Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center celebrates 50 years of research and Extension programming
As the center prepares for a golden anniversary celebration event this November, its vision for the future remains rooted in service to the agricultural sector and the residents of the commonwealth.
Established in 1974, Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) celebrates a significant milestone throughout 2024 – a half-century of applied research and Virginia Cooperative Extension education supporting the region’s integrated and diverse production systems.
Focused on aiding the 23 counties that surround the Southern Piedmont AREC, the center incorporates the latest scientific discoveries and technological advancements into the region’s production systems. Its research and Extension efforts cover tobacco, forage crops, beef cattle, and a variety of other field and specialty crops, offering research-based support and guidance for sustainable production.
As one of 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers strategically located across the commonwealth, Southern Piedmont stands out as the sole center supporting tobacco producers in the state.
“This AREC has been vital to my farming career,” said Richard Hite, a Lunenburg County producer. “Their research in tobacco has been key to my success and helped me keep up with changes in the industry. With the information the staff provides, I can fix or prevent a problem that could cause me financial loss. I also depend on their research in small grains and beef cattle. When I make decisions for the upcoming year, I use the information provided to me by the AREC to direct my purchases.”
A history that dates back to 1906
The need for agricultural research in the Southern Piedmont region of Virginia was first recognized in a significant manner by the General Assembly in 1906, when an appropriation of $2,500 was made to help Virginia Tech finance the region's first off-campus field stations in Appomattox and Chatham. The necessity of field stations operating as a complement to the work on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus is of no less importance today.
Expanding from the original two field stations, three additional research sites were later established in the region. These included two experiment stations at Chatham and one at Charlotte Court House. Initially, these stations had limited acreage and were staffed by one or two professionals who lacked sufficient technical support, facilities, and equipment.
To address these challenges, Virginia Tech decided to centralize programs, facilities, and staff at a more suitable location with ample land for research activities. This new site would not only provide an opportunity for tobacco research but all major agricultural ventures prevalent in Southside Virginia. Facilities would be established to conduct various educational activities such as short courses, seminars, workshops, and graduate instruction.
Southern Piedmont AREC tobacco agronomist T. David Reed photographed as a graduate student during the 1986-1987 growing season in Blackstone, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Southern Piedmont AREC.
Graduate student Usha Panta, Ph.D. candidates Atoosa Nikoukar and Hadi Farrokhzadeh, and undergraduate intern Ashish Tammisetti in one of the greenhouses at Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Virginia. Photo by Shirin Parizad for Virginia Tech.
A glimpse into a Southern Piedmont AREC laboratory circa 1984. Photo courtesy of Southern Piedmont AREC.
Analytical chemist/biologist Grace Rogers in the laboratory at Southern Piedmont AREC. Photo by Sam Dean for Virginia Tech.
Early success paves the way for expansion
In 1972, the Virginia General Assembly allocated $800,000 to establish a center in the Blackstone area. These funds covered the construction of office facilities, tobacco curing and handling facilities, and field service buildings. After evaluating 10 potential locations, an area at Fort Barfoot, formerly Fort Pickett, in Nottoway County was chosen. A 25-year lease was signed on June 30, 1972, between the Department of the Army and Virginia Tech for the creation, use, operation, and maintenance of a versatile agricultural research and educational center.
The Southern Piedmont ARECs first director, James L. Tramel, began his tenure in July of that year, and under his leadership, approximately 125 acres were initially cleared for field research and a 6-acre irrigation pond and irrigation system were installed.
Eight acres of flue-cured and dark tobacco were planted in the spring of 1974 for research that included breeding and variety development, chemical and sucker control, and fertilizer testing. The first pulling and curing of this crop took place during the first week of August 1974. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the research and programming efforts at the center continued to expand, incorporating forage systems for livestock, and small fruits.
In 1982, the Virginia General Assembly allocated $450,000 for an extension to the office and laboratory building, including new greenhouse facilities, which were finished in 1983. Subsequently, an experimental pond facility was set up in 1987 made up of 12 ponds and a supply reservoir.
Following the retirement of James Tramel in 1989, James L. Jones became the second director in September 1990, serving through June 2002. During this time, Fort Barfoot was released from Army inventory in 1997, and Virginia Tech later obtained approximately 1,180 acres in September 2002 through a public benefit conveyance from the U.S. Department of Education.
A solid foundation leads to a successful future
Carol A. Wilkinson served as Southern Piedmont AREC’s third director from March 2004 to June 2022 and is currently an agronomist for the center. Under her leadership, the center’s Agriculture Awareness Days have grown into annual spring events for local third and fifth grade students. The award-winning program is designed for students and contributes to the preparation for the Standards of Learning test.
Hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities are conducted to educate the next generation about the exciting aspects of agriculture and science. Ideas and issues discussed in the classroom are brought to life for students by collaborations with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District, Fort Barfoot Departments of Forestry and Environmental Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Virginia Farm Bureau, Nottoway Chapter of Future Farmers of America, Richlands Dairy, and Cedar Hill Farm.
In September, the center hosts another of its highly anticipated community outreach events, the annual Family and Farm Day, which offers numerous hands-on agricultural activities and demonstrations suitable for all ages. Last year's event attracted over 1,000 visitors.
Today, the Southern Piedmont AREC team consists of six resident faculty supported by 11 full-time staff members and additional seasonal employees. The 1,180-acre farm includes 130 acres for crop research, 120 acres for research grazing, 16 acres of certified organic land, and a 40-acre silvopasture area.
Specialized facilities for tobacco curing, extensive greenhouses, high tunnels, and innovative technologies such as automation for monitoring and curing tobacco, silvopasture, and precision agriculture techniques are utilized to evaluate crop development. Silvopasture is the integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land.
To date, Southern Piedmont AREC has welcomed more than 70 graduate students in research areas covering agronomy, plant pathology, plant genetics and breeding, forages, and entomology.
“Through diverse research and training opportunities, Southern Piedmont AREC strives to educate and prepare the next generation of specialists, educators, and professionals,” said Arash Rashed, who has been the AREC’s director since 2022. “Our specialists and researchers are committed to programs focused on sustainable production and profitability for Virginia’s producers. We work closely with our regional extension agents and Virginia Cooperative Extension to reach out to our stakeholders and communicate our latest findings.”
As the center prepares for a 50th anniversary celebration event scheduled for Nov. 1, its vision for the future remains rooted in service to the agricultural sector and the residents of the commonwealth.
