Publications, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)

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  • Student Food Security Status at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech Food Access and Wellbeing Survey
    Holmes, Chanita; Hall, Ralph; Misyak, Sarah; Olayemi, Victor (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2024-10-02)
    There has been a growing acknowledgment and concern about college students experiencing food insecurity at institutions of higher education [1]. Experiencing food insecurity can impact educational attainment and performance as well as student quality of life [2]. This report describes the findings of the 2023 Virginia Tech Student Food Access and Wellbeing Survey, which was administered online during the Spring of 2023. The survey aimed to examine the level of food security among Virginia Tech undergraduate and graduate students.
  • GMO, Bioengineered Labeling, and Non-GMO Food
    Pierce, Timothy; Bovay, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021)
    The acronym GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. Terms with similar meanings include: Genetically Engineered (GE), Genetically Modified (GM), Transgenic, Biotech, Bioengineered, or Products Made with Modern Biotechnology. This factsheet, which accompanies a webinar on “Non-GMO, GMO, and bioengineered food labeling”, provides an overview of the definitions of these labels in the United States. The webinar and factsheet are part of the Virginia Sustainable Farms and Agribusiness Education Initiative offered by Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Virginia Cooperative Extension. More information about the program is available at https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/va-sustainable-farms-agribusinesses.html. More information about GMOs can be found at websites created by Purdue University (2016) and the University of Connecticut (2017), and other references listed at the end of this factsheet.
  • The American Rescue Plan: Farms, Food, and Families
    Pierce, Tim; Bovay, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021)
    This publication, which accompanies a webinar on “The American Rescue Plan: Farms, Food, and Families”, provides an overview of the American Rescue Plan and its implications for farms, food, and families. The webinar and handout are part of the Virginia Sustainable Farms and Agribusiness Education Initiative offered by Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Virginia Cooperative Extension. More information about the program is available at https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/va-sustainable-farms-agribusinesses.html. The webinar is available at: https://video.vt.edu/media/1_sb3hzeg1.
  • On-Farm Energy Management and Renewable Energy
    Pierce, Timothy; Bovay, John; Ignosh, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2022)
    This handout, which accompanies a webinar on “Wind, solar, and geothermal energy production on farms”, provides an overview of considerations farms should make when thinking about energy investments. The webinar and handout are part of the Virginia Sustainable Farms and Agribusiness Education Initiative offered by Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Virginia Cooperative Extension. More information about the program is available at https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/va-sustainable-farms-agribusinesses.html. The webinar is available at: https://video.vt.edu/media/1_ros06lae.
  • Demystifying Food Labels for Meat and Poultry Products Part II: Labels for Specific Products
    Neill, Clinton L.; Qi, Tao; Bovay, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2024)
    Labels on food products can inform consumers about quality information and product differentiation, in other words, what features, or attributes distinguish it from similar products. Sometimes labels can signal to consumers that the products on which they appear have a different taste or texture than other similar products. Other times, labels reflect information about how the product was produced, which may not affect the taste or texture. Producers can use product differentiation and communicate information about food quality or attributes to consumers using labels. This publication and an accompanying publication provide information to help consumers understand and interpret labels on meat and poultry products, and help producers understand how they may use labels to differentiate their products and increase their profit margins. “Demystifying Food Labels for Meat and Poultry Products Part I: Overview” (VCE publication AAEC-229NP) provides basic information about meat and poultry labels and examples of labels that may be found on multiple different categories of products. The labels discussed in this publication are specific to certain types of meat (beef and lamb) and poultry.
  • Demystifying Food Labels for Meat and Poultry Products Part I: Overview
    Neill, Clinton L.; Qi, Tao; Bovay, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2024)
    Food labels often represent credence attributes, which are qualities consumers cannot verify even after consumption. This creates an information asymmetry between producers and consumers (Kuchler et al., 2017). For producers and consumers alike, the meaning behind the labels found on meat products may be confusing. The purpose of this publication is to help improve buyer understanding of retail meat and poultry product labels using text and infographics. Each infographic contains basic facts and straightforward definitions of common words and phrases included on labels used on meat and poultry products found in grocery stores nationwide.
  • Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part III: Introduction to Farm Planning Budgets
    Morgan, Kim; Callan, Peter; Mark, Alyssa; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Nartea, Theresa; Scott, Kelli; Hilleary, James; Li, Yanggu; Bovay, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2022)
    There are many factors to consider before starting a new farm enterprise. Financial management is an important component in the startup and decision-making processes for beginning farmers. The purpose of this series of publications is to inform Virginia agribusiness owners and managers about farm financial risk management tools, techniques, and resources available to help them prepare and use a financial systems approach for their operations. The information provided in this publication is expected to improve manager decision-making by providing a better understanding of the value of constructing financial statements and planning budgets to help them manage risks associated with the financial aspects specific to the agriculture industry. The topics covered in this resource are not all-inclusive, but after reading this publication, beginning farmers should be prepared to move forward in planning for their farms. The accompanying parts in the series include “Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part I: Overview of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers” (Virginia Cooperative Extension publication AAEC-114P (AAEC-296P)), and “Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part II: Introduction to Farm Financial Statements” (Virginia Cooperative Extension publication AAEC-115P (AAEC-297P)). A compilation of excellent resources that includes examples, how-to videos, and training resources is included in the appendix at the end of this publication. For questions about this or other farm startup topics, contact the local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or visit the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program website at www.vabeginningfarmer.org.
