Virginia Tech Agricultural & Applied Economics

08/28/2026

When Dr. Dixie Watts Dalton is outside the classroom, her passion for softball runs deep. From two broken legs and state championships to family memories and a love story decades in the making, softball has been woven into so many chapters of her life.
Listen as Dixie reads her heartfelt love letter to the game — a reflection on the lifelong friendships it has created, the memories it has given her, and the community that continues to keep her on the field today. https://youtu.be/gfHT_l-RZ_c

08/26/2026

Help us celebrate our outstanding alumni! We are seeking nominations — including self-nominations — for two Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics alumni awards. Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them, or nominate yourself!

⭐️Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates of AAEC for exceptional and sustained professional achievement, recognition as innovative leaders in their fields, and meaningful service to their communities. This includes engagement and contributions to the department, the college, and the university. All alumni who are at least 10 years beyond graduation are eligible.

⭐️ The Recent Young Alumni Award honors alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their professional or civic endeavors.

Recipients of this award have made significant contributions in their respective fields and serve as inspiring role models for their peers. Through their accomplishments, they have distinguished themselves as outstanding ambassadors for AAEC, the college, and the broader community of recent graduates.

🧡Nomination deadline: October 5
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnlSLgFmNeUW4JVKN-_AQ_qI7qfK8nLVdcgTJTe8rKJDUzeQ/viewform

08/24/2026

Understanding the systems behind disease: Dr. Karl Rich examines the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape disease outcomes in livestock systems and agricultural communities.
🔗Check out the full spotlight at https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/08/cals-Karl-Rich-Research-Program.html

08/24/2026

We’re having a little fun on the first day of fall classes with Clint Neill, an associate professor in the department! Wishing all our faculty, staff, and students a fantastic start to the semester. Have a great first day! 🧡

08/21/2026

When you think of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Dr. Dixie Watts Dalton is one of the first people who comes to mind. Read more about her and the other amazing women highlighted in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s magazine, Cultivate.

🔗On page 8: https://issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau/docs/cultivate_summer_2026

08/20/2026

2026 Tax Seminars - 📅 Nov. 4–5 & Dec. 2–3
Details and register: https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/Virginiatechincometaxschool.html

Virtual two-day continuing education programs offering an intensive study of tax law and regulations for individuals and small businesses.

Designed for CPAs and EAs to earn annual continuing education credits, with tax professionals of all experience levels welcome.

Topics include federal and CPA ethics, gift tax, OBBBA, business and individual tax issues, agriculture, retirement, capital gains and losses, IRS issues, new legislation, tax court cases, and more.

Learn from experienced CPAs, EAs, Virginia Tech faculty, and the IRS as you prepare for the upcoming tax season.

The seminars are designed for both CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) and EAs (Enrolled Agents) to receive their annual continuing education credits, but tax professionals who want to learn more for the coming tax season are welcome. Preparation of both federal and state taxes will be covered. Expe...

08/19/2026

Students in the Commodity Investing by Students (COINS) organization at Virginia Tech manage a $1 million investment portfolio for the Virginia Tech Foundation across agricultural, energy, and metals markets. Their decisions generated a record $647,000 in profits that were returned to the foundation during the 2025–26 academic year.

“COINS has transformed my college experience.”
Jay Rajurkar is a senior and co-chief executive officer of COINS

🔗 Check out this amazing group of students and learn more about their experiences: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/08/coins-2026.html

08/17/2026

The Ag & Natural Resources Law Summit has extended its early bird rate through Friday, Aug. 21. For $395, registration includes the conference plus one night of lodging at the National Conservation Training Center, while lodging is still available. This summit is ideal for attorneys, agricultural and natural resources professionals and service providers, farmers, landowners, and Cooperative Extension agents interested in topics including data centers, agritourism, right to farm, farm financial stress, and other timely agricultural and natural resources issues.

🔗https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/agricultural-and-resource-law-conference
September 22–23, 2026
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

08/12/2026

What happens when agriculture, land use, and the law collide? Find out at the 2026 Agricultural and Natural Resources Law Summit, September 22–23 in Shepherdstown, WV.

The summit brings together legal and agricultural professionals, farmers, landowners, and industry leaders to explore the issues shaping West Virginia’s farms, land, and natural resources.

Topics include data centers, agritourism, right-to-farm issues, and farm financial stress.

Early-bird registration ends August 13.

Learn more and register: https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/agricultural-and-resource-law-conference