesesettlementsweresetupbysugarcompaniestohouseHaitiansemployedtocutcane.ManyoftheHaitianswholiveinthesecommunitiesarewithoutdocumentationandthereforenotrecognizedbytheDominicangovernment,eventhoughsomewerecoaxedacrosstheborderbysugarcompanieswithpromisesofgoodwagesandachanceatabetterlife.Asaresult,mostofthebateyresidents(manywhomarewomenandchildren)arelivinginextremepovertyandaredeniedeventhemostbasicofresources,suchasaccesstoeducation. ProjectEsperanzahasstartedthreegrassrootsschoolsinPuertoPlataandisrunningaboys’hometohelpkeephomelessHaitianyoungmenoffthestreetsandprovidethememploymentandaccesstoeducation.ThemedicalgeographystudentsworkedwithProjectEsperanzaandtaughtinoneoftheseschoolsfortwodaysasaservice-learningcomponentofthecourse. “Atthebateyes,itwasclearlyvisiblethatagoodportionofthechildrenwereveryeagertolearn.Ifeelthatitwouldbeextremelyfrustrating,knowingyouarecapableoflearning,butnothavingtheresourcesoropportunitiestodoso.Itwasveryrewardingtoteachthechildreneventhesmallamountthatwedid.Thefactthattheydidn’tknowallthecontinentswasshocking.Itseemsthatwehavetakenoureducationforgranted.Wehavebeengivensomanychancestofurtherourselves,”commentedJessicaLinkous,aVirginiaTechjunior,ofherexperienceinBateyMunoz. ArmedwithmapsandglobesdonatedbytheVirginiaGeographicAllianceandschoolsuppliesdonatedbyalocalchurch,theVirginiaTechstudentstaughtabout70children their first geography lesson ever. With the help ofinterpreters,studentslearnedaboutcontinentsandoceansintheirnativeCreolelanguage.Theycoloredmaps and flags of their country and participated in their first geography “bee.” WeaskedtheHaitianschoolteacherstoparticipatewithusduringthelessonswiththehopethattheywould
continuewiththelessonsandhavethematerialsandfoundationtodoso.
Ourgroupwassostronglyimpactedbythisteachingexperienceinthebateythatwesponsoredamicro-finance project (a small“seed”loan)toassistwomeninthecommunitywiththeircandle-makingbusiness.Inaddition,thestudentsplantobeginanInternetcenterneartheschoolthatwillprovideincomeforteachers,whileatthesametimeimprovingthechildren’seducation
throughaccesstotechnology.WeareactivelyfundraisingandplantoreturntoBateyMunozschooloverspringbreaktogetthecenterupandrunningandperhapsteachanothergeographylessonwhilewearethere! Foradditionalinformationaboutourexperienceinthebateyorhowyoucanhelp,[email protected]/239-5801.
Biological sciences junior James McWhorter quizzes a group of students on the continents and oceans.
Munoz student proudly shows off his colored picture of the Dominican flag.
mailto:[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �
ENGAGEMENT
“My hope is that . . . their new ideas will translate into actions that improve the management of
our water resources.”
Virginia Water Research Conference Addresses Impacts of
Changing Climates on Water Resources
Patrick Fay, Communications ManagerVirginia Water Resources Research Center
College of Natural Resources
Morethan140waterscientists,managers,policymakers,andstudentsgatheredinRichmondforthe2009VirginiaWaterResearchConference.HostedbytheVirginiaWaterResourcesResearchCenter(WaterCenter)atVirginiaTechandtheIngerandWalterRiceCenterforEnvironmentalLifeSciencesatVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity(VCU),theconferenceaddressedtheenvironmental,political,andeconomicchangesfacingstakeholders,researchers,andmanagersofwaterresources. TheOctober15-16conferenceopenedwithaplenarysessionthatincludedspeakersPrestonBryant,Virginiasecretaryofnaturalresources,andVirginiaBurkett,chiefscientistforglobalchangeresearchattheU.S.GeologicalSurvey.StephenSchoenholtz,directoroftheWaterCenter,observed,“Theplenarysessionveryeffectivelymetourgoalofprovidinganinformative,provocativeoverviewofsomeofthekeyissueswefaceinVirginiainrelationtoclimatechange.” Alsoincludedintheconferencewere70oralandposterpresentations.Themajorityofthesepresentationsfocusedonenvironmentalchallenges,includingseveralsessionsdevotedtostormwaterpolicy,management,andresearch.Theunderpinningformuchofthediscussionisthatstormwaterchallengeswillbeexacerbatedbymostpredictedclimate-changescenariosinVirginia. When asked about how this conference could benefit individualcommunitiesintheCommonwealthofVirginiaandbeyond,Schoenholtzreplied,“Myhopeisthatpeoplewhoattendedtheconferencewillheadbacktotheircommunitiesandtheirjobswithanewideaortwo,andultimatelythattheirnewideaswilltranslateintoactionsthatimprovethemanagementofourwaterresources.” ProceedingsoftheconferenceareavailableontheWaterCenter’swebsiteatwww.vwrrc.vt.edu.