  • The VT Plant Disease Clinic (PDC) Annual Report 2023
    (Virginia Tech, 2024)
    This is the 2023 annual report for the Plant Disease Clinic at Virginia Tech. The clinic provides plant disease diagnostic services to Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and a variety of clientele.
  • Insect Identification Laboratory Annual Report 2023
    Day, Eric R.; Dellinger, Theresa A. (Virginia Tech, 2024)
    This report summarizes the activity of the Insect Identification Laboratory at Virginia Tech for 2023.
  • 2023 Fall edition of the Clover News
    Morgan, Erin (2023-09-25)
    The fall edition of the Northampton 4-H newsletter
  • 2023 - Buzz, Body, & Bites - June
    Payne, April; Salazar, Aisha; Booker, Kimberly; Prillaman, Susan; Henderson, Jane (2023-06-30)
  • Virginia Cooperative Extension Agronomy Handbook 2023
    Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie; Bendfeldt, Eric S.; Brann, Daniel E.; Evanylo, Gregory K.; Fike, John H.; Flessner, Michael L.; Ferreira, Gonzalo; Galbraith, John M.; Goatley, James; Hardiman, Thomas H.; Maguire, Rory O.; Payne, Kathryn M.; Reiter, Mark S.; Singh, Vijay; Thomason, Wade E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-12-11)
    Agronomy is a diverse science that focuses on the production of field crops and turfgrass. Specific disciplines that contribute to the successful production of crops include (but are not limited to) crop and variety or cultivar selection, seed science, soil management, nutrient management, soil ecology, pesticide usage, and postharvest handling of crops. This publication is intended to serve as a source of agronomic information to assist farmers and producers as well as students pursuing basic knowledge of agronomic practices. Pesticide and varietal recommendations change frequently and are, therefore, not included. This type of information is published annually in the Virginia Tech Pest Management Guides and commodity specific publications such as the Virginia Corn Hybrid and Management Trials. Contact your local Extension agent for a copy of the latest publication or visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension web page at http://www.ext.vt.edu. For specific updates on crop production in Virginia, contact your local Extension agent for the latest information from the Virginia Agricultural Statistics Bulletin or contact the Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service in Richmond, Virginia, directly at (800) 928-5277, or at their website http://www.nass.usda.gov/va/.
  • Agronomy Handbook 2023: Part VII. Soil Health Management
    Bendfeldt, Eric (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2023-12-18)
    Farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, and land managers must constantly assess and know their operation, values, and resource concerns in order to balance and achieve their overall objectives. For many people, soil is a starting point and basis for viability, profitability, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture. Soil is a foundational resource to farming, conservation, and health in the 21st century. Interest in the health of a soil and its quality and function as a holistic system has continued to grow among farmers, ranchers, gardeners, and land managers the past 30 years. Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem with integrated chemical, physical, biological, and ecological properties, processes, and boundaries, that sustains plants, animals, and humans (USDA-NRCS 2018; Doran et al. 1994). This publication reviews and discusses why soil health is critical, the characteristics of influence and consideration, the key soil management priorities, and four core soil health principles that should guide and inform different farm and land management practices as within a system.
  • 2023 Beef Producer Update Flyer and Program
    Sponaugle, Kari (2023-04-03)
    I produced the flyer and program agenda for the April Beef Producer Update held in Monterey
  • Apple Blotch Disease
    Borba, Matheus; Aćimović, Srđan G. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2023-06-14)
  • Full STEAM Ahead
    Alstat, Kathryn (2023-10-11)
    Add some STEAM to your 4-H Programming and achieve a high level of energy and enthusiasm for STEM projects by adding the "A" for Arts and creating STEAM. As youth reach middle school, their enthusiasm in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) decreases, especially with girls by age 15. Over 50% of Americans do not pursue STEM careers because they perceive it to be too difficult. Adding the Art element can add creativity to existing STEM programs, encourage creativity, self expression, and confidence to explore and gain skills while thinking "outside of the box." STEAM programs can engage less confident learners across a variety of venues, economic levels and back grounds—in schools, home school groups and low income afterschool groups. Youth who feel intimidated by science, technology and math can gain new mastery of skills and above all, have fun while learning. These approaches can start with Cloverbuds (ages 5-8) and engage older youth through and beyond middle school
  • Predators for Free-Ranging Poultry
    Jacobs, Leonie (2023-09-28)