Andy Swiger Award

Wade Thomason

Wade Thomason, a professor and Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, is the 2019 recipient of the college’s Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award

An expert on practical, economical, and environmentally sound rotational and reduced tillage production techniques for grain production, Thomason has long worked to support Virginia’s corn and small grain producers, focusing his efforts on the integration of corn, wheat, and barley into practical, economical, and sustainable cropping systems for the eastern U.S. He has also helped producers find profitable opportunities to grow specialized products such as barley and durum wheat for specific markets.

“I can say unequivocally that Wade fulfills the land-grant mission of addressing state and national needs through teaching, research, and Extension,” said Benjamin R. Rowe, Executive Director of the Virginia Grain Growers Association.

In addition to his hands-on work to address current needs and develop future opportunities for the grain crop industry, Thomason has focused on maintaining soil cover, improving soil quality, and enhancing nutrient cycling – helping to improve agricultural productivity and providing environmental protection. A productive scholar, he is the author of 106 extension publications, three book chapters, 92 peer-reviewed journal publications, 21 papers in refereed proceedings, 12 departmental or popular press articles, and 138 abstracts.

The Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award is made possible by an endowment established in honor of former Dean Andy Swiger. The award includes $2,000, plus an additional $2,000 in operating funds for the winner.