Spotlight Archive

Monday, October 19, 2009

For the second year in a row and for the third time in the last four years, Virginia Tech’s Dairy Judging Team wins the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo held in Madison, Wis. The team placed first out of 19 teams and was also high team overall in oral reasons. Paula Craun and Hanah Smith were the second and third highest individuals, respectively. Pictured from left to right: Michael Barnes and Katharine Knowlton, coaches; Paula Craun, Parker Welch, Hannah Smith, and Derek Heizer.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Horticulture faculty at the Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources (ISRR) have developed an award winning triploid daylily. The winning daylily is one of about 50 varieties ISRR has developed as part of a comprehensive partnership with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association’s Beautiful Gardens program, of which Virginia Tech is a key collaborator. Bred to exhibit prolonged blooming and more vigorous growth, the triploid lily, according to ISRR researcher Zhiwu Li, “will be much more valuable than the popular existing cultivars in the floriculture market because of its rarity and its unique phenotype.”

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tony Wolf, professor of horticulture and Extension viticulture specialist, measures sunlight interception of a grape cluster at a research vineyard located at the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, Va. Wolf and his colleague Bruce Zoecklein, professor of food science and technology, are engaged in a number of projects that are directly impacting the growth of Virginia’s emerging grape and wine industry, which generates more than $35 million in annual tax revenue for the commonwealth. A university spotlight on impact has more information about their work, including podcasts and related links.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcomed 508 new undergraduate students to campus this week. Many of them attended the new student social hosted by the CALS Ambassadors. Attendees were able to meet other new students as well as get their questions answered by the ambassadors. The college will be hosting the Fall Semester Kickoff Picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Ag Quad. Come an enjoy free food, meet new people, and learn about student organization opportunities.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Carl Griffey introduces Virginia seed producers to “Merl” – a wheat variety developed for improved milling and baking quality and mildew resistance – at a May 21 field day in Mt. Holly, Va. Following a long tradition of crop breeders naming new seeds after inspirational individuals, Griffey named “Merl” after G. Merl Longest, co-founder of the 1,200-acre Goshen Farm and former director and president of the Virginia Crop Improvement Board. The Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Grain Producers Association, and Virginia Crop Improvement Association sponsored the field day. The Virginia Agribusiness Council also recognized Griffey’s contributions to the wheat and barley industries at the event.