Educational Activities
The College Farm Operation strives to be a truly outstanding educational facility as it serves the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University, Blacksburg, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In so doing, it is presently involved with the work of 55-65 faculty and 30-40 graduate students. In addition, it enhances the University's missions in research, teaching, and extension as it supports programs in six Virginia Tech Colleges, eight departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and numerous other university academic departments, organizations and support areas. The following groups are regularly using or have utilized the College Farm in recent years:
Virginia Tech Colleges
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Architecture and Urban Studies
- Arts and Sciences
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Veterinary Medicine
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Agricultural and Applied Economics
- Animal and Poultry Sciences
- Biological Systems Engineering
- Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
- Dairy Science
- Entomology
- Horticulture
- Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Sciences
Other Virginia Tech Departments
- Architecture - masters degree thesis, photography and history projects
- Art and Art History - provided an art sculpture studio for faculty
- Biology - masters degree thesis, ornithology undergraduate classes
- Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology (VMCVM) - sustainable research
- Civil Engineering - alum sludge land application research, undergraduate soils studies, bridge structural studies
- Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences - various undergraduate class activities using Toms Creek
- Forestry - student projects, agroforestry demonstrations
- Landscape Architecture - undergraduate classes
- Large Animal Clinical Services (VMCVM) - beef cattle mineral research, beef herd health, and equine care
- Mechanical Engineering - testing of student-designed, mini-Baja race cars
Viginia Tech Organizations
- Corps of Cadets - field training
- Faculty Women - quarterly hikes
- Police Department - conducts 5-7 training exercises each year and has established a firing range on the farm
Other Agencies
- Regional Rescue Squad training
- Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - field training
- National Weather Service - farm serves as the Radford Station
- U.S. Geological Survey - conducted field trip for regional geologists
- U.S. Natural Resources and Conservation Service - conducts annual Youth Soil Conservation Day for high school students
- Virginia Department of Forestry - installs gypsy moth traps each year
- Virginia Health Department - training updates
- Virginia State Police - field training
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - field training
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - field training
Undergraduate Activities
- Southeast Regional Forestry Conclave - hosted by VT in 1997
- Southeast Regional Soils Judging Contest - hosted by VT in 1995
- VT Forestry Club - manages a small Christmas tree operation
Undergraduate Instruction
- Agriculture Technology Program - varied class activities
- Animal and Poultry Sciences - swine management, beef reproduction and management
- Biological Systems Engineering - class designed drainage relief for farm field, another class has used farm for management projects
- Biology - ornithology classes
- Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences - Crop management and soils classes, GPS mapping
- Entomology - sprayer calibration
- Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- Forestry - various classes
- Horticulture - undergraduate classes for small fruits, tree fruits, vegetables, equipment calibration
Youth Activities
- FFA - state crop judging practices
- Boy Scouts - installed blue bird houses, 1998 Regional Camporee
- 4-H - State Soils Judging Contest, annual New River canoe trip from Giles County
- Minority Groups - VT recruiting
- Montgomery County Schools - earth science field trips
- Agricultural Education/FFA Internship Program
- Elementary school science field days
Tours
- Animal Industry Day
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Council
- Historical Groups
- Local School Groups
- Skyline Soil and Water Conservation District
- Southeast Regional Agronomy Club Conference
- Southern States Cooperative, Inc. Management
- Various Industry Groups
- Various International Groups
- Virginia Angus Association
- Virginia Apple and Peach Producers
- Virginia Farm Service Agency State Committee
- Virginia Feed Industry Board
- Virginia Forage and Grasslands Council
- Virginia Strawberry Producers
- Virginia Tech Board of Visitors - Building and Grounds Committee
- Virginia Tech Classified Staff Affairs Association
- Virginia Tech Department of Personnel Services
- Virginia Tech Department of Purchasing
- Virginia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
- Virginia Young Farmers Association
College Farm Operations