Ag Quad at Virginia Tech

Around the Ag Quad

i am VT CALS

New School of Plant and Environmental Sciences cultivates creative collisions

bracket

"When you bring people together, you get something new called 'creative collisions.' These intersections lead to innovation on a level that changes the paradigm of what is possible."

– Mike Evans '85, SPES director

The best scientific ideas aren't necessarily born in a laboratory or a classroom. They sometimes emerge when two people meet in a stairwell or engage in conversation while topping off their coffee mugs. In such serendipitous moments, like-minded individuals may exchange ideas that help to resolve a shared problem.

"When you bring people together, you get something new called 'creative collisions.' These intersections lead to innovation on a level that changes the paradigm of what is possible," said Mike Evans '85 (horticulture), director of CALS's new School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

The school combines three former departments — horticulture; crop and soil environmental sciences; and plant pathology, physiology, and weed science — under one administrative roof. The majors or degrees offered by the three former departments have not changed, but the school plans to explore new majors that build upon faculty expertise and meet the demands of students and industry.

To illustrate how collaborations in the school will generate greater impact, Evans points to his own experience as a horticultural researcher, where teamwork between disciplines made a solution possible.

A few years ago, while researching how to best grow lettuce in a controlled environment using hydroponics, Evans began talking with a plant pathologist seeking a defense for powdery mildew on spinach. Soon, the two were collaborating on ways to grow the spinach in a greenhouse, which allowed for faster growing cycles — and for the plant pathologist to conduct scientific trials more quickly than would have been possible in the field.

"I believe that by creating a space in which new relationships can form and risk-taking in the name of innovation is encouraged, we have unlimited potential to make a lasting impact in plant and environmental sciences," Evans said.

Read more at VT News →

Families reclaim their homes and health

A Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist conducted a year-long experiment in two states that could all but eradicate German cockroach infestations in multi-unit housing communities and transform standard pest-management protocols. This innovative assessment-based, decision-making methodology has dramatically improved the lives of residents in three Housing and Urban Development communities.

  Read more at VT News →

Camp Fantastic gives cancer patients hope

Camp Fantastic is a special gathering place for youth who are battling cancer or have survived the illness. Established in 1983, the camp is held at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center and hosts children from across the country.

  Read more at VT News →

VCE fighting opioid crisis

Virginia Cooperative Extension received a series of large grants to help fight the opioid crisis, which claims the lives of more than 42,000 people annually. Read more at VT News →

  Also see "Virginia Cooperative Extension awarded nearly $1.1M to tackle the state's opioid epidemic"

ALCE turns 100

The Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education's 100th anniversary event attracted alumni from around the country.

  Learn more about ALCE's history, and browse photos from the anniversary gala →

Expanding our ranks

Susan Campbell (pictured) was appointed assistant professor of animal and poultry sciences. Joseph Oakes was named superintendent of the Eastern Virginia AREC earlier this year.

  Learn about the many new faculty and promotions in the college →

Tune into social media for Senior Sundays

Meet CALS seniors, and learn a little about who they are and what they love most about Virginia Tech in an engaging series of videos available on our Facebook page most Sundays. The videos are created by CALS student and social media intern Ashley Yanego.

A big thanks to our Hokie family and volunteers for your support

This fall, the CALS community came together to participate in a variety of events, including pre-game tailgates. Thank you for your enthusiasm and support! To keep up with special moments in the college, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Alumni highlights

cals.vt.edu/get-involved

Virginia Tech alumnus Delbert O'Meara '62, '67

2017-18 Hall of Fame

Delbert O'Meara, of Walters, Virginia, a 1962 graduate of animal science and a 1967 graduate of agricultural education, was inducted into the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame at the annual college alumni awards ceremony. O'Meara began his career in Virginia Cooperative Extension in 1962 with the Nansemond County office and later worked in the Southeast District office in a variety of positions until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his career, O'Meara has been a mentor, working with both the Virginia and the National County Agents associations. He helped establish the Prince William County Fair, the Fredericksburg County Fair, and the State Fair of Virginia. In addition to his contributions of time and effort to the college, this generous alumnus has made a number of philanthropic gifts to Virginia Tech and is a Distinguished Benefactor in the university's Ut Prosim Society.

  Meet all of our 2017-18 Alumni Award recipients →

CALS Alumni Organization officers

2018-20 CALS Alumni Organization officers

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization is led by President Rachel Kohl '00, '02 (animal and poultry sciences, dairy science; dairy science), a senior instructor and advisor in the college's Agricultural Technology Program since 2005. Vice President Elizabeth Galbreath '17 (agricultural science) is in the Agricultural Sales and Marketing Professional Development Program at BASF in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Past president Dixie Watts Dalton '86, '89 (agricultural economics; agricultural economics) is the dean of humanities, social sciences, and business at Southside Virginia Community College, where she also serves as the director of the agribusiness program.

  Learn more about our board members, and find out how you can get involved →

CALS Hokies in the news

Brad Copenhaven

Brad Copenhaver '12 (political science, agricultural economics) was appointed deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is the former director of government affairs for the Virginia Agribusiness Council.

Heidi Hertz

Heidi Hertz '04 (human nutrition, foods, and exercise) was appointed Virginia's assistant secretary of agriculture and forestry. She formerly served as obesity prevention coordinator with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and has held roles in the office of the former first lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe and in the Virginia Department of Health. Hertz serves as a director on the CALS Alumni Organization board.

Vernon Meacham

Vernon Meacham '83, '87 (animal science; animal science) was named chief advancement officer in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In his new position, Meacham, who has worked in CALS since 2005, leads the college's advancement team, comprising development, alumni relations, and communications and marketing professionals.


2019 upcoming events

  • Feb. 7 — Hokies in Sustainability
  • March 22 — CALS Alumni Organization Celebration of Ut Prosim
  • April 24 — CALS Alumni Organization New Alumni Launch Party
  • May 22-24 — VT Alumni Association Old Guard Society of Golden Alumni Reunion
  • June 6-9 — VT Alumni Association Reunion 2019