Summer Thomas
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Location:
427 Smyth Hall185 Ag Quad Lane,
Blacksburg VA 24061
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Overview
I serve as the Education and Outreach Specialist for the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, where I develop and deliver educational programs, resources, and outreach initiatives that promote soil health across Virginia. My work focuses on connecting farmers, educators, conservation professionals, and the public with science-based information and practical tools to support healthy soils. Through collaborative partnerships, I help coordinate statewide educational events, create multimedia and written resources, and develop hands-on learning experiences for audiences ranging from elementary students to agricultural professionals.
In addition to my outreach role, I occasionally serve as an adjunct instructor, where I teach courses and mentor students. My goal is to bridge research, education, and practice by making soil science engaging, accessible, and relevant to diverse audiences.
Expertise
- Soil health education, outreach, and science communication
Education
- Ph.D. Crop and Soil Science, Virginia Tech, 2024
- B.A. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Delaware, 2021
During my Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, I evaluated the impacts of rotational bale grazing, a winter hay-feeding strategy for beef cattle, as an alternative to traditional winter-feeding practices in the southeastern United States. My research examined its effects on soil nutrient distribution, nutrient runoff, forage production, and pasture condition using field sampling and drone-based aerial imagery, with the goal of identifying management strategies that improve pasture productivity while reducing environmental impacts.
Building on this foundation, my current work with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition focuses on translating soil health science into practical, accessible resources for farmers, educators, conservation professionals, and the public. Through collaborative outreach, educational programming, and stakeholder engagement, I work to increase awareness and adoption of soil health management practices that support productive agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and thriving communities.
- CSES 4544: Forage Crop Ecology – Spring 2025
- CSES 2444: Agronomic Crops – Fall 2025
- PPWS 2004: Mysterious Mushrooms and Malicious Molds – Spring 2026 (Partial semester)
Education and Outreach Specialist | 2025 - Present
Virginia Soil Health Coalition
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
Farmer Support and Engagement Coordinator | 2024 - 2025
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
- Emerging Scientist Competition, 2nd Place, American Forage and Grassland Council, 2025
- Thomas, S. P., Maguire, R.O., Pent, G. J., & Tracy, B. F. (2026). Does rotational grazing affect the distribution of soil nutrients across pastures? Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 12, e70090. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70090
- Vahidi, M., S. Shafian, S. Thomas, and R.O. Maguire. Estimation of Bale Grazing and Sacrificed Pasture Biomass through the Integration of Sentinel Satellite Images and Machine Learning Techniques. Remote Sen. 2023, 15, 5014.
- Vahidi, M.; Shafian, S. Thomas, S.; Maguire, R. Pasture Biomass Estimation Using Ultra-High-Resolution RGB UAVs Images and Deep Learning. Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 5714.