Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
University Land Use/Dairy Relocation Information
Virginia Tech’s Master Campus Plan and Expansion of Near-Campus Dairy Programs
Every five years, the university reviews its vision for the future in its strategic plan and documents the changes required to its campus in the campus master plan. In 2008, under the leadership of former Dean Sharron Quisenberry, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences initiated a comprehensive study of agricultural land uses on or near campus to support the university’s future expansion while preserving the integrity of all agricultural programs.
To accomplish these goals, the agricultural programs located on the east side of the 460 bypass will be relocated to Kentland Farm over a ten-year time period. Kentland Farm was the location identified by the study as the site best suited to satisfy the needs of the agricultural programs.
Expansion of Near-Campus Facilities
The expansion of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (CRC) along Tech Center Drive and the Virginia Tech Montgomery airport runway most significantly and imminently impact the college’s programs, most notably the dairy program located along Southgate Drive.
Additional expansion projects for recreational sports and residential facilities will affect equine programs east of the 460 bypass and poultry programs on West Campus Drive. The university, in close collaboration with representatives from the college and departments, reviewed the impacts and timing of these projects and developed a phased plan that was reviewed by the Board of Visitors in March 2009.
Relocation to Kentland – An Opportunity for Strengthening the University’s Agricultural Programs
President Steger, the Board of Visitors, and Provost McNamee are fully committed to the agricultural programs, which are an integral part of Virginia Tech’s future, and to facilitating the necessary changes associated with the relocation. While any change has the potential to pose challenges, the college welcomes the relocation and consolidation of the agricultural programs at Kentland Farm as an opportunity for:
- Modernizing facilities;
- Exploring avenues for future growth and further integration of its programs across all mission areas; and
- Solidifying agriculture as part of the university’s core.
First Phase of the Land-Use Plan: The Relocation of the Dairy Program
The first stage of the land-use plan recommended the permanent relocation of the dairy program to the Kentland farm based on land availability, crop production issues, and the nutrient management plan, which ensures the most efficient management of the animals, their waste, and feed that had become pressing issues for the program. This goal will be accomplished over the next several years.
The university has allocated $500,000 for detailed planning of this relocation and is committed to funding reconstruction of facilities that meet the teaching, research, and Extension needs of the dairy program.
College Representation on the University’s Relocation Planning Team
The following individuals within the college will represent the college on the planning team.
- Mike Akers, Alphin professor and department head of dairy science;
- Dwight Paulette, college farm coordinator; and
- Martin Daniel, director of operations
They will ensure that any specific program needs impacted by the move will be addressed at the university level and seek input from the college community, students, affected producer groups, and other stakeholders throughout the process.
Dairy Program Relocation Stages
While the detailed planning is underway, several stages are planned:
- Non-lactating animals will be relocated to the west side of 460 bypass during the fall of 2010;
- Facilities for the non-lactating and lactating animals will be planned and built at Kentland; and
- The palpation herd will be relocated to Plantation Road.
The timelines for these phases are not finalized, but their completion is projected for sometime in 2013.
Last updated July 27, 2009.