Virginia Tech Southwest Center

We hope you will join us for the next session in our Agriculture Succession Planning series, "An Introduction to Conservation Easements for Virginia Landowners," on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 9:30am - 10:30am.

Conservation easements can be a valuable tool landowners can use to proactively protect their farms, forests, and open spaces. Landowners donate an easement when they love their land and want to permanently protect the things they love about it, such as its scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, historic integrity, a place of family memories, or its ability to provide a farming or forestry livelihood. Our panel of experts will provide an introduction to conservation easements and how it can play a role in succession and legacy planning.

Register here -> https://forms.office.com/r/VjY084nnSp?origin=lprLink
Reynolds Homestead Virginia Tech Agricultural & Applied Economics Conservation Partners

At Virginia Tech's Reynolds Homestead in Patrick County, history is not confined to the 1843 brick house that still stands on the property once known as Rock Spring Plantation.

Reynolds Homestead: Who gets to tell the story of a place? Each June 19, descendants return to the property not simply to reflect on the past, but to reconnect with one another and with a place deeply tied to their family histories. They tour the grounds t…

We are proud of our SWVA Hokies!!

Southwest Virginia natives bond over representing the area as HokieBirds Two Southwest Virginia natives donned the HokieBird suit during their time at Virginia Tech.

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Cattlemen's Association for Part II of the Emergency Drought Management Webinar series. With dry conditions impacting pastures and feed availability, staying ahead of resource challenges is critical. This live session will cover practical summer management strategies to help protect your herd and handle impending forage shortages.
📅 Date: June 3, 2026 |⏰ Time: 7 p.m.
💻 Join the Zoom Meeting at: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/89848088059

Our sympathies are with those who knew and loved Coach Newsome.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Curt Newsome.

A respected leader at Virginia Tech, James Madison, Emory & Henry & across Virginia high school football, Coach Newsome devoted his life to mentoring student-athletes & building championship programs.

We join his family, friends, former players & colleagues in remembering his life, legacy & impact.

We were proud to join our colleagues from Virginia Tech Center for Economic & Community Engagement, the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance on a recent project with the Octagon House Foundation.

A Virginia Tech project is helping to breathe new life into a historic octagon-shaped house in Marion, Virginia, which has been a beloved fixture in the community for decades.

The collaboration, which includes the Center for Economic and Community Engagement, the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, and the Virginia Tech Southwest Center, is helping the Octagon House Foundation apply for grants to complete the restoration of the building, finance program development, and add a wedding and event venue, visitor’s center, and lodging and dining services.

Read more: Link in comments.

Mark your calendars! ☀️🫛🫐🥚🍯🌱👨‍🌾 We are excited to offer Fresh Bucks in Damascus this year at the Damascus Farmers Market. A special thank you to contributing sponsors for making this a possibility: The Town of Damascus, Skyline National Bank and Discover Damascus. See you in June at the Damascus Farmers Market!

🌟COMING SOON🌟 Stay tuned for an exciting announcement coming from the Virginia Tech Southwest Center in collaboration with Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and EO Career Commons! 🐮🐶🐴🐱🐷

💡ATTN: EDUCATORS!🔌 Join the Virginia Tech Center for Rural Education for their summer "Power Hour" series for STEM, CTE, Civics, and Agriculture Teachers. This three-part series explores how our region is shaping the future of energy. Educators in attendance will receive locally-relevant lesson ideas, new ways to engage students with real-world learning, lunch and community, and a $200 stipend. Registration link in comments.