Forest Biology and Dendrology Internet- and CD-Based Educational Material:
Serving the Needs of Thousands
John R. Seiler, Professor of Forestry (aka Dr. Dendro)Department of Forest Resources and
Environmental ConservationCollege of Natural Resources
Ourforestbiologyanddendrologywebsiteandcomputersoftwareprovidesacontinuousstreamof
educationalopportunitiesfornaturalresourceprofessionals,teachers,students,andthegeneralpublic.Startingwithtreeidentification, we have forestbiologyeducationalsoftware,onlinegraduateforestecologyeducationforpublicschoolteachers, and scientific investigationsforpublicschoolstudentsconductedutilizingtheInternet.
Our CD-ROM based woody plant identification program(WoodyPlantsinNorthAmerica,Kendall/HuntPublishing)hasover20,000colorphotoscovering840plantsfoundthroughoutNorthAmerica,andwearecurrentlydevelopingplansforanewversionwithevenmorespecies,photographs,andfeatures.Thecurrentsoftwarecontainsmultiplepicturesforeachspeciesofleaves, flower, fruit, twig, bark and form of each plant, andallowsside-by-sidecomparisonsofsimilarspecies.Usersarealsoabletotakequizzesfromcustomizedtreelists.ThissoftwareisinusebydendrologyprogramsandprofessionalsacrosstheUnitedStates.Wealsohavesoftwareforteachingtreebiologythatcontainsanimationsonphotosynthesis,diametergrowth,wateruptake,budbreak,andevenfallcolorchange. In addition to tree identification, we also have developedlandownerfactsheets.Thesesheetsdisplay,in a very efficient manner, basic silvical characteristics forthetree,wildlifevalue,regenerationpracticesandfunfactsaboutthetree.Otherweb-basededucationalmaterialincludesinformationonfallcolor,themeaningofLatinnames,scenicpanoramasfromecosystemsaroundtheUnitedStates,a“what’sblooming”feature(particularlypopular in the spring), various identification keys, online text books, and even a tree identification quiz. Tovisitanyofthewebsitesmentioned,seemoreinformationaboutoursoftware,oraskDr.Dendroaquestion,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/.
L-R: John Seiler and Kevin Riedel work on leaf identification.
