About Southern Piedmont AREC

The Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center is dedicated to tobacco, small fruits, forages, and other field and specialty crops research and educational programs to address the needs of the agricultural industry so it will continue to be a viable component of the state's economy.

The vision of the faculty and staff of the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center is one of service to the university, the agricultural industry and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia through high quality research and Extension programs to attain the following goals:

1. Conduct strong commodity-oriented research and Extension programs to provide needed information and technology to the agricultural economy of the Southern Piedmont region of the state.
2. Educate and train graduate students at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels in agronomy, plant genetics, plant pathology, and entomology.
3. Support and cooperate with other departments, centers, and colleges at Virginia Tech and other universities to serve needs of agriculture in the state and nation.
4. Maintain professional competence through active participation in appropriate professional societies and by active association with relevant academic departments on the main campus.
5. Promote all educational programs at the university by active participation as appropriate.

Established in 1974, Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) celebrates a significant milestone throughout 2024 – a half century of applied research and Virginia Cooperative Extension education supporting the region’s integrated and diverse production systems.

Focused on aiding 21 counties that surround the Southern Piedmont AREC, the center incorporates the latest scientific discoveries and technological advancements into the region’s production systems. Its research and Extension efforts cover tobacco, forage crops, beef cattle, small fruits, and a variety of other field and specialty crops, offering research-based support and guidance for sustainable production.

As one of 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers strategically located across the commonwealth, Southern Piedmont stands out as the sole center supporting tobacco producers in the state.

As the center marks its 50-year anniversary, its vision for the future remains rooted in service to the agricultural sector and the citizens of the commonwealth. To maintain a lasting impact and meet the needs of regional stakeholders, the Southern Piedmont AREC focuses on investing significantly in new Extension specialists, programs, and upgrading technology and equipment.

A history that dates back to 1906

The need for agricultural research in the Southern Piedmont region of Virginia was first recognized in a significant manner by the General Assembly in 1906, when an appropriation of $2,500 was made to help Virginia Tech finance the region's first off-campus field stations in Appomattox and Chatham. The necessity of field stations operating as a complement to the work on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus is of no less importance today.

Expanding from the original two field stations, three additional research sites were later established in the region. These included two experiment stations at Chatham and one at Charlotte Court House. Initially, these stations had limited acreage and were staffed by one or two professionals who lacked sufficient technical support, facilities, and equipment.

To address these challenges, Virginia Tech decided to centralize programs, facilities, and staff at a more suitable location with ample land for research activities. This new site would not only provide opportunity for tobacco research but all major agricultural ventures, including livestock, prevalent in Southside Virginia. Facilities would be established to conduct various educational activities such as short courses, seminars, workshops, and graduate instruction.

Early success paves the way for expansion

In 1972, the Virginia General Assembly allocated $800,000 to establish a center in the Blackstone area. These funds covered the construction of office facilities, tobacco curing and handling facilities, and field service buildings. After evaluating 10 potential locations, a 1,130-acre area at Fort Barfoot (formerly Fort Pickett) in Nottoway County was chosen. A 25-year lease was signed on June 30, 1972, between the Department of the Army and Virginia Tech for the creation, use, operation, and maintenance of a versatile agricultural research and educational center.

The Southern Piedmont AREC's first director, James L. Tramel, began his tenure in July of that year, and under his leadership, approximately 125 acres of land were initially cleared for field research, and a six-acre irrigation pond and irrigation system were installed.

Eight acres of flue-cured and dark tobacco were planted in the spring of 1974, with tests that included breeding and variety development, chemical and sucker control, and fertilizer testing. The first pulling and curing of this crop took place during the first week of August in 1974. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the research and programming efforts at the center continued to expand, incorporating forage systems, livestock, and small fruits.

In 1982, the Virginia General Assembly allocated $450,000 for an extension to the office/laboratory building, including new greenhouse facilities, which were finished in 1983. Subsequently, an experimental pond facility was set up in 1987, comprising 12 ponds and a supply reservoir.

Following the retirement of James Tramel in 1989, James L. Jones became the second director in September 1990, serving through June 2002. During this time, Fort Barfoot was released from Army inventory in 1997, and Virginia Tech later obtained approximately 1,180 acres in September of 2002, through a public benefit conveyance from the U.S. Department of Education.

A solid foundation leads to a successful future

Carol A. Wilkinson served as Southern Piedmont AREC’s third director from March 2004 to June 2022, and is currently an agronomist for the center. Under her direction, the Agriculture Awareness Days have grown into annual events for local third and fifth grade students. The program is designed for students and contributes to the preparation for the Standards of Learning test.

Hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities are conducted to educate the next generation about the exciting aspects of agriculture and science. Ideas and issues discussed in the classroom are brought to life for students by collaborations with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District, Fort Barfoot Departments of Forestry and Environmental Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Virginia Farm Bureau, Nottoway Chapter of Future Farmers of America, Richlands Dairy, and Cedar Hill Farm.

Today, the Southern Piedmont AREC team consists of six resident faculty, supported by 11 full-time staff members, and additional seasonal employees. The 1,180-acre farm includes 130 acres for crop research, 120 acres for research grazing, and a 40-acre silvopasture area.

Specialized facilities for tobacco curing, extensive greenhouses, high tunnels, and innovative technologies such as automation for monitoring and curing tobacco, silvopasture (integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land), and precision agriculture techniques are utilized to evaluate crop development.