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Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Centers & Initiatives

As a land-grant institution, one of West Virginia University’s primary objectives is research. Innovative, multidisciplinary research is carried out throughout the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A key component of executing that mission is the development and support of a range of research centers, initiatives, and laboratories.


  • Appalachian Hardwood Center: Established in 1987 by the West Virginia state legislature, the Appalachian Hardwood Center provides research and technical support for the wood products industry. (Joe McNeel, jmcneel@wvu.edu)
  • Center for Sustainable Biomaterials & Bioenergy: WVU-CSBio develops new advanced technologies to promote agricultural and forest resource utilization for regional bioeconomic growth. The primary objectives of the Center are to provide research leadership to the agricultural and forestry sector and to promote the success of the sustainable biomaterials, forest products, and bioenergy industries and economic development in the region. (Jingxin Wang, jxwang@wvu.edu)
  •  Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: The Cooperative Research Units were created to enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences and to facilitate research among natural resource agencies and universities on topics of mutual concern. (Pat Mazik, pmazik@wvu.edu)

  • Geospatial Research Unit: The Geospatial Research Unit (GRU) of the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) supports the natural resource business needs of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) through the innovative use of geographic information sciences and related technologies. (Jim Thompson,  james.thompson@mail.wvu.edu )

  • International Culture Collection of Arbuscular and VA Mycorrhizal Fungi: A National Science Foundation funded project, The International Culture Collection of Arbuscular and VA Mycorrhizal Fungi preserves valuable germplasm and makes this germplasm available to researchers and the public. (Matt Kasson, mtkasson@mail.wvu.edu)

  • Natural Resource Analysis Center: By incorporating technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, the Natural Resource Analysis Center provides valuable data for use in environmental planning, environmental and natural resource economics, forest and wildlands recreation, wildlife management, forest ecology, and land and water resource reclamation. (Paul Kinder,  Paul.Kinder@mail.wvu.edu)

  • Natural Resources Center: Created through the generous support of the MeadWestvaco Corporation, the Natural Resources Center offers a scenic and spacious setting for meetings, conferences, and courses in the heart of the West Virginia University Forest. (Coy Belknap,  coy.belknap@mail.wvu.edu) 

  • Organic Research Project: The West Virginia University Organic Research Farming project provides scientifically sound research and education to support organic growers and gardeners.

  • Rumen Fermentation Profiling Laboratory: Employing processes pioneered by the lab administrators, the Rumen Fermentation Laboratory provides accurate and cost-effective feed and feed usage analysis for farmers and feed representatives around the world. (Matt Wilson,  mwilso25@wvu.edu)

  • Soil Testing Laboratory: The mission of the WVU Soil Testing Lab is to provide basic soil fertility analysis for farmers, landowners, and homeowners. This service is provided at no cost to West Virginia residents. Currently, the lab processes approximately 10,000 soil samples each year. (Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw, Eugenia.Pena-Yewtukhiw@mail.wvu.edu)

  • West Virginia Small Ruminant Project: The Project’s goal is to help farmers increase the economic efficiency and overall profitability of their small ruminant enterprises through improved production practices and through the introduction of new technologies and to help revitalize this industry in West Virginia. (Scott Bowdridge,  scott.bowdridge@mail.wvu.edu

  • West Virginia University Natural History Museum: Housed in Percival Hall, our natural history museum provides enhanced learning opportunities, promotes economic development, and ensures maintenance of natural history collections in the Appalachians. (wetland@wvu.edu)

  • WVU Evansdale Greenhouse : Completed in the summer of 2012, This state-of-the-art facility under the direction of the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences is a center for teaching, research and outreach. (Amanda Barth, amanda.barth@mail.wvu.edu)