http://www.vwrrc.vt.eduhttp://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �
ThesecondforestlandownerretreatwasheldNovember6-8,2009,atHolidayLake4-HCenterinAppomattoxCounty,Va.ThisretreatwasofferedthroughacollaborativeeffortbetweenVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF)andVirginiaCooperativeExtension,thanksinparttosupportfromtheBallyshannonFund,adonor-advisedfundoftheCharlottesvilleAreaCommunityFoundation.Thisyear’sretreatwasentitled“ForestLandownerRetreat—AddingValueToYourForest,”andwasattendedby40participantsfrom19countiesinVirginiaowningapproximately1,900acresofland,nearlydoubletheattendantsfromthepreviousyear. Participantshadtheopportunitythroughouttheweekendtoperuseahostofeducationalmaterialsfromestate planning, tree identification, sustainable forestry materials,andmore.ThekickofftopicwascenteredonestateplanninginVirginiaandthesocialimplicationsofproperplanningforfutureforestlandmanagement.Toooftenitseemsthatthefamilyfarmhastoutilizetimber—usuallyimmature—topayforpoorestatetaxplanning.AnexcellentpresentationwasgivenbyHoneycutt&McGuireCPAsinFarmville,whoreceivednumerousquestionsonestateplanningregimesforfamilyforestland. OnSaturday,AssistantRegionalForesterDavidSnyderoftheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF),presentedinformationpertainingtoforeststewardshipplans. The group then headed to the field for planned tour stopsthatincludedearlysuccessionmanagementthroughintermediatestandtreatmentshostedbyWayneBowman,researchforesterwithVDOF,andme. The first stop included a mulching demonstration by aprivatecontractorforreturningabandonedfarmland
andoftenuntreatedforeststandstomoremanageablesituationswhilemaintainingsoilintegrity.Forestrymulchingisoneofseveralalternativesforclearingareas for fire lines, wildlife food plots, dwellings, and site preparationonupto5-year-oldclearcuts. Afterreturningforlunch,thegrouplearnedhowtosuccessfullyconductatimbersaleandharvestbeforetouringachipmillatGoldHillinDillwynfortheafternoon.Thegroupgainedfurtherappreciationfortheprocessthattakesplaceatthisparticularmillwithregardstoharvestedtreethinningswithinanapproximate50-mileradius.WoodchipsareloadedonrailcarsandfreightedtotheCovingtonpapermill—“about90-100tonsofwoodchipsperrailcarsavingapproximately$3pertonversustractortrailerhauling,”statedEastonLoving,procurementmanagerforthemill.FulghumFibres’GoldHillfacilityislocatedjustwestofRichmondandwasconstructedin2005.Thefacilityprocessesapproximately300,000tonsperyearofpineandhardwoodforMeadWestvaco.
Followingdinner,eachparticipantconductedanassessmentactivitytohaveastartingpointforactionontheirpropertyfollowingtheweekend.Later,thegroupwastreatedtoaseriesofmovies,rangingfromaparticipantsharing his wild mountain flower collection via DVD withmusic,to20-minutehistoricalforestryvideosfromarchivesfromtheSouthernResearchExtensionForestrycollections,thankstocommitteememberNeilClark.
INTHEFIELD
Forest Landowner Retreat of Value
K. Jason Fisher, Extension Agent, ANR Forestry and Natural Resources VCE Central Region, Halifax County Office
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Forestry mulching is becoming a productive alternative for opening up land to better manage overgrown farmland and undesirable species while maintaining soil stability and a favorable seed bed for plantings.
Host Easton Loving (red cap) addresses the landowners about the procurement process at the MeadWestvaco Gold Hill chip mill in Dillwyn.
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �
NEWSBRIEF
Sundaymorninggaverisetoanearlytreeidentification session and brief field walk with Jennifer Gagnonandcommittee.MorningpresentationsincludedmytalkonNuisanceWildlife,ForestFragmentationpresentedbyJenniferGagnon,VirginiaForestLandownerEducationCoordinatoratVirginiaTech,andEcosystemValuesandFunctionsbyNeilClark,VCESoutheastRegionExtensionForester.
Theplanningcommitteewouldliketothankitssponsors,particularlytheBallyshannonFundandHolidayLake4-HEducationalCenter,formakingthiseventpossible.Ithasbeensaidbeforethatdiscoveringvalueonyourpropertybeginswithspendingsometimewalkingthepropertyonyourownandthenconsultingwithaprofessionalforesterwhocanproperlyadviseyouinassessingwhatyouhave.Factorssuchasthehistoryofthestandoftreesandconsequentlytheplantlifeyouhavepresent,thegeographyoftheproperty,includingsitecharacteristicsandlocation,andspecialhabitatssuchasstreamsandwetlandsareimportantasastartingpointinputtingaplaninplace.Lastly,weareremindedthatpeaceofmindisanotherfactorofimmeasurablevaluefosteredbyownershipofforestland. ForfurtherinformationonVirginia’sLandownerEducationprogramsandresources,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/orcontactJenniferGagnonat540/231-6391.YoumayalsocontactyourregionalExtensionagent.AlistingofallExtensionstaffislocatedonpages12and13ofthisnewsletter.
An enthusiastic participant counts the rings in a tree core at a thinned pined stand on the 19,808-acre Appomattox Buckingham State Forest.
