Class of 2026: Reagan Riggs grows her future in agronomy

Name: Reagan Riggs

College: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Major: Crop and soil science

Hometown: Church Hill, Maryland

Plans after graduation: Pursuing a master’s degree in crop and soil environmental sciences at Virginia Tech’s Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk, Virginia

Favorite Hokie memory: Saturday mornings at the Blacksburg Farmers Market, walks on the Huckleberry Trail, group exercise classes at War Memorial, football games with friends

What’s been the best thing about your major or department?

The best part of being in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences was the people. Our small class sizes created a tight-knit community where classmates quickly became friends and, honestly, family. Being surrounded by students who care about agriculture as much as I do has made my time at Virginia Tech incredibly meaningful.

Two classes stand out as foundational to my career: Crop Evaluation with Dr. Ozzie Abaye and Soil Fertility and Management with Dr. Phillip Brown. Crop Evaluation taught me how to confidently identify crops and weeds, while Soil Fertility grounded me in understanding the resource that supports our entire industry. Both courses shaped the way I think as an agronomist.

I also attended CANVAS in Salt Lake City as a Golden Opportunity Scholar with the Tri-Societies and competed twice in the Collegiate Crops Judging Contest. These experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone, strengthened my confidence, and helped shape me into the agronomist I’m becoming.

What hands-on research opportunities, internships, or study abroad opportunities have you had?

I’ve had several hands-on opportunities that have shaped my development in the agriculture industry. I completed two internships with Nutrien Ag Solutions on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where I learned the fundamentals of field scouting, plant tissue and soil sampling, and communicating recommendations to growers. I also spent a summer in western Iowa working for Calibrated Agronomy, which exposed me to large-scale, production-driven agriculture and pushed me to grow in confidence, independence, and technical skill.

Beyond internships, I gained valuable experience working as a seasonal employee at Homefield Farm, an 8-acre certified organic farm operated by Virginia Tech Dining Services. These combined experiences — industry internships, farm employment, and hands-on fieldwork — helped me connect classroom learning to real-world production challenges and prepared me for graduate research and a future working directly with growers and agricultural professionals.

What extracurricular activities and leadership roles have you been involved in?

Throughout my time at Virginia Tech, I’ve been involved in several organizations that shaped my college experience and helped me grow as both a student and a leader. I’ve been an active member of Sigma Alpha, the Agronomy Club, and the Virginia Tech Crops Judging Team. Serving as secretary in both Sigma Alpha and the Agronomy Club taught me how to stay organized, communicate clearly, and help keep our members engaged.

One of the most meaningful roles I held was serving as a peer mentor for the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Supporting first-year students as they adjusted to college life was incredibly rewarding and reminded me of the importance of community within our department.

These extracurricular and leadership roles made my time at Virginia Tech fuller, more connected, and more meaningful, and they helped me build the confidence and professionalism I’ll carry into my career.

What is your favorite memory, looking back on your time here?

The most fulfilling part of my time at Virginia Tech has been learning to never say no to new opportunities. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone again and again, taking classes I wasn’t naturally confident in and choosing to keep every door open so I could create my own experience.

Virginia Tech has so many resources and ways to get involved, and saying yes to them made my experience incredibly rewarding. Blacksburg has a big-school energy with a small-town feel, and that combination made it easy to grow, explore, and find my place. Looking back, the most fulfilling thing I’ve done is allow myself to stretch, try new things, and fully embrace everything this university had to offer.

How did scholarships or financial aid advance your education and college experience?

Scholarships and financial aid made it possible for me to fully immerse myself in my education at Virginia Tech. As a small-town girl moving five hours away from home, that support meant I could actually chase my dreams instead of worrying about whether I could afford to be here. The generosity of donors opened the door for me to experience college the way it’s meant to be experienced — learning, growing, getting involved, and taking advantage of every opportunity that came my way. Without that extra support, none of this would have been possible.

What are you doing after you graduate — and what long-term plans do you have for your career?

After graduating in May, I will be starting my master’s degree in crop and soil environmental sciences at Virginia Tech’s Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk, Virginia. I’ll be working under Dr. Carrie Ortel, focusing on soybean extension research and field-based agronomy. My work will center on applied problem-solving for Virginia growers, especially through hands-on fieldwork and soybean production research.

Long term, my goal is to return to my hometown on the Eastern Shore and operate my own independent agronomy consulting business. There is a real need in our area for nonbiased, science-based support for growers, and I want to provide that service. Ultimately, I want to build strong relationships with local producers and contribute to a more resilient agricultural community.