Scott Greiner receives 2010 Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension
Scott Greiner of Christiansburg, Va., associate professor of animal and poultry sciences in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, received the university's 2010 Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension. He is the beef and sheep specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Award for Excellence in Extension is presented annually to two Virginia Cooperative Extension staff members who have made outstanding contributions to the land-grant mission of the university. One award goes to an Extension specialist and the other is given to an Extension agent. Each award winner receives $2,000.
After joining the Extension faculty in 1998, Greiner focused on providing stakeholders in Virginia's beef and sheep industries with an enhanced understanding of emerging opportunities and educational programming to adapt new technology allowing for increased production efficiency and enhanced value in the marketplace.
For example, Greiner has collaborated with the Virginia Cattlemen's Association, the Southeastern Livestock Network, and local beef-cattle producers to make the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Process Verification Program a reality in Virginia. This effort has contributed more than $500,000 in income to Virginia's beef industry since 2006.
"His career contributions to the mission of Virginia Cooperative Extension truly embody the spirit and intention of this award," said Mark McCann, professor of animal and poultry sciences. "Dr. Greiner’s sustained programming excellence has favorably impacted rural families and agriculture in Virginia, as well as the livestock industries he serves."
In addition to his work related to animal identification, Greiner provides leadership to the nation's oldest, continuously operated, central bull-testing program; works with his colleagues to conduct the Virginia Quality Assured Feeder Calf Program; and oversees research and Extension programs related to hair sheep at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. He also serves as an educational advisor to the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association, Virginia Sheep Producers Association, Virginia Cattlemen's Association, the Virginia Sheep Industry Board, and the Virginia Animal Identification Working Group, and he established the Virginia Tech Collegiate Beef Leadership Council.
McCann noted that Greiner "has the unique ability to take complicated topics such as genetic principles, DNA testing, and gene marker technology and communicate them in lay terms." He added, "Dr. Greiner's stature and reputation in the livestock industry reflect these talents in both written and oral content and are evidenced by his numerous trade publications and invited presentations across the nation."
Greiner earned his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, his master's degree from Michigan State University, and his doctorate from Iowa State University. All three degrees were in animal science.