Retreat continued from page 6 Virginia Tech Urban Forestry Students Lead Campus Tree Planting During Sustainability
Week 2009
P. Eric Wiseman, Assistant Professor of Urban ForestryDepartment of Forest Resources and
Environmental Conservation College of Natural Resources
VirginiaTechurbanforestrystudentsspearheadedanothersuccessfultreeplantingduringSustainabilityWeek2009.TheclubcollaboratedwithstaffintheOffice of the University Architect and the Grounds Servicesdivisiontoplantover50hardwoodtreesneartheintersectionofWashingtonStreetandKentStreet.Thisspaceisoneofseverallawnareasoncampusthathavebeenrecentlyconvertedtonativemeadowinanefforttodecreasemowingcostsandencouragecampussustainability.Severalofthesemeadowshavebeenselectedforreforestationtoincreasetreecanopycoveron campus and enhance urban forest benefits for the community.Treespeciesplantedbythestudentsincludedblackoak,buroak,greenash,hackberry,redmaple,andsourwood.VirginiaTechwasoneofnineuniversitiesaccreditedasTreeCampusUSAbytheArborDayFoundationin2008.
Virginia Tech urban forestry students and grounds staff busily planting trees.
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �
ENGAGEMENT
Pallet Re-Use and Recycling Saves High Value Material from Landfills
Urs Buehlmann, Associate Professor of Wood Science and Forest Products and Extension SpecialistPhilip A. Araman, Adjunct Senior Research Scientist and Project Leader,
USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station Utilization of Southern Forest ResourcesRobert Bush, Professor of Forest Products Marketing
Department of Wood Science and Forest ProductsCollege of Natural Resources
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Palletsmovetheworld.IntheUnitedStates,anestimated4billionpalletsareindailyservice.Nationwide,onanannualbasis,anestimated441millionnewpalletsaremanufacturedand357millionpalletsarerepairedorrebuiltfromdiscardedpallets.Manufacturingthesepalletsconsumesmorethansevenbillionbdft1oflumberannually,roughlytwo-thirdshardwoods2.Thismakesthepalletindustrythesinglemostimportantuserofhardwoodlumber(byvolume)inNorthAmerica.
Figure 1. New pallets ready to be shipped. Photo by Urs Buehlmann
Palletreuseandrecyclinghaveincreasedgreatlyoverthepasttwodecades.Whileonly51millionpalletswererecovered,repairedandreusedin1992,almosttriplethatnumberwererecovered,repaired,andreusedin1995(143millionpallets),andin2006thisnumberincreasedto357millionunits.Itisestimatedthatpalletreuseandrecyclingsavedanestimated5.7billionbdftoflumberin2006,bringingthevolumeoflumberbeingsavedclosetothelevelofnewlumberbeingconsumed(43.8percentrecovered,repaired,andreusedversus56.2percentnewlumber,Figure2).
Figure 2. Volumes of lumber used in the United States pallet industry.3
Despitealltheseefforts,BushandAramanestimatethat up to 100 million pallets are still landfilled.3However,there is no reason why pallets should end up in landfills. Manyalternativeusesfordiscardedpalletsexistbesidesreuseorrecyclingintopallets,rangingfromtheproductionofmulch,animalbedding,orfueltomorevalue-addedopportunities like producing flooring for eco-friendly buildings,asshowninFigure3.
Figure 3. “Green” flooring from recycled pallets installed in Sprig Garden Shop, Grove Arcade Mall, Asheville, N.C. Photo by Urs Buehlmann
1Aboardfoot(bdft)isavolumedescribedby1’x1’x1”.
2Bush,R.andP.Araman.2009.MaterialUseandProductionChangesintheU.S.WoodPalletandContainerIndustry:1992to2006.Pallet Enterprise.June2009.pp,38-43.
3Araman,P.,B.Hansen,andR.Bush.2009.Woodenpalletreuseisgrowing,butmorecanbedone.Workshoppresentation.DepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,VirginiaTech.
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TheWood-BasedCompositesCenter(WBC)wasestablishedin1999forthepurposeofadvancing
thescienceandtechnologyofwood-basedcompositematerials.
FormerDepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProductsProfessorFredKamke,alongwiththesupportoftenindustrialpartners,formedtheWBCatVirginiaTech.Overitsten-yearhistory,andinthespiritofservicetotheindustry,theWBChasevolvedintoafullpartnershipamongfourNorthAmericanuniversities,eachwithrenownedcomposites-relatedresearchprograms:theUniversitiesofBritishColumbiaandMaine,OregonStateUniversity,andVirginiaTech.Industrialmembersprovidefinancial support for the center and engageregularlywithfacultyandstudents.Partneruniversitiessharegraduatestudentfundingandtaketurnshostingsemi-annualindustryadvisoryboardmeetings.Thecenter’sdirector,ProfessorChipFrazier,andmanagingdirectorLindaCaudill,remainhousedatVirginiaTech. TheWBChasserved22industrialmembersoveritsten-yearhistorywithresearchandoutreachactivities.Thirtycontinuingeducationshortcourseshaveprovidedtrainingtoover700industryprofessionalsinsuchtopicsaswoodadhesion,analyticalmethods,andwoodmaterialscience.AcademicpartnershipsallowtheWBCtooffercoursesthroughoutNorthAmerica,wheretrainingdesignedto specifically address the needs oftheindustrycombinestraditionalclassroomlecturewithhands-onlaboratoryexercises.
ENGAGEMENT
Feature continued from page 3
fortheyear,thetopicofagroforestryandwhole-propertyplanninghasbeenapriority.Peopleinthecommunitywhohavebeeninvolvedintheprojectareexcitedabouttheideasthatstudentscomeupwith,andotherswanttobeinvolved.Thisprojectisavaluableexperience,bothforthecommunitywhocanseedifferentoptionsforthelandandforstudentswhoseethepracticalvalueoftheirtrainingandwork.” AscommunityengagementseepsintoVirginiaTech’sculture,service-learningprogramssimilartothewhole-farmagroforestryplanningprogramintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleyswilllikelyincrease.Regardlessofscopeandfocus,futureeffortswillneedtoincorporatecollaborativeknowledgebuilding.Intheinstanceoftheagroforestrycourse,thisentailsstudentsandpropertyownersworkinghand-in-handtoselectproductive,sustainable,andpreferredmanagementoptions.Ratherthanpursueproperty-leveluniformitythatisseparatefromneighboringparcels,theprogramusescrop,tree,andanimalcombinationstoexplorelandscapeplanningacrossdiverseproperties.Atthepropertylevel,theaimistohelpachieveimportantlandmanagementobjectivessuchasreducingsoilerosion,minimizingnutrientleaching,maximizingmarketablecropproduction,augmentingincome,andincreasingbiodiversity.Onalargerscale,thehopeisthattheprogramhelpsshepherdtheenvironmental,social,andeconomicwell-beingoftheCatawbaandNorthForkValleysandtherebydemonstratestheremarkablerelevanceofservicescholarshipatVirginiaTech.
Wood-Based Composites Center: The Next Ten Years
Linda Caudill, Managing Director, Wood-Based Composites CenterCollege of Natural Resources
ArguablythegreatestaccomplishmentoftheWood-BasedCompositesCenteristhedevelopmentoffutureprofessionalsforitsindustrialpartners.Since1999,theWBChasprovidedover100undergraduatescholarshipsandsupportednearly40graduateresearchprojects.WBCFellows,graduatestudentswhoaresupportedbyWBCmembers,areintroducedearlyintheirstudiestoindustryprofessionals,andon-goingcontactoftenculminatesinemploymentwithaWBCmember. WBCmembercompaniesworkhardtohireWBCstudents;theyarespecifically trained to work in the industry,andhiringmanagershaveinteractedwiththemthroughouttheirgraduatestudies.WBCstudents,ontheotherhand,aregiventheopportunitytogettoknowandlearnaboutWBCmembercompanies.They benefit from the experience ofpresentingtechnicalpostersandpresentationsinseminar-likeWBCmeetings,andfrequentlyenterintodesirablecareersasscientists,technicalleaders,andentry-levelmanagers.It’sawin-winforeveryoneinvolved. So,what’snextfortheWood-BasedCompositesCenter?AstherecipientofaNationalScienceFoundationPlanningGrant,theWBCismovingtowardestablishinganNSFIndustry/UniversityCooperativeResearchCenter(I/UCRC)in2010,andislookingforwardtothenextten years of significant service to the industry.Themessageofcompositewoodproductsisoneofresponsibleuseofresourcesandsustainability,andtheWBCispoisedtocarrythismessageforwardtotheworld. VisittheWBCwebsiteatwww.wbc.vt.eduforadditionalinformation,[email protected].
