Alumnus named Virginia’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year

After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in crop and soil sciences, Glenn Dye '07 rented 41 acres in Stafford County and began building a farming operation from scratch.  

Nearly two decades later, he farms roughly 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans across three counties and is Virginia’s 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year. 

Each year, Virginia Cooperative Extension nominates one producer to represent the commonwealth in the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. Dye will represent Virginia this fall at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, where he will compete for the grand prize against winners from nine other Southeastern states. 

His Extension agent, Bruce Jones ’95, M.S. ’98, nominated Dye for the honor in recognition of his leadership, innovation, and commitment to Virginia agriculture.  

“Glenn is a very progressive and visionary farmer,” Jones said. “He’s an early adopter of new technologies and is not afraid to take a chance. I have seen firsthand how many area farmers have adopted new practices after seeing how those practices benefited Glenn’s farm operation.”  

Building a farm from scratch 

Dye grew up helping his father and grandfather farm in Northern Virginia. As development replaced farmland, he watched his father adapt by shifting from row crops to hay and straw while continuing to custom harvest for neighboring farmers. 

Starting his own operation meant building it from the ground up without land or equipment of his own. 

"I started as a broke college graduate without an asset to my name," Dye said. "Every acre that was added to my operation was because a landlord came to me or Dad to offer for rent. I don't believe in taking land from others, and that patience has paid off tremendously." 

Today, Promise Land Farm includes roughly 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans across Appomattox, Stafford, and Fauquier counties. Dye built a grain handling and storage facility that allows him to dry, store, and market grain more efficiently while capturing early harvest premiums. 

He also serves as an independent dealer for Channel Seed, Ag Leader Technology, and Harvest International, helping fellow producers evaluate new seed, precision agriculture technology, and planting equipment. 

"The 'new' excites me," he said. "I enjoy helping other growers better their operations." 

Dye uses GPS-guided equipment and other precision agriculture technology to improve efficiency while reducing fuel, fertilizer, and other inputs. He has practiced no-till farming throughout his career and has adopted cover crops and other regenerative farming practices that improve soil health while reducing fertilizer needs. 

"Our soil is our most important asset, and I'm dedicated to improving its health and structure," Dye said. "I've always believed in doing a better job with the acres I have rather than trying to cover more acres. I feel it's a much more sustainable approach to this business." 

The Appomattox farm is permanently protected through a conservation easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, helping ensure the land remains in agriculture for future generations. 

Hokie connections 

Dye said Virginia Tech has been central to both his professional and personal life. 

"Virginia Tech gave me not just an education and set of skills to be a successful producer, but it also gave me a network of friends and professionals to lean on," Dye said. 

The most important contribution, Dye said, was introducing him to his wife, Amanda '07. The two met as students in the crop and soil environmental sciences program. After graduation, another alumnus introduced the couple to the Appomattox family that sold them the farm they now own. 

Amanda Dye is an integral partner in the operation. 

"She's the farm psychologist," Glenn Dye said. "I can talk to her about things that are happening at the farm, good or bad, and she understands. It's so nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, and she has the technical understanding of what I might be trying to do. We wouldn't be where we are today if not for her help." 

He also credits School of Plant and Environmental Sciences Professor Emeritus Mark Alley with influencing his career. After Dye failed his first soil fertility exam, Alley challenged him to persevere through one of the college's most demanding courses. 

"That was the toughest C-plus I earned in college," Dye said. "I still keep in touch with Dr. Alley. He is the reason I have my certified crop advisor certification, and a large part of my agronomic success is owed to him." 

Growing the next generation 

A graduate of Virginia Tech's Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) leadership program, Dye is president of the Appomattox County Farm Bureau and past president of the Virginia Soybean Association. He also serves on the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District board and the Appomattox County Public Schools Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. 

Dye and his family actively support the Appomattox County FFA chapter through fundraising, agricultural literacy events, and community outreach. Earlier this year, he helped secure a Channel Seed donation to support construction of the Appomattox FFA Alumni Agricultural Complex. 

"I actually tried to start an FFA chapter in my high school but was shot down," Dye said. "Fast forward 20 years and we now live in the county with the top FFA chapter in the state. We support the Appomattox County High School FFA and Middle School ag programs as much as we can." 

The Dyes are raising their three children — Landon, Graham, and Grace — on the farm, where they've already begun helping with seasonal farm work, including planting test plots and driving the combine during harvest. 

"My father gave me the freedom to figure out what I liked and how much I helped out," Glenn Dye said. "I'm trying to do the same with my children, so they actually want to be out in the field with me, not forced to do it." 

He added, "My goal is to leave the soil in a better condition for the next generation to grow and feed the world. It's our most valuable asset, and without it we have nothing."