Each year, Virginia Tech’s 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers invite the public in for an in-depth look at the discoveries and practices propelling the future of agriculture, Virginia’s largest private industry.

An Equine Pasture Management Field Day will be held April 17 at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This walking tour will showcase pasture management systems, including continuous stocking, rotational grazing, track system, and dry lot with composting set up. Educational stations will include soil pit, small pasture management equipment demonstrations, small scale sprayer calibration, and forage/weed identification. Contact Tait Golightly at tgolight@vt.edu for more information.

Also in Middleburg, a Hunt Country Stable Tour will be held May 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., when the public is invited to tour the Middleburg AREC and learn about its programs as part of a self-driven tour of horse farms and facilities in Upperville, Middleburg, and The Plains. Visit trinityupperville.org/hunt-country-stable-tour or contact Tait Golightly at tgolight@vt.edu for more information.

Spread throughout the commonwealth, the Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (AREC) bring the expertise of Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences researchers directly into the communities they serve. Researchers partner with farmers, government agencies, and industry leaders to tackle problems in the lab and on the field – and deliver research-based solutions through Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to help Virginia agriculture thrive.

Anyone is welcome to join AREC field days, open houses, and other events planned for 2025. Mark your calendars for the following dates and check the 2025 field days calendar for updates, locations, and registration details as they are added throughout the year.