http://www.wbc.vt.eduhttp://www.wbc.vt.edumailto:[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 10
EXTENSION
Infact,havingpalletscommingledwithmunicipalsolidwaste(MSW)isalossofvaluableresourcesthat reduces available landfill space.Forexample,palletscausetheSoutheasternPublicServiceAuthority(SPSA)inChesapeakeasizeableamountofproblems.Theyhavetobemanuallyremovedfromtheoverallwastestreamthatfeedsintotheauthority’swaste-to-energyRefuseDerivedFuelPlant(RDF)poweringtheU.S.Navy’sNorfolkNavyShipyard.Thosepallets,forlackofabettersolution,thenhaveto be landfilled at the SPSA’s 833 acre regional landfill in Suffolk, a costlyandwastefulsolution.Iflocalpalletorwoodrecyclershaduseofthediscardedpallets,theywouldnotendupintheMSWstream.Tohelpsalvagepallets,theDepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,
As a consequence of these workshops, two companies have invested in their own pallet recycling operation . . .incollaborationwiththeUSDAForestService,BlacksburgStation,hasheldworkshopsinAbingdon,SouthBoston,Harrisonburg,andVirginiaBeach,teachingaboutpalletsandhowtorecyclethemandmatchingthosewhohavepalletswiththosewhoneedpallets.Asaconsequenceoftheseworkshops,twocompanieshaveinvestedintheirownpalletrecyclingoperationandseveral companies were able to find asolutiontotheirpalletproblems.However,moreworkremainstobedonebytheVTWoodRecyclingteamtopromotethereuseorrecyclingofpallets,andfutureworkshopsareinearlyplanningstages.
New Geospatial Extension Workshop Targets Marketing Needs of Small, Rural Businesses
John McGee, Virginia Geospatial Extension SpecialistDepartment of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
College of Natural Resources
Itiswellknownthatourprogramssupportnaturalresourceefforts,butdidyouknowthatwealsosupportothereffortsassociatedwithcommunityviabilityaswell?“MarketingintheVirtualWorld”isanewworkshopprovidedbytheVirginiaGeospatialExtensionProgramandVirginiaCooperativeExtension.Thisworkshopisdesigned to “level the playing field” byprovidingsmallerbusinesseswithincreasedaccesstoahighlymobilecustomerbase. Small,ruralbusinesses(e.g.,tourismandagritourismoperators,artisans,craftspeople,“momandpop”restaurants)facemanychallenges,especiallywhenitcomestomarketingandadvertisingtheirproductsandservices.Forexample,businessownersmaybepreoccupiedwith“traditional”formsofadvertising.Theseapproachescanbeexpensiveanddonotalwaystargetintendedaudiences.Furthermore,someareasofVirginia,includingregionsalongtheBlueRidgeParkway,donotpermitsomeformsoftraditionaladvertising(roadsidesignage).
Location-Based Services Advancesintechnologyhaveresultedinarevolutioninmarketingandadvertising.Locationandplace-basedservices,madepossiblethroughtheuseofglobalpositioningsystem(GPS)devices(carnavigationsystems,smartphoneapplications)canbeusedtogeographicallyconnectpotentialconsumerswithnearbybusinesses. Theseapplicationsprovideatechnicalbridge,linkingpotential(andoftenmobile)customerswith
nearby businesses and specific products.Likewise,businessownersarealsoabletotargetand“reachout”topotentialcustomersthroughtheuseofvirtualcouponsandothermarketingtechniques. Thisworkshopwalksbusinessownersthroughtheprocessofregisteringtheirbusinessesonmultiplenationalbusinessdatabases.Thesedatabasesarethenconsumedbyavarietyoflocation-basedservicedevicesandapplications(TomTom,Garmin,iPhone/Blackberry/PalmPre,etc.).Throughouttheworkshop,participantsalsolearnhowtoleveragefree,onlinetoolsthatcanbeemployedtoenhancetheirexposure. Additionalinformationabouttheworkshopcanbeaccessedatwww.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.html. Ifyouwouldliketoorganizeaworkshopinyourorganizationorcommunity,pleasecontactJohnMcGeeattheVirginiaGeospatialExtensionProgramatgep@vt.eduor540/231-2428.
