Megan Seibel named director of new agriculture leadership program
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. Her appointment began June 10.
In her new position, Seibel will provide leadership for a new, adult leadership development program that serves Virginia’s agricultural community. The program and the director position are housed within Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
“We are excited to welcome Megan as the inaugural director of the VALOR program,” said Rick Rudd, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. “The program will serve a great need within Virginia’s agricultural community, and Megan is the person who can make it happen.”
Seibel said, “I see this position as an opportunity to utilize my formal background in experiential teaching, learning issues, and adult education and my informal background in social community development and leadership to maximize opportunities in Virginia for developing the strong leaders and collaborative partnerships necessary for the optimal future of our agricultural industry.”
Prior to this position, Seibel coordinated professional development for paraprofessionals and volunteers affiliated with the Virginia Family Nutrition Program through Virginia Cooperative Extension. She also has a wealth of experience serving as manager and co-owner of a family farm, Mountain View Farm and Vineyard, in Roanoke.
Among other awards and honors, Seibel won the Virginia Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2007 and was a national finalist for the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2008. She has also been heavily involved as a volunteer leader with Roanoke County Farm Bureau and the Virginia Vineyards Association.
Seibel holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
The VALOR program is designed to develop leaders who can effectively engage all segments of the Virginia agricultural community to create collaborative solutions and promote agriculture inside and outside the industry. The program will consist of experiential seminars of about 45 days over 20 months. Participants will include individuals with a vested interest in the success of Virginia agriculture and leadership for the industry. The program is expected to launch its first class in 2012.
