Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers to host annual field days

Each year, Virginia Tech’s 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers invite the public in for an in-depth look at the discoveries and practices propelling the future of agriculture, Virginia’s largest private industry.

Spread throughout the commonwealth, the Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (AREC) bring the expertise of Virginia Tech researchers directly into the communities they serve. Researchers partner with farmers, government agencies, and industry leaders to tackle problems in the lab and on the field – and deliver research-based solutions through Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to help Virginia agriculture thrive.

“We hold field days as an opportunity to engage with our communities where they live, work, and play,” said Mary Burrows, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. “The research and outreach we do at the ARECs is directly applicable to the surrounding community. Our faculty, staff, and students use field days as an opportunity to learn from their community about what problems are important, to generate ideas for future projects, and to educate stakeholders about innovative practices that could be applied in their operations and lives.” 

Anyone is welcome to join AREC field days, open houses, and other events planned for 2024. Mark your calendars for the following dates and check back at the event websites for updates and registration details.

March 22, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Suffolk

Annual Soil Fertility Workshop and Cover Crop Field Tour: This event will focus on optimizing crop yields and profitability as related to soil health and fertility. The presentations and tour will cover row crop and soil fertility, plant nutrition, a cover crop walk, and a demonstration of John Deere’s See and Spray System. Lunch is included and free. Register online. Contact Hunter Frame at whframe@vt.edu for more information.

May 16, 8 a.m to 12 p.m., Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Warsaw, Virginia

Virginia Small Grains Field Day: Held in partnership with the Virginia Grain Producers Association, this event invites local producers, seed companies, and stakeholders to see the latest small grain breeding, research, varieties, and production methods. Free lunch is provided. Register online. Contact Joseph Oakes at jcoakes@vt.edu for more details.

June 27, 7 a.m to 4 p.m., Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Beach

Turfgrass Field Day: Turf variety trials will be informative for golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, lawn care professional landscapers, parks and recreation employees, Extension personnel, and others in the turf industry. For more information, contact Jeffrey Derr at jderr@vt.edu.

July 25, Southern Piedmont Research and Extension Center, Blackstone

Annual Southern Piedmont Crop Field Day: Detailed information will be posted on the AREC’s website closer to the event date. Contact Margaret Kenny at makenny@vt.edu for additional information.

Aug. 1, Green Level Farm, Champlain

Virginia Ag Expo: The Virginia Ag Expo is the largest agricultural field day held in Virginia and an educational, marketing, and social event that showcases the diversity of agriculture across the state. For more information, visit facebook.com/vaagexpo/.

Aug. 7, noon to 6 p.m., Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Raphine

Field Day: This biennial event showcases the ongoing pasture and forest projects at the research farm. Participants will receive project updates from faculty at various stops along the tour, followed by a special presentation in the evening prior to dinner. Visit the AREC’s website for more information and event updates or contact Amanda Kirby at akirby07@vt.edu.

Aug. 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Suffolk

Cotton Field Day: Participants are invited to join field tours of cotton trials and discussions related to variety selection, inputs, precision agriculture applications, and insect/disease management. Free lunch provided at noon. Contact Hunter Frame at whframe@vt.edu more information.

Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m., Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Raphine

Ram Sale and Field Day: The Ram Lamb Test is held at the Virginia Sheep Evaluation Center at the Shenandoah Valley AREC. The Virginia Ram Test is among the oldest continuously operated ram evaluation programs in the U.S., with the program existing at the current location since the mid-1970s. A field day and educational program will start at 10:30 a.m., and the sale will begin at 1 p.m. Online bidding will be available. Contact Scott Greiner at sgreiner@vt.edu for more information.

Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Williamston, North Carolina

Peanut Field Day: Join researchers from Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University for a field tour and discussion of peanut cultivar trials and other peanut research in North Carolina. Free lunch provided at noon. Contact Matthew Chappell at chappell@vt.edu for more information. 

Sept. 12, 8 a.m. to noon, Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Warsaw

Soybean Field Day: Held in partnership with the Virginia Soybean Association, this event invites local producers, seed companies and stakeholders to see the latest soybean breeding, research, varieties, and production methods. Free lunch is provided. Contact Joseph Oakes at joakes@vt.edu for more information. Check online for updates in August.

Sept. 19, Southern Piedmont Research and Extension Center, Blackstone

Forage/Livestock Field Day: Detailed information will be posted on the AREC’s website closer to the event date. Contact Margaret Kenny at makenny@vt.edu for additional information.

Sept. 20, noon, Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Glade Spring

12th annual Forage-based Ram Sale and Field Day: Topics will include ram test data summary, sheep management, and flock health updates. Sale commences at 3 p.m. For more information visit the AREC’s website or contact Lee Wright at lrite@vt.edu.

Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Raphine

18th annual Mill Day: A day of festivities honoring Cyrus McCormick’s invention of the mechanical reaper on the farm where he made history. Activities include the operation of the historic McCormick grist mill, arts and craft vendors, music, and food. Check back for updates on the AREC website or contact Amanda Kirby at akirby07@vt.edu.

More field days and public events are being planned across the commonwealth. Check the AREC field day page for updates throughout the year.