Acknowledgments: This program is modeled after an initiative developed by Adeel Ahmed through the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service.
Pallets continued from page 8
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlhttp://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlmailto:[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. 11
Events CalendarForthemostcompletelistingofnaturalresourceeducationevents,visitthe
onlineeventscalendaratwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate
Contact Date Location Event Time Fee
DCR Jan.,Feb.,MarchVirginiaState
ParksA variety of events and activities. For a complete
list visit: www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks Varies Varies
TL Mar.13-14April10-11 Harrisonburg
Spring 2010 Permaculture Design CourseUnderstandandworkwithnaturalsystemstodesignsustainableenvironmentsthatproducefood,shelter,
andenergy.
Allweekend $995-$1,200
CG Jan.19-Mar.9 Roanoke
Grower’s AcademyVegetable and cut flower production. Learn about
low-impact,small-scalefarming;learntodevelopabusinessplanandnewgrowingtechniques.
6-9p.m.(Tuesdays) $210
JM Mar.12 Stuart
Marketing in a Virtual World: A Workshop for Small/Rural Business Owners
Thisworkshopwalksbusinessownersthroughtheprocessofregisteringtheirbusinessesonmultiple
businessdatabases.Foradditionalinformation,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.html
1-4p.m. $40
MY Mar.12Cruisin’ Through the Woods Part I
Ahands-onclassthatwillteachyoutoestimatetimbervolumesonyourland.
9-4 $20(or$35forPartsIandII)
MY Mar.19Cruisin’ Through the Woods Part II
Ahands-onclassthatwillteachyoutoestimatetimbervolumesonyourland.
9-4 $20(or$35forPartsIandII)
BB Mar.25 MadisonPesticide Applicators Recertification Training Program, Category 12, Wood Preservation and
Wood Product Treatment9a.m.-noon $7.00
BB March26 LexingtonPesticide Applicators Recertification Training Program, Category 12, Wood Preservation and
Wood Product Treatment9a.m.-noon $7.00
Events continued on page 12
Events Contacts
Contact Name/Affiliation Phone E-mail/website
DCR DepartmentofConservationandRecreation 804/786-1712 www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks
TL TerryLilley 434/296-3963 www.blueridgepermaculture.net
CG ChristyGabbard 540/558-8010 [email protected]
JM JohnMcGee 540/231-2428 [email protected]
MY MattYancey 540/564-3080 [email protected]
BB BrianBond 540/231-8752 [email protected]
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlmailto://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 12
Events CalendarForthemostcompletelistingofnaturalresourceeducationevents,visitthe
onlineeventscalendaratwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate
Contact Date Location Event Time Fee
BW April10 GateCity Non-Timber Forest Products: Medicinal Herbs Workshop 9:30-3:30 TBA
GP April16-18 Wintergreen VFA Annual ConventionFutureIssuesImpactingtheForestSupplyChain Allweekend Varies
AD May12-19 RappahannockCo.
The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses
acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,
andoffersguidancetoachievethem.
1:30-4:30$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis
required.
AD May20-27 FauquierCo.
The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses
acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,
andoffersguidancetoachievethem.
6:30-9:00p.m.$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis
required.
AD June1-8 CulpeperCo.
The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses
acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,
andoffersguidancetoachievethem.
6:30-9:00p.m.$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis
required.
JGJune1through
August17
On-line Woodland Options for LandownersVisitwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdateforcoursedetails
andregistrationform.$25/family
AD August23and30 Warrenton
FamilyForestlandShortcourse:FocusingonLandTransfertoGeneration“NEXT”
Speakers include legal and financial experts experiencedinestateplanning,aswellasnatural
resourceprofessionalswhoworkwithlandownerstoconservelandandplanforthefuture.
12:30-7:00p.m.
