What's new at CALS?
Climate-smart farming opens new markets for producers
Virginia Tech’s Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is helping farmers adopt sustainable practices and access new markets through USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers initiative. Supported by an $80 million grant — the largest in university history — the program spans Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia. As of July, over 1,900 producers were enrolled, covering 300,000+ acres or animal units. Of $57 million earmarked for producers, $32.2 million was under contract. Popular practices include cover crops, nutrient management, and prescribed grazing. Farmers earn a climate-smart certificate, unlocking potential premiums or carbon market access. Learn more at www.allianceforcsa.org.
Five leaders inducted into Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame
Five Virginians were honored for lifetime contributions to the state’s livestock industry during the 2024 Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame ceremony at Virginia Tech’s Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena. Inductees included Margie Ann Dick (dairy), Clay Hewitt (beef), William David Lamb (horses), Corey Childs (sheep), and Virginia Tech professor Mark Estienne (pork). Their portraits joined those of 93 previous honorees who have shaped Virginia’s livestock legacy through service, education, innovation, and leadership.
Alson H. Smith AREC marks 100 years
Virginia Tech’s Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center celebrated a century-long partnership with Virginia’s fruit and wine industries in 2024. Located in Winchester, the center works directly with growers to develop practical, science-based solutions for challenges like pests, diseases, and climate change. Its research supports a $2 billion industry and continues to drive sustainable innovation in orchards and vineyards statewide.
Alumnus honored as Virginia Farmer of the Year
Steve Hopkins ’88, a former Extension agent and sixth-generation cattle producer, has been named Virginia’s 2025 Farmer of the Year by the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. He and his wife, Crysti ’90, also an Extension agent, operate Riverview Farms Cattle LLC in Louisa County with their sons, Garrett ’21 and Blake. The Hopkins family was recognized for their leadership, innovation, and multi-generational commitment to agriculture. They will represent Virginia in the Southeastern competition this October.
Global productivity slowdown challenges agriculture’s future
Global agricultural productivity growth has slowed to just 0.76 percent annually — far below the 2 percent needed to sustainably meet demand by 2050. The 2025 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report, produced by Virginia Tech, highlights structural challenges including lagging U.S. research investment, slower technology adoption, and mounting climate pressures. Meanwhile, China has surged ahead with faster productivity growth backed by stronger research and development. The report calls for renewed innovation to secure global food security and maintain U.S. agriculture’s competitive edge. Learn more at globalagriculturalproductivity.org.
Survey highlights Virginia farmers’ role in Chesapeake Bay health
Virginia Cooperative Extension is leading a multi-agency effort to document unreported conservation practices by farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The goal is to recognize voluntary soil and water protection efforts, such as cover cropping and rotational grazing, and better inform state planning and resource allocation. The survey is open through June 30, 2026. Take the survey here: vaswcd.org/virginia-farm-voluntary-agricultural-bmp-inventory.
War Memorial Hall renovation expands research and learning
The Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise has tripled its footprint in War Memorial Hall with over 7,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space. The 2024 renovation includes new labs for exercise testing, biochemistry, and neurophysiology, along with counseling rooms, student suites, and faculty offices. The upgrade increases capacity for clinical research and provides expanded opportunities for hands-on learning to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students each semester.
Alpha Gamma Rho commemorates 50 years at Virginia Tech
The Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho celebrated its 50th anniversary in May with a reunion in Blacksburg attended by more than 500 alumni and friends. Since 1975, the agricultural fraternity has fostered leadership, service, and lifelong connections among students in agriculture and related fields. The milestone event also launched a fundraising campaign to endow a $100,000 scholarship supporting future Virginia Tech students with ties to agriculture and the fraternity.