Extension
In the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences our extension and outreach programs are designed to deliver pragmatic, science-based information regarding sustainable crop production and responsible land and water use management. We employ state-of-the knowledge to promote economic prosperity for our stakeholders while maintaining or improving soil, water, and air quality. We excel in developing applied management practices from our interpretation and extension of basic and translational research in such areas as fruits, vegetables, turf, ornamentals, agronomic crops, urban landscape management, on-site waste disposal, disturbed land reclamation, integrated pest management, plant improvement, non-traditional plant products, bioenergy, food safety, biosecurity and sustainability. We serve our stakeholders in many traditional ways and by working closely with allied trade associations, commodity groups and state agencies.
Areas of Focus and Contacts
- Eric Bendfeldt, Soil Health, Food Systems and Community Transformations
- Mark Reiter, Soils and Nutrient Management
- Michael Flessner, Weed Science
- Vijay Singh, Weed Science
- W. Hunter Frame, Cotton Management
- Ozzie Abaye, International Research and Development, New Crops and Forages
- John Fike, Forages and Forage-Livestock Systems, Bioenergy crops
- Michael Flessner, Forage and Pasture Weeds
- Kathryn Payne, Applied Forage Systems Management
- Ben Tracy, Forage-Livestock Systems Management
- Sherif Sherif, Pome and Stone Fruit Management
- Jeff Derr, Tree and Small Fruit Crop Weeds
- Jayesh Samtani, Small Fruit Management
- Mizuho Nita, Grape Pathology
- Steve Rideout, Vegetable Pathology
- David Langston, Vegetable Pathology
- Amber Vallotton, Produce Food Safety, Good Agricultural Practices
- Tony Wolf, Viticulture
- Jon Eisenback, Nematology
- Mark Reiter, Soils and Nutrient Management (Vegetable)
- Vijay Singh, Weed Science (Vegetable)
- Laurie Fox, Nutrient & Stormwater Management, Sustainable Landscaping
- John Galbraith, Soil Science
- Jayesh Samtani, Small Fruit Production
- Extension Master Gardener Program
- Dave Close, Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardener Specialist
- Kathleen Reed, Master Gardener Program Coordinator
- Devon Johnson, Communications Project Coordinator
- John Galbraith, Soil Science
- Nematology Diagnostic Laboratory
- Jon Eisenback, Nematology
- David Langston, Nematology/Pathology
- Plant Disease ID Clinic
- Mizuho Nita, Grape Pathology
- Steve Rideout, Vegetable Pathology
- David Langston, Vegetable and Row Crop Pathology
- David McCall, Turfgrass Pathology
- Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, Plant Disease Clinic, Diagnostics
- Elizabeth Bush, Plant Disease Clinic, Diagnostics
- Maria Balota, Peanut Management
- Michael Flessner, Weed Science
- Jon Eisenback, Nematology
- W. Hunter Frame, Cotton Management
- David Holshouser, Soybean Agronomy
- David Langston, Crop Pathology
- John Fike, Hemp Grain and Fiber Management
- T. David Reed, Tobacco and Hemp Flower Management
- Vijay Singh, Weed Science
- Mark Reiter, Soils and Nutrient Management
- Philip Brown, Soils and Septic System Management
- John Galbraith, Soil Science
- Greg Evanylo, Biosolids and Composting and Compost Use
- Rory Maguire, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
- Mark Reiter, Soils and Nutrient Management
- Laurie Fox, Water Quality and Urban Nutrient Management
- John Galbraith, Soil Science
- Shawn Askew, Turfgrass Weeds
- Jeff Derr, Turfgrass Weeds
- Mike Goatley, Turfgrass Management
- David McCall, Turfgrass Pathology
- Jon Eisenback, Nematology
- Shawn Askew, Turfgrass Weeds
- Jeff Derr, Nursery, Landscape, and Fruit Weeds
- Vijay Singh, Row Crop and Vegetable Weeds
- Michael Flessner, Row Crop and Pasture/Forage Weeds
Locations, Clinics and Labs
Lab contact: Steve Heckendorn
Lab phone: 540-231-2910
https://agweedsci.spes.vt.edu/index.html
Lab contact: Michael Flessner
Lab phone: 540-231-2910
https://spes.vt.edu/affiliated/plant-disease-clinic.html
Lab contact: clinic@vt.edu
Lab phone: (540) 231-6758
The Insect Identification Laboratory (IIL) provides identification and diagnostic services for insects, mites, and other invertebrates and their damage. The IIL covers all commodities including field crops, horticultural crops, forestry, livestock, vegetables, and fruit. In addition, covers pests of humans, stored food, and structures.
Form for submissions: 444-113
Lab contact email: idlab@vt.edu
Lab phone: 540-231-4899
Turfgrass Research Center
Manager: John Dickerson
Urban Horticulture Center
Manager: John James
Agronomy Farm
Lab contact: Mike Brosius
Phone: 540-231-7452
Northern Piedmont Center
https://spes.vt.edu/extension/northern-piedmont-center.html
Manager: Greg Lillard
Phone: 540-672-2660