$50Registration/ApplicationFee
MP
TrainingtobecomeaVirginia Master Naturalist volunteerisofferedannuallybythe27Master
NaturalistchaptersacrossVirginia.Visitwww.virginiamasternaturalist.orgto
locateachapternearyou.
Events Contacts
Contact Name/Affiliation Phone E-mail/website
BW BillWorrell 276/889-8056 [email protected]
GP GlendaParrish 804/278-8733 [email protected]
AD AdamDowning 540/948-6881 [email protected]
JG JenniferGagnon 540/231-6391 [email protected]
MP MichellePrysby 434/872-4580 [email protected]
mailto://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. 1�
College of Natural Resources Extension Staff
Name Title Address Telephone Fax E-mail
ScottM.Barrett
ExtensionAssociate,TimberHarvesting
Coordinator,SHARPLoggerProgram
CollegeofNaturalResources232CheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-6494 540/231-3330 [email protected]
BrianH.Bond ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts
CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-8752 540/231-8868 [email protected]
UrsBuehlmann ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts
CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-9759 540/231-8868 [email protected]
NeilA.Clark ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources
VCESoutheastRegionTidewaterAREC
6321HollandRoadSuffolk,VA23437
757/657-6450,Ext.406 757/657-9333 [email protected]
MichelleDavis ExtensionAssociate,Fisheries
CollegeofNaturalResources349LathamHall(0321)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-1424 540/231-7580 [email protected]
AdamK.Downing ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources
VCENorthernRegionMadison County OfficeWarMemorialBuilding
2ndFloor,MainStreet,Box10Madison,VA22727
540/948-6881 540/948-6883 [email protected]
AmyG.Fannon
AssociateExtensionAgent,
AgricultureandNaturalResources/MinedLand
Restoration
VCEWiseCountyP.O.Box1156
WiseVA24293-1156276/328-6194 276/328-5902 [email protected]
K.JasonFisher ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources
VCECentralRegionHalifax County Office
P.O.Box757171SouthMainStreet
Halifax,VA24558-0757
434/476-2147 434/476-7777 [email protected]
JenniferL.Gagnon
ExtensionAssociate,Forestry;VirginiaForestLandownerEducation
Program
CollegeofNaturalResources228CheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-6391 540/231-3330 [email protected]
JohnA.McGee
ExtensionSpecialist,GeospatialTechnology;
Coordinator,VirginiaGeospatialExtension
Program
CollegeofNaturalResources307CCheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-2428 540/231-3698 [email protected]
JohnF.Munsell ExtensionSpecialist,ForestManagement
CollegeofNaturalResources304CheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-1611 540/231-3698 [email protected]
JamesA.Parkhurst
ExtensionSpecialist,Wildlife
CollegeofNaturalResources144CheathamHall
MailCode0324,VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-9283 540/231-7580 [email protected]
Continued on page 14
mailto://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]
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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 1�
College of Natural Resources Extension Staff
Name Title Address Telephone Fax E-mail
KyleR.Peer ExtensionAssociate,ChristmasTrees
ReynoldsHomesteadForestResourcesResearchCenter
P.O.Box70Critz,VA24082
276/694-4135 276/694-2971 [email protected]
HenryQuesada-Pineda
ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts
CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-0978 540/231-8868 [email protected]
MichelleD.Prysby
ExtensionAssociate,NaturalResources;Coordinator,Virginia
MasterNaturalistProgram
AlbemarleCountyExtension Office
460StagecoachRoadCharlottesville,VA22902
434/872-4580 434/872-4578 [email protected]
Robert(Bob)L.Smith
AssociateDeanforEngagement
CollegeofNaturalResources324CheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-7679 540/231-7664 [email protected]
P.EricWiseman AssistantProfessorofUrbanForestry
CollegeofNaturalResources228CheathamHall(0324)
VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061
540/231-5148 540/231-3330 [email protected]
William(Bill)C.Worrell
ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources
VCESouthwestRegionRussell County Office
P.O.Box697Lebanon,VA24266-0697
276/889-8056 276/889-8075 [email protected]
MatthewW.Yancey
ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources
VCENorthernRegionRockingham County Office965PleasantValleyRoad
Harrisonburg,VA22801-9630
540/564-3080 540/564-3093 [email protected]
mailto://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]://[email protected]